RACQ Motoring

Technical Reports

Position Paper - Right to Repair

Access to technical information on modern vehicles has emerged as a significant issue for independent repairers and, therefore, for the vehicle owners who choose to use them. Without this information it is not possible to undertake the full range of servicing and repairs necessary to keep a vehicle in good order.

Updated 28/07/2010 Download PDF (89.7 KB)

Hybrid Noise Testing

A Field Test - Audible detection of approaching hybrid and petrol powered vehicles in the urban environment

Updated 24/08/2010 Download PDF (410.2 KB)

Tyre Gauge Survey, 2005

Incorrect tyre inflation pressure is a well-documented cause of catastrophic tyre failure, rapid and uneven tyre wear and increased fuel consumption. It can also affect ride and handling.

Updated 15/10/2010 Download PDF (898.9 KB)

ULP vs E10 - a comparison, 2007

The addition of 10% ethanol to 91 RON unleaded petrol is claimed to reduce the resulting fuel’s energy content by approximately 3%. In theory, this should increase fuel consumption by approximately the same figure, given that it would be necessary to burn approximately 3% more fuel to release the same amount of energy. However it was not clear if this theoretical increase translated to “real world” operation, and if it did, whether any variation in consumption would be obvious to the average motorist.

Updated 15/10/2010 Download PDF (1.1 MB)

Temperature in Cars Survey

The temperatures attained inside parked cars is a topical issue and RACQ receives many related member enquiries. These typically range from vehicle buyers seeking to choose the coolest colour for a new vehicle, to those attempting to determine the benefits of window tinting film.

Updated 13/02/2012 Download PDF (2.0 MB)

Road Congestion Report

Vehicle running costs are an ongoing issue for motorists, as are the environmental impacts of using a motor vehicle. Fuel consumption is one of the more visible elements of vehicle running costs, not least because of the regularity (usually weekly) of refilling and rising fuel prices.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (819.7 KB)

Position Paper - High Powered Vehicle Restrictions

In mid 2007 Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) introduced a number of licensing restrictions for young drivers holding a provisional licence. These restrictions include limiting access to 'high powered (performance) vehicles' where the provisional licence holder is less than 25 years of age.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (105.3 KB)

End of Life Tyre Stewardship

The RACQ represents the interests of over 1.3 million motorists who are its members, as well as being a wider voice of advocacy for all Queensland motorists. We are therefore pleased to offer comment on the proposed end-of-life tyres product stewardship package.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (221.5 KB)

Vehicle Defect Report

RACQ inspects approximately 30,000 vehicles a year across Queensland. The majority of these vehicles are inspected for pre-purchase or warranty related purposes. Defects listed in this report are primarily those that would affect the vehicle's safety or roadworthiness and have been categorised as either 'Severe' or 'Important' depending on their condition.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (526.7 KB)

Lemon Laws

Consumers faced with vehicles with persistent unresolved issues are currently served by unsatisfactorily legal and legislative mechanisms. These vehicles are often referred to as lemons.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (297.5 KB)

Position Paper - Random Vehicle Inspections

From a study of the roadworthiness of vehicles presented to RACQ's Vehicle Inspection Service, the Club can clearly show that a significant number of vehicles being used on Queensland roads have defects that affect their roadworthiness or safety levels.

Updated 18/10/2010 Download PDF (932.2 KB)