In this episode, Peter gives us a breakdown of how disc breaks work. 

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes and 33 seconds.

In this episode of How Things Work, we’re taking you through the ins and outs of the CV joint. A remarkable mechanical device that has allowed cars and steering to evolve. Watch the video and learn more about this marvel now.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 33 seconds.

Choosing a new car is about making all the right choices and ensuring your emotions do not rule over practicalities.  Take the opportunity to evaluate if the car is a great fit for you, as parents and if it’s safe for the kids too.

From humble beginnings to making history, we’re diving into the Suzuki Vitara’s rich heritage and exploring the origin story of this iconic superhero of a car.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 1 second.

Continuing on from our previous episode on the modern exhaust Peter takes a look at two components in particular and goes into some more detail on each of them. Have a look to see which one includes a surprising liquid ingredient. Can you guess what it is?

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 42 seconds.

From poisonous gasses to catalytic reduction devices, Peter dissects the parts of a modern exhaust to show exactly which components go into it and how each part plays a vital role in keeping the car safe and moving. This would be particularly interesting for those of you who’ve watched one too many episodes of “Pimp My Ride” and tried to DIY it with a friend. Find out how you could potentially be hurting your car and pockets for that Vrrrpphhaa sound.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 13 seconds.

Peter chats about a few of the safety tips we should be thinking about and checking on before travelling longer distances and includes a handy workaround for checking spare wheel tyre pressures that most of us often forget about. Watch the video now.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 20 seconds.

What is torque and what is power? And what exactly is horsepower? Peter takes a look at the differences and demonstrates the differences using science. Watching this video will help you to ask the right questions when you get to the dealership.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes, 23 seconds.

The big debate: what is the difference between an all-wheel-drive system, a four-wheel-drive system and a 4x4 system. In this episode of How Things Work, Peter unpacks the four-wheel-drive system to find out if there really is a difference. Let’s settle the debate, once and for all

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 33 seconds.

The consensus out there is that nitrogen-filled tyres are better than standard air filled tyres, but did you know that oxygen already contains 79% of nitrogen? While there is no harm in choosing nitrogen over oxygen (air), it’s always better to know what you are getting with each. Let’s unpack the claims with Peter, to see if it is really worth it.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 14 seconds.

There is often confusion surrounding the inner workings of a vehicle’s transmission and the different types of transmissions that are available on the market today. In this episode, Peter takes us through the workings of a transmission for both manual and automated-manual transmission (AMT) cars, how they save you petrol, and common mistakes we make in South Africa that cause premature damage to our transmissions. Instead of digging in your pockets for extra cash, save some. Watch our video now! 

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 21 seconds.

Photo credit: Adrian Burford

To some there’s nothing more exciting than accessorising your new car (or even your more mature and trusty wheels), but surprisingly many people don’t realise how much value certain accessories can add to your driving life. 

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes, 43 seconds.

In this episode of How Things Work, we’re taking a look at your car’s passive safety systems, specifically airbags, seatbelts and other soft-touch elements in your car that help to keep you safe. Do you know what “SRS” on your airbag stands for, or even when your car’s airbags will deploy? Watch the video now and learn more about passive car safety.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 5 seconds.

In this episode of How Things Work, we’re taking a look at your car’s passive safety systems. Peter Viljoen takes a look at the different types of chassis that are in cars, how designers meet the brief to design a chassis and how it helps to keep a car’s occupants safe and mitigate the effects of a crash.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 41 seconds.

ESP, ESC, Traction Control. Many people call it many different things. In this episode, Frankie du Toit from 947 joins Peter Viljoen, and they revisit the skid pan in the Swift Sport to put Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) to the test. First, they get a bit out of control for some proper skids without any safety features, and then Frankie learns how to skid properly, and safely, with ESP active. Watch the video to learn more about what safety features your car has!

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes, 19 seconds.

In this episode, Frankie du Toit from 947 joins Peter Viljoen as they take a Swift Sport for a spin on a skid pan to “brake” all the rules with safety systems off to see just how much safer a car is with safety features like Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS, or like we call it, allows braking and steering), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and brake assist. While these technologies may seem standard in most vehicles today, face it, ABS is like the granddaddy of safety features, we’re showing you just how much of a difference they make!

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes, 47 seconds.

Tappets, pulleys, belts and shafts. These are all words that you might have heard people say when Petrolheads speak ‘car’ or when your car has gone in for a service. You may also have seen a “VVT” badge on some cars or even your own car. But what does it mean, and how do these all work together to make your car perform at its best? 

Image credit: Suzuki United Kingdom

From a small loom manufacturer in Japan to a global household name in the motor industry, have a look at 100 years of Suzuki history.