May 15, 2023 | Buying advice |
In the world of cars, there are always some models that capture the hearts of consumers and stand out from the competition. In 2022, the Toyota RAV4 was one such car. With its impressive sales figures, the RAV4 captured the title of the world's best-selling car of the year. Toyota is 1 of the most sought-after brands worldwide anyway, appearing in the 2022 top 10 no less than five times.
In this blog article, we take a closer look at the popularity and reasons behind the success of this acclaimed Toyota SUV.
Why is the Toyota RAV4 such a success in the rest of the world?
- A global icon: The Toyota RAV4 has become a global icon since the introduction of the first model in 1994. It was one of the pioneers in the compact SUV segment and has experienced tremendous growth ever since. With each generation, the RAV4 has gained innovative features and stylish updates, keeping it appealing to car enthusiasts around the world.
- Industry-leading sales figures: In 2022, the Toyota RAV4 achieved unprecedented sales results. With more than [specific number of] units sold, it surpassed all other cars on the market and earned the title of the world's best-selling car of the year. This success is due to the RAV4's broad appeal, which appeals to families and adventurous individuals alike.
- Versatility and reliability: One of the main reasons behind the Toyota RAV4's popularity is its versatility. With a spacious interior, flexible seating configuration and generous luggage space, the RAV4 is perfect for everyday life and weekend adventures. Moreover, Toyota is known for its reliable vehicles, and the RAV4 is no exception. Buyers are confident in the RAV4's durability and quality, making it an obvious choice for many consumers.
- Advanced technology and safety features: The Toyota RAV4 is packed with advanced technology and safety features. With features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and an intuitive infotainment system, the RAV4 offers a comfortable and safe driving experience. These technological features have contributed to the RAV4's appeal to modern car buyers who value both comfort and safety.
- Sustainability and environmental friendliness: Another factor that has contributed to the Toyota RAV4's success is its focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness. The RAV4 is available as a hybrid model, making it a
Why are sales in the Netherlands lagging behind?
Although the Toyota RAV4 is a very popular car in the rest of the world, it is indeed sold relatively little in the Netherlands. There are several reasons why this is the case:
- Taxes: In the Netherlands, purchase tax (BPM) and road tax depend heavily on a car's CO2 emissions. However, the Toyota RAV4 has relatively high CO2 emissions compared to other SUVs, making it more expensive to buy and operate than similar models with lower emissions.
- Competition: The SUV market in the Netherlands is very competitive, with many choices for consumers. There are many alternative SUVs on the Dutch market that offer similar features to the RAV4, such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Kia Sportage and the Nissan Qashqai.
- Preference for smaller cars: In the Netherlands, there has traditionally been a preference for smaller cars to suit the limited parking space and narrow streets in urban areas. However, the RAV4 is a larger SUV and so may be less suitable for Dutch roads.
- Limited availability: Toyota has chosen to sell only a limited number of examples of the RAV4 in the Netherlands, possibly because of the reasons above or because it is not the main market for the car.
What are users' experiences about the Toyota RAV4?
Overall, user experiences with the Toyota RAV4 are positive. Many owners praise the RAV4 for its reliability, space, comfort and performance. Here are some common positive aspects that are often mentioned:
- Reliability: Toyota is known for its reliable cars, and the RAV4 is no exception. Many owners report that the RAV4 has few problems and that they can trust the car to get them from A to B without any problems.
- Space and comfort: The RAV4 offers a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample head and legroom for both drivers and passengers. It is a suitable choice for families and people who need ample cargo space.
- Drivability: The RAV4 is often praised for its smooth and comfortable driving experience. It offers good handling and a comfortable ride, even on longer distances. Moreover, the RAV4's hybrid models are popular for their fuel efficiency and quiet electric drive.
Are there any known problems to report about the RAV4?
While the RAV4 has generally positive user experiences, there are also some known problems reported by some owners. It is important to note that not all of these problems apply to all examples of the RAV4, but it is good to keep them in mind when considering a purchase. Some of the possible problems that have been reported include:
- Fuel consumption: Some owners have complained of higher than expected fuel consumption, especially in older models. However, it is worth noting that hybrid variants of the RAV4 tend to be very efficient.
- Infotainment system: A number of owners have experienced problems with the infotainment system, such as slow response times, software bugs or compatibility issues with smartphones. However, Toyota has released software updates to address these issues.
It is always advisable to do thorough research and, if possible, take a test drive to get your own idea of the user experience with a specific model and to discuss any concerns with a local Toyota dealer.
May 11, 2023 | Timing chain, Timing belt |
With engines, the timing belt or chain is often the Achilles' heel of internal combustion engines. Unfortunately, many cars can be mentioned where the timing belt or chain is a weak point. In a combustion engine, the timing belt/chain is responsible for driving the camshaft, which, like the crankshaft on which the pistons sit, guides the valves. If it breaks or shifts, engine failure (and damage) is irreversible. You have to be careful with these models.
Cars with weak timing belts:
- Volkswagen 1.4 TSI engine
- Renault 1.6 16v engine
- Renault the 1.5-litre dCi K9K diesel engine (from 65 to 110 hp)
- Fiat 1.3 JTD engine
- Opel 1.6 engine
- Opel 2.0-litre D20DTH diesel engine with 170 hp
- The PSA 1.6-litre e-HDi DV6 and 2.0-litre HDi DW10 diesel engines (from 110 to 150 hp). This engine can be found in the PSA (Stellantis) group's cars, such as various Peugeot, Citroën and Opel models.
- The PSA 1.2-litre VTi/PureTech EB2 three-cylinder petrol engine (from 68 to 130 hp on petrol) found in several Peugeot, Citroën and Opel models. The first generation of this belt wore out prematurely, especially on turbocharged models (110 and 130 hp). Since 2018, the manufacturer has been fitting a different belt, but it is recommended to replace it sooner (6 years or 100,000 km) to avoid problems.
Cars with weak timing chains:
- The BMW group's 1.6-litre Turbo N14 petrol engine found mainly in Mini models (Cooper S R56 and JCW), but also in PSA group cars such as Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles and Opel. This since it is nothing but the 1.6-litre THP engine.
- BMW N47 diesel engine: 2.0-litre N47 and 3.0-litre N57 diesel engines fitted in BMW models (16d to 30d), from 2007 to 2014.
- 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine two distribution chains from Jaguar/ Landrover. The models in question were produced from 2015 to 2019. You will find the engines particularly in the Range Rover Evoque.
- Mazda's 2.2-litre MZR-CD R2 diesel engines (150 and 175 hp, from 2008 to 2013) often suffer from slack timing chains. Notably found in the Mazda 6.
- 1.2-litre TCe/DIG-T H5F petrol engine (100 to 130 hp) at Renault, Nissan and Mercedes. Especially the models between 2012 and 2019.
- 1.2 litre Twinport Ecotech petrol (85 hp, from 2006 to 2015) from the Opel Corsa
- 1.6-litre CDTi B16DTU and B16DTE diesel engines (110 hp, from 2015 to 2018) also from Opel.
- 1.3-litre Multijet SDE diesel engine (70 to 95 hp) found between 2008 and 2014 at Alfa Romeo (MiTo), Fiat (Panda, 500, Grande Punto, among others), Lancia (Ypsilon, Musa) , but also at Citroën (Nemo), Opel (Corsa, Astra, Combo) and Peugeot (Bipper)
- 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre TSI/TFSI EA211 petrol engines (85, 105, 122 to 160 hp, from 2005 to 2013) from the Volkswagen group (VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda). From 2011 (1.4 TSI) and 2015 (1.2 TSI), the manufacturer updated these engines
- The 2.0-litre TSI EA113 petrol engine (200 to 210 hp, from 2004 to 2015) is causing problems with the tensioners on Golf's GTI.
- Audi 2.0 TFSI engine
- Ford 1.0 EcoBoost engine
Timely replacement of timing belt and chain
It is important to check and replace a timing belt and timing chain on time because these parts play a vital role in the functioning of a vehicle's engine. The timing belt or timing chain ensures that the camshaft, which operates the intake and exhaust valves, is kept in the correct position in relation to the crankshaft. This ensures that the valves open and close at the right time and that the combustion of fuel and air in the cylinders is optimal.
If the timing belt or timing chain breaks or stretches, this can lead to serious engine damage, such as valves opening at the wrong times and colliding with pistons. This can lead to a stalled engine and costly repairs. Replacing the timing belt or timing chain on time will prevent these problems and ensure that your vehicle continues to run safely and reliably.
Replacement intervals for the timing belt and timing chain vary by car make and model and depend on several factors, such as engine type and driving conditions. It is therefore important to consult the manufacturer's maintenance instructions and replace the timing belt or timing chain according to the recommended intervals. Want to know when your timing belt should be replaced? Then click on the following link: When to replace timing belt
Apr 19, 2023 | Buying advice |
Tractors are indispensable in the countryside and have been used in agriculture since the early 1900s. A vintage tractor is a classic vehicle often collected by enthusiasts.
In this text, we answer the following questions:
- When is a tractor officially an oldtimer tractor?
- What are well-known tractor oldtimer brands?
- Where to find vintage tractors?
- What should you look out for when buying a vintage tractor?
When is a tractor officially an oldtimer?
A tractor is generally considered a vintage car when it has reached an age of 25 years or older. However, this is not a strict rule and can vary depending on the country, region and insurer. Some insurance companies consider tractors as young as 20 years old as oldtimers, while others have a minimum age of 30.
When assessing whether a tractor can be considered an oldtimer, not only its age is considered, but also the condition of the vehicle and the extent to which it has remained original. For example, a tractor that is in perfect condition and has low mileage may be considered oldtimer before a similar tractor that is in poor condition and has high mileage.
What are well-known tractor oldtimer brands?
There are many well-known brands of vintage tractors, all of which have a rich history in the development of agriculture. Some well-known brands include Massey Ferguson, Ford, Deutz, John Deere and International Harvester.
These brands have produced many different models over the decades, all of which have their own history. Many of these brands still have a strong following among collectors and vintage tractor enthusiasts, eager to preserve agricultural history.
Where to find vintage tractors?
There are several places where you can find vintage tractors. First of all, you can search online for vintage tractors on advertising platforms such as Online Classic World. There are also several forums for vintage tractor enthusiasts where you can search for tractors and exchange information with fellow enthusiasts.
Furthermore, you can also look for vintage tractors at fairs, shows and events. Here you can often also come into contact with other enthusiasts and learn about the history of tractors.
What should you look out for when buying a vintage tractor?
If you want to buy a vintage tractor, there are some things to look out for.
First of all, it is important to know the purpose of the purchase. Do you want to use the tractor or just display it? If you want to use the oldtimer, it should still be in good condition to safely participate in traffic. Therefore, check the brakes, tyres, engine and other important parts of the tractor.
It is also important to know what the tractor is worth. This can help you determine a fair price. It is wise to look carefully at the history of the tractor. This way, you can check whether it has been well maintained and whether any repairs or restorations have been carried out.
Apr 17, 2023 | Diesel |
AdBlue is a liquid solution used to reduce NOx (or nitrogen oxides) emissions from diesel engines. AdBlue is injected into the exhaust system between the engine and the SCR catalyst and converts the nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and water. As a result, you therefore have lower NOx emissions.
In this article, we take a closer look at what exactly AdBlue is.
What is AdBlue
As explained above, AdBlue is an aqueous solution added into the engine system. AdBlue is a mixture of demineralised water and pure urea
Not all passenger cars are equipped with one; your car must have an SCR system. SCR stands for 'Selective Catalytic Reduction' or Selective Catalytic Reduction. These are mainly Euro 6 diesel engines. From 2014, this system was introduced in trucks but from 2014 onwards also in several passenger cars. Several models of various brands use SCR catalyst such as Audi, BMW, Citroën, Ford, Mazda, Opel and Peugeot, for example.
How can I refill AdBlue?
Where you can refill AdBlue varies from car to car, sometimes the filler cap is next to the Diesel filler cap but sometimes it is under the bonnet. Not sure? Check your car's manual! It is often a blue screw cap with the text AdBlue on it.
You can refill AdBlue yourself, simply buy a jerry can of AdBlue and fill the reservoir. Just twist off the cap and pour. AdBlue is often available in 5- or 10-litre containers and available from various (online) shops. Buy AdBlue can easily be done at this webshop, for example.
When should I refill it?
If your car has an SCR system, there is probably a gauge in the car where you can see the level of AdBlue. Keep a close eye on the gauge and top up AdBlue as soon as the level gets too low.
If you have scheduled a service for your car, the mechanic in the workshop will often also check the level and top it up where necessary. If the AdBlue tank becomes empty, however, you should refill it yourself in time, make sure there is always enough fluid in the tank but don't overfill the tank. This is because if you pour too much of the fluid into the tank, it can overflow. You then have the chance that the liquid will crystallise, clogging the reservoir's filler neck. So stop filling the tank in time. If in doubt, we always recommend having it refilled by a specialist garage in your area.
Storage advice
Remember to store AdBlue at room temperature and in a dark place as the product can freeze at -11 degrees celcius and its composition can change due to exposure to UV light. So store it in a dark place and not too cold.
Nitrogen oxides?
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are mainly released during combustion processes, where oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2) from the air react with each other. These combustion processes take place particularly in vehicles with diesel combustion engines. NOx is particularly harmful to the environment and is, for example, 40 times more toxic than carbon monoxide (CO) and 4 times more dangerous than nitrogen monoxide (NO).
By adding AdBlue, a chemical process occurs that reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 80% by converting much of it into nitrogen and water.
Apr 14, 2023 | Insurance |
Do you have a van and want to insure it? Then keep in mind that it is not the same as a normal car. Looking at what the tax authorities mean by a van, the van must meet the following requirements:
- The van is mainly equipped for transporting goods.
- The cargo area should have a fixed, flat loading floor across the entire width and length of the cargo area.
- No seats may be present in the cargo area.
- The maximum authorised mass is a maximum of 3,500 kilograms. The permissible maximum mass is the weight of the van plus the permissible weight of passengers and cargo combined. If you exceed this 3,500 kilos, it is no longer a van but a truck.
Do you meet these requirements? Then you can look for a suitable van insurance policy!
Points of attention for van insurance
If you search online you will soon find out that there are many providers for van insurance. Do you go for basic insurance or do you want additional insurances as well? In any case, take the following into account with a van insurance.
Decide what exactly you want to insure and how much you want to spend per month on insurance. If budget is low, you may decide to disregard supplementary insurance and go for the basic insurance only. If you have more budget, you can of course choose additional packages such as breakdown cover, cargo insurance (for the stuff in your van), legal expenses insurance (for legal help) or passenger accident insurance. Of course, the more additional insurances you take out, the higher the premium. So weigh up carefully what you need and what you really cannot do without.- Compare the price for basic insurance. As with a passenger car, you can choose between WA, WA + Limited Casco and WA + full casco. With WA, the basic package is the simplest and covers the least, if you want full security, you should go for WA+ full body. So decide carefully what you want and compare the prices of different insurers.
- Take a good look at the general terms and conditions and what is covered; this can vary considerably from one insurer to another. So look carefully at the small print and decide what is important to you, so you may need additional insurance.
- Other services such as replacement transport, for example, can also vary from provider to provider, look carefully at these too.
- Do you travel abroad a lot? Then also take into account the coverage abroad, suppose you are stranded in France with a breakdown it is nice to know where you stand. These are important points to think about.
Not getting anywhere and still want more advice? Then approach an independent insurance adviser in your area who can do the work for you!
What's the difference? WA/ WA+ difference
We also have the various insurance policies in this blog explained but roughly speaking, the differences are as follows:
- WA: the legally required insurance, this applies to all cars and is meant to cover damage you cause to others with your van.
- WA+ limited casco: With this, you also insure damage to the car itself in certain cases. For example, damage due to theft, fire and storm and windscreen damage. Damage to your van due to a collision is not covered.
- WA+ full casco: This is the most comprehensive insurance and here you also get compensation for damage to your van due to a collision, even if the collision is your own fault.
Want to make sure your car is a van? Then use this tool from the tax authority.
Good luck with your choice!
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