According to Wikipedia, variable valve timing (VVT) is “the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions”.
A combustion engine takes in air to the cylinder chamber and gives off exhaust gases by means of valves which open and close the intake and exhaust passages. Variable valve timing changes the manner in which the intake and exhaust valves work at different engine speeds – helping to improve the engine’s performance and fuel economy and emissions by enabling the optimisation of engine performance under different loads and operations. As an example, a low engine speed valve timing can be advanced to help throttle response and engine torque, whilst under load. Valve timing can be retarded in order to reduce exhaust emissions and increase power at higher RPM, where valve opening times are greater.
Although VVT was first patented by Fiat in the late 1960’s, the first production vehicle to be made available to the market with a VVT system was the Alfa Romeo Spider 2000, released in 1980. Since then, many motor manufacturers have adopted the technology, with implementation variations and different names – for example Toyota has VVT-I or Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence and Honda has VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control – but they are all based on the same underlying technology.
Engines without VVT have a non-adjustable camshaft, with fixed valve movement duration and timing.
A rotating camshaft sits above the valves and controls the opening and closing of the valves. The technology controls the timing or points in the piston’s movement at which the valves open and close, how long the valves stay open and the size of the opening. Sensors measuring airflow and camshaft position feed information to the engine control unit (ECU), which controls the valve movement.
Using the camshaft to control the opening and closing of the valves does limit the variability of the valve. Better engine performance would be possible if we were able to directly control each valve – and this is where the future lies for this technology.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have completely changed how we use our mobile phones in the car. These systems let you access calls, messages, music and navigation using your car's touchscreen or voice control, making driving a lot easier and safer.
But if you're an L or P-plate driver, some Australian states have strict rules about what you can and can't do with these systems while you're driving. For new drivers and their parents, it's important to understand which laws apply where to avoid potentially hefty penalties. The potential penalties listed for each state and territory may have changed since this article was first published. Always check your state or territory government website for the most up-to-date information.
In NSW, L and P-platers are not allowed to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving. Even connecting your mobile phone through Bluetooth or a USB cable is not allowed, effectively ruling out mobile phone use entirely while driving as an L or P-plater.
If you're caught using your mobile phone in any of these ways, you could face a fine of $387 and 5 demerit points. If the offence occurs in a school zone, the fine increases to $514, and you could incur up to 10 demerit points, which is enough to lose your licence in one go.
There are some exemptions where L and P-plate drivers can legally use a mobile phone in the car in NSW. For example, you're allowed to use your mobile phone when the car is parked safely out of the line of traffic (the ignition does not need to be turned off).
You can also use your mobile phone if you need to show your digital driver licence when instructed by a police officer, or when making a payment or showing a voucher, but only in locations like a car park, driveway or drive-through, and only when the car is stationary.
In Victoria, the rules for L and P-plate drivers are a little more relaxed than in NSW. L and P-platers can have their phone connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but must not "scroll or enter information, use voice controls, use the device for text messages, social media, emails, websites or for video calls."
Because of these rules, it's a good idea to set up your favourite playlist and route on maps before you start driving, otherwise you may risk a $555 fine and 4 demerit points.
In Queensland, the rules around Apple CarPlay and Android Auto depend on your age and the type of provisional licence you hold.
For L and P1 licence holders under 25 years old, any mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, including hands-free kits, bluetooth accessories, wireless headsets and a phone's loudspeaker function.
If you're an L or P1 licence holder and use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving, you're treated the same as if you were using your phone directly. The penalty is $1,161 and 4 demerit points.
For P2 licence holders, and P1 licence holders over 25, hands-free mobile phone use is allowed. This includes using a phone in a cradle attached to the car or connected to the car's system for tasks such as accepting calls, using navigation apps, skipping a song, or accepting or finishing a trip as a rideshare driver.
As with Queensland, the rules around Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in South Australia depend on the type of provisional licence you hold.
For L and P1 drivers, any use of Bluetooth or wired technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is prohibited. If you're caught, you could face a $573 fine and 3 demerit points, plus a Victims of Crime levy of $105 if you're 18 or over, or $20 if you're under 18.
On the other hand, P2 licence holders are allowed to use the features provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the phone itself must never be looked at while driving.
In Western Australia, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be used by all licence classes, including L and P-plate drivers. However, there are strict rules about how you interact with your phone while driving.
Drivers can only use a mobile phone to make or receive a voice call if the phone is secured in a mounting or the driver doesn't hold or touch the phone while making the call. Drivers who make a call or touch their phone outside these conditions can face a $500 fine and 3 demerit points. If you're caught creating, sending, or looking at a text, email, social media post, photo, video or similar, the penalty increases to $1,000.
Similarly to NSW, L and P-plate drivers in the Northern Territory are not allowed to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving. Even connecting your mobile phone through Bluetooth or a USB cable is not allowed, effectively ruling out mobile phone use entirely while driving as an L or P-plater.
If you're caught using your mobile phone in any of these ways, you could face a fine of $500 and 3 demerit points.
The only exemption is if the car is stationary and located somewhere other than a marked lane or line of traffic on the road. In this case, L and P-plate drivers are allowed to use their mobile phones.
In Tasmania, L and P1 drivers are not allowed to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving. However, playing music or using GPS is allowed, as long as the phone is set up before you start driving and you do not interact with it in any way while on the road. Drivers who fail to follow these rules can face a $390 fine and 3 demerit points.
P2 drivers have more flexibility and are permitted to use their mobile phone in hands-free or speaker mode.
Similarly to Tasmania, L and P-plate drivers in the ACT are not allowed to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto while driving. However, playing music or using GPS is allowed, as long as the phone is set up before you start driving and you do not interact with it in any way while on the road. Drivers who fail to follow these rules can face a $514 fine and 3 demerit points.
In the past century, few nations have suffered more than the people of Ukraine. During the Second World War, the country, including its capital, were ravaged by the forces of Nazism. 2,000 mass graves of Ukrainian Jews remain throughout the country as evidence of a barbaric and shameful past.
Aside from the devastation caused by invasion, we remember the millions of Ukrainians who died in the famine imposed on Ukraine in the 1930s through the Stalinist policies directed against the peasantry from the Kremlin. This is one of the great crimes of modern history and is so often forgotten.
With this bloody history in mind, today we watch with anguish and despair as the people of Ukraine are invaded once more. Once again, we see needless suffering from policies directed from Moscow. Ukraine is facing loss of life, the prospect of loss of land, and loss of freedom.
Ukraine is a sovereign state and its people have the absolute right to determine whether their future lies in closer ties with Europe and the US or with Russia. The Russian Federation has sought to justify the military conquest of another state’s territory on the basis that they are protecting inhabitants of the same ethnicity allegedly suffering persecution. The use of this narrative as a pretext for invasion has a dark and sinister history.
It is difficult to comprehend how such acts could even be contemplated by the Russian Federation, which has itself suffered so greatly and sacrificed so immensely in the struggle against foreign invaders. Russia's history is of finishing wars not beginning them, protecting their land and their people against the tyrannical aspirations of would-be conquerors. This is a glorious history of which the Russian people are justifiably proud. Yet today, Russia is the aggressor and its actions violate the most basic norms of international law and breach international peace and security.
We also watch with admiration as Ukraine’s president, Volodymr Zelensky demonstrates the very best of Ukraine and of leadership. His refusal to allow his nation to be consumed by a great military power, his refusal to evacuate himself and his family despite credible reports of assassination plots, his willingness to place himself on the frontlines to bolster the moral of his forces and his people, are truly inspiring. President Zelensky’s Jewish background show the new tolerance and diversity of Ukraine and its reconciliation with a troubled and complex past. President Zelensky has been lauded as the new leader of the free world, and he inspires us all to stand tall in the face of overwhelming force, to remain close to one’s people, to be guided by principle and integrity, and to fight with courage.
We hope that this war comes to an immediate and lasting end. We hope that a ceasefire can take effect to protect civilian life and infrastructure. And we hope that fruitful negotiations are commenced and successfully completed. We deplore the bloodshed and suffering needlessly imposed on the Ukrainian people. And we extend our solidarity to Ukraine and its people throughout the world during this most difficult time.