By Sheldon Trollope

HAVE YOU EVER wondered what all those buttons on that expensive digital camera you bought actually do? Do you fully make use of all the features and applications on your computer? For those of us who are allergic to instructions manuals, chances are we’d only be too happy to make full use of all our gadgets if only somebody were to show us how.

Similarly, when it comes to cars, functions like traction control, stability programs in their myriad forms or all-wheel drive remain a mystery to the majority of drivers.

One car importer that seeks to educate its drivers about the capabilities of its products is Subaru distributor Motor Image Enterprises. Earlier this month, the Subaru Advanced Driving Course was held at the Sepang International Circuit for the second year running.

Speaking with CarBuyer, Glenn Tan, Chief Executive of Motor Image Enterprises explained that the purpose of the programme was to “best demonstrate Subaru’s all-wheel drive technology” as well as to educate its customers on various defensive driving techniques. He added that “this programme also helps customers understand their cars better, and to better enjoy the Subaru all-wheel drive experience.”

The weekend-long programme was conducted by Malaysian Sean Khoo, a professional driving instructor whose credentials include training in various race driver schools in Australia and the United States as well as regular stints as the safety car driver for events such as the Malaysian Grand Prix, Moto GP and the Malaysian leg of the Japan GT Championships. The 34-year-old Khoo was recently in Singapore for a stunt driving demonstration (also in a Subaru) for the AutoTrail 2005 event at Marina South.

With an animated delivery, Khoo briefed the 73 participants during a theory session held the day before the actual driving course. The next day was spent at Sepang where the owners, this time in smaller groups of 10 or less, ran through various simulations that demonstrated the capabilities of Subaru’s all-wheel drive cars.