// $car->wheels; // However, if the variable or method is 'static' we can access it directly in the class without an instance // Note: with static methods you can't use $this! class Vehicle { public static $wheels = 4; public static function lorry() { // $wheels = 12; // If a NORMAL var is declared here, it can be accessed normally; but mixing normal and static vars and methods is probably not a good idea. // If trying to use a static variable, you must use the static :: notation, even within a method echo Vehicle::$wheels . "<br>"; } } echo Vehicle::$wheels . "<br>"; Vehicle::lorry(); Vehicle::$wheels = 18; echo Vehicle::$wheels . "<br>"; Vehicle::lorry(); echo "<hr>"; // Using static variables with class extension is NOT the same as using different instances // Take this example: class One { static $foo; } class Two extends One { } class Three extends One { }