Buying A Car in Eight Easy Steps

Buying a car can be a scary-exciting experience, so, take the sting out of it with our handy 8-step guide to buying a new car.

BUYING A NEW CAR is an exciting time, but there are traps and pitfalls for the unwary and ill-prepared. So, to help make it a little easier we've prepared an eight-step guide to making sure you don't get caught out when buying a new car. And, if you think we've missed something out, let us know by leaving a comment at the end of this story and we'll make sure we update the article.

Credit : freepik.com

1. Know your rights.

Buying through a dealer offers you legally binding consumer protection, so know what you are and are not entitled to. While Australia is yet to introduce a lemon law, you are still covered by normal consumer laws that require a product is fit for the purpose. However, if you buy an unsuitable car, or later change your mind, you have little legal comeback and it can be an expensive mistake.

2. Take a test drive.

It's amazing how many people are willing to buy a car without first test driving it. We're all different, and no matter how many reviews you may have read (even on Practical Motoring!), or endorsements by owners, the only way to learn if a car is really right for you is to get behind the wheel and drive it. Don't forget to get into the passenger seat and rear seat as well. Check out the boot space. Read the fuel consumption placard on the windscreen and ask yourself if you can live with the fuel costs (especially relevant with large SUVs).

3. Look into the service costs.

More and more manufacturers are offering fixed price or capped price servicing. Understand the difference. Ask about the servicing costs over your likely ownership period, and make sure you understand what's covered by the warranty and what isn't and how long it is (three years/100,000km used to be the standard warranty but now many companies offer a much better warranty - Kia's is still the standout at seven years and unlimited kilometres). Also, remember that non-dealer servicing can be considerably cheaper and won't void your warranty, as long as the servicing is done according to the prescribed servicing schedule and uses genuine parts.

4. Stick to your budget.

It's very easy to get carried away when buying a new car, so set yourself a budget and stick to it. Remember that ticking options boxes can add a considerable sum to the purchase price. Don't be swayed by the "it'll only add a few dollars a month to the repayment" argument. Arrange your own finance, rather than settling for a finance deal offered by a dealer. Take into account all the costs of ownership, not just the purchase price (or monthly repayments). And don't sign up for dealer packages such as paint protection, fabric protection, rust treatments or anything else they may try to load onto the deal - if you really must have any of these, it's cheaper to buy it from an independent supplier once you take delivery.

5. Don't believe the price on the windscreen.

Sales staff often have room for haggling, so go ahead and haggle for the best deal you can broker. At certain times of the year, you even hold something of an upper hand, so try and time your purchase before the end of the month, or even better the end of the financial year. If you are buying late in the year or early in the New Year, remember that the build date of the car will have an effect on resale, so push for a better deal on previous-year-plated cars (or those about to become so). Ask about dealer delivery and other on-road costs; these can often be negotiated, and many cars companies offer a driveaway deal (but check that it really is a bargain, and not just a come-on). Before you sign the contract, read it. And don't succumb to pressure to sign immediately - few deals are so hot they can't wait a few days or a week or so. You may wish to consider a demonstrator model. Often these cars haven't actually done test drive duty so you can pick one up with zero miles on the odometer, but check when the warranty period commenced, and ensure that the car meets your needs.

6. Shop around.

If you are buying a popular brand, play one dealer off against another. And remember that the internet makes it possible for you to shop well beyond your immediate vicinity.

7. Your trade-in is part of the deal.

Know the value of the vehicle you are trading in, but be realistic. If the dealer won't offer you a fair price for your trade-in, consider selling it privately (private sale prices are usually somewhere between the trade-in valuation and the price a dealer will ask for the vehicle).

8. Arrange insurance before taking delivery.

Imagine how shattered you would be if your new car was written off on your way home. It would be considerably worse if you had neglected to arrange insurance beforehand.

Also read: HOW TO BOOK A NEW CAR

Back to All Car Maintenance Tips, Tricks, Article, Resources

To Know More Honda car showrooms in western mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com 

Source - msn.com

What to do if you are involved in a Car Accident

An accident can happen when you least expect it. While you can take certain proactive steps to prevent an accident, these aren't foolproof, especially since an accident isn't necessarily always the driver's fault. In such a scenario, certain reactive measures can help you cope with and prevent further delay in getting help. Here are the steps you need to do in case you are unfortunately involved in an accident.

What do you need

1. Emergency numbers (Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade) of the state you are driving in. Having these stored on your smartphone, or having a physical copy of these in your glovebox will be of great help. Some car manuals also have emergency numbers in them

2. Keep the warning triangle that comes standard with your car. It can be a lifesaver; it improves the visibility of your vehicle to others especially when your car is a road hazard.

3. Keep a first-aid kit. While many cars come with a first-aid-kit as standard, these are in most cases, very basic. You should keep an updated first-aid kit with medicines which could be specific to your medical conditions - if any.

4. Have an awareness of where you are, especially if you are driving through new roads. Keep mental notes of the villages/towns/cities that you pass through, the highway signs and the mile markers - this can be of great help after an accident if you have to tell someone where you are.

5. Keep 'Good Samaritan' sticker and information card in the car. A good Samaritan sticker on your windshield will let other road users know that you will help them in their time of need and that they should return the favour too.

6. Keep a paper with all important information regarding yourself - name, blood group type, emergency contact, etc - in the glovebox or your wallet for people to access in case you are incapacitated due to a car accident. Have multiple cards if you are travelling with others. There are also tracking apps available on your smartphone such as Trusted Contacts by Google that relay your live location. This is helpful when your near and dear ones want to know where you are.

7. In case your car has automatic emergency assistance system, keep them activated while driving. Many cars in India, for example the cars from Ford, have an in-built emergency assistance system in their infotainment unit - this only works if you have your phone paired to the system via Bluetooth. The system can alert emergency services nearby on its own, if you cannot.

I Have Had An Accident, Now What ?

1. Take deep breaths. If you are conscious, this will help you calm down. Your body has probably gone in shock. Try to calm down as it may hamper your decision-making abilities.

2. Put on the hazard lamps, this is your way of letting others know that your car is a hazard. Some cars have hazard warning lights that come on automatically in case they sense they have been involved in an accident.

3. Check yourself. If you are conscious, it is a good sign. Check if you can move (very slowly), any broken body parts should make themselves felt with bursts of pain. If you are injured, it's best not to move. Someone will be on their way to help you.

4. If you think the car can be moved to a safer location, provided the car is working, do so. Do this only if you are fit enough to drive. Take the help of someone else (co-passengers/passersby) if needed.

5. Check for injuries, which can vary depending on the severity of the accident. Be careful, not all injuries are visible. Some injuries can be aggravated if not handled properly - if you are unsure about something, DON'T DO IT. If you are travelling with others, get an audible 'I am okay/not okay' before proceeding to help them. If people outside your car are also involved, help them too, only after ensuring you are fit enough to do that.

6. Call emergency services. It is important that you let the police and the medical services know of the accident. Not calling the police may prove to be a mistake depending on the situation - they can stop/redirect traffic or stop crowding or help too. If needed, call the fire services too.

Most accidents catch even the best drivers off-guard. Hence, the best you can do is be prepared. This advice may sound extreme, but it is always good to be prepared for the worst.

Also read: HOW TO BOOK A NEW CAR

Back to All Car Maintenance Tips, Tricks, Article, Resources

To Know More Honda Car Workshop in Borivali, Mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com 

Source - cardekho.com

Reasons why Car Insurance Claims are Denied

We all insure our cars for the reason of safety, and with hope that in case if there’s an accident, the insurance company would come to our rescue. However, nothing holds the insurance company from denying the claim made under circumstances clearly ruled out in the policy documents. Other than the lesser known reasons that might differ with the insurance companies, some obvious ones that apply to all of them, are really worth knowing. They are worth knowing because it’s legally abiding for the insurance company to walk away under such circumstances without paying a penny.

Below are the Reasons for Car Insurance Claims are Denied

Driving under influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol affects driving ability and can attract fine from traffic police.In a condition, where the car meets an accident while you are driving under the influence, nothing would prevent the insurance company from denying the claim if the allegation is substantiated by a police complaint.

The case of consequential damage

It’s assumed to be common knowledge that driving a car under certain situations can cause permanent damage to it. Driving on flooded roads, in stormy conditions where it can be blown away by strong winds are couple of examples. It constitutes consequential damage and keeps insurance companies from approving all such claims where the driver is at fault and has driven the car into such situations.

Unlicensed driver

A car may be owned by someone and he/she may allow members of his family to drive it. Almost every insurance policy covers damages caused by licensed driver regardless of the owner of the car. However, in case of accidental damages done to the car while it’s driven by a minor who is not in possession of a valid driving license would keep the insurance company from approving such claims.

Reckless driving

In an event where the driver has been found driving on the wrong side of the road, or violating the traffic rules, traffic lights, texting while driving etc, such cases would be treated as a case of reckless driving and the insurance company would not pay any damages that might be a direct result of this.

Car theft

Due to the reason that car theft are not easier to investigate, they are widely abused by dishonest individuals to make claims and draw money using insurance. Result of investigation that’s done lies solely in the hands of insurance companies and are always under strict scrutiny. Therefore, it’s advisable to lock your car before leaving and park it in a well-lit, suitable spot. Any negligence on part of the owner is likely to be seen as an encouragement and would prevent the investigating officer from providing the claimed amount.

Since the policy is subject to terms and conditions dictated by the insurance company, it’s advisable to read all of them before purchasing a policy. Nothing stops the insurance company from providing the claim as long as it abides by the terms and conditions that it explicitly defines.

Also read: HOW TO BOOK A NEW CAR

Back to All Car Maintenance Tips, Tricks, Article, Resources

To Know More Honda Car Service Center in Mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com 

Source - autoportal.com

Tire Nomenclature

Pls find below the details on how to read tire terminology mentioned on your tire.

It is imperative to buy the new tire as per the existing tire in order to maintain vehicle dynamics and stability of the vehicle and long life

175 / 70 R 13 82 S

Here 175 - stands for tire width measured in millimeters

70 - Is the Aspect Ratio which is the ratio of tire height by width measured in millimeters

R - Type of construction – Radial tire

13 - Diameter of the rim measured in inches

82 - Load Index viz, load carrying capacity of the tire measured in kilograms

S - Speed Index viz, maximum speed of the tire measured in Kilometers per hour

If you take a look at the table given below, 82 index translates to 475 kg. This means that one tire, which is inflated at maximum level, will be able to carry 475 kg. Four tires can carry a total 1,900kg.

If you subtract the weight of the vehicle itself, you can get the net weight you can load in terms of passengers and baggage. 

The speed symbol S corresponds to 180 km/h. This means the tire can run at 180 km/h with the specified weight in the load index.

Be aware of your tire's load index and speed symbol. When using new tires, make sure that the spare tire you are using have the same or higher load index and speed symbol just to be safe.

Also read: How to change a Flat Tire

Back to All Car Maintenance Tips, Tricks, Article, Resources

To Know More Honda Car Service Mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com