Simple Car Care Tips for Hot Summer

Car maintenance and Car care is important to keep your car Healthy. Here are Some of the important tips to take care of your car in Hot Summer.

Coolant

Keep your cars coolant levels topped up. If there is not sufficient coolant in the system, your cars engine can overheat and seize up. But make sure that the engine is not hot when opening the radiator cap because the whole thing will be under pressure and can scald you severely.

Air Conditioner

Quite possibly regarded as the most important feature of a car during summer (and for good reason!), the air conditioner must be ready to tackle the immense heat. A good service should find out whether there are any problems with the compressor or whether the refrigerant level is low.



Parking in the Sun

Try as much as possible to avoid parking your car in direct sunlight. Even after being in the sun for a short while, the cars interiors can become intolerably hot. If there is no alternative, crack the windows so that air can circulate. Also, do not turn the AC on immediately afterwards. Drive for a few minutes with the windows down to allow most of the heat to escape first. This reduces the AC load immensely and also helps to reduce fuel consumption.

Oil

Change the oil at regular intervals as specified by the manufacturer; more frequently if you live in a dusty or more polluted area. Otherwise, carbon build-up, viscosity loss and other residue in the oil can wreck your engine. Synthetic engine oils are better for your engine than regular oil. Although they cost more, they will actually reduce maintenance costs over time. It is also worth making sure that your car has a clean air filter.

Tyres

Tyres wear faster when driven in hot and dry weather conditions. The tread can go bald and tyre pressure loss increases during the summer months. Keep the tyre pressure at optimum levels at all times and if the tread depth is less than ideal, change the tyre itself.



Brakes

Brake pads get eroded at a much faster rate under the summer heat and this can severely affect the stopping distance of the car. Always check the brake pad thickness before summer hits to make sure that they will last. Otherwise you will be putting yourself at a high risk of not being able to bring the car to a halt in time.

Wipers

Checking your wipers in summer might sound odd but during these hot months, summer showers do occur. Under the blazing sun and hot air, the rubber wiper blades can get baked until they become brittle and cracked. This means that when they rains arrive; visibility through the windshield can become awfully hampered. Therefore, ensure that the wiper blades are in good condition and that the windshield washer fluid is topped up.

To Book Honda Car Servicing in Mumbai Contact us at 022 67385555

HCIL launches its Bold and Versatile Honda BR-V

• Marks Honda's entry into the popular Compact SUV segment in India
• Bold Sporty Exterior with Highest Ground Clearance of 210 mm
• Highly Versatile 3 Row Premium Interiors
• Segment first advanced CVT with Paddle Shifters in petrol variant
• 3-years Unlimited Km warranty as standard value for all BR-V customers

Summer’s extreme temperatures can destroy a vehicle’s battery. The Solitaire Honda advises vehicle owners to have their cars’ batteries tested periodically and replaced, if necessary, to avoid being stranded.

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, Introduced its new model Honda BR-V. The BR-V (Bold Runabout Vehicle) boasts a Bold and Sporty Stance, Best in Class Ground Clearance, Powerful Performance, Excellent Mileage and Highly Versatile Premium Interior with 3-row configuration.

The BR-V is available in both Diesel and Petrol fuel options in India. The petrol variant is equipped with Honda's extremely popular 16-Valve, 4-Cylinder 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with new and exclusively developed 6-speed Manual Transmission and first-in-class Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The diesel variant is equipped with the 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel engine from Earth Dreams Technology series in 6 speed Manual Transmission.

In yet another segment first, the unique "Paddle Shift" option in the CVT variant provides the convenience of an automatic with enhanced driving pleasure of a manual and can be operated using the Sports Car inspired paddle switches located just behind the steering spoke.

In line with HCIL's Safety Direction in India, the BR-V comes equipped with Dual SRS Air Bags as Standard offering across variants, along with host of other active and passive safety features.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yoichiro Ueno, President & CEO, Honda Cars India Limited said, "India is a key market for Honda and as part of our business expansion, we are focusing on increasing our customer base with new model introductions. The launch of BR-V marks Honda's entry into the popular compact SUV segment. Customers can experience the outstanding appearance of an SUV and benefit from the versatility and comfort of its spacious 3 row interiors. We are confident that BR-V will strongly appeal to the customers and accelerate our growth while strengthening our brand presence in the country."

The BR-V has been developed at Honda R&D Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. located in Bangkok, Thailand. The car has been designed basis results obtained from extensive market surveys in India and other Asian markets for people's needs of an SUV with additional value.

The BR-V 1.5L i-VTEC Petrol Engine delivers maximum power of 119 PS@ 6,600 rpm, maximum torque of 145 Nm @4,600 rpm and best in class economy of 15.4 km/l in MT version and 16 km/l in CVT version respectively. The Diesel 1.5L i-DTEC engine on the BR-V delivers maximum power of 100PS@3600rpm and maximum torque of 200Nm@1750 rpm and excellent fuel economy of 21.9km/l.

 The exterior design of Honda BR-V is striking which reflects toughness and a premium SUV character. Sporting a bold and wide stance from the front, the exterior styling is highlighted by Projector Headlamps, Front Grill Design and LED Position lamps. Silver Finish roof rails of the BR-V accentuate the sporty appeal of the vehicle. The tough sporty and premium wide feel is further enhanced by the Connected tail light design with LED Light Guide at the rear. The uniquely styled all-new 16 inch aluminum wheels emphasize the dynamism and ruggedness of the BR-V.

The BR-V interiors boast of a Sporty All Black Color Theme, Futuristic Dashboard Design, High quality material and a Highly Versatile, comfortable and spacious 3 row cabin. The Premium interiors have been further enhanced by use of Silver accents, Cool Mesh Design, Piano black finish on the Instrument panel. The White lit 3D Speedometer with Multi Information Display lends the interiors a Sporty appeal. The Leather Seats coupled with Leather wrapped steering wheel, Leather Gear Knob and Leather Door Armrests enhances the premium and sporty appeal. The BR-V also comes with multi layered fabric seats of high quality providing comfort and premiumness.

The Honda BR-V features a host of advanced interior equipment including the Push Button Start with Smart Entry, Integrated Bluetooth Audio System with ands Free Telephone (HFT) and Steering mounted controls for Audio, Automatic Air Conditioner and Power Foldable ORVMs to provide more convenience for the consumers. The Multi Information Display (MID) allows the driver to monitor all important trip and vehicle information including Driving Range, Instantaneous and Average Fuel Efficiency, Ambient Temperature and Time. Further, an Eco lamp provides feedback to the driver during fuel-efficient driving.

The outstanding package of the BR-V is based on Honda's Man Maximum Machine Minimum concept to create Maximum space for the occupants offering significantly high Headroom, Legroom and Knee room.

At 4456 mm long, 1735 mm wide & 1666 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2662 mm, efficient use of space has been made to create an ultra-spacious cabin. The 2nd Row seat features a 60:40 Split with Slide and Recline option to enable customers adjust the space as per their convenience. The 3rd row seat is a 50:50 spilt folding type which can be reclined for extra comfort. Once fold flat, the 3rd row seat can be quickly and conveniently tumbled forward to maximize the cargo space. The base cargo area for BR-V is agenerous 223 L which can be enhanced to 691 L in the 3rd row fold configuration.

Entry and exit for the third row is very convenient due to the one-touch tumble second-row seat. In addition, BR-V has Adjustable Headrests on all 3 rows.The Roof Mounted Rear Air Conditioner is positioned between the first and second row seats to optimize the air flow in all areas, ensuring maximum comfort for all passengers, no matter where they are seated. The Minimum Turning Radius of 5.3 mm (petrol) and 5.5 mm (Diesel) makes the BR-V highly maneuverable and convenient for city driving. Customers can be confident in the BR-V even when facing bad roads and stormy weather owing to its Best in class ground clearance 0f 210 mm.

The BR-V chassis realizes both superior ride comfort and smooth & agile handling. For a better crash performance and more comfortable ride of the All-new BR-V, body rigidity and damper have been newly developed for a Compact SUV driving feel. The car features a McPherson Strut suspension in the front and Torsion beam rear suspension,which dramatically improves driving stability and ride comfort. The Electric Power Steering aids the driver to steer the car with less effort and gives better handling.

Honda BR-V embraces a comprehensive approach to vehicle safety that provides a high level of both active and passive occupant protection. The BR-V's Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body enhances self-protection while mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event of a collision. The high-performance body makes extensive use of high tensile steel in key areas of the frame to enhance safety and collision force absorption. The Honda BR-V comes loaded with active and passive safety technologies including Front Dual SRS airbags as Standard Offering on all grades, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) which prevents wheel lock during sudden braking; Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) which enhances braking performance; Pretentioner seat belts with load limiters. The ABS with EBD is being offered as standard across all Diesel variants.

The BR-V is available in 4 grades offered in petrol and diesel variants - E, S, V and VX with Manual Transmission. Additionally, the BR-V will be available in CVT in V petrol variant.

The BR-V is available in 6 Exciting exterior colors - Carnelian Red Pearl, White Orchid Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Golden brown Metallic, Urban Titanium Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic and Taffeta White

The BR-V comes with a 3-years Unlimited Km warranty as standard value for all customers with another 2 years of optional extended warranty.

To Book your Honda BR-V Car Test Drive in Mumbai Contact us at +91 22 67385555 

Extreme Summer Heat Can Burn Up Car Batteries

Summer’s extreme temperatures can destroy a vehicle’s battery. The Solitaire Honda advises vehicle owners to have their cars’ batteries tested periodically and replaced, if necessary, to avoid being stranded.

Excessive heat and overcharging shortens the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery.

When most motorists think of dead batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but summer heat is the real culprit. Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. A few simple steps now can help you avoid the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown later.



To get the most life out of a battery here are some suggestions

• Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
•  If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
• Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
• Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.
  

To Book your Honda Car Servicing in Mumbai Contact us at +91 22 67385555

Bold and Premium New Honda Amaze

Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, introduced the New Honda Amaze with Bold New exterior styling, One Class Above premium interiors and several New-Age features. The new Amaze now comes equipped with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and becomes the first petrol car in its class to offer advanced CVT technology.

The New Amaze sports a bolder and wider stance from the front. The newly designed Front Bumper and Dual Chrome Front Grill, coupled with New Classy Rear Combination Lights further accentuates the exterior styling giving a new look to the car.

The Amaze features an All New One Class Above Interior Design, which is new age and user friendly. The All-New Dual tone Futuristic cockpit styled Instrument Panel with Silver accents, and a new 3D Speedometer design with Multi Information Display (MID) lends the car’s interior a very premium appeal. The newly designed premium seat fabric of the new Amaze is class apart.



The advanced and superior CVT technology from the Earth Dreams Technology series, introduced in new Amaze, will provide better drivability as compared to the conventional automatics, higher fuel economy than Manual Transmission, along with added Comfort and Convenience of an Automatic. The 1.2 L i-VTEC petrol CVT variant of Honda Amaze gives an impressive fuel economy of 18.1 km/l as per test data. The CVT variants available in the new models in Honda line-up have got a tremendous response from the Indian market and the new Amaze CVT variant with its characteristic advantages is bound to get popular among its customers.

The New Amaze Car offers many new advanced features including the Integrated Bluetooth Audio System with Hands Free Telephone (HFT) & Mobile Phone Audio Streaming for an engaging ride. The Automatic Air Conditioner with a neat knob-less design and digital display offers a very premium feel to the interiors. The lower variants adopt a similar theme of Big Screen Digital Display with Digital AC controls for a uniform premium look inside the car. The driver can monitor all important trip and vehicle information including Driving Range, Instantaneous and Average Fuel Efficiency, Ambient Temperature and Time from the Multi Information Display (MID). This allows the driver to easily and safely monitor speed, time and fuel consumption levels while driving.

To Book Your New Honda Amaze Test Drive in Mumbai Contact us at +91 22 67385555

How to improve the life of car tyres?

All car tyres are rated for certain kilometre range. However, they can wear prematurely too depending on lot of variable factors and you may need to change them before time, therefore causing extra expenditure. To ensure that you get the best out of your tyres, there are things that you can do to extend their life.

Tyre pressure

The correct tyre pressure, as suggested by the manufacturer can be found in the user manual of the car or around the driver’s door frame. The correct tyre pressure not only ensures proper grip and handling, it provides better fuel efficiency and prevents excessive tyre wear. Over inflated tyre reduces contact patch and under inflated tyre through increased flexing cause excessive tyre wear. Tyre pressure should be checked every week and maintained as recommended by the manufacturer.

Speed

As the speed of car increases, the temperature of the air inside the tyre and the tyres themselves also increases due to friction, this increases the wear. Filling tyres with normal pressurised air causes more pressure variation over time, due to the presence of moisture. Filling tyres with an inert gas like Nitrogen might help and would help pressure variation with speed and also reduce the chances of corrosion.



Load 

The contact patch area increases in direct proportion to the load and excessive load on tyres increases wear. But the contact patch area also varies inversely with inflation pressure. However, you should avoid overloading the car, but since you can not accurately measure the load of passengers that you are carrying, it is okay to overinflate the tyre by just 1-2 PSI (but not more) if you think the load exceeds the rated gross weight of the car.

Alignment & Wheel rotation

Front tyres will wear more in comparison to the rear tyres due to the presence of steering forces. Most manufacturers advise that the alignment (including camber, cater and toe adjustment) of the wheels should be done every 10,000 kilometres. Along with the alignment, you should get the wheel rotation done to avoid uneven wear of the tyres.

Wheel balancing

If the tyres are not balanced, it would show up at the steering wheel in the form of shimmy. Not only tyres unbalanced wheels can cause great damage to suspension and steering components. Although shimmy can also be due to uneven wear of the tyre and other conditions. Get the wheels balanced every time you get a new tyre or when you get the alignment done, this would maximize the tyre life.

Driving style

Driving style can affect the life of tyres to a great extent. Hard acceleration that causes wheel-spin as well as aggressive braking and cornering can cause tyres to wear out quickly. What goes without saying is that you should absolutely refrain from drifting which would wear the tyre prematurely than any other factor mentioned here.

 To know more about Honda Cars, at Solitaire Honda Showroom in Mumbai.

To Book Your Car Servicing in Mumbai Contact us at +91 22 67385555

Easy Maintenance Tips for Petrol Car

While diesel cars in recent years have managed to narrow the gap, there still is no beating the inexplicable pull of a petrol car. Besides being cheaper to purchase, they are easier to drive and go about their job rather silently. There’s no discernible vibrations like in a diesel and thanks to modern engine building techniques, they are equally fuel efficient as well.

Keeping your prized possession in top shape is a matter of both, pride as well as satisfaction. With the easy maintenance tips for petrol cars below, you’ll enjoy a lot many enjoyable drives:

• The air filter is like the lungs of the car. If it is clogged, then your car won’t breathe easy. This immediately impacts fuel efficiency and eventually leads to increased wear and tear on the engine.
• Regular air-pressure checks are among the simplest, yet invaluable of car care tips that you can follow. Besides keeping you safe whilst motoring, tires with optimal air-pressure ensure a pleasant drive and also keep the suspension components in top shape for their serviceable life.
• Another aspect of tire inspections is to ensure that the alignment and balancing schedules are adhered to without fail. This is crucial for reasons mentioned above.
• The oil in the engine of the car keeps the internal components well lubricated, running smoothly and at optimal temperature. Never delay an oil-change. In-fact, if you know that you’re going to be out on a long drive, then change the oil prior to leaving rather than risking engine damage by pushing it off for later. Another crucial thing is that the oil filter must be changed along with the oil too.
• Like the oil filter, the fuel filter change schedules too must be a part of your essential car care tips.
• Cars these days come with maintenance-free batteries. But they too must be subjected to a periodic health check-up, lest you want to risk being stranded by the roadside without prior warning.
• Spark-plugs don’t cost a lot of money and can be replaced even by a novice owner without too much hassle. Yet, their impact on vehicle performance means that an annual spark-plug inspect & change routine makes its way to the list of easy maintenance tips for petrol cars. 

Often, the only thing required to keep a car in top shape is regular inspections and maintenance as required. You can also leverage technology and maintain a record for yourself on the maintenance schedules for your car. So go on, get started if you haven’t already.

 To know more about Honda Cars, at Solitaire Honda Showroom in Mumbai.

To Book Your Car Servicing in Mumbai Contact us at +91 22 67385555

Carpets and Mats Maintenance Tips

Make sure you get rid of that musky smell in your car by cleaning your carpets and mats. Here are a few tips!

Most people are aware of the need to wash the exterior of the car periodically, but neglect to really clean out the interior. All modern cars come with a fabric-based carpet that covers the entire floor and firewall area. Most carpets after a few months of use in a country like India become a paradise for dust, grime and moisture attracting mould and fungal material. Here are a few steps you can take to clean your carpets, returning them to their original glory.

1. Clean out your garbage

You will be surprised at how clean your car can look if you clean out stray garbage inside your car. Get rid of those fast food wrappers, the old newspapers and other rubbish that might accumulate in your car. This can easily be done at home. To avoid accumulation of garbage in the future with small garbage can or a cardboard box in the back seat. Remember to put a garbage bag in the can or box, and replace it every time it fills up.

2. Vaccum the floor

One should use a vacuum to get dirt and debris that is too small to remove by hand. A portable handheld vacuum are a great way to clean the carpet whenever needed without having to look for change. These mini vacuums can be recharged and run off of battery power, or a long extension cord.

3. Clean stains

Using heavy detergents on your fabric carpets will most probably end up ruining them. The best thing one can do is used a speciality foam based cleaner to clean the carpets. Spray the dirty spot on the carpets with the cleaner and rub vigorously for a minute or two till the stain disappears. Wipe the spot thoroughly with a clean and dry soft cloth till the surface feels dry. You can clean your whole car’s carpets the same way, area by area till you get satisfactory results. If you don’t have access to foam based speciality cleaners, a spoonful of mild detergent mixed with warm water can also give satisfactory results. Remember to always squeeze out as much water from the cloth as possible before starting the cleaning process. Always do this step only after you have vacuumed or cleaned your carpets first.

4. Wash and clean your rubber/plastic mats.

car mat Your car’s mats are possibly the dirtiest parts in your car. Not only are they the point of contact between your shoes, they are often where the maximum amounts of dust and dirt accumulates. The simplest and most effective way of cleaning carpets is by taking them out of the car and shaking them around till all stray dust has fallen off. Post that, one can take a detergent and water solution and give the mats a hard rubbing till they are clean enough. Rinse them well with water and clean them with a dry cloth before installing them back into your car.


Doing these basic and rather easy steps regularly will ensure clean carpets and mats along with your car seeing fresh and generally neat. In recent times, a few dealers have started giving a carpet lamination system that coats your carpets with a layer of waterproof plastic, which, if done well, can protect your carpets for, extended periods.




To know more about Honda Cars, at Solitaire Honda Showroom in Mumbai.