10 Driving tips for New Learners

When one is learning how to drive, there are a lot of things that need to be kept in mind. In fact, whether a rookie or a mature driver, it is very important for all to be really careful when behind the steering wheel. Here, we bring to you a compact list of 10 basic rules that should be kept in mind. This list is aimed towards people who are learning to drive and are fairly new to it but along with them, it is also a reminder to all practiced drivers as well because it is usually the practiced drivers, who forget the basic ground rules and cause a ruckus on the road. Read on for the basic 'Do's and Don’ts' of driving.

Credit : pexels.com

1. Get familiar with your car

The first and foremost thing that you should do before you start driving is to get comfortable with your car. Get familiar with the basics of the car in theory before you practically start driving it. Learn what a clutch does, understand the gear arrangements and learn facts like one should never shift to a lower gear at a higher speed and that it’s always better to let the car come to a stop before you switch to reverse.

2. Correct your seating position

The second most important thing that an amateur driver should learn is, the seating position; even the learned drivers don't position themselves correctly and thus lack comfort and control, which increases the probability of accidents. Ensure that you sit straight with your back and buttocks cupped in the seat fully and are at an angular position thus helping to prevent back injuries.

The chair should be set in a position where you can see all around, very easily and comfortably. It is usually said the height of the seat should be such that your eyes are at half the height of the windshield. The chair should longitudinally be at a position, where your knees are not stretched too much when pedaling the car. Sit upright and don’t stoop forward.

3. Avoid distractions

Once you are in the driver's seat, be attentive, adjust the mirrors, wear your seatbelt and keep the rules of the road in mind. Avoid distractions while you are driving because nowadays the roads are jam packed and therefore you need to keep your eyes and attention focused towards it for every single second. Two most common and basic rules before you start driving; don't use a mobile phone while driving and don’t drink and drive. Along with these rules, new drivers especially should avoid eating, turning up the music to a very high volume and indulging in deep conversations.

4. Adjust your seat in regards to the pedals

The seat should always be set in regards to the pedals. Push the brake fully with your right foot and depress the clutch, this should be done in a manner such that while depressing the pedals fully, your knees stay bent at about 120 degrees.

5. Steering wheel position

Though, there is no one correct way of holding a steering wheel. The correctness depends on how you want to hold it to be able to have maximum control over the wheel. Most researches show that the “9 o’clock and 3 o’clock” position is the best. It’s very important to hold your steering wheel correctly to have the best control of the steering and in turn, the car.

6. Remember to use turn signals

Understand the importance of turning signals. Once you are on the road, you are one among many therefore it is very important that you alert the vehicles around you when you are about to turn. Using signals helps save a lot of mishaps on the road.

7. Don't over- speed

The most common temptation, when one is behind the steering wheel, is to speed up. It is very important that you first get familiar with the car before you start speeding.

8. Maintain a considerable distance from other vehicles

Today the cars have very powerful braking systems but despite that one should maintain a decent distance from the vehicle that is moving in front. You might be very courteous towards the rules of the road but that doesn't mean that the others are too. Today the best way to drive safely is to be a defensive driver rather than an aggressive driver.

9. Don't over use the horn

Horns are to alert the drivers around you, not to take out your frustration. Most of the times, excessive usage of horns can irritate the drivers around and cause unnecessary trouble. An enraged driver around you might cause a lot of problems on the road.

10. Keep calm while driving

Don't let your mood influence the way you drive, especially if you are a novice. A drive in anger shouldn't force you to over speed and a good mood doesn't mean that you have the levy to stroll in middle of the road.

Also read: Reasons for Car Shaking when Engine Starts

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

To Know More Honda Cars Dealer Andheri and Borivali Mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

Source - autoportal.com

Reasons for Car Shaking when Engine Starts

You own a car long enough and that’s for sure you'll have to bear with some mechanical issues. One such bothersome problem is engine vibration when you start your vehicle. If this issue increases over time, annoyance is the only thing you will face. All you have to do is just give a thought to the reason behind this car vibration. We advise you to understand these reasons that can save you from a situation, where you are just standing in the middle of nowhere, thinking “now what should I do?”

While there can be many sources of this problem, but fixing some problems that may lead to this can come handy as well as can be simple and cheap, say tire balance or rotation. Nonetheless, it could call for a more serious issue, pouring the money out of your pocket. We never think of diagnosing our vehicle’s issues when it starts in early stages, but it keeps you out from bigger car troubles and, in turn, bigger repair bills. So go on with this interesting read and find out more about the reasons that can lead to vehicle shaking as soon as you turn it on.

Credit : freepik.com

Engine

If you are thinking why my car shakes when I turn it on, engine problem could be one reason, possibly. Issues in the engine compartment can make the car tremble or shake. If your vehicle is jerking during acceleration or if the engine starts fine and drives for some time, but you start feeling vibration later, these issues could be related to the engine. There could be a possibility that the engine is not getting an appropriate amount of air-fuel mixture or spark. This is a good alert for a spark plug to be changed or if the plugs are in good working condition, check whether the spark plug wiring is connected properly.

Also, have a look at the air and fuel filter; if dirty and clogged, it can choke the engine without the mix being actually required. You can easily replace these spares and these are not that expensive as well, but we will advise you to replace the parts at the manufacturer's authorized service stations.

Mount

Engine mounts keep your car's engine in place. The engine is basically secured to the vehicle's chassis by these mounts, and these may vary in their appearance based on the shape, size, and strength needed for any given vehicle. These mounts are usually made of rubber and metal, and can be found placed between the engine and the car’s frame. There is no specific place for the mounts, and it may vary as per the design by the manufacturer. But the engine is always connected to a structural component via these mounts.

The rubber section helps absorb the vibrations developed by the engine, whereas the metal part gives structural integrity to hold everything in place. Wearing of these spares comes over time and this is why you should replace these parts from time to time. As these mounts wear out, both the metal and rubber do not perform their functional duties anymore, which could be the main issue of shaking in the front end of your car.

Brakes

When was the last time you inspected your vehicle’s disc brakes? If it was a long time back, then it is the right time to do it in case you feel some shaking in your car at any point of time. Brake problems can also lead to it. This round and shiny component can be affected by heavy wear and tear, giving a shaky feel while the car is on the move. This is due to damaged cross-sectional surface on the disc, where the rotors are compressed with the callipers and the brake pad, leading to vibration in the vehicle. Hence, it is suggested to check the brake and rotors frequently.

Power Steering

If the car vibration occurs only when you're turning, then we can easily figure out the source of the problem, which is probably the power steering system. Check visually the system's hoses for any leaks, and also have a look at the reservoir; you might need to top up the power steering fluid.

If the issue is somewhere in the power steering system, you should feel the same vibrations from turning the steering wheel even while the car is at a standstill.

Wheels

There could be issues with the tires as well. But, we usually don’t think that the wheels could also be a part of it. Indian roads are not well levelled and potholes are something that you will find as complimentary; driving over these cavernous pockets at high speed can lead to a bent on the wheels. Here, balancing helps to get rid of it but to some extent. In this case, check for any mud or clay stuck to the wheels; all you have to do is a visual inspection by rotating the wheels of the car. Mud stuck on the balancing weights can lead to the unbalancing of the wheels, which, in turn, leads to a vibration in the vehicle. So, it is advised to clean the wheels from every side to maintain the balance.

These are some typical reasons for vehicle vibration; so try these tips in advance to get rid of all the reasons behind a trembling vehicle before it actually happens.

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

Top 10 Safety Features in a Car

With passing time, everything evolves and the auto industry and the technologies revolving around it have also evolved and are highly advanced now. Modern cars are not only made to impress visually or with performance, they are made to offer great safe rides to all the occupants as well. Safety is one of the most important aspects of a modern car, and car makers are busy loading their offerings with tons of superbly sophisticated safety features.

Along with the most important basic safety features, there are several cutting-edge safety technologies which have really brought about a revolution in the industry by making cars safer than ever before.

Credit : freepik.com

Here is a list of top 10 safety features / technologies.

1. Air Bags

Air bags are one of the most crucial auto safety features. On the event of an impact or collision, the front air bags inflate to prevent the driver and front co-passenger from hitting their heads on the dashboard and steering wheel or go forward to smash the windshield. The side air bags protect the occupants from hitting the doors and the objects that crash through them. However, air bags are strictly to be used in conjunction with seat belts for proper protection and maximum effectiveness.

2. Antilock Braking System

Antilock brake system (ABS) avoids in locking the car’s wheels from locking on the event of a “panic” braking. This allows the driver to have a proper steering control which can effectively avoid a collision rather than sudden breaks. Nevertheless, ABS cannot guarantee the ability to prevent a crash, which actually no safety feature guarantees, but just offer greater protection.

ABS simply helps by offering greater control of the steering to the driver in the real need of the hour. However, vehicle control can still be lost at high speeds or in case of sharp and sudden turns. Thus, the optimum protection from ABS can be achieved only through the correct usage of ABS.

ABS can be of two types - four-wheel ABS and two-wheel ABS. While four-wheel ABS monitor as well as control all the four wheels of a vehicle, two-wheel ABS monitors and controls only the rear wheels of a car. All passenger cars that are equipped with ABS, get the four-wheel ABS, while SUVs, trucks, and vans can be equipped with either four-wheel type or the two-wheel type ABS. Some ABS also come with brake assist system, which offers greater protection by detecting the force or speed of applied brakes and activates the ABS more rapidly.

3. Traction Control

Traction control enhances the stability of a vehicle by controlling the drive that makes wheels’ slip when excess power is applied. This safety feature automatically adjusts the engine’s power output. In some traction control systems, braking force is applied to selected wheels at the time of acceleration. Traction control is primarily found in vehicles that are equipped with four-wheel antilock braking systems.

4. Electronic Stability Control

Electronic stability control comes under several trading names and assists drivers maintain control of the cars in case of extreme steering maneuvers. Electronic stability control automatically detects when a vehicle is being over-steered or under-steered which can cause accidents and automatically applies brakes on to a single wheel in order to slow down the vehicle and reduces the risk of road crashes. Thus, the ESC system stops vehicles from veering off the road and striking other objects which can also cause rollovers. Thus, it is a very helpful safety feature, but it can’t keep a car from veering off during extreme steering maneuvers at very high speeds.

5. Hill-start Assist Control / Downhill-Assist Control

The Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) supports the drivers ascending steep hilly roads, thus making the vehicle more stable on steep hills and helps avoid slipping downhill. Some cars also get Downhill Assist Control (DAC) in conjunction to HAC to make descending slopes more hassle free and safer.

These two systems are meant to make the vehicles avoid sliding on steep or even on slippery surfaces. HAC diminishes vehicle roll-back, while DAC maintains vehicle speed at 5kmph to ensure the stability of the vehicle while descending sharp slopes or slippery roads.

6. Tire-pressure Monitoring System

Tire-pressure monitoring system comes as standard in most premium cars. This system works through sensors at the wheels which alert the owner when the air pressure in the tires is too low through a sound alarm or a light alert on the instrument panel, or uses both. This system also comes with run-flat tire feature in some luxury cars that lets a car to continue to drive on with flat tires at a relatively high speed for over 50 miles.

7. Adaptive cruise control / Collision Mitigation

Modern cruise control systems just don’t maintain a constant speed, but with help of sensors and radar also adjusts the throttle as well as brakes of a car to offer a safer drive by keeping a safe distance from the vehicle at the front. This feature if and when senses a potential collision, automatically applies brake and also tighten the seatbelts. Once the lane gets clear or smooth traffic, the system automatically returns the car to the original cruising speeds.

8. Blind-spot Detection / Collision Warning

This safety technology alerts about cars or objects that are in the driver’s blind spot while driving or parking the car. It usually responds when the turn signals are put on and alerts the driver when it detects something in the blind spot by flashing a light in the rear view mirror, or vibrate the seat or steering wheel or a sound alarm.

9. Lane-departure warning

This feature is similar to the blind-spot detection system, but has a wider range. It senses an approaching vehicle's distance and speed and warns of potential collision danger while changing lanes. This can also alert if the vehicle wanders out of the lane. It also usually alerts by vibrating the steering wheel or seat, or a sound alert.

10. Rollover prevention / mitigation

This smart technology senses a potential vehicle rollover in case of a rapid and sharp swerve. It will automatically apply brakes and also control throttle to help the driver maintain control over the vehicle. This is more common in high-end luxury cars.

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

Source - autoportal.com

Top things to know about the 2018 Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V was first launched in the Indian market almost 15 years back, and with its launch Honda Cars India made its presence felt in the SUV car market. The CR-V was never famous as a hardcore sport utility vehicle but as a car which has more utility than regular sedans or hatchbacks. With the launch of the original CR-V, Honda stepped into the segment which was almost empty back in 2003. After several generations of CR-V, the company tried to revive the real charm of the car but due to stiff competition, the car never picked as much attention as it once did 15 years back. Now with the launch of the newest, 5th generation CR-V, the company has worked upon some of the important key elements which the earlier generation cars lacked.

Credit : hondacarindia.com

For the first time ever it comes with a diesel engine –

All the cars sharing the same segment are mostly diesel engine based, but earlier generation CR-Vs only offered a petrol motor. Now for the very first time, Honda decided to add a new diesel engine option in the CR-V. The all-new CR-V will be offered with two new engines options, the 1.6-litre DOHC i-DTEC Diesel TURBO engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the second option will be 2.0-litre i-VTEC Petrol engine mated to a CVT transmission. The diesel engine isn’t the internationally available bi-turbo 160PS engine but a single-turbo unit. Hence the output of the same is less by 40bhp. It churns out near 120PS of maximum power at 4,000rpm, while the peak torque figures stand at 300Nm at 2,000rpm. The engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The reason why Honda has kept the bi-turbo engine away from the Indian market is due to the higher costs. The bi-turbo diesel might cost more by as much as Rs 1.5 lakh, taking the overall diesel variant price much higher. As claimed by the company, the fuel efficiency figures on the diesel engine nears 19.5/18.3kmpl (2WD/AWD). While the petrol option comes in the form of a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder i-VTEC unit, pushing out close to 153PS of maximum power and 189Nm of peak torque. As opposed to the diesel unit, the petrol engine comes mated to a CVT transmission.

Comes with more seating option –

For the first time ever, the all-new CR-V will now feature an extra 3rd seating row option which will be standard in the diesel variant. While the petrol version will still lack this option.

Features New Interior –

The CR-V now features a fully digital TFT LCD instrument panel which is truly modern. The meter displays all sorts of information digitally and also features a driver attention meter, which keeps a tap on the activity of the person sitting on the driver’s seat and alarms in case he is sleepy or is diverted from driving. The new dashboard comes with a centrally mounted 7-inch frameless touchscreen which supports Garmin developed satellite navigation system, and also Android Auto as well as Apple Car Play. The most unique feature on this system is the first in segment lane watch camera which displays the view from a camera mounted below the left rearview mirror, eliminating all the left-sided blind spots. Also, the new CR-V comes with a bunch of new safety features such as Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, ABS, and Electric Brake Booster.

Expected launch date and price?

The all-new CR-V has been set for launch in the 2nd week of October. And the prices of the same is expected to touch the bracket of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.

To Know More All New CR-V Honda Car Dealer Andheri Mumbai, Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

Source - autoportal.com

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