Car Loans Vs Upfront Purchase | How Should You Buy Your Car?

While bringing home a new car is a feeling beyond words, buying it can be something that eats up your hard-earned savings. This is why it is important for you to weigh your options as to how to actually buy the vehicle you love. So here is car loans vs. down payments compared head-on.

Deciding What To Go For

The first step toward buying a car is deciding what your budget will be. While this is something that’s quite personal, what matters is that you manage your expenses in such a way, that your budget doesn’t shake up your entire financial life.

If you feel like you can shell out a big amount upfront, without a doubt keep that as your priority. But if you feel, that shelling out a huge amount can be difficult, then go ahead to explore the financing option that can be quite helpful in easing out your vehicle expensive albeit with a few conditions.

The Down Payment Road

Those who are able to shell out a large amount upfront to bring home a car should always go the down payment road. Not only will this give you immediate access to your beloved vehicle without any conditions, but paying upfront for your car will also save you from the hassles of hypothecation, and resale issues. Even if you do not have the amount it takes to bring home a vehicle you desire, it is advisable to invest the savings you have and go for the car you love in a few years.

The Financing Road

The most common method of purchasing a brand new car is a car loan. Offered by almost all banking institutions in India, car loans can bring your dream car to your garage almost as immediately as a down payment. For those who aren’t able to shell out the entire amount, car loans can help to buy a car for such individuals a reality.

With almost all major banks ready to finance as much as 90% of a vehicle’s value, with a car loan, you can save your hard-earned money by shelling out a mere 10% of your car’s value as a down payment. But with this golden privilege comes a warning.

While car loans help you turn your dreams into reality, the magic of financing comes with a duty to repay and that too with interest. This means that not only you will pay back the principal but will also pay back over and above that amount as interest.

To clear the picture better, here’s what the situation will look like: Considering you need to bring home a vehicle whose on-road value is 12 lakhs, and you decide to avail of a car loan that finances 90% of the vehicle’s cost with 8% of interest. In such a case now you’ll end up shelling out 1.2 lakhs as a down payment and Rs. 10.8 lakh would be your loan amount. Now if you chose to spread this loan over for a tenure of 7 years, you will end up paying as much as 3.15 lakhs over and above the principal!

Another speed breaker in the journey of availing of a car loan is high processing fees, the hassle of documentation, and the fact that your beloved vehicle is hypothecated in favour of your bank in case you aren’t able to pay. While this might not be a problem if you pay timely, it surely is a hassle when it comes to reselling the vehicle.

The Bottom Line

So this was all about paying upfront vs. availing of a car loan. So if you are planning to bring home a new car, try and see if you can pay for the vehicle upfront. If not remember the real “cost” of availing of a car loan. Manage your loan tenure in such a way, that you can ensure a timely payment without shaking up all your other expenses. Be careful with your planning as a car loan can also hamper your valuable credit score if not managed judiciously.

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

5 Must-Have Emergency Spare Parts In Your Car

 April 2022

Modern cars are built to last; they’re tested extensively before they’re rolled out on the streets. Therefore, the chances of something blowing up are fairly negligible, but being prepared for a situation is the best that we can do. There are some parts in our cars that can easily wear out, especially in difficult driving conditions. Here’s a list of 5 must-have spare parts in your cars at all times!

1. Extra Set of Lights

The lights of our cars are placed at a very vulnerable position; the slightest of bumps can break them down. Carmakers have been improving the strength of the headlight covers, but they’re still pretty delicate. Halogen lamps are also quite prone to malfunctions. So we believe that carrying an extra set of lights is your car is always advisable. They’re super easy to change in case something breaks! Some manufacturers still provide an extra set of bulbs with their cars, but some still don’t. So, it’s best to go ahead and grab yourself an extra set at the best prices over here!

2. A Spare Tyre

Now, we know that every car comes with a spare tire. But some manufacturers put this in the boot, which eats up the boot space (hello, Mercedes Benz) and people tend to take it out when they need to store more luggage. Also, punctures are awfully common and you have minimal control over this, so chances are that your spare tire is already used up. So don’t forget to get that repaired as well!

3. Jumper Cables

I would say that you should carry an extra battery, but that would be a tad too much. So instead, you can carry these Jumper Cables. They can be EXTREMELY helpful if in case you leave your headlights on and the battery drains out. And believe me, this happens A LOT!

4. Extra Fuses

The fuse plays a very important role in regulating the current through the wires of your car. Give it too much heat, and it might fail. A blown fuse is a very common occurrence, but don’t worry, they’re pretty easy to diagnose and change. All you need is a small screwdriver. If your fuse has a visible gap in between the wires and the smear, it means that it has blown up. Get an extra set here!

Bonus Points!

1. Tyre Inflator & Puncture Repair Kit

Inflators and repair kits are literally the perfect solution for the people who (still) don’t know how to change a tire. They’re so useful, and so easy to use. All you need is to plug the inflator into the socket is your car and fill that tire up! Check out the GoMechanic Inflator!

2. A Multi-Tool Kit

How often do you misplace the tool kit that came with your car? Most people don’t even realize when it’s gone. That’s why you should have a bigger and better toolkit at your disposal at all times when driving!

So here was a list of a few must-have spare parts in your car at all times! Wish to see anything else in this list? Let us know in the comments!

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

6 Most Important Tyre Maintenance Tips Before Long Rides

 April 2022

As the pandemic pretty much ruined all the travel plans of everyone last year, people have slowly but surely resumed travelling after adjusting to the new norms. So far, there have been no concerts, no sporting events, no festivals, and not even large gatherings. However, one can still go on a road trip on his motorcycle, especially after the lockdowns has lifted and the roads are back to seeing a lot many vehicles plying on them on a daily basis. It actually pays to escape the hustle and bustle of the urban mess and ride to somewhere peaceful. Of course, it’s your motorcycle that will play the perfect partner-in-crime on your rides to find peace and solitude in nature. Needless to say, tires are among the most important but often the most neglected part of a bike. Here, we have a set of tyre maintenance tips from Maxxis before long rides.

Tyre Maintenance Tips

Before you get all excited and decide to leave home on your motorcycle, here are some recommendations made by Maxxis Tyres for the proper maintenance of your bike’s rubber so that you have a good road trip experience –

Check Tyre Air-Pressure: It is imperative to always check the tyre air inflation pressure of your vehicle in advance, as correct air pressure plays a key role in balanced braking, maximum grip, and maximum tyre life. The part of the tyre in contact with the road is the ‘footprint’. Incorrect tyre pressures will cause a lack of traction, rapid wear, and shorter tyre life. Ensure your tyres are filled with recommended air pressure as per your requirements – load – Solo/Dual Riding. Recommended air pressure can be checked by going through the “Vehicle Owner Manual” or “Tyre Information” sticker placed over the vehicle (fuel Tank/chain Set). Always make sure to use Valve Caps as it protects the valves not only from dirt and dust but also prevents air leakage.

Check for Adequate Tread Depth: This one is among the most important of the tyre maintenance tips. Proper tread depth helps to prevent tyres from aquaplaning/skid and makes riding safer especially during wet weather conditions. Therefore, it is always advised to check the tyre tread depths of your vehicle. All we need to do is compare the tyre tread’s depth with “TWI: Tread Wear Indicator – Bars” found in-between the tread grooves. If the tread depth has or nearly reached the TWI – raised bar height, then the tyre needs to be replaced and it will not be safe to ride, especially for longer routes where we require more traction due to high speed.

Age of Tyres: All it takes to find out the age of the tyres on your vehicle is to check the four-digit date of manufacturing on the sidewall of the tire. The first two digits tell you the manufacturing week while the last two tell you the year of manufacturing. It’s important to replace the tires in case they are anything more than 5 years old, irrespective of the tread they still have.

Identify and Fix Air Leakages: In case you need the tire(s) of your vehicle to be inflated every few days or every week, chances are there’s a minor puncture that you need to find out and repair. In fact, it’s easier if you go to a nearby puncture shop and get the tyre checked for air leakage. Once the leakage spot is detected, you can have the tyre repaired or even choose to buy a new tyre in case the leakage is occurring from a part of the sidewall.

Visual Inspection: Even this one is among the most important of the tyre maintenance tips. It’s important to do routine visual inspections of the tires. Look for cuts or bulges in the tires. This is important as a bulge in the sidewall or cracks can lead to a tyre burst while you’re using your vehicle. Get any tyre found with cracks and bulges replaced immediately. This will save you from getting stranded on the highway or in the worst case, from a mishap.

Carry Emergency Tools: Always keep a puncture repair kit and a tyre inflator with you during long drives/rides. This will help you easily get out of a sticky situation in case you suffer from a puncture or a damaged tyre.

Branded Content: Strengthen Your Car Insurance with Five Crucial Add-On Covers

 Always keep your driving licence and car insurance policy documents handy while driving a car. These documents are mandatory and not having them when asked for can lead to heavy fines and even imprisonment in some cases. Are you wondering what makes car insurance so crucial? Well, car insurance is an assurance of financial support in case of a mishap.

While Indian laws mandate third-party insurance which covers only third-party liabilities, a standard comprehensive car policy provides financial coverage against third-party liabilities as well as damages to your car. However, there could be certain situations that are not covered by a comprehensive policy. In such situations, to enhance coverage, you can buy additional covers or add-on policies at an extra premium.

Since you have to pay extra to buy add-on covers, make sure to assess needs versus cost and choose the ones you need as they can remarkably widen the scope of policy coverage. A little extra premium today can mean big savings tomorrow. To help you shortlist, here are the top five add-ons that can enhance your policy coverage to a great extent.

Engine protection cover

Usually, engine replacement and repair costs are quite high. This add-on protects against any damage to the engine and its parts due to non-accidental reasons such as natural calamities. Floods can lead to leakage of lubricant oils, water seepage, damage to the gearbox, connecting rods and more. Repair or replacement of the engine is usually very expensive, particularly in the case of premium category or imported cars. Therefore, this add-on is very useful as damage to car engines, other than due to an accident, are not covered by standard policies.

Roadside assistance (RSA) cover

Does the thought of your car breaking down in some secluded place during odd hours give you a jitter? Then, you must opt for the RSA cover, also known as Car Breakdown Cover. With this cover in your kitty, you just have to inform your insurance company about the incident to get prompt support and that too at no additional cost. The insurer would either send a mechanic to the spot or arrange for a towing service to a nearby network garage. At the garage, you can get the car repaired in cashless mode.

Personal accident cover for passengers

An accident can cause severe physical injury and permanent disability to any passenger present in the car at the time of the incident. As part of this add-on, your insurer would take care of the financial burden related to treatment costs or even the lack of income of your co-passengers. The insurer will transfer a part or entire sum insured, as per the policy terms, to take care of their financial loss. In case of death, the nominee of the deceased person would receive the compensation amount.

No Claim Bonus (NCB) protection cover

This cover would keep the NCBs intact even if you make claims during the policy period. Without this add-on, you lose valuable NCBs that you had accumulated over years by avoiding claims. The NCB components stay active depending on the terms and conditions of the add-on cover. Generally, this add-on allows up to two claims in a policy year. This cover would give you extra protection and you can also benefit from the renewal discount irrespective of a claim (or claims) during the policy period.

Zero depreciation cover

The zero depreciation cover or nil depreciation cover provides disbursal of the entire amount of the sum insured without any deduction for depreciation. Depreciation is the decrease in the market value or price of the car due to ageing. Depreciation sets in immediately after you take a new car out of the showroom and goes up every year due to natural wear and tear. If your car gets stolen or damaged beyond repair in an accident, with this add-on, no depreciation amount would be deducted for the wear and tear of the parts. The car insurance provider would be liable to pay the entire amount. The add-on also offers 100 percent cover for fibre, rubber and metal parts of the car body.

Add-on covers are beneficial as they provide financial protection in situations where your standard car policy may fail. Buy add-ons that enhance your policy coverage without hitting your budget.

What If You Accidentally Filled The Wrong Fuel In Your Car?

 January 2022

Mobiles, computers, meetings and tasks, there’s a lot we all have that keeps us distracted. Routine things seem to fall apart at times when we are so distracted. Something as simple as filling fuel in your car may also go wrong at times. Petrol on a diesel car or diesel in a petrol car; this might happen to you if you’re distracted at the fuel station. However, worry not; we’re here for you. Here’s what you need to do if you have accidentally filled the wrong fuel in your car.

1. Diesel in a Petrol Car

Diesel in a petrol car is not as bad as petrol in a diesel car. Suppose you have realized that without starting the car, then it’s even better. If less than 5% of your tank has diesel, you can safely drive that car without any issues. If it’s more than that, you will need to flush out the tank with clean petrol to ensure a safe drive. If you have driven the car with diesel in your tank, then you need to stop immediately and call RSA and have your car towed away.

2. Petrol in a Diesel Car

Petrol in a diesel engine is highly harmful to your car. This is because diesel lubricates every part of the engine to keep the car running, while petrol uses spark plugs to ignite the engine. If you fill a diesel tank with petrol, the petrol will probably reach every nook and corner of your engine once you start the car. This will need a lot of repairs, and the costs will solely depend on how much petrol enters the engine. If you realize that you have filled petrol in your diesel car, please do not start the car at any cost. Has your car been towed away to a professional immediately?

3. A few things to keep in mind

• First things first, be careful when re-fuelling, clearly communicate whether you want diesel or petrol.
• Take a look at what you’ve filled before starting your car.
• DO NOT start your engine if you suspect that you have put in the wrong fuel.

So here are a few things to keep in mind if you have accidentally filled the wrong fuel in your car.

Also read: 10 Highway Driving Rules That Everyone Should Follow!

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

To Know More About Honda car service centres in Mumbai Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

10 Highway Driving Rules That Everyone Should Follow!

 January 2022

We all love road trips, it’s probably the most desired way of travelling. Movies and TV has made it so desirable that almost everyone tries to plan one road trip with friends/family. A major chunk of any road trip involves highway driving, which some of us are not so good at, statistically speaking. So here are 5 Highway Driving Rules to swear by to ensure a safe and sound road trip!

Lane Discipline!

This is one of the most important highway driving rules. Please stick to your lane until you need to slow down or overtake. If you want to switch lanes, use indicators because the traffic behind you should be highly aware of your next move. Driving in between 2 lanes at high speeds makes it very difficult for the cars behind you to go ahead confidently.

Actively Use Mirrors

This is an addition to the previous point, but it’s equally important. Every single movement at high speeds is crucial, especially one that involves changing directions. Before you switch lanes, check your mirrors and make sure that there’s no one immediately behind/beside your vehicle. Erratic movements can result in some very severe repercussions, so please look and then make your move.

Always Be Attentive

Yes, we know driving along, chatting with everyone is fun and we all love it. But we should always be extremely aware of what is happening around us on the road. Try to plan your lane movements according to the traffic in front, so that you don’t make any sudden moves. Plan your movements so that vehicles coming behind you can plan theirs!

Know your Vehicle’s Limits

Okay, we understand the urge to go faster, but it’s also important to listen to your vehicle. The hard truth is that some vehicles are just not made to be pushed, and these are the ones that sell in high numbers. An easy way to gauge this is to observe the RPM of your car. The higher it goes, the more you’re pushing the car. While cruising, the RPMs should ideally lie in between 2.5-3.5k.

Make sure your vehicle is ready to hit the road

GET YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED BEFORE GOING ON A LONG DRIVE. This is amongst the most understated highway driving rules. Under-maintenance of cars is a very real issue, and it leads to many accidents. So make sure that your car is ready, rollover to any GoMechanic outlet and get a thorough inspection done by the most talented crew!

Always wear your Seatbelt

You might think that this point is too obvious to state, and it is, but a lot of people still do not wear their seatbelts. We cannot stress enough on the importance of wearing a seatbelt. YOUR AIRBAGS WON’T DEPLOY IF YOU DON’T WEAR A SEATBELT! Manufacturers are also actively ensuring people wear seatbelts by installing alarms and warnings. However, Indians have found too many ‘Jugaads’ to avoid all these warnings.

Do Not Over-speed

Over-speeding is one of the biggest reasons that cause accidents on highways. We are not experienced enough to handle cars/bikes at such high speeds, and it gets very difficult to maintain stability and control vehicles. The best way is to maintain a stable speed, where you and your passengers are comfortable and your vehicle is 110% in your control.

Avoid Sudden Movements

Refrain from changing lanes suddenly, or braking too hard suddenly on the highways. Vehicles behind you are carrying a lot of momentum, and it might not be easy for everyone to gauge your movement and apply brakes in time.

Be Present At The Moment

Driving is all about the presence of the mind and amazing reflexes. Vigilance is the most important skill that a driver should be equipped with. Always be aware of what’s going on ahead of you, behind you and on your sides. Now, this doesn’t mean that you look at your mirrors more than looking at the road! Maintain a good balance and keep an eye on all moving things around you.

Do Not Push Yourself

Munching miles is fun, but one should only munch the amount one’s body can digest. Meaning, do not drive if you’re feeling tired, burnt out or sleepy. Stop at the side, freshen up and then continue. An extra half-hour won’t harm anyone.

Also read: 6 Most Important Tyre Maintenance Tips Before Long Rides

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

To Know More About Honda car service centres in Mumbai Visit Solitaire Honda Mumbai, Contact us at 022 67385588 or email us at info@solitairehonda.com

Types of Car Tyre Damages and How to Avoid Them

 A damaged tyre is something that can happen to any car at any time, regardless of how careful the driver is or how new the tyres are. Therefore, it is vital to check your car tyres regularly as doing so can help you easily lower the repair costs and even reduce the risk of an accident arising out of tyre malfunction.

Below are the most common tyre damages that happen to motorists –

• Punctures


• Cuts


• Bubbles


• Irregular wear of tyre tread

Other than the above, if you suspect anything else that might have gone wrong with the tyre of your vehicle, you should inspect and repair it without any delay. For doing so, you might need to visit a local tyre shop as you might not have the tools and/or knowledge on how to repair it.

How Often Should One Check His Car Tyres?

Experts recommend that one should check their car tyres once every week. While making the inspection, one should keep a close eye on obvious signs of damage such as worn-out patches, irregular tread patterns, and cuts/cracks. One should even run his hand along the tyre to check for any sharp object that might have got stuck in the tread. Of course, checking the air pressure is also necessary, and it should be kept at the optimum level. One can also make use of a coin or a tyre tread depth measurement tool to understand the wear pattern of the tread.

Given below are the common problems one faces with his car tyres along with their reasons-

Run Flat Damage

• Reason


• Continuous driving with low inflation or puncture


• How to Avoid?


• Always maintain correct tyre pressure


• Check tyre pressure on a weekly basis. These checks should be made when tyre is in a cold state


• Make sure you put the valve cap back


• Stop the car immediately on sensing a puncture


• Stop the vehicles safely after the tyre/tube gets punctured

Sidewall Bubble

• Reason


• Prolonged usage in low pressure or puncture condition


• Damage due to improper mounting or demounting of tyre on the rim


• How to Avoid?


• Maintain optimum tyre pressure


• Come to a safe halt immediately after the tyre gets punctured


• Stop the vehicle safely after the tyre/tube gets punctured

Nail Cut

• Reason


• Repeated rubbing of a nail or any sharp object on the sidewall can cause to the low sidewall region


• Due to the damage, the side loses strength and bulges out


• How to Avoid?


• Always drive very carefully on bad roads


• Come to a safe halt as soon as the tyre is punctured

Sidewall Bulge Due to Impact

• Reason


• In case your car tyres’ side wall hits a blunt object light a pavement, or even a pothole, it can cause damage to the ply cords on the sidewall region. At times, there is no sign of this damage


• Driving at high speed with low inflation pressure leads to sidewall bulging out


• How to Avoid?


• While driving, one should be careful and avoid getting too near to blunt surfaces or potholes at high speeds


• One should be slow when driving over potholes and speed humps

Sidewall/ Shoulder through Cut

• Reason


• Driving over objects with sharp edges


• How to Avoid?


• Drive carefully


• Stop usage of a tyre past its shelf life

Sidewall Undulation

• Reason


• Driving of overweight vehicle


• How to Avoid?


• Inflate tires correctly


• Timely ge wheel alignment done


• Tire rotation at manufacturer-recommended intervals

Wavy Tread Wear at Shoulder

• Reason


• Worn out suspension


• Loosened bearings


• Defective rotating parts


• How to Avoid?


• Correct maintenance of suspension


• Replacement of suspension parts


• Get wheel alignment done at the right time

Tread Burst

• Reason


• Impact with sharp objects


• How to Avoid?


• Careful driving


• Improper tyre mounting


• Usage of wrong size/defective/ rusted/ reconditioned rim