Daily Do's

Before starting your vehicle, just briefly walk around to visually check

• Tyre pressure and condition
• Any Oil Leaks
• Any Coolant leaks
• Wiper Blade condition
• Rear View Mirror condition
• Side view mirror condition
• Remove any dirt etc

Daily Dont's

While doing the inspection-

• Do not Touch or Open Radiator Cap when Engine is Hot.
• Do not fit non-genuine accessories that may affect performance
• Do not use Non Genuine Spares
• Do not park in sun for too long. Park under shade
• Start vehicle periodically if parked /unused for long

Fuel Efficiency

What is the best method to measure the fuel efficiency of my car?

The recommended way to measure fuel efficiency is to first fill petrol to reach the full tank level, next note down odometer reading (kilometres) at that point. After driving for a week top up petrol to reach full tank and note down the odometer reading once again. The difference in the two odometer readings divided by the quantity of fuel needed to top up the tank the second time will give you the exact fuel efficiency. For example- If the difference in two odometer readings is 357 kilometres and the fuel quantity used for topping up fuel the second time is 21 litres, then the average is 17 kmpl. You can do a similar calculation over a shorter drive too, but the reading may be skewed by traffic conditions on that day. Remember to use full-tank to full-tank readings only. Otherwise you would get an approximate figure only. Also try to average such readings over a long time, say a few months, rather than relying on a single reading to exactly know the fuel efficiency of your car.

How do I get better mileage from my car?

The mileage of the vehicle depends on various factors –

• Tyre pressure - Recommended tyre pressure should be maintained. The tyre pressure should be checked preferably in the morning, before the day heats up. You can find the recommended pressure for your car in the sticker pasted on Fr. RHS door and in the owners manual. Less tyre pressure will increase fuel consumption.
• Driving at higher speed consumes more fuel than driving at steady speed of 45 to 55 kmphr in top gear.
• Changing of gears - 1st to 2nd @10 Kmph,2nd to 3rd@20 Kmph,3rd to 4th@30 Kmph
• Frequent stopping and short distance travel consumes more fuel
• Traffic conditions - The mileage will vary between heavily crowded areas and less traffic areas.
• Needless idling at traffic lights affect fuel consumption. A mere ten minutes idling will waste 100cc of fuel .
• Adulterated or less quantity of fuel dispensed by petrol pumps would indicate poor fuel efficiency .
• Clogged air filter, worn out clutch, badly tuned engine and high pollution levels increase fuel consumption

How do I check for purity of fuel and quantity?

There is a test procedure available to check the purity of fuel. Put a few drops of petrol on blotting paper and allow the fuel to evaporate. If it does not leave any mark on blotting paper it means the petrol is not adulterated, otherwise it is adulterated. For fuel measurement you should know the fuel tank capacity of your car. When it is empty fill it up OR get the petrol in a measuring flask (1or 2 liter capacity).

How To Maintain Your Car

When should the air filter be replaced?

The element of the air cleaner should be cleaned at intervals of 5000 kms by blowing of compressed air and should be replaced after every 80000 kms.

In what frequency should the fuel filter be changed?

The fuel filter should be changed at intervals of 20000 kms for carburettor vehicles. In case of MPFI vehicles, the interval is 40000 kms. However, if quality of fuel has been poor, it is recommended that you change the filter at earlier intervals as prescribed by the service manager of the authorised workshop.

How do I know if gas is less than normal in the AC system?

If cooling efficiency of AC is less than satisfactory, do check for gas leakage. There are various methods to check whether the quantity of gas is adequate. However, it is best that you rely on the AC maintenance experts at authorised service stations to do the checking. They will have the right instruments and expertise to assess if gas in the AC system of your vehicle is below norms. Get your car AC serviced every year and do it around Feb - March so that you may enjoy best cooling during summer. Gas checking and topping is part of the service.

In the AC system, what are the functions of coil, condenser, and blower?

The cooling coil performs the function of evaporation of the refrigerant inside the coil. The air blows over these coils and emerges cooled. The condenser does the reverse work of the cooling unit, i.e. the condensation of the refrigerant and its cooling.
The blower works like a fan by drawing in the air and circulating it inside the cabin

Which parts joints are the main sources of gas leakage?

The AC gas in cars reduces over time due to various factors like-
Leakage from the joints, o-rings etc., if they were not properly tightened during service.
Leakage from the hose rubber, due to the natural permeability of the hose. However, this is extremely slow and is very difficult to detect, even with sophisticated equipment.
The AC gas may need to be refilled during servicing of the AC, if it is found that the AC system is undercharged.

How would I know if there is a leak in the battery?

There is a different rusting pattern for a battery electrolyte spill and a different rusting pattern for a water spill. It will take an expert to gauge the kind of leak and spot the reasons for it. Hence we advise you to kindly contact the nearest Authorized Dealer or Service Station and follow their advice.

Drops of water come out of the exhaust pipe. Is it OK or abnormal?

It is normal, depending on humidity in the atmosphere. However, we suggest you get CO-HC checked as part of routine check up.

When should I get the engine overhaul done?

The engine overhauling depends on the health of the engine. You may need an engine overhaul when you see one or more of the following indications-

• Excessive engine oil consumption
• Engine bearing noise
• Piston slap noise
• Excessive fuel consumption

Except engine oil consumption other parameters given above are difficult to monitor by the customers and it is best you consult the service manager at the Authorised workshop. There are other parameters to be checked too, such as engine compression pressure, engine vacuum etc. But most of the time, engine oil consumption provides a very good reference to the health of the engine and once you have problem with that, do not delay sending your car for assessment and appropriate service. It is best to contact one of our dealers to get the vehicle checked for engine health. You have to mention the amount of topping up required over a distance of 5000 kms or 10,000 kms for them to judge the extent of tests they should carry out

What should I do when the car overheats?

When you car overheats, do the following :

• Turn off the airconditioner.
• Park the vehicle at a safe place
• Let the engine run at normal idle speed for a few minutes until the indicator returns to normal range, between the H and the C mark
• If you see or hear steam escaping from under the bonnet, immediately park the vehicle in a safe place and switch off the engine immediately.
• Do not open the bonnet till hissing sound or steam emission has stopped
• Once the steam is no longer heard or visible, open the bonnet and check the water pump belt for any slippage or damage
• Check the coolant level in the reservoir. If it is below the low mark, check for leakage from the hose,water pump or radiator. If any leaks are located, do not start the engine till the time the leakage has been rectified If you do not find any leakage then slowly add coolant to the reservoir
• Never add coolant to the radiator.
• It is dangerous to remove the radiator cap when the temperature is high. It may cause serious burn injuries
• Consult your authorised service workshop for further advice.

When do I need to get wheel balancing done?

For Indian road conditions, wheel balancing becomes necessary whenever the wheel suffers a puncture and also as per the mileage recommended in the periodic maintenance schedule in the Owners' Manual.

Traffic Rules

• Keep left allowing the vehicles from the opposite direction to pass.
• Stick to the speed limit.
• Remember that the stopping distance of your vehicle depends on the speed at which you are driving. If you are driving at 40 Kms. per hour, the braking distance would be 22 mts. But if you are driving at 60 Kms. per hour, the braking distance will be 42 mts
• Keep adequate distance from the vehicle in front to avoid collision.
• Yellow lines should not be crossed, even while over-taking.
• At the signal, do not stop your vehicle on the Pedestrian Crossing but stop it within the stop line
• Do not start on the amber light. Wait for the green
• Overtake only on the right side and do not overtake on bridges, narrow roads, junctions, school zones and pedestrian crossings. Do not overtake when one vehicle is already overtaking the vehicle which you want to overtake.
• Give way to all traffic on your right, especially at road junctions and round about.
• While turning left or right, give way to vehicles going straight.
• While turning left, keep to the left side of the road and turn close to the left side of the road to which you enter
• Never drink and drive.
• Slow down at road junctions, intersections and pedestrian crossings
• While driving a Two-Wheeler always use a helmet. Person sitting at the back of the Two-Wheeler should also wear a helmet.
• Never drive in a zigzag manner.
• Never talk on mobile phones while driving
• Drive with your full concentration.

Good Driving Habits

• Concentrate while driving
  • Make sure you always have a clear head before driving. Alcohol and certain drugs, both illegal and legal, can severely impair your driving skills. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause dangerous drowsiness. Get a good night's rest and don't drive for long stretches without a break. If you are tired, don't risk the safety of yourself and others on the highway by trying to drive. Designate a driver or choose another means of transportation such as taxi cab or public transportation.
• Avoid Driving Alone When Tired
  • Driving with someone else in your vehicle can increase your overall alertness. It is well recognized that when driving alone, especially when over-exerted, your chances of a crash are dramatically increased
• Follow Safety Rules
  • Always wear your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are buckled properly, even on short trips. If traveling with children, educate yourself on the many kinds of child safety seats and restraints. Make sure children ages 12 and under are always buckled up in the back seat, the safest place to ride.Try to follow all the taffic rules.
• Wear your safety belt
  • During a crash, properly fastened safety belts distribute the forces of rapid deceleration over larger and stronger parts of the person's body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. The safety belt stretches slightly to slow your body down and to increase its stropping distance. The difference between the belted person¿s stopping distance and the unbelted person's stopping distance is significant.
• Never drive in a hurry
  • Allow yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination and allow for emergencies or traffic jams. Do not drive in a hurry. Allow yourself some extra time so that you can be more relaxed while driving and thereby cut down on the incidences of road rage, such as excessive speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out between cars.
• Drive car with safety features
  • Safety should always be a top priority when shopping for a vehicle. Research the safety performance of any vehicle you are considering buying including how the vehicle performs in crash tests. Both driver and passenger side air bags are now mandatory in all new cars. Look for side impact bags in many new models as well. When buying a used vehicle, look for one with air bags. Research what type of safety systems are in the car and choose the safest to protect you and your loved ones in the event of a collision.