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Car and bike questions? We have the answers
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Is the new Suzuki Swift worth buying? I'm also considering the Esteem and Baleno; are there any plans to face-lift or phase out the Baleno?
Kuldeep Yadav, via email
The Swift is a very significant addition to the Maruti stables, and it is a modern Maruti, practical in the city and with great looks, but it won't have as much space as a mid-size sedan. If the Swift doesn't seem to meet your needs, then you should go for the Baleno if your budget allows it. It is more spacious and better to drive than the Esteem, and has a better image. However, don't hope for any major upgrades and Maruti isn't known for phasing out its cars, so the Baleno's going to be around for a while.
I am planning to buy a new two-wheeler, but I've had a spinal dislocation, so I really need a bike with a comfortable ride, and with good fuel efficiency. I've been looking at the Yamaha Libero G5 and the Bajaj Discover — which is better?
A S Senthil, via email
Since you have a spinal injury, ride has to be your top priority. The Bajaj Discover would be the better choice, as it has a superior ride to the Libero G5, and it gave us an overall efficiency figure of 54kpl, which is very good too.
I am a bike fanatic, but I have many questions. A) Does using alloy wheels increase fuel efficiency? B) Are thinner tyres better for high speed, and do thicker tyres reduce mileage? C) Should I stick to the electric start mechanism provided by the company, or go for an aftermarket one? I've been told not to use the electric start in the morning — why is this so? D) The traffic lights in my city have a timer-display; I switch the engine off if I have to wait over 60 seconds and use the electric start when the signal goes green. Will this save fuel, or is it better to keep it at idle?
Muthu Kumaran, via email
A) No, alloys won't significantly boost efficiency, and they aren't used to improve mileage. They are lighter though, which may have a negligible but positive effect on fuel consumption. B) Yes, thinner tyres have lower rolling resistance, and so will go faster — but only in a straight line. The flip side is that thinner tyres will compromise roadholding, so you won't have the necessary control at high speeds; you usually have to compromise on one or the other. If you mean to ask whether high-speed bikes use thin tyres, then no, they go fast anyway; they use wide tyres because handling and grip are top priority. And yes, wide tyres will reduce fuel efficiency somewhat. C) The company's OE electric start system is best — and why should you not use it in the morning? Go right ahead — in fact, many bikes now don't even have a kick-start option. D) Switching your engine off at signals will cut your fuel bills in the long term, but it's not a good idea, unless you know you have to wait for at least two minutes. At short signals, idling is best.
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