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Car and bike questions? We have the answers
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I plan to purchase a car in the Rs 4 lakh range. My priorities are adequate legroom, good performance and fuel economy. Considering my budget and the features on offer, I have shortlisted the Zen Estilo LXi, Wagon R LXi Duo and the Hyundai i10 Era. But I have certain apprehensions about Estilo LXi’s steering and gearbox feel. Please guide.
P.S. Gour
You are right, the Zen Estilo is not one of the better small cars due to its flimsy build and lack of solid and refined feel. The gearshift is not precise, as you have pointed out. Go ahead and purchase the i10, it is the best car in its class by far and offers considerably more refinement and safety than the Zen.
Our budget is Rs 7.5 lakh and we live in a hilly terrain. We would like to purchase either a SUV like the Tavera or a MUV like the Winger Deluxe (high roof version). The Winger returns about 3kpl less than the Tavera.We would be grateful if you could test drive the Winger so that we can make an informed decision.
Nancy and Easo John
The Winger and Tavera are very different vehicles and the choice between the two is fundamentally an issue of how many people will travel in the car. If you need to carry more than six adults in comfort then the Winger is the obvious choice. If it is fewer people, the Tavera is more economical than the Winger. You will find that the Tavera is much easier to drive in hilly terrain.
I own a second-hand Fiat Palio Diesel 1.9 ELX. The AC was okay initially but now there is a problem with the cooling. The settings inside the car are okay. Could you please tell me what the problem could be?
Basheer Pma
If the AC isn’t cooling at all, get the compressor clutch checked as it may not be engaging. Also check all the related fuses. If the AC is cooling but not adequately, get the gas checked, you probably need a top-up. A general service should suffice.
I have a few doubts regarding my Accent CRDi: 1. I have been using this car since 2004 and have covered 74,000km. The left rear tyre wears out quicker than the other tyres. The Hyundai service station has done wheel alignment and balancing, and changed the worn-out tyre. They told me there is no problem with the bearings and rim but I faced the same problem within 1000km of the repairs. What could the problem be? 2. Is it possible to switch from 13-inch rims to 14-inch ones? 3. I have been told that the CRDi engine will give me trouble when it reaches 1 lakh km and I will have to undergo major expenses. Is this true? I am getting 17-18kpl and there is no major problem. So I am not inclined to sell the car. What should I do? Dr. Balaji
Have you checked the suspension? The wearing out of the tyre could also mean a faulty strut. Have that checked. Since you have done the alignment that can be ruled out. Yes, you may upsize to a 14-inch rim. The ride will become slightly stiff as there is less tyre sidewall to cushion bumps and there will be a slight improvement in the handling but that won’t be very noticeable. A rim upsize enhances the looks of the car for the most part. You may opt for Dunlop SP9000 tyres, they provide a good combination of grip and tyre life. The Accent’s stock tyre size is 175/70R13, you may go for 185/60R14 on your 14-inch rims. These tyres will be slightly wider and will provide better grip with a little (negligible) drop in fuel efficiency. About the third query, its all about maintenance — CRDi engines are prone to damage from low quality fuel. If you’ve been filling up from a good quality pump and adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals, your car’s engine should pose no problems. Make sure you get the belt tensioner checked as it is probably due for replacement.
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