Engineering Magazines

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

Did you know that just cleaning your car can drastically improve fuel economy? Or that traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day? Browse through these car care or auto repair tips and find out how to get the best out of your Mahindra Xylo, keep your vehicle in good shape for years to come and discover ways to make your journey safer and more enjoyable.

Car Care and Auto Repair

Car Engine Oil

It is normal for engines to consume some car engine oil during operation. If the Oil Pressure warning light glows continuously, check the car engine oil level and add the recommended grade of oil if necessary. Use Mahindra Maximile Premium Engine Oil only. It is ideal for your Mahindra Xylo.

Note:

Car Engine oil consumption depends upon the viscosity and quality of the oil, and upon the conditions in which the vehicle is driven. Oil consumption will be more during high speed driving and frequent acceleration and deceleration. A new engine will consume more car engine oil since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls are not conditioned.

Battery

If the battery terminal is corroded, wash it with a solution of warm water and baking soda.

Check the battery exterior for corroded and loose terminal connections.

Be sure the engine and all accessories are turned ‘OFF’ before performing maintenance.

Always disconnect the negative terminal cable first from the battery.

Check the electrolyte level at intervals of 3 months. If the level is below the lower marker, add distilled water until the level reaches the upper marker.

Tires

Inspect your vehicle’s tires by performing the following checks.

Measure the air pressure with a tire gauge. Adjust, if necessary.

Check for abnormal wear, cracks and any damage. If a tire shows abnormal wear, have it inspected by your Mahindra Dealer. Replace, if needed.

Increasing Fuel Efficiency

Get up to 25% more fuel efficiency from your Mahindra Xylo by following these tips.

Sudden bursts of speed can prove costly. Accelerate steadily, brake gradually. Plan your trip and pace your speed. And avoid high traffic density roads. Rolling in neutral saves 15-20 cc of fuel. Ensure perfect wheel balance and you can cover up to 20% of your distance in neutral. Wrong tyre pressure is a drain on fuel. Check the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure for your Mahindra Xylo. Better still invest in a tyre pressure gauge. Use oils & fluids recommended by the manufacturer.

Only Mahindra knows what oils & fluids your Mahindra Xylo needs. Buy only what is recommended in the manual.

Excessive cooling increases fuel consumption. Switch off the AC when it’s not needed. Keep the refrigerant topped up. Get the AC checked regularly. Use the tachometer to save fuel. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to shift gears according to the Tachometer and thus save fuel. Going easy on the clutch saves fuel. Take your foot off the clutch pedal if you’re not shifting gears. And when you do use it, remember to depress it completely. Remove the 3rd row to reduce fuel usage. Fill only as much fuel as needed. It reduces extra weight, unwanted spillage and evaporation losses. Dirt soaks up fuel. Remove dirt from wheel arches, drip rails and other such places. It could reduce weight by almost 15 kg. Go easy on accessories.

Accessories such as roof carriers and bumper extensions drag down fuel efficiency. Listen to music and save fuel – When stuck in traffic, turn off the engine and switch on the car deck.

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

When spring fever hits, it’s hard to restrain the excitement and urge to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, especially for bikers who have been able to enjoy their favorite pastime during winter. Although you may be anxious to hug the open road on your motorcycle right away, if you take the proper precautions when removing your bike from winter storage, it can save you time and money, as well as increase your safety. Use these helpful hints when preparing your motorcycle for your summer adventures:

Inspect your fuel tank – Basem Wasef, an expert author on motorcycle topics for About.com, provides some great insight into preparing your motorcycle for summer riding. Wasef recommends that you inspect your fuel tank by opening the cap and determining whether the fuel is clean or not. If you notice any decay or buildup of residue, drain the tank, and then clean the carburetor and fuel lines before running the engine.

Kevin Crockett, an expert author for Ezine.com and motorcycle enthusiast confirms the inherent risk that old fuel can cause by claiming, “old fuel can cause your fuel lines and carburetor to clog from gum.” He also recommends checking the tank for rust. “If the tank has rusted, you will need to clean and seal it to prevent flakes of rust from clogging the carburetor jets.”

Finish this step by adding a fresh tank of fuel before you ride your motorcycle.

Change your fluids – Drain old engine oil, replace the filter, and then replenish the engine with new oil before you ride your motorcycle this summer. Other fluids you need to check include transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant.

Lubricate cylinders – Wasef claims that by removing the spark plugs and pouring two tablespoons of oil into the spark plug ports, you can lubricate the top portion of the cylinder walls. This can be useful if you failed to spray fogging oil on the top of the cylinder when you prepared your motorcycle for winter storage. Examine the chain and lubricate it, if necessary.

Charge your battery – Inspect the battery leads for corrosion. Wasef advises topping off each battery cell with distilled water before charging. Make certain the battery is fully charged before going on your first motorcycle ride. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming stranded because of a depleted battery.

Inflate your tires and shocks – Inspect the tires for hairline cracks, bubbles, weak spots or stress marks and address each issue separately. Inflate each tire to the specified quantity of air pressure. Continue by inspecting the shocks. Give the kickstand a few trial kicks, and lubricate it if uncooperative.

Wash and wax your motorcycle – Thoroughly clean the exterior of your motorcycle using a gentle cloth, and then protect it with a thin coat of wax.

Use a safety checklist – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a free safety checklist that you should use every time you ride. The T-CLOCS checklist, which stands for tires and wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands, covers every critical safety aspect on your motorcycle.

Finally, don’t get caught in the rain without your rain gear! Protect yourself and your motorcycle against theft, damage from collision, vandalism and more with affordable motorcycle insurance. Nationwide can tailor a motorcycle insurance policy to fit your unique needs, even if you have a custom bike. Contact an expert Nationwide agent today for your free quote, and ask how you can qualify for an auto insurance discount when you choose to insure your motorcycle with Nationwide, too.