Don’t meet with an Accident

It just happened that while traveling on DLF lift from 8th floor, I had to over hear an interesting conversation, the lift stopped at 6th floor 2 ladies stepping in.
Lady1: My husband was picking up and dropping her on his two wheeler
Lady2: Hmmm…n imagine the speed breakers and nasty roads
Lady1: I don’t mind that, He could have told me that he has been dropping her.
Lady2: Lucky that both escaped with a scratch.
Ting- The lift stopped at 4th floor. They both got down.

I couldn’t stop laughing at the conversation.

So what is the learning.

While traveling with a Girl friend drive slow, and be safe.

LOL.

Honda hybrid now in India

Good news for people in India who care for the environment, but the cost of these cars will be dear to their pockets. With 104 percent duty levied by the Indian Government the ex showroom price would be 21.50 Lakh INR.

Here are the details about the new Honda Hybrid from the Honda Indian website

Wish there are more buyers, so that Honda thinks about having a plant in India, as we could see the prices of these cars coming down.

My best wishes for the Honda Team – Power of dreams
Technorati Tags: cars, foreign cars, safety, green, environmental, fuel, India, hybrid

Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Event: Mahindra Renault Logan Drivathon
Date: 25-12-2007 (Christmas Day)
Venue: YMCA, Nanadhanam, Chennai
Contact: S.Kumar
Mobile:98409 47464

It is supposed to be fun rally organized by Mahindra Renault Logan to test the mileage of your Mahindra Renault Logan.

• Do you want to know who where the animals?
• and Who tested on them?
• and Who benefited out of this Mahindra Renault Logan Drivathon?

Before we start, Let us understand on how to test Mileage

1. Fill up petrol- full tank
2. check the odometer reading
3. If you have trip meter, set it Zero
4. take a long drive say about 100 and odd KMS, never switch off your car in between your drive (to get good readings)
5. Follow the speed limit (45-55 KMS/hour)
6. Once you reach 100 and odd KMS, go to next fuel station
7. Top up the fuel, to full tank.
8. Note the KMS traveled from your odometer, check the trip meter reading
9. Note check how much of fuel was needed to have it full tank
10. trip meter reading/ top up fuel needed to full tank will give you = Mileage i.e KM per Litre

So what happened at Mahindra Renault Logan Drivathon – car rally
I was there for the event at 8:30 AM at the venue. The event is supposed to start at 9:00AM which didn’t happen, because of the lack of management skills. Flag off happened, after few apologies made by the announcer.

I started to take the drive at 12:09 PM, went to the Fuel station at Venkanarayana Road.

A gentleman approached and said “Sir we will fill the tank full, out of which 5 litres of fuel price will be waived off and the rest you have to pay, Is that fine with you”.

I accepted, this is how they filled the fuel

My odometer readings were noted down and written on the card. My trip meter was made zero. And I started of to the rally.

Most cars had ladies and kids in the car – the best part was that, some car drivers took a break on the road side to take a leak. “What about the ladies and the kids?” What a shame?, Even if they had arranged for some nice place to take a short break for 2 hour long drive, it would have been nice. Well, my family did take a break at the Petrol Pump station at Venkatnarayana road, before the rally started. I realized, so was happy for my family too.

So my trip meter reading said 103 KMS when I was back from Mahabalipuram to Venkatanaraya road Bharat petrol pump station. I was doing between 50 and 60 KMS/hour. I was driving like a monkey as ordered, to execute things as said.

Now the top up started at the pumping station which recorded about 4.155 litres of petrol. So that means 103/4.155 should be my mileage. Which is actually wrong, because the Car fuel indicator says that my petrol tank is still not full. (Check the video)

My mileage is 24.789 KM per litre, WOW, I could believe it. The same car was doing last week, having a mileage of 9 KM per litre

Here is one more catch my fuel indicator was not saying that it is full tank, see the video to believe it. See other photos to know what was my readings.

Click on the image for a larger view

Did you notice the time, which I referred while I entered the pump station 12:09 PM and at what time did I start 12:35 PM and at what time I reached the pump station again 2:59 PM
You want to why the delay

Click on the image for a larger view
Do you see the Mahindra Renault Logan on the opposite side of the road in a queue.

What is explained in the video?
If you noticed the video, I had taken at the time when I reached the YMCA ground, still wondering WHY the fuel indicator is not showing the fuel tank full. So it means that there is enough space to fill up some more fuel to make it full tank. Which most of them didn’t realize.

Now to answer the questions

Do you want to know who where the animals?
there were 100 and odd drivers with their family, driving their cars, following orders and not not having fun on the gracious day Christmas

and Who tested on us?
Mahindra Renault Logan Marketing team

A surprise did happen during the prize distribution ceremony. A owner of Mahindra Renault Logan was agitated and trying to claim for the prize as his car did a 40KM per litre mileage (Diesel version owner)

and Who benefited out of this Mahindra Renault Logan Drivathon?
Can you imagine 100 and odd drivers spending their money to filling up the fuel tank full and driving their own cars and following orders at the mercy of Mahindra Renault Logan team for only one reason to prove that Mahindra Renault can do 33KMs per litre for the petrol version and 37KMs per litre on the Diesel version.
I should say that the marketing guys made little spend by gaining more

1. breakfast (bread sandwich and water, if you like it eat it else leave it. That was stance. Hospitality ZERO)
2. 5 litres of fuel waived off during full tank session
3. lunch (Saravana bhavan – Mini meals)
4. and another 4-5 litres of fuel for top up total of 8-9 litres of fuel while including the 5 litre of fuel which was waived off during the full tank session (Petrol or Diesel)
5. Spend on venue
6. And of course the event management team.

Who are the loser?

1. Fuel to fill up the tank
2. quality family time on the Christmas day
3. apart from that those god damn sponsor stickers from JK tyre and those numbers sticked all over the car. Who is gonna pay to remove that, With out spending money.

Mahindra Renault Logan owners are the ultimate losers to gain new customers

Who were the gainers?
Mahindra Renault Logan Marketing team – to make fake mileage result. It is pretty simple I say, you have around 100 odd drivers at your disposal feed them you have the results.

Do you want to know how this Viral Marketing is supposed to work?
Let’s say 100 and odd Mahindra Renault Logan happy customers, who had good mileage experience is about to unfold the secret to all their friends and relatives, well sort of boasting off that their car did give an ultimate mileage.

If you care for fellow car owners please digg this or post a link on your blogs. Atleast the new car owners can be spared.

some related posts regarding Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post which are in continuation with Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review
2. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
3. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
4. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
5. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
6. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
7. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review

The questions which I asked myself before I bought my car.

When should you buy a car?
When there is a need to commute (atleast 40 KMs a day) or for other reasons like family, prestige etc. The reason why I choose a sedan and not a hatchback was that, I take my car to my native place, which is around 650 KMs away. So didn’t want my family to feel cramped.

What would be the best option to buy a car?
If you have full cash, that is the best option available. If choosing finance, go for atmost 3 years not more than that. Look for any travel agencies their cars would be financed for not more than 3 years. That is the best value for money.

Why 3years?
Imagine if you took 5 years finance and at the end of 4 year you are planning to upgrade to a new car. Which I did, selling my Maruti 800. You end up making a huge loss.

Market price of car during the 4year + Finance settlement charges (1 year interest rate + pre closure interest amount) = Market price of your car at the 5 year.

What are the things you should look for?
Safety, Value for money, Space, Looks – these are my terms. May differ with individual.
Why?
The moment you drive your car from the car lot, the value of the car depreciates by 20 percent. Shit man. I look for value for money than looks. Look for your ideal car.

What car to choose, Petrol or Diesel, Why?
Petrol cars – good, if you are going to use for your personal and family use and won’t cross more than 50 KMS/day.
Diesel cars – good, if you are going to travel more than 60 KMS and odd/day. That should be better choice when you look at the service point of view. That is one reason you will find most cabs and travel agencies operate Diesel cars than the petrol one.

Now let us break down the pricing details of the car you plan to purchase.

Ex Showroom price – cost that the manufacturer expects, no tax.
On Road Price -Cost of the car + Life time road tax + Annual insurance

Now let me discuss where all you can save money in the price components

1. Actual car value – manufacturer price – depends on the dealer. Bargain here with the dealer
2. Annual Insurance – Don’t take the policy from the dealer, talk to some private insurance agencies (Bajaj Alliance, TATA AIG, ICICI lombard), even the public players like (New India Assurance) Bargain here
3. Life time Road tax – Don’t even dream about it. The Government own our ass.
4. Finance (if you have100% cash that is the best option) Don’t take the options from the dealer, talk to private players like (Kotak, ICICI, ABN Amro etc) Bargain here

Sites to visit before you buy a car http://www.carwale.com

The carwale site has enough calculators for eg. the EMI calculator.

Kindly note: I would have asked you not to get leads for the Finance and the Annual insurance from the dealer. Still compare the prices individually and the comprehensive package offered by the car dealer. Check which is the best & Go for it.

compare cars of your choice before you buy, take test drives, show it to your friends and family. You will come to hear about the good and bad about the car which you are planning to own.

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post which are in continuation with Mahindra Renault Logan

1. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Why Mahindra Renault Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?

Dacia Logan

Renault Logan

Mahindra Logan

Did you notice the contents of the links, Yes it is the same car. So ultimately it is Dacia Logan under the rebranded name of Renault and marketed in India under the name of Mahindra and Renault.

So why choose a Logan?
I just fell for the price and the boot space.

1. Price: A entry level sedan at the price of premium hatch back.
2. Boot space: more than, Honda City WOW. I travel to my native place. All the time I had baggages placed inside the cabin of my Maruti 800. Didn’t want things around me any more.
3. Lots of Space: Room/ head space.
4. Of course the tubeless tires

Just like Maruti 800 is the entry level for hatch back, I would say Mahindra Renault Logan is an entry level for a Sedan. Don’t expect too much…

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Renault Logan – space, value for Money- Review
2. Mahindra Logan – Usability Explored
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

Mahindra Renault Logan – Usability Explored, Review

I hate to say that being an owner of the new Mahindra Renault Logan 1.4 GLX, I have a car which is not fully usable. The things which are of my concern.

Is the driver, the master of the Power windows, is he fully in control.

Mahindra Renault Logan Dashboard having only front power windows controls

Below is the master control of power windows near the driver window for the Hyundai Accent.

Does the Mahindra Renault Logan door “safety latch” do its functionality, Is my kid safe inside this car.

Watch the first and the second video.

How Mahindra Renault Logan door safety latch works even when child lock on.

Hyundai Car safety latch, how it works

Yo dear, If I am the Driver how do I unlock the engine hood, just scream at the fellow passenger to pull the lever. The lever is placed on the left extreme of the driver.

Hyundai Engine hood and Petrol cap lever right near the foot of the driver.

Just stretch your arms, fiddle around near your leg. You can adjust the light beam.

Mahindra Renault Logan beam adjustment knob

Maruti Swift Car light level switch, Where the driver can reach the controls easily

Problems which you could face, if you owned a Mahindra Renault Logan.
As soon as you turn on the keys of your car and switch on the A/C, you could hear whistling sound.

Seems like that is because of the power steering pump, which does that car wrecking sound, putting you in shame in front of your friends. A brand new car and that too from the power steering, it means either you are bad driver that you screwed up the car or the car, screwed you up, either ways the owner is screwed at the end.

Horrible mud flaps.
don’t know whether it is Mahindra Renault Logan engineers design or the people at showroom didn’t do the proper fittings

Will update you with the photos soon.

Well the Mahindra Renault Logan Engineers need not be mad at me. At least I have done the home work for them. Things can be taken in the right spirits.

Here is my test drive experience on Mahindra Renault Logan

Some more post on Mahindra Renault Logan

1. How I bought my new Mahindra Logan – space, value for money
2. Why Mahindra Logan, Renault Logan, Dacia Logan?
3. Is your Mahindra Logan in safe hands – After sales, What service
4. Mahindra Logan – Look out for the new version
5. Mahindra Renault Logan free service – unveiled
6. The Devil in my Mahindra Renault Logan
7. Tested on animals – Mahindra Renault Logan

Technorati Tags: Renault, Logan, Mahindra Renault Logan, Review, safety, kids, usability, car, chennai, dealer, howto, best, petrol, diesel, fear, marketing, sales, savings, automobiles

What chances of airplane crash survival – Popular mechanics investigation

Image Courtesy: (Illustration by Gil Ahn. Diagram Courtesy of seatguru.com.) and Popular mechanics

Popular mechanics study says the higher the chances of survival if you are at the rear end on the Airplane.

Well, Some thing like a huge jetliner falling from hundreds of feet above and some one survives, it can only be a miracle. ( sounds like the movie unbreakable).

Anyways, take a good read of this article at the Popular mechanics

Maruti Driving School – now in chennai

I had seen the website of Maruti Driving school long ago, but recently on the Velachery main road happened to see one of the new showroom from Cars India, I knew that Maruti driving school has come down to chennai, So made a visit to the showroom and landed on the inquiry desk. There was a warm welcome and I started to ask about the course which they offer and how different from the normal driving school.

The advantage I found Maruti driving school was the

1. Simulator
2. More about safety
3. How to drive

Well the packages they have is basic and the advanced one. The pricing are bit high.

Kindly note: What Maruti Driving school offers you to learn on the basic and advanced skills on driving. For obtaining the driving lesson, it is the same agent story whom you get at any driving school and shell out another 1200 INR (recent trend, may shoot up).

If you are very serious about safety and worried about your loved ones who want to learn to drive the car this is the right place.

1. As your car never gets damaged
2. Your loved ones learn the road safety side by side ( your wife or daughter)
3. Handing of car with respect to theory and practicals

Why I would choose Maruti driving school?
I tried to teach my Wife on how to drive the car, I got fed up, and she messes up with my car badly. At last I had to take her to a normal driving school to get the basics, even now she is not that great driver. So choosing Maruti driving school is ideal for woman and for angry husband who love their car.

Wide variety of Maruti cars available for learning driving classes.
Maruti Driving school, now currently available in Velachery and Arumbakkam

Update:
Here is the address for the Maruti Driving school at velachery
Old No:48/ New No:141
Velachery Main Road,
Velachery
Chennai – 600042
Ph: 044 22553464, 044 22553484

Technorati Tags: cars, driving school, maruthi, safety, road safety, driving class