Tyre tear

q: I own a 2004 Zen VXi which until 10,000km had a tendency to drag itself towards the left. When I got the tyres rotated, the problem was solved, only to resurface when they were rotated again. What could be wrong?

Priyank Sharma

a: Have you checked the front wheels for uneven wear? It’s probable that one side of the tyre is more worn out than the other. This could be due to faulty suspension. First get the tyres aligned and balanced by another workshop, preferably a dedicated tyre dealer and not the service centre.

Tough choice

q: I want a new diesel car that costs around Rs 10 lakh. I like the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel and the Skoda diesel. The car will be driven mostly in the city with occasional weekend trips out of town. High ground clearance, good mileage, driving pleasure and good resale value are my requirements. Which one should I go for?

Prasad P

a: The Optra Magnum is a very attractive package, especially with the low-maintenance plan that GM is currently offering. The Octavia is more expensive to maintain but its resale value is much better than the Magnum’s and this will offset any costs you might save by way of the Magnum’s cheaper running costs. Also, with its instant engine response at low speeds, the Octavia is better suited for city driving than the Magnum, which requires more effort thanks to its non-linear power delivery. Also, the Octavia’s ground clearance is also good enough for most purposes. However, on the highway the Optra is a dream and far nicer to drive than the Octavia.

Built solid

q: I’m wondering whether to choose the Laura or the Civic. I need a car that has a comfortable rear seat and a good suspension as I drive on bad roads. Mileage is not an issue and neither is the price. But the car should be trouble-free. Which one should I buy?

Rahul Singh

a: The Laura is the car we’d recommend to you. It is solidly built and very reliable. It handles bad roads really well too. The Civic rides quite low and with a full load, it is easy to scrape its underside on speedbreakers and bad roads. The Laura’s rear seat is very comfortable and the suspension soaks up bumps and potholes very nicely.

Tavera talk

q: I want to buy a big car around Rs 7 lakh-8.5 lakh. I travel around 7,000-9,000km every month, sometimes on bad roads and I need a car that is fuel-efficient, reliable and comfortable with low maintenance costs. I have shortlisted the Safari, Scorpio and the Tavera. Which would be the best choice?

Shahjahan

a: It appears that your main priority is cost of ownership. We recommend the Tavera as it more fuel-efficient than the other two cars and is also well-priced. In addition, it has earned a reputation among taxi drivers of being reliable and easy on the pocket. But that is precisely its downside. The Tavera is a taxi and it does not quite have the prestige and status of the Safari or the Scorpio. You might wait for the Tavera’s face-lift, to be launched in two months, which will include revamped interiors and a more upmarket look.

Cool call

q: I own a second-hand Fiat Palio Diesel 1.9 ELX. The AC worked well initially but now there is a problem with the cooling. What could the problem be?

Basheer P

a: 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.

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