Cruze captivation

q: I want a new diesel car that’s luxurious, low maintenance, economical and performs well on highways. I travel 100km daily and my budget is Rs 11 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. I can consider the Civic Hybrid but I’m unaware of its status. Is the Chevrolet Cruze, due to arrive in showrooms in September, worth waiting for?

Gaurav Arora

a: Sales of the Civic Hybrid have been suspended and for the distance you travel, you definitely need a diesel. The Cruze is worth waiting for. It’ll come with the same 150bhp diesel engine that powers the Captiva and an automatic transmission option too. The on-road price may cross your budget but it’s worth making the stretch. We expect it around August this year.

cool it

q: I own a Honda City ZX EXi 2007 model. I recently noticed that the coolant level in the reservoir was below the minimum level. As the nearest Honda service station is 365km away, I want to put some coolant but don’t know how to do so. Is it safe to drive the car for 100km as the nearest mechanic is located there?

Captain Nitin Nagar

a: No need to panic! In the absence of a Honda-branded coolant, you can use any other coolant of the same colour from a reputed brand (Castrol or Idemitsu) to top up the reservoir. Simply open the coolant reservoir cap (when the engine is cold), pour the coolant, and you’re ready to go.