GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Have you ever been in a situation where the mechanic asks you to change or repair something, and you have no idea what they are talking about? Don't worry; we got you covered. In this article, we will talk about one less discussed car part known as the differential. This article will walk you through car differential's key points and functionalities.

What is a car differential?
A set of gears that transmits power to the wheels is known as the differential. The differential helps apply torque (rotational force) on the wheels to make turns and operate at different speeds.
The differential is a critical player in the movement of the driving wheels despite their positioning. We all are aware of the fact that while making a turn, the wheel on the outside turns faster than the wheel on the inside. Differentials keep such movements intact, smooth, and crisp.
Differential gets its name from the root word "difference." The name is related to the part where the differential helps turn the wheels at various speeds. Hence, the term is justified.

Working of a differential.
The differential is made up of several parts, of which the main components are considered to be the ring and the pinion gears. The carrier assembly is the part where the ring gets attached. A set of gears called spider gears are placed inside the carrier. These spider gears are again made up of a group of pinions and the side gears, which mainly function to create the differential action/activity.
After this is set in motion, the flow of power inside the differential forces the pinion gear to drive the ring gear, which ultimately rotates the carrier. This carrier then sets the pinion gears in motion and pushes the side gears. There are driver axles that help transmit the torque attached to the side gears, which ultimately drive your car's wheels.

Where is the differential found?
The differential is usually placed in the front axle assembly or the rear axle assembly of your car in modern cars and trucks. You will notice a centre differential that helps drive the front and the rear axle assemblies in AWD-all-wheel drive applications.

Types of differentials.
Vehicles use different types of differentials which accomplish their functions differently when attached to other technological systems in the car.
Open differentials have a relatively simple and efficient design. They have open designs, which include a pinion gear that drives the ring gear and sends power to both the front and the rear axles for further operation.
Limited slip differentials follow a similar pattern as the open differentials except where they can power both the axles even if one wheel loses traction. Limited slip differentials also contain a few extra parts called the clutch packs, which help in locking the left and the right side of axles together in case a wheel loses its traction.
Other types of differentials include locking differential and torque vectoring differential.

How would you know if there is an issue with your differential?
Your car's differential can wear out eventually due to various reasons. It would be best if you watched out for these signs to get an idea about the condition of the differential, such as annoying noise and vibrations, clunking noises, weird sounds while making turns, oil leakage, etc.
We hope this information helped you gain a better insight into the functions of different parts of your car. And while we are talking about understanding your vehicle's mechanical systems, it is equally essential to ensure the safety of your car. Explore all available options from the comfort of your home and Buy Car Insurance Policy Online that would optimally cater to your needs.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Mastering the clutch can be challenging for somebody who has just started learning to drive a car. When to press the clutch, when to let go, and what to do on a slope are only some of the many clutch-related questions we face every day as a beginner. But as somebody rightfully said, practice makes it perfect.

The more you practice, the better you handle the accelerator and learn to sync with the vehicle's clutch. However, you can do a few things to improve your driving experience and better understand your car's clutch system.

This article will look at all the simple tips and tricks you can follow to master the clutch and become an expert driver in no time.

1. Adjust your driving environment:
When practising your driving skills, it is essential to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Choose an empty field or road to practice your driving manoeuvres. Ensure that nobody is around you and your car for a considerable distance.
Wear your seat belt tightly and adjust your seat to get a comfortable driving posture. Your seat adjustment is key to good driving. If you have to strain your legs to reach the pedals or if you have to cramp your legs into position, then it will affect your driving adversely.

2. When you start the engine:
One of the main issues faced by new learners is starting the car. It is natural for the car to sputter or jerk when starting as a beginner. Talk to an instructor and learn how to manoeuvre the clutch and the accelerator. Once you turn on the ignition, depress the clutch fully and put your car in the first gear.
Now, slowly release the clutch and accelerate the pedals. A rule of thumb is that the accelerator and clutch are complimentary pedals. The more stress you put on the clutch, the lesser power you give to the accelerator. Repeat this step for few times to get a command over bite point of clutch.

3. Manoeuvring the slopes and hills:
One of the new drivers' biggest fears is taking the car up a hill. While it might seem like an intimidating task, with practice, you can master conquering any hill. While climbing a steep slope ridden with traffic, you must keep two things in mind. First, your car needs maximum energy to climb the hill.
Second, you cannot accelerate the car because you always risk crashing into another vehicle. In a situation like this, you must constantly alternate between controlling the clutch and handling the speed. Dip the clutch constantly to keep the car moving slowly, but if you feel like your vehicle is going to stop and recede, raise the pedal to give it some speed.

4. Conquer the fear:
While this is seemingly obvious, most people quit driving because of fear. Improper clutch handling brings the fear of accidents due to wrong coordination. It may also result in quicker wear and tear and might need replacement before time. But if you are covered by good car insurance, you can rest assured that all the expenses will be taken care of by your insurance provider.
Give yourself and your car as much time as needed to understand the vehicle's functionalities better. Most importantly, do not compare your learning speed with others because what matters is that you are keeping yourself and others on the road safe.

These are a list of a few things that you need to remember when handling clutch. As mentioned above, insure cars with affordable yet efficient insurance companies. With the new car insurance rates in the market, there are many options to choose from.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

If racing fantasies you and if you consider yourself a biking enthusiast, we’ve got you. We all have been fascinated by high-speed car and bike chases and races in our lives. Be it watching Formula One racing or watching movies about speed, they blow our minds with all the stunts, the cinematography, the angles, the acting, sound effects, visuals, and most importantly, “the adrenaline rush” these sequences provide us.

But does India support such racing events? Are there any such riding competitions held in our country? Do you have such questions and require more information on this subject? Well, this blog will have answers which will pique your interest in this topic. Here is the list of the top race tracks for biking enthusiasts.

1. Buddh International Circuit:
Constructed in Greater Noida, Buddh International Circuit made it to the national and international headlines as India’s official Formula One circuit. India is one of the few countries with a racetrack for large-scale international events. The Buddh International Circuit also hosted the Indian Grand Prix for a couple of years, making India one of the few countries to pull it off.
And not just Formula One, this circuit has hosted several competitions such as the National Racing Series, the F1600, the T1 Truck Racing Series, and the National Motorcycle one-make series, to name a few.

2. Madras Motor Racetrack:
This racing track is situated in Irungattukottai, Chennai, India’s first official circuit. It was constructed around the 1980s and was finally set in motion for its purpose in 1990. It has seven turns in its short club track, while the track consists of twelve turns altogether. The short club track has a length of 2.1 km, and the entire circuit is designed in a clockwise pattern.
The racetrack acquired its grade two licence to host multiple bike and car races in several categories, including GT and touring car racing. It staged several other races except for Formula One. The Madras Motor Race Track has also hosted National Touring Cars, the National Motorcycle, and the one-make Motorcycle Championship, to name a few other races. The racetrack is considered to be fit for off-road Supercross competitions too.
The other purpose this racetrack serves is for bike, and car manufacturers, as several of them test their vehicles on this track to check the quality and other features and whether their product requires rework or is fit to be rolled out to the public.
Various automobile-related newspapers, magazines, and websites use these tracks to understand different vehicles better before publishing content about them for their enthusiastic audiences.

3. Kari Motor Speedway:
The racetrack called Kari Motor Speedway is located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This track was opened in 2013 and has been named after racer and designer Late Mr. Sundaram Karivardhan.
In the past, this track acted as a runway for power gliders and was a part of the Karivardhan-owned aviation company. The Kari Motor Speedway has hosted events like National Touring cars, one-make series, and the National Motorcycle Championship, to name a few.

Some other race tracks in India are Chicane Circuit, Hyderabad, Meco Kartopia in Bangalore, etc., which host various karting competitions.

We hope this helped you gain insights into how our country promotes such racing events and has avenues for the same. And in hindsight, while we cater to the biking fanatic in you, we would also like to draw your attention to the safety of your vehicle. To combat the unexpected situations and focus on getting your two-wheeler fixed, you need to purchase 2 wheeler insurance. Explore all the options provided by various insurance companies and buy the best 2 wheeler insurance which would serve your needs optimally.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Ever felt discomfort in your gut followed by a burning sensation in your chest? This could be because of acidity. Very often, people neglect the symptoms of acidity and gulp down antacids for instant relief. But, what is essential to know is that acidity can lead to severe health issues. If you wonder how acidity has more significant health implications, this article is just for you. We will examine acidity, its symptoms, cure, and other side effects.

What is acidity?
The entrance of your stomach valve, or the lower esophagus, closes itself as soon as food passes through it. However, if, due to some reason, the valve remains open, the stomach acids can move up and cause a burning sensation or discomfort. This phenomenon is known as acidity.

What is acid reflux?
If you experience symptoms of acidity frequently or more than twice a week, then chances are that you might suffer from a gastric condition known as acid reflux. Burning pains and discomfort after eating a meal are symptoms of acid reflux.

Let's understand the common causes of acid reflux?
1. Eating heavy portions of food
2. Sleeping after consuming food
3. Overweight or obesity
4. Eating foods such as tomato, garlic, and onion in abundance
5. Eating too much spicy food
6. Eating fried food regularly
7. Habitual drinking of alcohol, caffeine, etc.
8. Smoking
9. Side effects of certain medications

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
1. Heartburn: A burning sensation moving up your chest via the stomach
2. Regurgitation: Bitterness or foul taste in the mouth
3. Bloating
4. Blood in stool
5. Hiccups
6. Nausea

What are the long-term implications of acid reflux?

1. Esophageal stricture:
The tightening or narrowing of the esophagus is known as an esophageal stricture. Since the esophagus has restricted space, it becomes difficult for the food to pass down the esophageal tube.
These situations can aggravate quickly and result in cancerous and non-cancerous growths. People suffering from esophageal stricture experience severe pain in their throats and face difficulty when swallowing food.

2. Esophageal ulcer:
During acid reflux, the acids in the stomach traverse upward through the esophagus. The constant contact of the acid can burn the stomach's inner lining. It wears away the tissues and forms a sore. This can cause bleeding and pain while swallowing food or other drinks. People experiencing this are advised to have fibre-rich foods such as oats, legumes, nuts, fruits, etc.

3. Barrett's esophagus:
The swallowing tube connecting the mouth and the stomach experiences damage due to acid reflux and causes the lining to become red and thick. Barrett's esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer, which can sometimes be fatal.
Patients experience chest pain and irritation under these circumstances. There are chances of vomiting blood or passing bloody stool. Weight loss is another common side effect of Barrett's esophagus.

These are some of the bigger complications of acid reflux. Healthy eating and proper exercise are critical to a healthy future. Acid reflux is more commonly found among elders. This is because, as you grow older, your muscles become weaker. This puts the elderly members of your family at greater risk of acid reflux. A few ways to ensure a lower risk of acid reflux are by opting for healthier diets and eating habits, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and drinking.

If the problem persists, you should talk to your doctor and get an expert opinion. Medications can heal acid reflux to some extent. Ensure to go through regular health checkups to avoid problems in the future. Do not forget to invest in health insurance in India for parents to safeguard their health during the tough time of their age.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.