GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

To be a vehicle owner entails a variety of duties. To get the most out of your automobile, you must frequently care for and repair it. If sufficient care is not performed, not only will your vehicle's quality suffer, but it may also cause an accident. Having your vehicle's tyres aligned regularly is one of the most important things you need to ensure tyres last longer.

Many individuals believe that alignment should be left to specialists. While this is true in many ways, some alignment specifications are simple enough to check on your own, and wheel alignment is one of them. This may be useful after upgrading steering or suspension parts so that the car isn't out of alignment during the journey to the shop, or it can at the very least offer a better knowledge of the process.

Following are a few ways you can check your car's wheel alignment by yourself.

1. Caster:
Most vehicles are constructed with a mild downward caster. Your caster angle contributes to the equilibrium of driving, balance, and turning. A high caster causes the steering axis to lean toward the driver. On the other hand, a low caster indicates that your vehicle's steering axis is tilted away from the driver.
To measure the caster angle yourself, you need to park the vehicle on a flat surface and place both wheels on the turntables. Next, install the bubble gauge on the hub. Then turn the tyre 20 degrees inwards and level the gauge. Using the adjustment knob, set the caster reading as zero. Now, move the tyre 20 degrees outwards to get the caster reading.

2. Camber:
Camber is the degree of tyre lean of a car measured in degrees. Negative camber takes place when the top of the tyre tilts inwards. Whereas positive camber occurs when the top of the tyre tilts outwards.
Most contemporary automobiles feature a somewhat negative camber to increase stability and control. Camber misalignment may be caused by worn bearing, ball joints, and other wheel suspension systems. Excessive inward or outward skew indicates poor alignment and must be corrected.

3. Toe-in:
Toe alignment, as opposed to camber alignment, is the degree to which your tyres spin inward or outward as seen from up top. Depending on the vehicle, typical toe-in standards range from one-thirty-second to one-eighth-inch. Toe-in alignment occurs when your automobile's tyres are inclined in the same direction. Toe alignments are done at the last after caster and camber are done.

As a vehicle owner, you must recognise the signs of misaligned wheels. Take a moment to check your vehicle's wheel alignment regularly. It can add to the life of your car's tyres and improve the handling. Even if you decide to get the vehicle aligned in a garage, you will better understand the issue and information.

As needed, trained and experienced vehicle experts will be able to align your wheels. However, to sustain the absolute protection of your vehicle, yourself, and anyone around you, it is advisable to opt for insurance. If you have just purchased a new car, always remember to buy new car insurance to safeguard your vehicle.

Click HERE to buy new car insurance.

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.

Are you looking to purchase your first two-wheeler or perhaps on the hunt for an upgrade to your current one? You must have heard various terms such as BS6 and BS4 being used for two-wheelers. Before we jump into understanding them, let's understand why we are talking about these classes.

In order to address the growing concerns about pollution and global warming, the Government of India has introduced regulations known as Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES). BSES is the governing body responsible for regulating the output of air pollutants coming out from vehicles. The BSES has made it mandatory for all motorcycle producing brands to register and primarily sell only BS6 bikes from 1st April 2020.

In this blog, we will try to bring forth everything there is to know about BS4 and BS6 engines.

What are BS4 and BS6?
BS4 and BS6 are the 4th and the 6th iteration of the BSES pollution regulations. The Central Pollution Control Board put forth the BS4 emission norms in 2017, which permitted 50 parts per million sulphur content. However, with the introduction of BS6, it was mandated that only ten parts per million Sulphur content were allowed.
Due to BS6, India's emission norms are believed to be equivalent to those of developed countries. BS6 means cleaner fuel and less toxic gases from the exhaust, thus reducing the pollutant content in the air.
The BS6 petrol engine is 25 per cent cleaner than the BS4 motor. And in the case of diesel, it is 80 per cent cleaner than a BS4 diesel engine.

Can you use BS6 fuel in a BS4 vehicle?
BS6 vehicles aren't everywhere just yet, so most motorcycles using BS6 fuel are BS4 vehicles. The important thing to keep in mind is that it is a cleaner fuel and will be perfectly fine for your engine.
Once the laws are mandated, every fuel station will be pumping BS6 fuel. So it is unreasonable to expect one to change their vehicle. This is why it is acceptable to use BS6 power in your BS4 vehicles.

Can you use BS4 fuel in a BS6 vehicle?
It is highly unlikely to have any immediate effect on the motorcycle. There has been certain ambiguity when it comes to this. The petrol engine manufacturers said no effects were seen when a BS6 vehicle used BS4 fuel. However, in the case of diesel engines, there will be some wear and tear eventually. Though, the repercussions would be seen over a very long period.

With the constantly changing time and increasing pollution and population, the automobile industry is preparing for revolutionary changes in the next five to ten years. The laws concerning pollution are becoming more stringent, and it is essential to keep your bike's health in top order to avoid hefty fines in future. Regular check-ups, including pollution checks and servicing, are vital for the good health of your two-wheeler.

It is a good idea to purchase bike insurance to protect yourself from any expenses incurred during these processes. Invest in the bike insurance plan that comes with an attractive premium and features to benefit you when in need.

Click HERE to check out bike insurance plans.

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.

Buying a bike is a significant investment for any individual. You put a lot of thought and money into the type of bike you want. The model, budget, brand, features, arrangement of finances are some significant factors a prospective bike owner must consider while making a decision.

An essential part of finalising the type of bike you want is determining the fueling system: carburettor or fuel injection system. For someone who desires to buy a motorcycle but is not technically sound, determining the difference between these two can be an exhausting process.

In this blog, let's understand the difference between fuel injection and carburettor in bikes so that you can get a clear idea about which one would serve your needs in the best way possible.

Let's have a look at the carburettor:
The carburettor is the traditional fuel-delivery system in two-wheelers. It has been the standard system opted by most manufacturers in India. The carburettor consists of a tube connected to a venturi. The venturi then reduces the fuel's flow by narrowing it into a cone-shaped tube. Air pressure is created by the device developing suction to draw the fuel. In layman's terms, the carburettor combines air and fuel in a definite ratio and passes it on to the combustion chamber.

Why should you opt for a carburettor?

1. They are relatively cheap, resistant and sturdy.

2. Affordable and easily replaceable.

3. Fine-tuning is possible (improves mileage).

4. Easily removable and serviceable.

What are the difficulties you might face?

1. You might experience a lag when you squeeze the throttle while riding.

2. It cannot achieve optimum fuel efficiency.

3. Prone to damage (wear and tear).

4. Dust blockages can be problematic.

Now, let's understand what a fuel injection system is?

A fuel injection system is a modern technology-based system used in bikes in the current times. It consists of multiple electronic components and sensors that form the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which monitors the whole fuel-injected system. The fuel pump inside the tank monitors and controls the fuel flow. The ECU calculates the air and fuel needed for the combustion process.

What are the advantages?

1. Sharper throttle response with no lag.

2. Precise air and fuel mixture for efficient combustion.

3. Durable and low maintenance process.

4. Better mileage.

5. Reduced air pollution.

What are some hitches of the fuel injection system that you might face?

1. Comparatively expensive than the carburettor system.

2. Difficult to fine-tune without expensive and complex tools.

3. ECU takes a professional understanding of how things work. Regular mechanics might find it challenging to repair.

Those were the significant concepts, advantages and challenges to help you understand the difference between fuel injection and carburettor in bikes. This will help you determine which system would cater to your needs in the best way possible. Now, to make sure that you safeguard your bike during unfortunate incidents, it would be a wise option to get it insured.

Explore the market and buy the best two wheeler insurance online India which suits your needs. Digital technology has made it convenient for customers to purchase insurance of their choice online without any intermediary's involvement.

Click HERE to know more about how you can purchase two wheeler insurance online India.

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.

Cars are fantastic companions for commutation, whether you're cruising along highways, navigating busy roads, or going off-roading. On the other hand, the technology-driven components of the cars determine their performance in various conditions.

The variety of car features has significantly increased in recent times, and you now have more choices when selecting your next car than ever before. One such option is a four-wheel drive (4WD) car based on the drivetrain system you want to use.

A 4WD offers to maximise the effective usage of the vehicle on rough roads and rocky terrains. It is an exciting concept that has been introduced in the automobile sector but requires good knowledge to utilise it to its best potential.

You need to understand the merits and demerits of 4WD to make the right choice before buying one.

Advantages of 4WD:

1. A widespread myth is that you must always drive your car in 4WD mode. You have the option of switching between 4WD and 2WD at any time. Modern four-wheel-drive automobiles have a button that activates or disengages all four wheels. So, if you don't require all four wheels to work simultaneously, you may drive around with the 2WD system.

2. In hazardous driving situations such as snow, ice, mountain regions, and other scenarios where staying in control is challenging, 4WD enhances traction and control by engaging both sets of wheels.

3. The improved traction gets combined with the engine's enhanced power. It provides the extra boost 4WD vehicles require to climb over obstacles and up steep inclines. It is ideal for off-roading and mountainous terrain.

Disadvantages of 4WD:

1. The most significant downside of 4WD is the increased expense of acquisition, and maintenance. The extra equipment (transfer case, differentials, etc.) increases the vehicle's complexity and weight, increasing its original market value.

2. Furthermore, the additional weight of a 4WD system and the additional power generated result in lower fuel economy than 2WD systems. Driving your automobile with all four wheels producing power will burn more fuel.

3. Drivers that employ 4WD may grow overconfident, leading to more situations where they become stuck. Excessive confidence can even lead to dangerous accidents if the driver loses control over the vehicle and fails to manage the power that is being generated.

4. The 4WD system connects the front and back driveshafts, ensuring that all four wheels revolve at the same speed. It makes it harder to turn the car because the wheels must move at different rates to corner successfully. The inner wheel rotates slower than the outer wheel, which must traverse a greater distance in the same amount of time. As a result, the outer wheel will rotate quicker. You will damage the transfer case, gears, and drive shafts if you turn the car with 4WD activated. Hence, it's best to use 4WD only for off-roading.

A 4WD is a fantastic investment if you enjoy driving off-road or if you have to deal with difficult driving conditions regularly. But don't assume you need 4WD to get to and from work.
Whether it is a 2WD or 4WD, securing your car from damages is paramount. Accidents are unpredictable, but safety can be defined beforehand. Buy car insurance policy online to stay financially shielded and protect your car to get the best returns on your investment.

Click HERE to buy car insurance policy online.

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.