UNDERSTANDING MODERN AUTOMOBILES
What the Technical Terms Mean and How Important They are:
(R. Hariharanathan)
Days are gone when people in India purchased cars with what was forced on them as a monopoly, there having been no choice. Automobiles were steel-works on four tyres, and no one ever cared to know whether the machines were perfect ergonomic in design and came with safety measures. If you have the opportunity of seeing a very old Fiat of the 1950s, you can see the doors opening towards the front, which means, in case any one rides a bicycle close-by from the opposite direction and if the door accidentally opens, the door will pull him towards to car. It took the designers some years to find out this dangerous fact, and they started fixing the doors in such a way that they close themselves if some-one coming from the opposite, hits the door, when the door opens accidentally at that time.
Then came the sliding doors, usually on two door cars, which do not occupy the road space when people board the car.
Thus, the technology goes on changing every day, and thanks to constant research on value engineering of materials used, safety engineering, and economy etc., metals have given place to plastics, and leather, and Fibre filled, spring loaded upholstery to foam-fabric combine upholstery and so on. The modern Engines do not use space occupying fan belts attached to the Crankshaft, for cooling the engine, and engage the dynamo charger. Similarly its function has been taken over by coolants in the radiator, with minimum need for cooling by fan.
Bulky radiators have been replaced by small ones to facilitate small narrow grills and aero dynamic curves of the front, adding beauty with a purpose.
Carburetors have been replaced by fuel injection system and even this has undergone fast changes with micro-processors deciding the quantum and time of fuel needs for the machine; Strut Suspension in lieu of Leaf Springs etc.
Thus the cars of today have no relevance to compare with the cars of yesterday. If you look into the bonnets of an Ambassador and a Fiat Uno/Siena you will find the latter resembling a Computer Board while the former, a clumsy conglomeration of nuts and bolts.
For an average Indian, the investment on a car is still a great thing in his life and is just next to his daughter’s marriage or building his own house. Therefore, before spending his life-time savings on this huge investment, one has to know the following features and their relevance to our specific needs:
1. Fuel Economy or Comforts?
Saving in petrol consumption involves sacrifice on the power generated by the car. Therefore, you should choose between the energy of the car and the savings in fuel. If you have business income which can accept expenses on fuel, and still without great sacrifice on profits, then go in for powerful car. It will help you drive comfortably without strain on ups and downs of the road and in terms of emergency when engine pick-up is very essential: Such as a danger on road like robbery or riot, from which you want to escape fast.
If you are a beginner, just graduating from middle class conveyance to a four wheeler without a major shift in income, then stick to low power car like 800 cc. And be contented with the machine without expecting too much from it.
On the contrary if you are a lover of luxury life, at any cost, with earning capability, then go for fully loaded car, with AC, Power Windows, Child Lock, Audio System, Remote Openers(of Fuel Lid and Luggage Box), Plush Upholstery designed to protect your spinal and the skeleton systems and the lots. This will enable you to get down from the car even after 500 miles of drive, as fresh as you boarded. Modern cars of this category are fitted with most scientifically conceived and engineered suspension systems, seating, and the legroom, in addition to the protection from noise pollution both from within and from outside. Cars like Ford Ikon offer you even reading lamps, hand rest and a dining tray for the driver side passenger as standard equipment while others like Palio offer as optional extra.
2. Petrol or Diesel? Many are under an impression that Petrol cars are expensive for running and diesel is cheaper. This notion cannot be generalized. If you run the car as a taxi or if your use per day exceeds 200km. Then the diesel is advisable but even this is not for long. By April 2002, there may be changes in Government’s policy in the pricing of petroleum products, eliminating the subsidies and allowing the price mechanism of international market. If this happens, there will not be much difference between the petrol and diesel prices, as is already the fact in other countries. India is the only country where diesel is preferred for cars and where there is a vast gap between the prices of these two.
Secondly the diesel cars are costlier by around Rs.50, 000. which is not economical if you are a light driver with low usage of the car. At 12% interest per annum this means Rs.500/- per month, equivalent to 15 litre petrol at current price.
Thirdly, Diesel Engines are prone to generating vibration which increases over a period and maintenance is also costlier. Again the driving is more comfortable, steering more flexible(even mechanical steering) and engine power is very fast in a petrol car than a diesel car. A 1.2 Petrol Fiat Uno can easily overtake an 1.8 Ambassador or Ford, on an uphill drive.
This article continues under same title -II