Renault's Second Chance in India

It has been a year since Renault parted ways with its Indian partner Mahindra & Mahindra. Although M&M has been doing well since then, Renault has gone into hibernation. But the French company is ready with an all-out assault on the Indian car market. This year Renault will start a second innings in the country, but before this, it is necessary to understand the impact of the failure that Mahindra Renault Logan was on the future prospects of the company. Renault conducted a poll with the owners of the Logan, which revealed that they were not really unhappy; however, there were some reasons to worry.

A New Beginning
Renault is one of the very few established foreign brands, which has not entered the lucrative Indian automobile market. But Renault thinks that it's never too late. Renault is planning to launch its Fluence sedan in the country, which will be followed by the launch of the Koleos, a sports utility vehicle, in October 2011. Renault chief executive officer, Carlos Ghosn, has predicted that the Indian car market will grow to 6 million by 2020 (it was 2.4 million in 2010, so there is a lot left to do for Renault). Renault had planned to enter the market two years back but the plans got delayed, thanks to the global economic slowdown. Renault had showcased its Formula One car for an entire year in 2008 to create buzz in the market.

The French Roots

There are other problems that Renault has to look into. The research conducted by Renault showed that a large number of people did not know about the company's French connections, some even believed that it was German or Swedish. Even brand recognition is very low among the Indians. But that is something that can be taken care of at a cost. Led by Marc Nassif, Renault has launched an elaborate marketing plan. The company has recruited an Indian advertising agency, Law & Kenneth, so that it can tap the pulse of the Indian buyers. It will also focus on the French connection because everything French means sophistication in India. Renault will also focus on communicating its technological advances. The carmaker is likely to come with an electric car too, because that would act like a technology demonstrator in a market where environmental concerns are on the rise sharply.

The French Roots

Renault would follow a top-down approach to brand development in India - expensive cars will come first and mass category car subsequently.

Strong Line-up of Cars

Renault has got a strong line-up of cars. The Renault Fluence and Koleos will be imported as knockeddown kits and assembled at the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai. These cars won't be stripped of

features for the Indian market and will be similar to the ones sold in Europe. Hence, while the Koleos would feature Bose music system, Fluence will sport a navigation system. The company is planning three more launches in the coming two years. Next in the queue is a hatchback. Renault is well known for its SUVs and sedans. But India is primarily a small car market - almost 80 per cent of the cars sold are hatchbacks. In 2008, Renault and Bajaj signed an agreement to manufacture a small car. Bajaj showcased a small car prototype in the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo. That car could be Renault's launch pad into small cars but Jerome Stoll, Renault SA Executive Vice-president, is not very sure at the moment. "We have not seen the car being developed by Bajaj Auto. We will take a decision on whether to partner on branding and marketing the vehicle only when we see the final product. The product has to be a car for us to go ahead with the agreement. We are not a partner in the development of the car. If the product fits our strategy, then only we will sell it." Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj refuses to comment, though the car is expected to be out by the end of 2012. Additionally, Renault's technical centre is developing an indigenous car that has 85 per cent local components. Rumours say that this will be small car, only a bit more expensive than the Bajaj Auto car. Small cars have never disappointed any car makers in India. "Many global brands," says an automotive analyst, "brought in products from their existing range and then realised that they would have to have products specifically for India with different pricing points. This can be done through localisation and development of products only for the Indian market like Toyota has done with the Etios and Ford with the Figo. This may not happen immediately but Renault has to consider these options later on."

Traffic Jams - Causes and solutions

It is 8 am. You are leaving for office. Pinky, your neighbour is leaving for school. Her dad is waiting for her at the gate. When you reach your apartment gate, there are another 10-12 kids waiting for their respective school vans. You greet the people you meet and rush.. you don't want to be late for office or get stuck in a traffic jam!! You hit the main road and yo! There you are.. entrenched in a traffic jam.. just the way you feared. You are late to office again! On your way back home, you get stuck in the traffic for hours! You finally reach home to see your wife, red faced! You just ruined her plans for the evening!! Who is to blame? What can we do about this growing menace of traffic congestion? The answer is that we need to blame ourselves!! Traffic comprises people like you and me. The population in India is growing by the day. The number of kids traveling to school is increasing and so are the commuters to office. The roads are the same though and it does not grow with the population. About 50 percent of delays in reaching office are attributed to traffic jams. Traffic Jams leads to increased frustration, which in turn causes accidents. Many motorists are found rushing through pavements and sidewalks, meant for walking. Would they have the patience to allow old people and children to walk at their own restrained pace? Another reason for traffic jams also happens to be an accident. When an accident takes place, people are normally very curious to see what happened. Even if they don't have the social responsibility to help, they slow down curiously, paralyzing the traffic behind them. Traffic jams cause the following problems to people:

Commuters and motorists suffer wastage of productive time. Delays in reaching an important meeting causing business loss, disciplinary action and other personal losses. Inability to judge the time required to reach a certain place, making people to leave earlier, causing wastage of time once again. Wasted fuel. One would be wise to switch off the engine if they are stuck in an endless traffic jam. It will also keep the engine cooler. Environmental concerns causing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. Increased idling, acceleration and braking results in higher maintenance costs and frequent repairs and replacements of parts. Traffic jams may cause dangers to life in case any ambulance or emergency vehicles get stuck. Health problems could aggravate due to increased level of frustration amongst motorists.

The scientists in Japan re-created "shockwave" traffic jams, to research on finding the causes and solutions for traffic congestion problems. The scientists realized that the main cause for frustrating traffic jams is human error. A single driver slowing up creates a ripple effect, causing all the others behind to slow down. If more than one driver slows down, traffic sometimes grinds to a halt, for several miles and sometimes for several minutes. It was found that the best way to beat such a ripple effect is to slow down and to keep a constant speed.

The Government can play a pivotal role in solving the traffic congestion problem. The introduction of a good number of public transport systems will solve most of the problem while the lack of it will result in a rise in the number of private vehicles plying on the roads. A good system of public transportation will save fuel costs and also put a cap on environmental concerns. The introduction of new busses, building and widening roads, initiating metro routes and shuttle services, will surely provide solace to multitudes of commuters. The rise in the number of on-road vehicles will dramatically add to the chemical and noise pollution in cities. Various corporate entities are also helping to ease the situation. Instead of encouraging its employees to drive in individual vehicles, some companies provide transportation, encouraging a large number of employees in a selected route to take up their transportation services. The growth of e-education, e-shopping and home-based working options will reduce the number of people traveling. The Civic authorities can widen roads by restricting the parking space on the busy and most frequented lanes. Pay and park facilities will also reduce parking on main roads. Increase the number of ride-sharing systems, where in people can park their vehicles and shift to a combined ride with fellow commuters thought the shared-space concept. Encourage Cycling- Cycling does not cause pollution. It also provides the much needed exercise to people. We hardly find any cyclists in India though cycle friendly policies are in practice in the Netherlands and China.

In case you get stuck in a traffic jam, keep the following in mind:

Leave sufficient space from the vehicle in front of you. This will avoid repeated braking. There is an old saying- Only a fool breaks the two-second rule. It means that you should count up to two before you start, when the motorist in front of you moves. This helps you to slow down gently without using your brakes. Drop your speed by a gear when you encounter traffic. This also helps you to slow down gently. If feel the congestion will take a long time to clear up, there is no point in fretting. Catch up with your pranayama or breathing exercises. It pays to relax rather than to swear or honk. The person in front of you did not cause the jam.

Though we have no control over traffic congestion, we can do our bit by following the above mentioned suggestions. We can also step up our efforts to persuade the government to arrest the losses caused due to such situations. Corporate Entities can do their part as a social responsibility. Until then, leave for your destination earlier than what would be required normally and catch up with your breathing exercises.

Tips For Saving Fuel: Ensure Better Mileage

India is being increasingly portrayed as a country obsessed with mileage. It is fair enough, considering the sky-rocketing prices of fuel. We hear many people lamenting, comparing the price of petrol with what it used to be a few years back. If anything, the prices of fuel will only escalate as days go by. Don't let the fear of rising costs stop you from driving your car altogether. Prioritize and plan your trip, as planning is the first requisite for success in any venture... One would be wise to economize and follow the tips mentioned herein as they can go a long way in extracting the highest possible mileage from your automobile. Think before you buy a car. What are your priorities? Is it better mileage? In that case, smaller cars are found to offer much better mileage. The Hyundai i10 for example is an amazing small car, which is roomier while offering better fuel efficiency. Car makers are now focusing on improving the safety features in the small cars segment, providing them with better features including side-curtain, airbags and electronic stability control to protect from crashes with bigger vehicles.

Go slow: This is one of the best ways to save fuel - GO SLOW. There is an inverse relation between fuel economy and speed. People who rush their drive only think that they are saving a lot of time. Plan your trip and decide to go at a moderate speed, allowing your fellow motorists to overtake if they seem to be in a hurry. Slow down in the last 700 yards to your junction instead of accelerating and applying breaks. Abrupt acceleration and braking are major causes of fuel wastage. It has been found that it takes up more fuel to start a vehicle than to keep it moving. Moderate driving speed also enhances the life of the tyres. A speed of 80 kilometers per hour (MPH) reduces fuel economy by about 5 kilometers per litre compared to a speed of 60 KMPL. Drive with a maximum 1/3 to 1/2 throttle and shift to a higher gear only when you are certain that you will continue for a fair amount of time. Tyre Pressure: Carelessness on the part of a driver to check the tyre pressure is one of the reasons for poor KMPL. Tyres that are over or under-inflated contribute to higher rolling resistance, burning more gas to keep moving. Invest in a well-recommended car gauge and check the pressure at least once a month. Make sure that you check when the tyre is cold, to avoid mis-reading. Make sure your tyres are inflated according to that specified in your car manual or that mentioned in the driver's doorjamb. Filling your tyres with nitrogen, when the tyres are hot, is increasing in popularity off late as it is expected to ensure the right pressure.

Regular Servicing:Ensure that your car is serviced regularly from an authorized centre and change the filter when required. A dirty filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, affecting its performance and economy. A permanent filter like K&N is easy to clean while being more environment friendly, compared to disposable filters. Also, change the oil used in the car occasionally. A well tuned engine can improve the fuel economy by an average of one mile for each gallon. Turn Off the air conditioners:Use the A/C only if you MUST. Turn to nature and roll down your windows to enjoy the breeze. You can go for the blower option, if it is comfortable enough, in case you need to keep the windows closed. Keeping the lights and stereo on also causes more fuel drainage. A/C s is found to be a good option only at higher speeds. When the car is going at a higher speed, an open window increases the drag co-efficient, making more sense to switch on you're A/C instead. In most of the cases though, it is one of the highest drainers of fuel. Discard Junk:Are you one of the hoarders who keep the boot of their car filled with things that are not really required? Check out your car periodically to see what can be tossed out or shifted into your homes. The more weight your car carries, the more fuel it will burn. You could infact start working out and burn calories to reduce the burden on your car. Fuel Tank:It helps to fill fuel in the mornings, as its specific gravity is high at the time. In other words, you get more fuel at the same price. Avoid the urge to completely fill up your tank as a half-filled tank helps to maintain proper pressure. A rust-free and dirt-free fuel pipe will allow the free-flow and better fuel performance.

Watch your kmpl:A watchful attitude towards the KMPL of our automobiles will ensure early detection of problems including slow punctures and engine faults and ensure that action is taken on time. Engine Heat:Though hotter engines are found to be more economical than colder ones, an engine which is too hot will cause it to break down. Changing the thermostatic controls or partially blocking the radiator helps in some car models. Traffic Jam:It helps to turn off your engine if you foresee being stuck in a traffic jam for more than three minutes. Clutch riding also hampers your engine health while increasing fuel consumption.

Like we already mentioned, proper planning will go a long way in ensuring enormous savings in fuel costs. You can combine various short trips into one, to take care of all your errands. Avoid traveling at rush hours to avoid engine idling. Join a car-pool if that if feasible and drive only if you MUST. If you can walk, then do it. It is healthier to walk than to drive. Saving fuel will be lighter on your pocket while ensuring a cleaner environment and reducing global warming for your future generations.

Gurgaon - A Hub for Automobile Companies

Gurgaon, A city that has been very often touted as the Millennium City, a symbol of rising India certainly is an interesting destination to explore. Gurgaon is one of Delhi's four major satellite cities and forms part of the National Capital Region. A recent survey by a popular financial magazine has recommended the city as one of the best cities to work and live in India. The rapid growth of the city has attracted automobile manufacturers in the global markets towards it, like bees to honey. Car makers expect to find a great market in the city which has witnessed rapid unprecedented growth since 1970. Gurgaon, together with Faridabad contributes more than 50 percent of the tax income of Haryana, one of the wealthiest states in India. The state has the highest per capita income (Rs 67,891) in India and houses the largest number of millionaires in the country, greatly enhancing the potential for car manufacturers to thrive in the city. Since 2000, Haryana has bagged the lions' share of the investments pouring into India. The agricultural and manufacturing industry in Gurgaon have registered consistent growth year-on-year since 1970. Haryana is one of the largest manufacturers of passenger cars, two wheelers and tractors in India. The city houses Maruti Udyog Ltd, the largest automobile manufacturer in India, apart from General Motors India Private Limited, Suzuki Powertrain Ltd, BMW (India) Private Ltd, Tata Motors, Ford India, Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Volvo Car India. Let us make a brief study of the various automobile companies in the city:

Maruti Udyog Ltd The largest manufacturer of automobiles in India, Maruti Udyog Ltd (Maruti) is the partial subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. The company accounts for more than 45 percent of the sales in the domestic car market in India. The manufacturing plant of Maruti in Gurgaon has come up over 300 acres. The facility houses three fully integrated plants with an installed capacity of about seven lakh units annually. The unit employs more than 150 robots, out of which 71 have been developed in-house. The Gurgaon plant manufactures the Maruti 800, Alto, WagonR, Estilo, Omni, Gypsy, Ritz, A Star, Swift, and Eeco models apart from sedans Dzire, SX4 and Sports Utility vehicle, Grand Vitara. The plant also manufactures 2,40,000 units of K-Series engines each year.

Suzuki Powertrain Ltd A joint venture of Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) of Japan, SPL started operations since March 2006. The plant was launched with the purpose of expanding sales of Suzuki motorcycles in India for which the market at that point of time was 75,00,000 units. The plant in Gurgaon manufactures two models of 125cc motorcycles while the unit based in Manesar manufactures diesel engines and transmissions for cars. SMC holds the majority stake of 70 percent in the venture while the balance 30 percent is held by Maruti Suzuki.

General Motors India Private Limited A wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, GMIPL is the fifth largest manufacturer of automobiles in India after Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra. Headquartered in Gurgaon since 2000, GMIPL has its manufacturing facilities at Halol, Gujrat and at Talegaon Dabhade, Maharashtra. The two plants together have a production capcaity of 3,85,000 vehicles annually. The company also has a technical center in Bangalore.

BMW India Headquartered in Gurgaon, BMW India is a 100 percent subsidiary of the BMW Group. The company has a manufacturing plant in Chennai, which produces the BMW 3 series and 5 series Sedans in both the petrol and diesel versions. Other models retailed by the company include the BMW 6 and 7 series, BMW X3, X5 and X6 series. The BMW Z4 and BMW Gran Turismo are available as Complelely Built-Up Units. BMW has its presence across 17 locations in India and has an expansive dealer network, which covers 95 percent of the potential premium car across the country. The BMW Group has its presence I 13

countries and has 24 manufacturing facilities across the world. The group has sales offices in over 140 countries.

Tata Motors Ltd The largest automobile company in India, Tata Motors ltd (TML) earned consolidated revenues of Rs1,23,133 crores during 2010-2011. The company is the market leader in the commercial vehicles segment in India and is amongst the top three companies in the compact, midsized cars and utility vehicle segments in India. TML is also the fourth largest truck manufacturer and the largest bus manufacturer in the global markets.

Ford India Private Limited A wholly owned subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company in India, Ford India Private Ltd is headquartered at Chengalpattu in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The company is currently the sixth largest manufacturer of cars in India after Maruti Suzuki, Hyndai, Tata Motors Ltd, Mahindra and Chevrolet. The main manufacturing plant of the company has the capacityto manufacture one lakh vehicles annually. The company is currently in the process of doubling the capacity to two lakh units with an investment of $500 million. One of the regional offices of Ford is located in Gurgaon.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd A joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar Group, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd (TKMPL) is the seventh largest producer of cars in India after Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors Ltd, Mahindra, Chevrolet and Ford. TKMPL has two plants at Bidadi, Karnataka, with a combined capacity of 1,50,000 vehicles each year. The plants occupy more than 432 acres. The company is enjoying increased demand for its Etios and Fortuner models. In Gurgaon, TKMPL has its office at Ambience Mall in DLF Phase-III.

Indian Automobile Industry in 2011

The calendar year 2010 was great for the Indian auto industry and it did bring in many surprises from the day one of 2010. The Indian car sales were at its best boosting the morale of many car manufacturers. The year 2010 did bring in lot of hope in the auto Industry after a rough late 2008 and early 2009. Let us just hope that the year 2011 brings in many more cheers and smiles on the faces of people associated with the Indian auto industry. We have come up with a list of predictions for this year by looking at what the bygone year had given us.

Domestic Sales Volumes Will Rise but Growth Could Come Down The 2010 calendar year was great for the Indian automobile industry, and sales of vehicles are expected to continue upward journey in 2011. However, the industry may not be able to copy the growth rates registered in the last two years. In the first half of 2010, the industry witnessed a steep 32% average monthly sales growth, which came down to 25% in the latter half. In addition, the year-on-year growth in sales is expected to be higher during the latter half of 2011 as compared to the growth in the first half of the year. Along with the high base effect of 2010, the awaited firm up of interest rates could also bring about the reduction in growth rates this year.

Exports to Increase in 2011 Almost 65% of total automobile exports from India are two-wheelers, and as a result, performance of this segment has a major influence on overall auto export volumes. And after experiencing over 30% jump in exports in 2010, the industry is expected to register moderate growths in two-wheeler exports in 2011. Nonetheless, a competitive and aggressive approach from the original equipment manufacturers vehicle categories (commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and two & three wheelers) would help bring an increase in overall export of vehicles from the Indian market in 2011. Additionally, there are many companies that want to make India their export hub, thereby increasing the chances of increasing exports.

Healthy Economic Growth to Uplift Sales Healthy growth of the economy would drive the automobile sales in the domestic market. The chief growth drivers of the automobile industry in the Indian market would be stable economic environment, healthy IIP growth, favourable liquidity and availability of finance. Other things that would positively affect the Indian automobile industry include road network development activities, strong growth in construction activities and the expected healthy performance of the industrial sector. When it comes to personal transport vehicles, increase in disposable income and a strong line up of upcoming new launches is expected to boost demand and sales. The passenger vehicle industry (cars + utility vehicles) is expected to witness launch of as many as 30 new models/variants in 2011. Much in with 2010, 2011 will also see a lot of action in the small car segment. Sales of luxury cars is also going to grow at a fast pace. Sports utility vehicles (SUV), which have a relatively smaller market share in the Indian passenger vehicle market is also going to grow up tremendously as manufacturers have lined up 10 new model launches for the coming year. Indian car manufacturers are also doubling up their efforts to push their passenger vehicles into the rural and semi-urban markets, which would greatly enhance sales.

Profit margins to improve marginally The Indian automobile is expected to record growth in revenues supported by in the domestic as well as export market. Nevertheless, as the commodity prices are expected to remain constant, the pressure on margins would increase largely. Besides, the entry of several other OEMs that have lined up elaborate investment plans is also going to benefit the industry in the domestic market. The new car launches that have been lined up for this year are going to increase expenditure on

advertising and promotional activities. But that is no cause for the buyers as these companies are likely to transfer only a small part of the cost burden by increasing the car prices.

Strategies that manufacturers are likely to adopt are: Commercial vehicles

New model launches Product innovation would take prime importance to create new market segments Launch new cars for the international market Easy car finance options for potential customers Competitive pricing

Passenger vehicles

New models/variants launch Greater importance to rural and semi-urban markets Dealership network expansion Used cars business expansion Localization to cut down costs

Car Care Tips for Monsoon

You may love to relax and enjoy being lazy, refuse to get out of bed or sip a cup of piping hot tea and watch others scurry into the nearest shelter when it is raining outside. It is far more rewarding though, if you get working and take care to maintain your baby on wheels. A few small precautions will ensure that your precious car stays in good shape during the years to come. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Firstly, invest in a good quality car cover. While buying one, make sure that the material does not stick to your car. Have your car serviced just before monsoon. An anti-rust spray under the body of the car may just avoid many problems while a wax coating will go a long way in insulating it against fading and peeling concerns. A water proof exterior and anti moisture spray would do well for your car. Otherwise, cleaning out moisture with a dry cloth often would suffice. Mud flaps will help to keep the sides of your car more clean and reduce your maintenance work. Maintaining your tyres will avoid skidding and reduce uncomfortable jolts. A Good tread depth will ensure a safe ride will avoid skidding. Check the pressure level in your tyres and inflate it if required. This will ensure long life for your tyres while enhancing your comfort. Lower tyre pressure leads to frequent punctures. Make sure you carry spare tyres. Check the wiper blades on your windscreen. Hard and cracked wipers cause scratches and reduces clarity. Using a mild soap solution in place of water will ensure clear visiblity. Oil your brakes and make sure they work properly. Ensure to drain water in case moisture has seeped into the brakes. Keep your engine compartment clean and replace coolants regularly. Ensure that the coolant system is free of air before the radiator cap is installed. It would be ideal to replace the cooling system hoses once in every two years.

10. It would be ideal to grease your car battery terminals with petroleum jelly instead of grease. 11. Check if you have spare fuses before you go on your drive. 12. When you notice trouble, replace your water pump with an OEM/OES pump and watch for indications of overheating. 13. A major issue with monsoon is fungus formation and a resultant pungent odour. This problem can be avoided with adequate ventilation and by using fabric mats above your regular rubber mats. Use of a good car perfume will make you look forward to your next drive. 14. Before you hit the roads, ensure that the headlights and tail-lights are functioning properly. 15. When you start driving, ensure that you dry your feet as wet feet tend to slip off the pedals. 16. Vehicles have a tendency to take more time to slow down during the rains. So ensure that you drive more slowly than what you would do during normal days and maintain more distance from the other vehicles. 17. Avoid excessive use of brakes and do not go too close to busses or trucks. Driving in the track of another car will help you judge the depth of puddles ahead of you more easily. 18. A good music system will help you relax during traffic jams and to drive through crowded lanes. 19. Once you return from your drive, make sure the dirt accumulated is cleaned and that the car gets enough ventilation. Locking up your car immediately in a garage will promote the growth of fungus. 20. You will need to take extra care in case you reside in the coastal regions. Higher salt content in the atmosphere accelerates corrosion. If adequate care is taken, you can ensure that your days are not dampened with the monsoons. You and your co-passengers might even hesitate to step out of your car haven. Go ahead! Enjoy the rains!!

Wrong Fuel in your Car? Tips to Avoid Further Damages

We all know how infuriating it is when the petrol pump attendant accidentally pumps in the wrong fuel in your car. Filling up incompatible fuel type in your car's fuel tank can be very perilous for the engine, not to mention the repair costs it might inflict on you. Here we will tell you what to do in case you find the wrong type of fuel floating in your car's tank.

The damage
Misfuelling can be a real pain in the wrong place. The stringent emission rules make the situation worse. Your car's fuel and catalyst systems, both petrol and diesel, are severely damaged by even small drops of the incorrect fuel. Even with little amount of wrong fuel in the tank, the lubrication film on the injection pump can break. Petrol can cause some irreparable engine damage in modern diesel engine cars. The only solution to this problem is: pump out the wrong fuel from the tank and clean the fuel system thoroughly. Old tradition diesel engine cars can tolerate up to 30 per cent of petrol. And if diesel is pumped in a petrol engine car, the unburned fuel passing through to the exhaust can make the catalyst to overheat.

So what do we do with a misfuelled car?

The first thing that you do after realizing that you have been filling the wrong fuel in your car: stop pumping the fuel any further. Then you assess how much of the wrong fuel has been put into the tank. Do not start the car, and if you need to move it away, push it to a nearby parking space. And if you have already started the car, stop it as soon as you possibly can.

Next, the fuel must be drained off completely with the right equipment, and the fuel properly disposed of. You can check with an authorized dealer for the right procedure for the draining of the contaminated fuel. The dealer may suggest towing the vehicle to a nearby garage and having the tank drained and the seals and filters changed. Do not be in a hurry to start the engine after using the incorrect fuel as it may jeopardize the warranty on your car. Usually fuel tanks have two fuel lines: while one sucks up the fuel from the bottom of the tank, the other line to return the unused fuel from the engine. Most modern engines come with fuel pumps that suck fuel up to the engine. You will need to find out whether your car's engine uses a mechanical or electrical fuel pump. While the mechanical fuel pumps are bolted on to the engine block or cylinder head, the electrical ones are most submersed in the fuel at the bottom of the fuel tank. The entire cleaning process of the wrong fuel can cost up to Rs 1000 or more for most of the cars. Make sure you take your car to an authorized dealer for the entire drain out and cleaning process.

How much is too much?

Sometimes a little misfuelling is alright and may not damage the engine as long as you have not started the engine and added the compatible fuel to your car. But mostly it depends on the quality of the wrong fuel that you have filled in your car. For example, if you have pumped in one litre or more of the wrong fuel in a 30 litre fuel tank, you would be wise to leave the engine untouched. Also, you would need to drain out the fuel completely. But if the amount of the wrong fuel in the same tank is less than one litre, you can top up the tank with the fuel compatible to your car and you can run it normally. But if your manufacturer has advised otherwise, you need to take your car to an authorized dealer.