I recently took delivery of a new Tata Punch facelift. While driving, I noticed a burning smell inside the cabin and white smoke coming from under the bonnet. The smoke disappeared after some time, but the smell lingered. I was driving in heavy traffic and may have used the half-clutch frequently. Could this be normal for a new car, or should I get it checked?

Autocar India

•2d

This isn’t normal on a brand-new Punch Turbo; book an immediate inspection and avoid driving it till they check it.Visible white smoke from the bonnet with a burnt smell right after the first drive points to oil or coolant touching a hot exhaust or turbo, or a loose clamp. A slipping clutch can create a burnt smell, but it rarely causes visible smoke on a day-one car unless something is already wrong, so the half-clutch explanation sounds like deflection. There is one harmless case, thin coatings or a bit of fluid spilled during prep can burn off and give a faint smell or light wisps for the first few kilometres, but that should fade quickly and not produce sustained smoke.Park it, look for any fresh wet spots under the car, and check the coolant level once the engine is fully cold. Note where the smoke seemed to start, especially front right near the turbo and exhaust, and record a short clip if it happens again. Take it back to the dealer, ask for a job card, and have them check for leaks, loose hose clamps, or clutch issues under warranty. Do not accept “driving style” as the only answer on day one.

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•5h

Our first recommendation would be the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. The automatic torque converter is smooth, the ride quality is excellent, and the car feels solid and substantial. It is also more powerful than most rivals in this price range and has enough ground clearance to tackle poor roads without constantly worrying about scraping the underside. At around Rs 10.9 lakh on-road, it is worth stretching for if your budget allows.The Hyundai i20 IVT would be our second choice. The IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics you can buy at this price point. Refinement is excellent, and Hyundai's reliability and resale value are reassuring. The only drawback is that it does not feel as robust over bad roads as the Kylaq.The Tata Punch AMT would be our third choice. It has the ground clearance and a comfortable low-speed ride, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or sophisticated as the automatics in the Skoda and Hyundai.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•17h

It isn’t periodical - your Kia Carens triggers DPF regeneration when the ECU senses the filter is filling with soot. It uses sensors and driving data to estimate soot load, then does passive regen on its own during steady highway runs, and active regen when needed by raising exhaust temperature to burn the soot.If your use is mostly short, stop‑start city trips, the car can’t keep exhaust temps up, so active regens will happen more often, and sometimes you’ll see a DPF message asking you to keep driving. When that pops up, a 15‑20 minute run at about 60 km/h with gentle revs usually completes it. If you ignore or keep shutting the car mid‑cycle, the warning can escalate, and you may need the parked/manual regen from the cluster menu, or a workshop reset.You’ll notice slightly higher fuel use, a hot smell, and a fast fan while regen runs. That’s normal. It is not tied to a fixed mileage or time; it’s entirely based on soot loading and your driving pattern.

Kia Carens