Latest questions answered by experts

What maintenance should I do on my 2017 VW Ameo TDI DSG that has crossed 130,000km, and what are the things I need to be careful about?

•12m

Change the timing belt kit and water pump now if they are older than 5 years or 90-100k km. At 130k, this is the one job that saves the engine if the belt lets go. Replace the accessory belt and the tensioner.Get the DSG checked for clutch wear and mechatronics health, and ask the workshop to run clutch adaptation. If your garage offers a DSG oil and filter change for this unit, do it. Listen for shudders on take-off and rattly idle or switch-off thunks that point to a tired dual-mass flywheel. Even with care, this gearbox can still spring a big bill later, so keep a buffer.Fresh fluids and filters keep diesels happy. Use VW-spec engine oil every 10k km, fuel filter every 20k, air and cabin filters yearly, brake fluid every 2 years, and coolant replacement with the right VW coolant if it is over 4-5 years old. Check battery, alternator belt and tensioner.Inspect and likely renew front struts, lower arms and bushes, engine mounts, wheel bearings, tie-rods, and brake discs-pads. Clean the EGR and intake, check turbo hoses and intercooler for leaks, test injectors, and glow plugs.Drive gently from cold, let it idle 30 seconds after a hard run, avoid inching on the throttle in traffic, and use good fuel.

•1d

We have a budget of Rs. 60 lakh and require an SUV or sedan. We prioritise rear-seat comfort and a powerful engine. We do not want an electric vehicle and are not looking for entry-level luxury cars like the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA. We are considering the Toyota Camry or waiting for the new Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson. Our current vehicle is a Hyundai Tucson diesel 4x4, which we enjoyed for its soft suspension, rear-seat comfort, and 186bhp engine. We are looking for a new car, not a used one. Please help us out, Autocar. We live in Patna and recently bought a Hyundai Aura for our son to learn to drive. It does not seem to have a problem with the roads here, so we are considering buying a Camry or waiting. Is there any other car you would suggest?

•42m

Buy the Toyota Camry. Its rear seat is genuinely lounge-like with a power recline function, the ride is soft, and the cabin is quiet. The petrol strong hybrid powertrain is one of the best around, feels refined and effortless in the city, and has enough power on the highway. You get the smoothness and efficiency of an EV without the stress of having to charge it. And Toyota's low running costs and excellent service quality will give you peace of mind too.It does not feel particularly thrilling to drive, and it is a sedan, so speed breakers or steep ramps need more care than an SUV. If you do want an SUV stance and a punchier engine, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are good upgrades from your Tucson. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is eager, and it cruises beautifully, and the ride is exceptional too. It's just that, being a turbo petrol in a large SUV, these two are not very fuel efficient.Sadly, there are no plans for Hyundai to bring in a new Tucson or Santa Fe. Kia, however, is looking at bringing in the Sorento, the Santa Fe's counterpart from its portfolio, later this year or early next year, possibly with hybrid power. If you aren't in a hurry, that might be worth waiting for.

Between the VinFast VF7 and the BYD Atto 3, which would be the safer ownership choice in India, considering service network, parts availability, and long-term support?

•1h

While the VinFast VF7 is an impressive product on paper, BYD has a significant head start in India. The BYD Atto 3 has been on sale for longer, BYD has an established dealer and service network, and there are already a meaningful number of cars on the road. That naturally translates into better parts availability, more trained technicians and a clearer picture of long-term ownership costs.With VinFast, the biggest unknown isn't the product itself but the ecosystem around it. The company is still in the early stages of building its sales and service network in India, and it will take time before we can confidently assess parts availability, service quality and long-term support.The Atto 3 also benefits from BYD's extensive global EV experience and its proven Blade Battery technology, which has already built a strong reputation for durability and safety.

Vinfast VF7

BYD Atto 3

•2d

Can you suggest an upcoming EV with sufficient ground clearance to comfortably clear Indian speed breakers, while also having a low enough seat height and easy ingress so that I can transfer from my wheelchair to the front passenger seat with minimal effort? We currently own a Mercedes-Benz E200 (2025 model). My wife's daily commute is generally only around 5 km. However, we would prefer a larger battery pack in case we decide to take longer trips, such as to Goa. The car should also offer a boot capacity of at least 575 litres, enough to accommodate my folded wheelchair along with additional luggage. We previously owned a Skoda Superb, which was excellent in terms of both ground clearance and boot space. Our budget is around Rs. 1 crore.

•11h

Try out the Tesla Model Y L. It is a three-row SUV with a fairly large 420-litre boot with all seats up, which expands to a massive 1,076 litres with the third row folded. There is also a sizeable frunk for extra storage.The claimed range is 681km, so in the real world, a Mumbai-to-Goa trip is doable with one or two top-up stops. Ground clearance is about 169mm, which is on par with your Superb. It is tall, yet the seat isn’t as high as some SUVs, so sliding across from a wheelchair should be easier. It won't be as easy as your sedans, so make sure you try getting in and out at least a couple of times.It also fits comfortably within your budget and comes very well equipped. It's worth noting that a lot of functions are baked into the large central touchscreen, and that might take some getting used to.

Tesla Model Y

•3d

Hi Autocar, I am Anand, a 33-year-old professional working in marketing. My job involves a lot of driving. My daily commute is around 50 km, but on some days, I may cover as much as 200 km. I am interested in buying an EV to help reduce my running costs. My budget is Rs. 15 lakh. Could you please suggest a good EV that offers strong safety rating, a good set of features, and is well-suited to my usage pattern?

•12h

Pick the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. It fits your 50 km daily grind and those occasional 200 km days without range stress, while keeping running costs far lower than petrol. It is easy to drive and park, rides well on bad roads, and you still get a modern cabin with a big touchscreen, and 360 camera on higher trims. Safety is solid too - the Punch platform has a strong crash-test record, and you get ESC and 6 airbags.Real-world range is about 240 km, so a 200 km day with AC is fine if you start full, DC fast-charging is also quicker with the facelifted version so a top-up on the highway should be relatively quick. You budget should get you the top Empowered Plus S trim.One catch: the rear seat is fine for two but fitting three can be a sqeeze. If that is an issue, you can stretch your budget and get a Nexon EV instead.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

•2d

Does the engine of Kia Seltos Petrol Manual (Naturally Aspirated) feel underpowered because of the K3 platform and the vehicle’s weight? Also, does frequent full-throttle acceleration have a significant impact on fuel efficiency? I drive around 1,000 km per month, with most of my usage being on highways. Considering my driving pattern, is the Kia Seltos Petrol NA Manual a suitable choice, or should I consider a different variant?

•12h

Pick the Seltos turbo-petrol for mostly highway use; it suits long runs far better than the petrol NA. The 1.5 NA petrol is great for city use and fine if you cruise light at 90-100 and drive gently, but with four people and luggage, it needs frequent downshifts and feels a bit breathless once past highway speeds. That isn’t about the K3 platform as much as the small naturally aspirated motor.Yes, frequent full‑throttle on the NA petrol will cut mileage sharply because you’re revving it hard to accelerate. The turbo petrol, by contrast, has strong pull in the mid range, so overtakes are easy without wringing it.The catch is that the turbo petrol is only available with the IMT or DCT which means a higher upfront cost. Alternatively, consider the diesel manual. It has the performance you need for highway duty and your highway use will avoid DPF issues.

Kia Seltos

•2d

My current vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Baleno. I am a first-time SUV buyer, and my budget is Rs. 20 lakh. I am looking for a petrol automatic SUV. My usage is primarily within the city, with daily driving of around 70 km, and I do not take long-distance trips very frequently. I would also like an SUV that offers a good driving experience, plenty of features, strong safety, good stability in both city and highway conditions, reliability, and a proven track record. Considering my requirements, which petrol automatic SUV would you recommend?

•13h

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic, because it balances daily city ease with real highway stability and has a strong safety rating. For 70 km of mostly city use, its smooth IVT and light controls make it stress free, yet it does not feel floaty at speed. The latest Seltos has 5-star crash safety, six airbags on the right trim, and the braking and body control inspire confidence, which matters on highway runs. It also packs the useful stuff you will actually use every day - good cameras and sensors, a crisp screen, wireless charging, ventilated seats on higher trims - and Kia’s network and reliability record are solid now, so ownership is simple.Expect around 11-12 kpl in typical city traffic if you drive calmly, which is fair for the size. The ride is a touch firm at low speed, so sharp bumps are felt more than in a Creta, but it pays you back with better control when you go faster. Coming from a Baleno, the Seltos isn’t intimidating to park or thread through traffic, yet feels like a proper upgrade.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Baleno