World Cheapest Car the RS1-lakh

India's Tata Motors is about to revolutionize the automotive industry with the introduction of the "World's Cheapest Car." Tata is set to debut the Rs 1-lakh at the Ninth Annual Auto Expo in New Delhi on January 10th 2008. Production is scheduled for mid 2008. To come in under the
estimated $2500 sticker price, Tata has to be very creative with every step of the process.Tata uses online auctions for a larger than the normal percentage of it's part sourcing and cuts material costs by literally cutting out materials. A good example of this is the use of a hollow steering column as opposed to the normal solid standard columns. Another way to keep the costs down, no optional equipment. This mean "The Peoples Car" will have no radio, no power steering, no power windows, no power locks, and very little in the way of horsepower. Losing all these extras mean all the wiring brackets, antennas, motors all contribute to reducing weight. Which is good because the Rs 1-lakh will ship with a 600cc engine that is outperformed by most American's riding lawnmower. With plastic body panels the need for a high performance engine is significantly lowered. Other extras left on the chopping block include auto leveling headlights, as well as one of the of windshield wipers. Trunk space has also been reduced and been described as barely large enough for a briefcase. Don't even bother asking about air conditioning. Despite all this, Tata claims the Rs 1-lakh will meet all safety and emission standards in the markets it is sold in, primarily India with expansion plans throughout Asia. The attention garnered since the conception of the Rs 1-lakh as an idea by Chairman Ratan Tata in 2003 was matched by automakers the world over. Maruti Suzuki, with a 50% market share in India, is uninterested to say the least in relinquishing the grip it has with its low end $5000 car. Meanwhile Ford, Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan and others are scrambling to set up shop in India's emerging market.

Why would the power steering make noise even after fluid has been added?

Why would the power steering make noise even after fluid has been added?
In Car Starting Problems
Power steering noise When the fluid is low and you add some . it still needs more after you run it for awhile. The reason for that is that the pump pumps the fluid through the lines and gets out the air in them. Keep filling and checking after you start the car and turn the wheel from side to side all the way.
The bigger question is why do you need to add fluid?
After you locate and fix that leak, you can address the whine. If it is a Ford, it may be some what normal. It may be air trapped in the line.Or the pump may be damaged from running it dry, or there is blge in the line, starving the pump. Let's assume you have kept up on the maintenance and have flushed the fluid when it was dirty. Let's also assume that the pump is not damaged and you have found and fixed any leaks.
Try this:
Pull the fluid out of the reservior and add one bottle of Lucas brand power steering additive, and top with power steering fluid. I have found this stuff pretty good at resolving many power steering problems. if it's a ford it's because they use plastic parts in there casing's. most other car company's do the same. if that's not the case, then your pump is reciving too much stress from turning. try lubing up the chasis and changing the fluid completly. it wouldnt hurt to check your line's ether. sometime's blockage can cause too much stress on the pump too.
First thing is why are you adding fluid. If it has a leak then i would address that problem first. A pump will not bleed out if it is leaking. If every thing seems to be okay and your pump still whines. Then replace the pump. Note my advice is replace the pump with a new one from the dealer. These so called rebuilt pumps that you buy from places like autozone o'rielys etc.. Are cheaply rebuilt. Especialy if it's a ford. They don't bleed out right improper pump pressures. A good pump will bleed out almost imediatly.With the turn of the wheel a few times. If it doesn't then your pump will more than likely never completly bleed out. Buy a pump from the dealer it cost more but if your like me and don't like the noise then it's worth it.
You probably have air trapped in the system. Bleed the air out by revving the engine to about 1500-2000 rpms and turning the steering wheel almost all the way from one side to the other a few times. This should bleed out the air and take care of your problem.
If the noise is similar to that of a dry bearing, then the problem probably revolves around the power-steering pump itself. If the noise you hear has a "click, click, click" to it when making turns in your vehicle, then the problem is more-than-likely your CV joints. If the noise is screeching, check your belt for wear-and-tear and proper tension.

car maintenance

car maintenance tasks include:
Car wash
check/replace the engine oil and replace oil filters
check/replace fuel filter

inspect or replace windshield wipers
check or refill windshield washer fluid
inspect tires or pressure and wear
tire balance
tire rotation
wheel alligment
check, clean or replace battery terminals and top up battery fluid
inspect or replace brake pads
check or flush brake fluid
check or flush transmission fluid
check or flush power steering fluid
check and flush engine coolant
inspect or replace spark plugs
inspect or replace air filkter
inspect or replace timing belt and other belts
lubricate locks, latches, hinges
check all lights
tighten chassis nuts and bolts
check if rubber boots are cracked and need replacement
test electronics, e.g., anti lock braking system (ABS)
read fault codes from the engine control unit
Some tasks that have equivalent service intervals are combined into one single service known as a tune up. In modern cars, where electronics control most of the car's functions, the traditional tune-up doesn't apply anymore. Maintenance jobs like a tune-up used to mean getting the engine's performance back on track. Today embedded software takes care of it by constantly checking thousands of sensor signals, compensating for worn-out spark plugs, clogged filters, etc. The so-called limp-home function allows driving on limited power when the engine is in trouble. In the old days this might have meant a breakdown.

how to get fuel economy in vehicle

how to get fuel economy in vehicle.Some of the procedure are include:
1.Ensure tires are properly inflated. The owners manual for the vehicle will indicate the proper pressure to inflate you tires to. Decreased tire pressure increases the rolling resistance of your tires and decreases fuel economy, and may also increase tire wear and impair performance.

2.The thermostat, oxygen or O2 sensor should be replaced either at a manufacturer recommended interval or when a electronic fault code/ low temperature problem is detected. Electronically fuel injected vehicles have an O2 sensor or sensors in their exhaust system which helps the vehicles computer determine how to optimize fuel economy. These O2 sensors may need to be changed periodically for a vehicle to optimize it's air fuel mixture and maximize it's fuel economy.

3.Insure vehicle air filters are clean. Black or otherwise dirty air filters make your engine work harder to get enough air for proper combustion and decrease its efficiency; however, electronically fuel injected cars can automatically compensate for the decreased air flow caused by a dirty air filter and experience relatively little decrease in fuel economy. Most owners’ manuals will recommend a service interval at which to change the air filter, but periodic visual inspection is the best way to ensure that the air filter is clean.

4.Using the recommended weight of oil can decrease the burden on the engine. Heavier oil weights, such as 20W-50, are harder to maneuver through the engine than, for example, 10W-30 or 5W-20 oils. The result can cause a decrease in fuel economy.
In some countries, the completed services are recorded in a service book which is rubber-stamped by the service center upon completion of each service. A complete service history usually adds to the resale value of a vehicle.

Car maintenance

Car maintenance describes the act of inspecting or testing the condition of car sub-systems and servicing or replacing parts and fluids. Regular maintenance is critical to ensure thesafety,relaiblity,drivability,comfort andlongevity of a car. During preventive maintenance, a number of parts are replaced to avoid major damage or for safety reasons, e.g. timing belt replacement.
The actual schedule of car maintenance varies depending on the year, make, and model of a car, its driving conditions and driver behavior. Car makers recommend the so-called extreme or the ideal service schedule based on impact parameters such as
number of trips and distance traveled per trip per day extreme hot or cold climate conditions
mountainous, dusty or de iced roads ,heavy stop-and-go vs. long distance cruising
towing a trailer or other heavy load
Experienced service advisors in dealerships and independent shops recommend schedule intervals, which are often in between the ideal or extreme service schedule. They base it on the driving conditions and behavior of the car owner or driver.

Used car pricing

Used car pricing:
Used car pricing reports typically produce three forms of pricing information.
Dealer or Retail Price is the price you should expect to pay if buying from a licensed new car or used-car dealer retail price. Dealer prices will always be the highest listed because of the dealership’s need to make a profit.
Dealer Trade-in Price or wholesale price is the price you should expect to receive from a dealer if you trade in a car. This is also the price that a dealer will typically pay for a car at a dealer wholesale auction.
Private-Party Price is the price you should expect to pay if you were buying from an individual. A private-party seller is hoping to get more money than they would with a trade-in to a dealer. A private-party buyer is hoping to pay less than the dealer retail price.
The growth of the Internet has fueled the availability of information on the prices of used cars. Whereas this information was once only available in trade publications that dealers had access to, there are now numerous sources for used car pricing. Multiple sources of used car pricing means that the prices you get from different sources often won't agree with each other. This is a result of each pricing guide receiving data from different sources and making different judgments about that data. The best way to determine a price is to cross-check prices with multiple sources and add a dose of your own good judgment to arrive at your price.
Pricing of used cars can be affected by geography; generally a convertible has a much higher demand in Florida than in New Hampshire. Similarly, pickups are often more in demand in rural than urban settings. Condition Is the car in excellent, good or fair condition – has a major impact on pricing. Condition is based on appearances, vehicle history, mechanical condition and mileage. There is much subjectivity in how the condition of a car is evaluated

vehicle history

Vehicle history reports
In the United States, an estimated 34 percent of consumers (in 2006) are buying vehicle history reports for used cars.Vehicle history reports are an inexpensive way to check the track record of any used vehicle. Vehicle history reports provide customers with a detailed record based on the vehicle's serial number .These reports will indicate items of public record, such as vehicles title branding,lemon law buybacks, odometer fraud and recalls. They may indicate minor/moderate collision damage or improper vehicle maintenance. An attempt to identify vehicles which have been previously owned by hire car rental agencies, police and emergency services or taxi fleets is also made. However, consumers should research vehicles carefully, as these reporting services only report the information to which they have access.
In some places the government is a provider of vehicle history - but this is usually a very limited service providing information on just one aspect of the history.
None of the vehicle history reporting services in any of the countries listed above offer the service for free. citation needed Several of the services, most notably those in the United Kingdom and the United States, sell reports to dealers and then encourage the dealers to display the reports on their Internet sites. These reports are paid for by the dealer and then offered for free to potential buyers of the vehicle.

Top TenPopular Used Cars

Top 10 Most Popular Used Cars
The used car market place is full of makes and models from across the world. But it might come as a surprise that many of the nation’s most popular used cars are also the most popular new cars. While the data change with the passing months and appearance of new, more fuel-efficient cars on the used marketplace - statistics show that consumers tend to lean toward reliability, efficiency and affordable luxury when it comes to used cars.

Honda Accord: Also credited in most published reports as the most popular new car in the nation, the Accord remains a longstanding favorite of the American public. Consumers have historically responded to the Accord’s durability, affordability and luxury touches. And recent additions of hybrid models make it environmentally attractive.

Honda Civic: The Accord’s slightly smaller sibling is, by no surprise, nearly equally in desire. Considered slightly more affordable and fuel-efficient when compared to the larger Accord, the Civic also has models that add extra luxury and features. It’s also the third most popular new car on the market today.

Ford Mustang: The iconic American sports car remains one of the most desirable. It’s new modern styling has made the Mustang even more desirable on the used car marketplace but hey, it’s hard not to turn your head when you see a classic ’60s-era Mustang on the road.

Ford F-150: One of the mainstays in the truck marketplace, the Ford F-150 is a favorite for contractors, electricians, laborers and families that like the ability to haul large items. With a reputation for quality and long life spans, it’s no surprise that these trucks are popular on the used-car marketplace.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: One of the most popular sport-utility vehicle designs in the last 20 years, the Grand Cherokee became an attractive option for families that wanted a city-friendly, non-minivan feel. V-6 and V-8 models add a touch of power to an otherwise stylized car.

Jeep Wrangler: Another iconic American design, the Wrangler combined off-road styling with city-friendly features. A redesign in 2008 brought the iconic Wrangler into the 21st century with many added improvements.

Nissan Altima: Popular with owners for its reliability and strong resale value, the Altima offers luxury features and styling - with a dash of affordability that might not be available with a high-end vehicle.

Chevrolet Tahoe: One of the all-time favorite SUVs on the marketplace in the ’90s and into the 2000s, the Tahoe combined off-road capabilities with comfort and luxury styling. And compared to some of its SUV cousins, the Tahoe earned comparably good fuel-efficiency ratings.

Toyota Camry: It’s probably no surprise that the Camry makes the list of most popular used cars - it’s one of the nation’s best-selling new cars. Considered highly reliable and comfortable, but also fairly luxurious for its price, the Camry has been one of the most desired cars for several years.

Nissan Maxima: Consider the Maxima Nissan’s answer to the Camry. And consumers like both. Well styled with a sporty suspension, the Maxima has been long praised for its resale value and design. Considered a sports sedan, it also comes with several optional luxury features.