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The mechanic explains


Driving Too Slow Is Killing Your Engine (And Why Occasional High RPM Is Healthy)
Most Indian drivers think driving slow and keeping RPM low improves mileage and engine life. In reality, it causes carbon build-up, sticky actuators, poor lubrication, DPF clogging, and long-term reliability issues. This blog explains why using the engine across its full RPM range, including occasional high-RPM runs, keeps it clean, responsive, and healthy.

The Madras Mechanic
Nov 7, 202520 min read


Why Fear Gets Clicks and Truth Gets Ignored - The Social Media Problem No One Talks About
Fear Sells, Truth Doesn't And That's On All of Us Everywhere you look today - YouTube thumbnails, Instagram reels, car forums, fear is the hottest currency. "Your engine will explode if you do this!" "5 mistakes that will destroy your car!" "Dealerships are hiding this from you!" And it works. Panic drives clicks. Clicks drive views. Views drive money. Fear has always been profitable, but in the age of algorithms, it's on steroids. The Problem Nobody Wants to Solve Here's th

Ashwin Durai
Nov 2, 20253 min read


Tuning vs Tuning Box vs Throttle Controllers: What Actually Works in 2025?
Thinking about tuning your car? ECU remapping, tuning boxes, and throttle controllers all promise more performance, but only one actually delivers. Most products sold in India are outdated tech or dangerously cheap knockoffs being marketed as tuning alternatives. Here's the straight truth about what works, what's overhyped, and what could damage your car.

The Madras Mechanic
Nov 2, 20256 min read


Can Fuel Additives Really Turn Your Car Into a Mileage Magician?
Influencers who once warned you about E20 are now pushing fuel additives that supposedly "cancel" ethanol and double your mileage. Sounds too good to be true? That’s because it is. In this no-BS breakdown, we expose the hype, explain what fuel additives really do (and don't do), and help you separate fact from marketing nonsense with real-world tuning insights from the garage.

The Madras Mechanic
Sep 30, 20254 min read


The Hygroscopic Effect: What Ethanol(E20) Really Does with Water (Zero Instagram Engineering)
Everyone’s panicking that E20 fuel will kill cars, corrosion, rust, hydrolock, cold starts, you name it. The truth? BS4 = Euro 4, which means all BS4 cars are already ethanol-ready. This blog breaks down the hygroscopic effect, water tolerance, and real-world risks with facts, math, and a little sarcasm, not influencer fear-mongering.

The Madras Mechanic
Aug 22, 20259 min read


E20 Fuel – Why Your BS4+ Car Can Handle It Better Than You Think
Despite the fear-mongering around E20 fuel, modern BS4+ cars are built with advanced sensors, ECUs, and safety systems to keep engines safe. Here’s why E20 isn’t the engine killer it’s made out to be and how your car constantly corrects, protects, and warns you before damage happens

Ashwin Durai
Aug 15, 20256 min read


Engineering Tolerances: Why E20 Fuel and Proper Tuning Won’t Kill Your Car Overnight
E20 fuel isn’t going to blow up your engine, and tuning, when done right won’t ruin your car’s reliability. At ICD Tuning, we’ve seen firsthand how much headroom manufacturers build into their engines. With proper maintenance and smart upgrades, even older cars can adapt to change. This blog explains engineering tolerances, busts myths, and shows why panic is pointless, it’s not the power that kills cars, it’s neglect.

The Madras Mechanic
Aug 14, 20255 min read


The 0W-20 Oil Fiasco: Why BS6 Cars Switched to Thinner Oil, Myths About Thick Oil, and Why Mid-SAPS is Best for Tuned Engines | ICD TUNING & The Madras Mechanic
he 0W-20 panic is fueled by WhatsApp experts and half-baked internet myths. In this detailed guide, ICD TUNING breaks down why OEMs switched, debunks thick-oil fear, and explains why mid-SAPS is our go-to for tuned BS6 engines, without harming emissions hardware.

The Madras Mechanic
Aug 13, 20255 min read


E20 Petrol in Pre-2022 Cars - The Truth Nobody’s Telling You
E20 isn’t the engine killer you’ve been told it is. Most modern BS4 and newer cars are already designed to handle ethanol blends well beyond E10. In fact, ethanol has been quietly cleaning your fuel system for years, the same job you pay extra for in fuel additives. The real risk isn’t the fuel, it’s poor maintenance and pre-existing issues that E20 simply exposes sooner. Don’t let fear-mongering from people who’ve never held a wrench decide what you believe.

The Madras Mechanic
Aug 11, 202513 min read


Is Engine Oil Flush Necessary? Let’s Talk Real Use Cases, Not Fear Tactics.
Is engine flush really necessary for every oil change? Not always. Here’s when it helps and when it can do more harm than good.

Ashwin Durai
Aug 7, 20252 min read


From Parking Lot to Pit Lane: How I Built ICD Tuning from Scratch and Why It’s About More Than Cars - Car Tuning in Chennai.
From a 350 sq ft parking lot to one of India’s busiest tuning garages, Ashwin Durai shares his inspiring journey, fuelled by grit, trust, and a vision to build not just faster cars but also ethical technicians and a cleaner car culture.

The Madras Mechanic
Aug 7, 20254 min read


OEM vs OES vs Aftermarket – Which Parts Are Best?
Tired of the OEM vs aftermarket debate? At ICD Tuning, we go beyond labels and choose the right part for the job. Whether it’s OEM reliability or aftermarket solutions for real-world issues, here’s why mixing parts based on your use case is the smartest way to fix and upgrade your car.

Ashwin Durai
Aug 7, 20252 min read


Dreaming of a Golden Standard: Why India Needs Legal, Safe, and Accountable Car Tuning and Street legal Modification laws.
Fighting to make car modification in India legal, safe, and accountable, a vision for standards, certification, and respect for car enthusiasts.

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 27, 20253 min read


The Car Scene Needs More Love, Less Ego - Carguy to Carguy
A call to revive real car culture, built on passion, respect, and community, not flexing, hate, or borrowed cars. More heart, less noise.

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 25, 20253 min read


Why Decarbonising Your Engine the Wrong Way Can Destroy It and How to Do It Right
Carbon build-up is inevitable in engines, but the wrong decarbonization method can do more harm than good. Learn why hydrogen cleaning and internal sprays can damage your engine, and discover the right way to clean carbon deposits safely and effectively.

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 12, 20254 min read


Pops & Bangs: How It Works And Why Aftermarket Mods Are a Bad Idea
Pops & bangs sound thrilling on supercars, but adding them to your regular car is harmful and pointless. Here’s why factory engineered crackles are okay, and aftermarket mods are not.

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 11, 20253 min read


The Spoiler Myth: Why They’re (Mostly) Useless on Street Cars
Spoilers and wings are some of the most common aftermarket parts people add to their cars. They look fast, they feel sporty, but do they...

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 8, 20252 min read


The Truth About Tyre Pressure: Why Lower Isn’t Always Bad (and Higher Isn’t Always Good)
When it comes to tyre pressure, most people assume: “higher is better, sharper handling, better mileage, less wear.” But the truth is...

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 8, 20252 min read


5 Common Car Mods That Can Actually Hurt Your Vehicle (And What to Do Instead)
Modifying your car can be exciting, but not every mod is a smart upgrade. In fact, some common modifications can actually hurt your...

The Madras Mechanic
Jul 7, 20252 min read


My Honest Thoughts on Owning an EV - From a Hardcore Car Guy
Let me start by saying this, I’m not here to talk about how eco-friendly EVs are or debate emissions. This post is about my personal experience owning an EV, and who I think it makes sense for. Now, I know in the international car community, EVs are often hated. And while I’m not here to unpack all of that, let’s talk about us, the local scene. There’s a weird thing I’ve noticed, people who call EV owners “not real car guys” or say things like “EVs are for softies” usually do

The Madras Mechanic
Jun 25, 20252 min read
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