[amitverma]

If getting a Palio serviced was a hassle before, it has become a nightmare now Tata has taken over. I have been trying to get my car serviced for about 2 weeks and still cannot manage to get it done. well, its not totally TATA's fault either, it concerns more or less with me being a little lazy too.

Its just that whenever i get to the TATA service center, its so jammed with like a million cars. and three times, the service manager has told me that he wouldnt be able to deliver the car on the same day. and this is after i get to the workshop at 10.15 AM. it means if i want my car on the same day, i need to get to the service station at 9 AM sharp. this is crazy.

anyways, the purpose of this post is different.
I wanted a couple of opinions regarding the health of my vehicle from some experts here. the car is Palio 1.2 Sports, model year 2004, and has till date done 22k on the odo. Here goes the list:
1. since last week, the car has switched off the ignition on its own around 3 times. now i know this is not a faulty igniton switch as the car switches to battery mode rather than the whole system going down.
2. the car is just not responding to the throttle input. its slow off the line. slow in gear acceleration. its become too sluggish to drive around in.
3. many times, when driving in 1st from a standstill position, the rpm falls to around 600 and then starts to go up. now this is not me making a mistake with the clutch. i have been doing the same since the last 3 years. this is something to do with the clutch. pls tell me what should i tell the service guys?

4. whenever i switch on the ac, there is a loud screeching noise coming out of the engine bay. when i told the service manager, he says all palios sound like this. now i have been living with this car for 3 years and shud he be the one telling me this crap? this noise did not come before and it should not come now as well. pls help on this one.

5. now as i understand this service at 20k threshold is a major one [as told by the service manager], and he suggests engine oil flushing; engine part lubrication and a couple of other fancy things. now i dont mind paying for all these. but i would also like to know whatever else i should get done. pls keep in mind that the car is going for service after around 10 months and 8000 kms.

6. this might not be a problem but i feel that the power steering on the car is quite heavy and is sometimes a pain to maneuver. is it with all palios or is there a problem. the car came with 175 section 14" alloys. i feel that the steering on the 165 section steel rims is better. pls comment.

7. pls tell me if there is anything else i need to get checked too.

i am always a little apprehensive about all these things concerned with my car. I know this is a long post but I would really appreciate if someone could take some time out to help me out here.

thanks a lot in advance.