Tata Sumo Victa GX Turbo: LTR @ 20000km EDIT: (Now done 30000km)

[condor]

A longish official trip meant the truck was not touched for 4 weeks. Just parked, no preparations. But she started at the first crank. Only problem is fuel gauge acting up a little - was not showing any signs of life. Had it checked, appears to be a problem with the gauge itself. Replacement means 5K since the console is an integrated unit. Cannot replace just the fuel gauge.

Later the same day after running about 50km, the fuel guage began working, though takes some time to start display.

[Jaggu]

Nice review, keep it coming condor

Did you see if the fuel guage issue is a coroded connector or loose connection?

[condor]

Jaggu, thanks.

Doesnt appear to be either. The TASS guy would have told me if it was. And the behaviour of the guage also makes it appear more like a problem with the mechanism inside the guage. The TASS guys used a different instrument cluster to check it, and the fuel level indication was good. Some time after that, the guage started working, but not fully (didnt show the expected levels). But today, it is better. Keeping an eye on it.

[SuMo]

Hi Condor ,

Just thought I will put in some comments about a long trip that I made a few days back in my Victa, (GX Turbo) -

Just a recap- Bought this one in Feb 2006. As on date she has done 32500 KMs. Have been very happy with this beauty of mine and have maintained it such that she looks just like new even today. No single scratch on white body so far (touch wood). Its been single driven i.e only by me throughout. I have put Garware Sun control film a few days back ( RTO approved tints ). The windshield film is very satisfying and is really very helpful.

Last week made a trip from Mumbai to Ambajogai . This is in Beed District of Maharashtra and there is a beautiful temple of Yogeshwari to which I visited with my parents. We were four of us i.e me, wife n my parents. Total distance from Vile parle to Ambajogai is little over 500 Kms one way.

Left Parle at 0530 AM on Thursday. Reached Pune via expressway at 0730 AM with one small tea break in between. At times touched 140 KM/hr and it was unbelievably smooth. Drove generally between 90 to 120. It was an excellent drive on the Expressway.

Did not stop at Pune , instead continued upto Ahmednagar and reached at 1030 AM there. Pune - Nagar 115 KMs. Just checked the car at Nagar . Found some oil on rear left tyre, inner lining. Looked into brake oil reservoir under the hood and rightly so the level of oil had gone down in the reservoir. Took the car to Hundekari Motors (TASC). They were very kind to attend immediately and had the complete assembly changed for new under extended warrenty. Was very happy to see the well equipped TASC at a place like Ahmednagar. It was really good and treatment was also very nice.

But anyway doing all this and then having lunch etc took bit of my time and ultimately left Nagar only at 1545 hrs. Upto nagar I had covered about 290 kms and about 200 odd kms were still to go. After Nagar went non- stop to Ambajogai via a place called Jamkhed and reached destination at about 8 PM. About 40 kms road from Jamkhed to Manjarsumbha is horrible.

Did not feel any stress at all after so much of driving. That has always been the beauty of Sumo. Cant say about any other vehicle because have not driven any so far for last 9 years that I have been driving. ( Before this Victa I had another Sumo). My name being Sunil Modak I feel SuMo is created specially for me only

Had my usual 2 Old Monks and a nice dinner and hit bed . Friday morning all of us went to the temple then rest , lunch , ciesta etc and left Ambajogai at 1430 for Mumbai. Jamkhed 1800, Ahmednagar 2000 hrs and then to Pune. Reached Pune 2245 hrs. All thru out no trouble from the vehicle and it was a very comfortable ride. Had dinner at Pune and left Pune at 2330 . I luv driving at night and really enjoyed the expressway drive during night hours. Barring the Ghat section , which I climbed downed slowly to avoid earaches which occur to me at times due to change in pressure , I drove quite fast throughout and reached Vile parle at 0130 AM. No feel of tiredness what so ever.

So , 0ver 1000 KMs in two days with no driving fatigue or any trouble. Thats Victa at her best !!!!!!!

[condor]

Another 6 week break. The truck's not been touched, but she comes to life at first crank. The problem with the fuel guage did seem to re-appear, but was a false alarm.

[SuMo]

After the trip to Ambajogai , I had been to Pune again in December 07 last week on the Mumbai - Pune Expressway. Upto now I had taken up my Victa upto 140 KMPH . This time I wanted to try her max speed after gaining confidence of 140 KMPH. So did that . She went up to 160 KMPH. At ease , No problems , AC On , Speedo was at its max. Maintained the same for about 2 to 3 mins. Was very smooth and steady. No problem at all. Ha !! came back to my normal 100 KMPH and continued.......

[condor]

SuMo : She went up to 160 KMPH.

The TCIC engine's rated top speed is only 125 kmph. The top speed for the NA Sumo engine is only 115 kmph (may be 110 kmph).

[condor]

Servicing at 35K done yesterday at Prerana.

* Schedule servicing.
* Oil & filters changed (It has been 6 months since last oil change at 30k).
* 5 wheel rotation, balancing & alignment.

Bill : 3.6k


While at the TASS, checked out a newly delivered Victa Di GX. A little disappointed with that version:
* Turbo Di engine - the classic 3L mill. Lots of clatter.
* 185/80 R-16 wheels (the GX turbo has 215/75 R-15)
* No tacho
* No utility box between the front seats. Nice place to plonk in a sub, a-la Zak.

[SuMo]

Hi all,
carried out 40K servicing at Worli Tata workshop. Bill came to 6K plus.
Engine oil , differential oil , gear box oil changed , also front brake pads changed. all items as per 40K service were attended. First time I gave 10 points to all the questions on after service survey of the tata Shop.
This vehicle is truely good and a big time value for money. very satisfying indeed. I use it mainly in Mumbai for daily office going and on weekends out of Mumbai and this vehicle has proved to be most reliable indeed. A real and a true buddy for sure.
Was happy at the gross improvement in service at Tata workshop at Worli. I have been going there now regularly for 2 years plus and I tell u , there is a marked difference on all fronts there.
Can some one tell me if I can get a KN filter for Sumo Victa?

[condor]

Minor additions:
* Bosch wiper blades.
* Hella Red Grill.

Looking for : the air-filter casing from the Safari Dicor. Should be with anyone who's changed their Dicor's air-filter to a K&N / Green / HKS. (Even a loaner will do).

SuMo : Can some one tell me if I can get a KN filter for Sumo Victa?

SuMo, yes - you can. 4500/- is the list price for the stock replacement filter. Same as that for the TCIC Safari.

[SuMo]

Thanks Condor for your reply. I checked with couple of dealers noted from the K&n site but none of them seem to know about it. Can you possibly give me the part number of the filter , then I can try again or order online or something.

Await yours
SuMo

[condor]

Is is possible to adjust the speed of the wiper action (Front) ?

Either a 3 speed unit, or atleast a little more speed on the intermittent setting ?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
p.s : SuMo, will check for the K&N model details.

[condor]

I am all set to head home after the day's work. Start the engine, but a normally crisp engine has suddenly become dull. Found out the cause very quickly when I was alerted of a flat rear right.

Almost 39k in 2.5+ years before I had to change a wheel. The jacks' good - though the jack-rod extends to almost a meter. Had to push the jack from the rear, to below the rear axle. Lucky there still was light, so positioning was not too difficult. Need to carry a small torch in the truck for such situations, since the placement of the jack w.r.t the support points is not as visible / obvious as with a car.

Had briefly thought of picking up a (hydraulic ? ) jack from Metro, but after today's experience, I guess the 2-tonner comes sufficiently equipped in this department.