My new CVT - ownership experience

[sgiitk]

As a long term owner of AT cars (Zen 1999-2005, Santro 2005 - to date) you are now really tempting me. I plan to get rid of my Accent (mid 2002, 42,000km) sometime within the next year, and this sort of efficiency coupled with the legendary Honda quality has almost decided the matter. Only I will wait for the new City (due this year), unless of course the Civic tempts me.

[simran]

Originally Posted by trrk

Hi,


It has been a dream run so far except for the harsh ride and not so comfy front seat.

Hi,

I have used a rolled-up towel where the seat lumbar support should have been, and my back problems are gone. Easy simple solution to a crazy problem.

Simran

[trrk]

Hi Simran,

> I have used a rolled-up towel where the seat lumbar support should have
> been, and my back problems are gone. Easy simple solution to a crazy
> problem.

I have managed to wriggle out to a position where I am almost completely comfortable without any soreness. I have had extra cushioning made for the passenger seat which has helped my wife.

In my recent Munnar trip, I did not have any trouble with my seat. Wife was okay with the cushioned passenger seat. She is fine in the back seat.

[m-hawk]

Hi DOC ,
should i put it as mileage specialist doc ?? No offence sir just wanted to know if you have a sure idea how much fuel does and engine consume with it s engine idling and a/c on ? There have been many guesstimates but nobody has yet been able to give a proper calculation it surely must be different for all car s bigger engine car s must be consuming more fuel than smaller ones !

[trrk]

Hi,

> should i put it as mileage specialist doc ??

Is it because I keep on harping about mileage?

> No offence sir

No offence taken!

> just wanted to know if you have a sure idea how much fuel does and engine > consume with it s engine idling and a/c on ?

Sorry, I am no techie and I ust don't have enough brains to calculate it.

Whenever my CVT idles with AC for a longer period, it does tell on the mileage significatly, though!

Sorry for the late reply!

[rjvora_2000]

Hey man your car is almost 9 months young. can you give a review how good you are with your car?

[rkbharat]

Honestly this car rocks. I have driven doc's car and belive me it rocks. His car is the first AT I have ever driven and I was feeling like I have to do nothing to drive it.

Best deal if you need AT with reliability and fun

[vasudeva]

I have also driven a City CVT and found it fun and easy. With the mileage it achieves, perhaps Honda should keep it, strip it, lower the price, cut out the beige, and sell it alongwith the expected new City. It really deserves to sell more than the VTEC and manual City. Once you have an AC car, or an AT car; you may not like to drive a manual again.

[trrk]

Hi rjvora_2000,

> Hey man your car is almost 9 months young. can you give a review how good > you are with your car?

What a coincidence! I just completed the 15000kms service yesterday. Give me a little time for me to get the facts and figures together.

[trrk]

Hi folks,

Long post!

287 days (9 months and 12 days) just below 15200 on the odo.

Last tank fill was at 15055kms with 1136.51 L of petrol amounting to Rs 54136.02, Rs 3.60 for every km with an average of 13.24kpl.

The service costs upto the last service (15114kms) has been Rs 3498.00 which has three oil changes in it.

Three free services at 1000, 5000 and 10000kms and the fourth (paid) at 15000kms have been done.

The first done at 996 kms on 17/10/2007 (20 days after purchase) was just a checkup and was totally free.

The second free service was done on 26/12/2007 at 4183kms (done as per time schedule of 3 months from purchase) costing Rs 675.00, the details as follows:

Engine oil 3.7L 657.26 + 14mm Drain washer 18.11 totalling 675.37

The third free service was done on 27/03/2008 at 10003kms (10000kms or 6 months from purchase date) costing Rs 827, the details as follows:
Engine oil 3.7L 657.26 + Oil Filter151.54 + Washer, Drain, 14mm 18.11 totalling 826.91

From here on it is paid service.

The service at 15000kms was done on 10/07/2008 at 15114kms costing Rs 1996.00, the details as below:

15000kms pd serv 625
WA &WB 550
serv tax 145.23
Engine oil 3.7L 658.02
Drain washer 18.13
Total = 1996.38

In the last service there was a brake cleaning done which was free of cost. There was no problem with the alignment and I was not concentrating when I was asked whether alignment and balancing should be done and said yes. I wasted 550 + service tax @ 12.36%.

The servicing at the only dealer here is quite painless so far. No choices anyway.

The car has served me well. The negatives as far as I am concerned are the less than good ride and the front seats which somehow gives me aches and pains. Some potholes do make the car scrape its underside.

The CVT is a revelation. It is smooth and fuel efficient. You can get vigorous performance if needed and relaxed when you are not in a hurry. The gearbox was a joy in my trips to Munnar and Ponmudi. The ease with which it tackled the hairpins and climbs was nice. The stiff suspension helps here with good handling, marred only by the super light steering which is feel less.

I saw an interesting notice put up in the Honda service waiting lounge.



It is mentioned as 40K service for Indica / Indigo costs Rs 6500. My Marina had its 40000kms service on 03/05/2008 and cost of service was Rs 2395.87 and the break up is as follows.

parts 1631.20 + labour 764.05

5.50 @ 135.00 742.50
oil filter indigo 1 @ 132.57
filter element lucas tvs 1 @ 138.24
ep80hp gear oil 3.30 @ 125.00 412.50
npn999 consumables cw)0.25 @ 100.00 25.00
tax 179.22 + cess 1% 1.79

4whl brake cleaning, adj. susp bushes check & fasteners torquing 225.00
clean / renew air filter element 25.00
drive belts (all) remove, inspect for damages / replace 125.00
Electrical check up, battery gravity check electrolyte topping 50.00
Fuel filter replacing (one) 30.00
Transaxle oil changing 75.00
Engine oil and filter changing 100.00
Service Tax 12% 81.60 + Education Cess 3% 2.45

Moreover for the Marina upto 15000kms I had spent only Rs 2211.05 for services.

> @rkbharat: I was feeling like I have to do nothing to drive it.

Yes, you just have to use your right foot to control the car. Even the S mode is not needed as you can control the acceleration with just the kickdown. The L helps in steep sections.

[rjvora_2000]

You said : - There was no problem with the alignment and I was not concentrating when I was asked whether alignment and balancing should be done and said yes. I wasted 550 + service tax @ 12.36%.

Hey man this is not a waste. Believe me alignment and balancing is must every 6 months that will improve your car’s tire life by 2 year’s more. (This means that if you are using the same tire for 3 to 4 year’s, you can use same tires for 2 years more.