Maruti Suzuki Alto LXi--Ownership Review - one year and 20000 Kms

[sridharps]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

I went from the stock tubed tyre (it was a JK) to tuberless on the stock rim and the change in handling, road grip and minimized bumb when going over pot holes was evident immediately!
Sri, this is a 796 CC engine. Expecting anything more of this well tuned engine is not fair!

Originally Posted by akroy

I run on 155/65 R13 Michelin XM1 and its handling is exceptional. Pls read my LTO, lots has been discussed there, specially on wet roads and during cornering at high speeds.

Even upgrading to Michelin tubeless or Turanza 145/80 R12 also makes a lot of difference.

Guys, thanks for your suggestions. I understand that this is a 796 CC, 47 BHP engine and I don't expect this to behave like a tiger. It is just that I have noticed a recent dip in pickup over the last few thousand kms( after my 10000 km service). So this has left me a bit baffled. Even in a stop-go traffic situation, I have noticed a gradual drop in getting off the mark.
I am due for 15 K service shortly and may be I will consult the service advisor.
I have been postponing the tyre upgrade for a long time, but I think it is time I got around doing this

[gpa]

Originally Posted by sridharps

Abhi, what tyre upgrades do you suggest?
Also, I feel that the pick-up in my alto is a little less. When 2 people sit in the back, I find that I need to shift to first gear when climbing an incline. It just dies if I am in 2nd gear.

Hi Sridharps,

Like Abhi says, it is relative. Your approach speed (initial momentum) when you approach the base of the hill also matters. My car climbed the thoppur ghat on the trip to Trivandrum with ease on second gear and the a/c with 4 people and a full boot.

Cheers,

Pritish

[sridharps]

Originally Posted by gpa

Hi Sridharps,

Like Abhi says, it is relative. Your approach speed (initial momentum) when you approach the base of the hill also matters. My car climbed the thoppur ghat on the trip to Trivandrum with ease on second gear and the a/c with 4 people and a full boot.

Cheers,

Pritish

Totally. I have been driving cars for donkey's years and understand that. ( even if my engineering college professor failed to get some 'momentum' going in me.)
As I have explained below, I have noticed a relative dip after the 10 k service, which has left me baffled.

[gpa]

Originally Posted by sridharps

Guys, thanks for your suggestions. I understand that this is a 796 CC, 47 BHP engine and I don't expect this to behave like a tiger. It is just that I have noticed a recent dip in pickup over the last few thousand kms( after my 10000 km service). So this has left me a bit baffled. Even in a stop-go traffic situation, I have noticed a gradual drop in getting off the mark.
I am due for 15 K service shortly and may be I will consult the service advisor.
I have been postponing the tyre upgrade for a long time, but I think it is time I got around doing this

Yes, you do have to get it checked. The problem could be something as small as clogged injectors from bad fuel or even an choked air filter.

Do check it out at the 15 K service.

Cheers,

gpa

[akroy]

Originally Posted by sridharps

Totally. I have been driving cars for donkey's years and understand that. ( even if my engineering college professor failed to get some 'momentum' going in me.)
As I have explained below, I have noticed a relative dip after the 10 k service, which has left me baffled.

Ya Sri, Pls do a checkup with the MASS. Change the filter if required. I have K&N stock filter but dustup in every 5K service which I do.

Abhi

[HappyWheels]

[quote=sridharps;996920]...It is just that I have noticed a recent dip in pickup over the last few thousand kms( after my 10000 km service). So this has left me a bit baffled. Even in a stop-go traffic situation, I have noticed a gradual drop in getting off the mark...[.quote]

I do not think this should happen. After 52k kms of driving, I have noticed it is not as peppy as it used to be, but then after so many kms, this is bound to happen. But not at 10k~ kms. I think it might be just that you got used to the pickup and hence not find the earlier kick!

But then, as GPA and AK said, the most common culprit for a drop in pickup is the air filter. do get that checked.

Originally Posted by sridharps

......I have been postponing the tyre upgrade for a long time, but I think it is time I got around doing this

With just around 10+k kms on the tyres, I would say you stick with them till they last (and last they did for me, till 40K and still were good for another 5k kms). But this is provided you are not facing any issues. But if you feel they are not giving enough grip, uncomfortable turns, etc, get them changed.

[gpa]

[quote=akroy;996888]I run on 155/65 R13 Michelin XM1 and its handling is exceptional. Pls read my LTO, lots has been discussed there, specially on wet roads and during cornering at high speeds.

Hi Abhi,

As you mentioned about this, I'm just curious to ask. How has the tyre change affected the FE of your Alto. I've noticed that you've upgraded to a fairly large 155/65 set. Am sure this would have brought the car alive in terms of the handling characteristics, but what about the FE? Any considerable change?

Thanks,

Pritish

[Technocrat]

Thread Moved to Test-Drives & Initial Ownership Reports section & title updated. Please PM any of the MODs to update KMs as & when the need be.

[akroy]

[quote=gpa;997154]

Originally Posted by akroy

I run on 155/65 R13 Michelin XM1 and its handling is exceptional. Pls read my LTO, lots has been discussed there, specially on wet roads and during cornering at high speeds.

Hi Abhi,

As you mentioned about this, I'm just curious to ask. How has the tyre change affected the FE of your Alto. I've noticed that you've upgraded to a fairly large 155/65 set. Am sure this would have brought the car alive in terms of the handling characteristics, but what about the FE? Any considerable change?

Thanks,

Pritish

Pritish,
Request you to please check my xls sheets which I have posted in my LTO report. you will get an idea of all the FE details.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...dated-30k.html

Abhi

[aditya101]

Hi gpa,

Can you please share your xls template for keeping track of FE? I will use it for my own Alto

[abhinav.s]

Good comprehensive ownership report Pritish. Glad to know that you are getting such good mileage figures on your alto. In this segmet, alto is the best car and you can never go wrong with it.
Congrats on your purchase and the amount of driving that you have done in such a short span of time, shows your passion for your car and driving in particular.

[gpa]

Good comprehensive ownership report Pritish. Glad to know that you are getting such good mileage figures on your alto. In this segmet, alto is the best car and you can never go wrong with it.
Congrats on your purchase and the amount of driving that you have done in such a short span of time, shows your passion for your car and driving in particular.

Thanks abhinav,

Yes, I do want to contribute to this forum and hence I started this thread. Yes, I do enjoy driving and hence drive a lot. I find driving a big stress buster and hence drive a lot.

Stay tuned to this thread for many more detailed updates.

Cheers,

Pritish

[Chaps]

I'm thinking of buying an Alto, can you guys please share with me a breakdown of the total amount paid? Cost + Insurance + Tax + registration etc.

thanks,

Hari

[gpa]

I'm thinking of buying an Alto, can you guys please share with me a breakdown of the total amount paid? Cost + Insurance + Tax + registration etc.

thanks,

Hari

Hi Hari,

The best way would be to actually go to a dealership and check these prices out. Prices vary from dealer to dealer by atleast Rs. 5,000.

It would be best if you visited dealerships. I do hope you go in for the Alto. Like many members of this forum, I am the owner of one, and let me tell you it is a great VFM buy.

Cheers,

Pritish

[gpa]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

With just around 10+k kms on the tyres, I would say you stick with them till they last (and last they did for me, till 40K and still were good for another 5k kms).

Hi HW,

Just curious to know which set of tyres are you talking about. I have a set of S 322 on my Santro and they still are in excellent shape after 49,000 kms on the clock. Am planning to change them in a few months, as they still have good usable tread depth left.

Do let me know.

Thanks,

gpa