[thenomad]

Originally Posted by rubicon

They have added a lot more new services this time around

Great news. I have observed them to be methodical in their work. Any idea what is their service in the second column - "Vehicle safety test lane"

[Mudhalaipatti]

I have to check my wheel balancing and alignment for my XUV. Any review of these folks on WB and WA ?

[rubicon]

YES, they are back to business from today and there are half page ads in today's Hindu & Times of India news papers.

Originally Posted by Mudhalaipatti

I have to check my wheel balancing and alignment for my XUV. Any review of these folks on WB and WA ?

Without a doubt, they are the best in class.

[srikanthns]

I wonder where such a kind of service is available in Trivandrum?

[Mudhalaipatti]

Booked an appointment for Saturday for wheel balancing and wheel alignment for my XUV. Don't trust the SS folks to do the job neat. Let me post a review once I'm done. Total projected cost of around 1200 for now.

[Mudhalaipatti]

My red Cheetah never stayed it's course and I almost resigned to the fact that it's a 'Designed by Mahindra' feature, to enable the driver to be always in control of the vehicle. After the tyre rotation at 10k, the vehicle stayed it's course, but the dreaded shuddering infested. Above 100kmph, the steering wheel would vibrate as if it's on high fever and on dope. I didn't wish to go the SS and wanted to try outside shops. Last week saw an ad about MRF tyredrome and the costs were very competitive, what with some catchy phrases like 'robotic wheel alignment',' road force measurement' etc. I thought, why not give it a try and so on a Saturday got an appointment at 5.30 p.m and arrived at their showroom at 5.45 p.m. While coming from mount road on the catherdral road, don't take the bridge near the sabha, but go under it, just two block away on the left is this shop.

It's a newly refurbished facility and the waiting lounge on the first floor is well maintained, stacked with magazine, tv, BOSE music system and ofcourse wifi (yeah). You can watch the car being serviced on the ground floor. On the right are the tyre/wheel/light related work and on the left is the automated car wash. I pamper my XUV myself and got only the wheel balancing and wheel alignment done here. Usually this job takes just about an hour or so. My XUV took a good 2.5 hours.

The staff were well mannered and well trained. The way they treated the car was a sight to behold. They had mechanized tools for removiong the wheel, small bowls to keep the nuts and bolts, wore gloves always and even cleaned the alloys. The first scare came in 15 mins when the supervisor informed that the wheel balancing equipment is malfunctioning and can't be done today. I was disappointed as this made the 40km trek futile. But just about 30 mins later, I see that the machine is working again and the balancing work is going on. Is this what's called under report and over perform !

Here are some of the photos of the Tyredrome.















The folks at Tyredrome insisted on me doing a tyre rotation, which I flatly refused. No one has found the root cause of the vehicle veering to the left and the tyre rotation mysteriously solved the problem. I do not want to wake up the dead. Total cost of Rs.1124 for WB and WA. While delivering the vehicle the manager Vipin, explains each value and the reasoning behind it and in cases where some elements couldn't be corrected, he lets us know as well. Well informed guy.

The additional weights, they don't slam a piece of metal on the edges anymore, but paste a metal right in the alloys. Something like this.



The issue is that, when I drive at lower speeds, I could hear sound from a loosely strapped one. Couldn't fiugure out which one, as every weight appears to be firmly placed. Let me investigate further and post the review.

The steering wheel is OFF CENTER by a slight margin though. Couldn't notice in city driving though. Wish they had done this just right.

For wheel alignment, it is indeed robotic, where this thing moves from left to right, up and done. Here is a short video.

http://youtu.be/hywDdMGTm7o

Overall a very satisfying experience, albeit a time consuming one.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by Mudhalaipatti

The additional weights, they don't slam a piece of metal on the edges anymore, but paste a metal right in the alloys. Something like this.

They glued the weights ? Any idea how to remove it if required in next balancing ?

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

They glued the weights ? Any idea how to remove it if required in next balancing ?

These weights are called as "stick-on" weights which have a adhesive at the back.Pretty strong one. Usually used on alloys to keep the face of the alloy clean. Also these stick on weights are less likely to fall of compared to clip on type weights.

They can be easily removed by the weight removing tool that the tyre shops use. And since they are on the inside its less likely for external factors to hit them and dislodge them.

[Warwithwheels]

Has anybody tried the Automatic car wash from this facility after the renovation? Tried booking a slot in July. Their machines were not yet fully operational at that time. It was still on calibration mode.

Moreover, the limited space in the facility has restricted the capacity too.

[Shanmd]

Did the wheel alignment and balancing here recently.
Very happy with the overall experience.

Got the vehicle washed / interiors vacuumed too. Mats were cleaned, given what they do and charge, it was good.

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by Shanmd

Did the wheel alignment and balancing here recently.
Very happy with the overall experience.

Got the vehicle washed / interiors vacuumed too. Mats were cleaned, given what they do and charge, it was good.

how much did they charge you for wash ? I am planning to take my Santro there.

[Shanmd]

Acc to their rate card, they'll charge you 250/-.

[Rahulkool]

Got the car cleaned few weeks back, cost is rs286 for hatchback. The external cleaning was good and interior was vacuumed.

[mpksuhas]

MRF Tyredrome - Annanagar. Location

Visited them two days back to get a puncture fixed. Was loosing air quick and on checking noticed a screw stuck in between the thread. Managed to fill air using the portable compressor I have headed to Annanagar which was around 15 mins drive.

Google was mentioning closing time of Tyredrome as 07.00 PM, reached there around 06.00 PM, security came enquiring what work needs to be done and then directed me towards reception. At reception they mentioned that they don't take vehicles after 05.30 PM, though they are open till 07.00 PM.

There was no vehicle on which work was ongoing also, just couple of customers getting billing sorted out. Requested again saying that since its puncture, maybe it wont take much time and its difficult for me to keep filling air this way. Was to be responded by come back tomorrow, so it was an anti-climax for the first Tyredrome visit.

Went to another place I found nearby, just based on Google reviews. Got mushroom puncture done.

MRF Tyre Needs. This is the place location