[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

I have given my car to Bimal Auto for servicing for low AC cooling and hard clutch with some shuddering in traffic driving

Would be better if you outline what problem you are facing on the clutch? Is it suffering only when starting from 0?

AFAIK, the 8K that they have quoted could have the clutch plates + pressure plate + clutch release bearing.

[joelchandra]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Guys, quick help.

I have given my car to Bimal Auto for servicing for low AC cooling and hard clutch with some shuddering in traffic driving

They have quoted
8000 for Clutch Overhaul and
4800 for AC servicing
900 for Suspension Bushes Change
900 for Brake Servicing
Plus 1500 odd for normal servicing

Is the clutch diagnosis correct?? Are the charges fair??

The charges seem absolutely fare( i am assuming that you are driving a Swift). The AC Service might involve AC Coil change, Gas top up and general cleaning. The Clutch cost is very reasonable too. 900 for Brake servicing should be for bleeding the brake and filling it up with new DOT. Not too sure about Suspension bushes change cost. I have been having an SX4 for over 9 years and the car has run about 70000Kms and the service cost has been absolutely normal. In fact, the other day when i actually calculated the cost for every service i had done, the total has come to about Rs 40,000/- for all the servicing's that i had done + another Rs 15000 for the spares that i had to replace(Wheel Bearings/ AC Coil/ Alternator bearing/Brake Pads and few others that i don't remember). I have another car which is a Figo and every time, i go for the service, i am charged in the range of Rs4000 - Rs 7000/-. I think of it today and strongly think i should have bought a swift or Ritz. Nevertheless, i will use my ford until i hit 1,20,000Kms and then replace it with a Maruti(may be a Baleno this time)

[jinojohnt]

Attaching the 20,000 km (paid) Service bill of dad's alto. Please remember that this is not a MASS - I guess bill will be double if it were an authorized center.
PS: Half of the bill is for clutch replacement. Now it is customary (atleast for us) to have clutch problems before 20K for new Marutis.

[Singhsta]

Hi Everyone,
Just looking for some advice with regards to servicing my Maruti Alto 800 (2010 model) at S.K.wheels in Navi Mumbai. I am the second owner (bought it in 2013) and I've given it for my first paid service at a M.A.S.S. today.
Now, the car is not used much, mostly on the weekends, is a petrol and has only clocked up 7450kms in all these years.
The issues that I experienced are vibrations that are mostly felt on the front seats when hitting speeds of 80kms/hr. I am unsure as this is normal for an Alto 800 due to the small engine or if it indicates a problem with the wheel balancing/alignment. Everything else seems okay including the A/C which is quite effective.
The car was last serviced at a M.A.S.S in 2012. The service adviser was quite alarmed on knowing that as well as the low kilometers clocked up so far. He advised me to start using the car a lot more as it might be spoilt due to non-use as well.
While I agree with what he has to say, I would like your opinion on the amount he is charging me for the service.
From what I have been told, the Engine oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plug, Coolant, Gear Oil, Brake fluid are all going to be changed for which he has charged me a total of 3800/- plus 1520/- labour charges.
The next charges are 750/- or an Oil flush which he mentioned was needed to be done to flush out the old engine oil before putting the new one in. 1000/- for wheel balancing, wheel alignment and tyre rotation. 1000/- for brake servicing. 750/- for AC de-infection (he said they would clean the coil). 750/- for silencer coating which he said was needed.
This brings the total up to 6450/- for parts plus 3120/- for labour for a grand total of 9570/-
Could you please let me know if I am being ripped off here or is it quite reasonable? Also, advise on any other servicing that I should be doing considering the long gap between the last service in 2012 would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[AkMar]

Originally Posted by Singhsta

From what I have been told, the Engine oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plug, Coolant, Gear Oil, Brake fluid are all going to be changed for which he has charged me a total of 3800/- plus 1520/- labour charges.
The next charges are 750/- or an Oil flush which he mentioned was needed to be done to flush out the old engine oil before putting the new one in. 1000/- for wheel balancing, wheel alignment and tyre rotation. 1000/- for brake servicing. 750/- for AC de-infection (he said they would clean the coil). 750/- for silencer coating which he said was needed.
Could you please let me know if I am being ripped off here or is it quite reasonable?

Silencer coating, AC de-infection can be struck off straightaway (link). Brake servicing & oil flush too look dicey to me. Can be struck off IMHO. Others can confirm. You can get wheel alignment, balancing & rotation done from outside at lesser rate than the service station.

Also, please refer to the service intervals in your owners manual and check if all of the following are to be replaced in the 5th year service: Engine oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plug, Coolant, Gear Oil, Brake fluid. I think a couple of these are not needed to be replaced in this service (assuming prescribed replacements were done in previous services). However, since the car was last serviced in 2012, you may go ahead with all these replacements as a safety precaution, for peace of mind.

The owner's manual should be strictly followed to the T. Anything not mentioned in it, but recommended by the SA should raise your eye brows. Saying this from experience.

[Sherlocked]

Originally Posted by Singhsta

Hi Everyone,
Just looking for some advice with regards to servicing my Maruti Alto 800 (2010 model) at S.K.wheels in Navi Mumbai.

Simply struck off AC Disinfectant, Silencer coating from your bill. Also I doubt the brakes needed service at such low km reading (Experts may comment on this). I, for one got my brakes cleaned first time at 40k kms in my WagonR.
Since the last service was carried out 3 years ago, as a preventive measure, I will allow him to do Oil flush, but Rs. 750 seems quite steep. I am unaware of the procedure, therefore can't comment on the same.
Wheel Balancing, Alignment would have been done outside at half the cost they charged to you.

Simply refer the Owner's manual during the service and if SA mentions anything else, ask him to show whether it's mentioned anywhere in the Manual.

[Singhsta]

Thanks to AkMar and Sherlocked for your replies guys! What I forgot to mention in my previous post was that I had already signed the Job sheet and given away my car for the service.

Originally Posted by AkMar

Silencer coating, AC de-infection can be struck off straightaway (link). Brake servicing & oil flush too look dicey to me. Can be struck off IMHO. Others can confirm. You can get wheel alignment, balancing & rotation done from outside at lesser rate than the service station.

I ended up getting the wheel balancing, alignment done at the service center itself. Unfortunately, the A/C dis-infection was carried out too. All they did was use some kind of a spray in the vents. Didn't even notice any difference in the smell from earlier to be honest. The silencer coating was dropped as they said it wasn't so urgently required.

Originally Posted by Sherlocked

Also I doubt the brakes needed service at such low km reading (Experts may comment on this). I, for one got my brakes cleaned first time at 40k kms in my WagonR.
Since the last service was carried out 3 years ago, as a preventive measure, I will allow him to do Oil flush, but Rs. 750 seems quite steep. I am unaware of the procedure, therefore can't comment on the same.

Like you mentioned, I got the brakes serviced just as a preventive measure due to the long gap between services. Also, they did not charge me for the oil flush if it indeed was carried out. The oil however was changed.

The car seemed a bit more responsive on the drive home after the service I must admit. The other unexpected cost turned out to be the Exide battery that lasted 5 years. The SA had warned me about it and when I went to pickup the car, it wouldn't start.

Luckily I hadn't yet left the service center, so they quickly jumpstarted it for me. Was quite fascinating to see since they didn't use any cables, just another battery whose terminals they touched onto the drained batterys terminals and asked me to start the car, and it worked like a charm!

As you would expect, I quickly drove over to the battery dealer next and replaced the Exide with an Amaron 42B20L which cost me 3200 incl. tax after exchange and comes with a 2 year warranty.

If it helps anyone, I have mentioned a breakup of the major charges below and also attached photos of the detailed charges.

Labour charges:

1.Wheel Balancing - 300
2.Wheel Alignment - 360
3.Disc Brakes cleaning - 300
4.Drum Brakes cleaning - 300
5.Water Pump belt - 325
6.Paid service - 1340

Parts:

1.Water Pump belt - 133.33
2. 3M Car Brite Clean all - 675.56
3. 3M Gold Disc 400 Grit - 300
4.A/C disinfection - 688.89
5.Brake fluid (500ML) - 333.33
6.Coolant - 253.33
7.MGO 5W30 IDEMITSU Engine Oil (2.7L) - 806.38
8.MGG0 75W90 Gear Oil (2.1L) - 729.86

Labour total - 2925
Parts total - 4249.8

With regards to your suggestions about the owner's manual, I didn't get one from the previous owner. He said he'd lost it. Is there some way I could maybe order another one from Maruti?

I do have the downloaded manual in the PDF format, but a paper one is so much easier.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by Singhsta

2. 3M Car Brite Clean all - 675.56
3. 3M Gold Disc 400 Grit - 300
4.A/C disinfection - 688.89

With regards to your suggestions about the owner's manual, I didn't get one from the previous owner. He said he'd lost it. Is there some way I could maybe order another one from Maruti?

A/C disinfection is a total waste of money. The other two stuff used from 3M is I guess for brakes cleaning and the Car brite seems to some kind of wash shampoo or cleaner.

Wheel alignment and balancing too is a waste as they overcharge as compared to dedicated wheel alignment guys.

As for the owners manual, go to the nearest Maruti Genuine Parts dealer in your city and order the manual. You'll get it easily. Nothing to worry. Seeing your location as Navi Mumbai, here is the address to the dealer:

Amco Spares
Type :MGP Retail Outlet
Shop No. 44, Shivam Complex,
Plot No. 47, APMC Road,
NAVI MUMBAI,MAHARASHTRA
Ph:02227832666

Website: MGP

[jinojohnt]

Originally Posted by Sherlocked

.... I will allow him to do Oil flush, but Rs. 750 seems quite steep. I am unaware of the procedure, therefore can't comment on the same.

Pour engine flush into the oil tank, run the engine for half an hour, drain out all the engine-oil, and then add new engine-oil. Ideally, flushing should only cost as much as the cost of the flush-liquid, because you are separately paying for Engine oil replacement anyway. (Flush liquids are available in the range of 200 Rs to a few thousands, google for more info.)

Please note that engine oil flush in old engines may cause additional problems such as leaks. You may wish to refer the following thread -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...il-change.html

[audioholic]

Got the 40k service of my WagonR done since it was four years old this december but the odo was just at 29990. Upon hearing good reviews, I decided to take the car to Suraksha - Koramangla branch. The final bill came to Rs. 5500 excluding wheel alignment and balancing.

Though the labour rates have been increased since the last time I went to a Maruti ASC, they did not charge extra stuff upon free service. Above all, a lot of minor issues, rattles and creaks were fixed without my instruction. I had fixed the mudflap with only two clips instead of three and I found out the next day that the additional clips were added. Number plate was earlier rattling which was again voluntarily fixed there.

Out of the whole bill, AC filter was an additional item that I had added and they replaced since it was dirty with leaves. Else the bill is somewhere around 5000 which I feel is pretty reasonable.

[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Guys, quick help.

I have given my car to Bimal Auto for servicing for low AC cooling and hard clutch with some shuddering in traffic driving

They have quoted
8000 for Clutch Overhaul and
4800 for AC servicing
900 for Suspension Bushes Change
900 for Brake Servicing
Plus 1500 odd for normal servicing

Is the clutch diagnosis correct?? Are the charges fair??

How much has your car run? My Swift D's clutch did good till 90K kms & was recommended to be changed @ 1L kms as it was juddering a bit.

The A/C was super chilling even at 95K kms. If you are the one who use external re-circulation mode, then get your blower cleaned; might be the dust causing lesser flow & hence reduced cooling effect. Will cause you around ~400/- if done from MA$$.

Originally Posted by Singhsta

...From what I have been told, the Engine oil, Oil filter, Air Filter, Spark plug, Coolant, Gear Oil, Brake fluid are all going to be changed for which he has charged me a total of 3800/- plus 1520/- labour charges.
The next charges are 750/- or an Oil flush which he mentioned was needed to be done to flush out the old engine oil before putting the new one in. 1000/- for wheel balancing, wheel alignment and tyre rotation. 1000/- for brake servicing. 750/- for AC de-infection (he said they would clean the coil). 750/- for silencer coating which he said was needed.
This brings the total up to 6450/- for parts plus 3120/- for labour for a grand total of 9570/-...!

You need to get your car serviced every year or 10,000 kms whichever is earlier. Since you are clocking low mileage, you seem to have done the service quite late?

A/C disinfectant, silencer coating & engine flush can be rejected straight away if you regularly service your car. In your case, since there is a gap of 3 years(?) between services, it may be ok. But otherwise, its not required.

Though the engine is small, it should be smooth till around 120 kmph unless you have s wheel alignment issue. Please get it done by a specialist than MA$$.

Originally Posted by audioholic

Got the 40k service of my WagonR done since it was four years old this december but the odo was just at 29990. Upon hearing good reviews, I decided to take the car to Suraksha - Koramangla branch...

...Else the bill is somewhere around 5000 which I feel is pretty reasonable.

Surakshaa is not cheap (among the MA$$), but am not complaining. I have always been to Surakshaa Bommanahalli and there was never a reason to frown. I have noticed them pro-actively fixing issues. They never even bother to ask additional stuffs.

[karuvally]

INDUS motors in cherthala (Kerala) told me that they no longer offer under body painting as Maruti has informed it's dealer chain to stop it. Does anybody know better?

[dass]

Call me Lazy, but having burnt my fingers three times trying various types of wiper blades for my 2013 Dzire, I went to the Kalyani motors service center in Brookefields to get them replaced with the MGP. Here is how the story unfolds,

I got the wiper blade, cabin filter and air filter replaced (the last two were not replaced during the 30k service). The driver side power window switch has become a little hard and is not smooth to operate. I told him to take a look at that as well. While the cabin filter and the air filter were no brainer, he got the wiper blades and it was marked as for old swift. I asked the SA and the SE about it and both said they are the same and no issues. I did not argue though I know for sure they aren't. Then operated the wiper and it seemed fine.

Regarding the power window switch, they tried some jugaad and when that didn't solve the issue, they concluded that the switch assembly needs to be changed. I have extended warranty and told them to get this changed. The warranty guy comes over and states electrical's aren't covered in Extended warranty, gave him a piece of my mind and told him to give that in writing. He refused and I was in a hurry so I told him that I will write to Maruti to ask about this. He called back an hour later and mentioned that they will check with Maruti and let me know but hasn't called me back yet.

the icing on the cake, there was a labour charge for Rs.200 and when I asked him what it is for, he said it was for wiper blade and the filter change, though it was mentioned against the window repair, which they did nothing about. As per the SA, they did not have a code for the other 3 jobs and hence put it here. I was shocked, as well as disappointed and made him aware of it.

Maruti service is no longer cheap and their cars aren't that easier to manage as well. the quality of their products is just about average, so I am not sure where the peace of mind is.

Question to experts - Is the power window console covered under extended warranty or it is not? How do I check that with Maruti?

[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by dass

Is the power window console covered under extended warranty or it is not? How do I check that with Maruti?

Not a Suzuki owner, but a power window switch console should very much be part of the extended warranty.. unless of course the limitations of the warranty is explicitly included in the terms and it doesn't include 'switches' so to speak. Highly improbable, though.

It is true that once a switch develops problems, the only way to repair it is by replacing it. Since the service team was hesitant to give in writing that the power-window switch is not under warranty and since they called back to say that they'll investigate into the possibility of getting it under warranty I assume that it could very well be covered. If they do not get back to you then its advisable to write a detailed email seeking scope of extended warranty and terms directly to the company itself. This will put pressure on the service centre to carry out the job immediately.

Billing items wrongly will result in confusion in the future pertaining to this particular repair. Ideally the billing software should automatically include labour charges in the correct parts section as the part of the cost when the work-order is generated. I assumed that labour won't be included only in the case of OTC (over the counter) sales of spares. Ideally there should also be no scope to include sundry labour charges without actual work done.

[su1978]

There are always two sides to a coin. On one hand while the service is costly, rather very costly, on other side they do a fabulous job keeping your vehicle in top shape. At 60000, I got my Ritz VDI serviced at a neighbouring mechanic and paid a paltry sum of Rs five thousand only for EGR valve cleaning, Oil change, Oil filter change, Air filter change, Diesel filter change, Coolant change, Gear oil change, brakes cleaning & bleeding & washing. But somehow i was not satisfied with the overall workmanship and handling of my vehicle. Later it turned out that after i reached home, there was fuel leak from diesel filter. However, that was rectified immediately at my home. Next in line was AC service and the guys handled my vehicle really badly. i was disgusted. Then i reported coolant loss which was due to a busted water pump. This time i was damn sure of getting it done at Maruti service station. The cost was just half to what i had paid for service at 60000. But the car was running good.

Anyways, next week i got my mobilio diesel serviced at Honda Service centre for 20000 kilometres. The cost was just 6045 including all. I immediately recalled that i had paid almost 12000 Rs for my Ritz VDI for same number of kilometres clocked.

All said and done, its time we start turning our heads towards some other brand and stop showing our loyalty towards them. Else we are ourselves moving towards a monopolistic market where one player would be managing the entire passenger car industry. By Virtue of their directors being some bureaucrats and holding influential positions, even on date, they are tinkering with the automobile industry by bringing different laws that suit them and their sales strategy.