1 yr, ~13000 Km report - 3rd Service done
(Mods, pls update the thread topic accordingly)
Wanted to post this @10000kms, but laziness got to me. Completed a years' ownership on 18th Jan. The last formal report was after 1000kms - 1st post of this thread.
Be warned .. this will be a longish writeup.
Facts and Figures
# Kms run - 12800+
# Driven 94% within city (75% stop go, 25% fairly open) and 6% GQ national highways 120-160kmph
# Max speed till date - speedo indicated 180kmph in 4th
# Shifts generally around 2000-2500 in the city.
# Average speed - approximately 30kmph :(
# Mileage - 11.51kmpl overall
# Worst Figure - 10.2kmpl during May
# Best Figure - 13.74kmpl in Nov. Intentionally drove sedately that fortnight.
# AC usage - 45%-50% over the span of 1 yr (from 100% in summers to nil in winters)
# Tyre pressure - around 28psi for the 185/65 NCT5's; Since mid Jan '07, maintain 32psi for the Eagle F1s.
I maintain a fuel log and approximately track the AC usage too.
Fuel used
Started with XtraPremium and used it till September '06;
Then tried Power till December '06;
Since December I've been using normal HP unleaded with System G;
Haven't noticed any difference in either. Will stick to normal unleaded and System G for sometime.
Second Service - 16th June @4778kms
Expense - Rs. 3/-.
They charged this for a carpet fastener.
Third Service - 9th Dec @10625kms
Expense - Rs. 860/-.
This included 200/- labour for removing my seat covers (which I was unable to do on my own). Felt like a 'murga'. Rest was for oil change etc.
Wheel rotation and alignment was checked/done which they messed up. Had to go back twice - end Dec & early Jan. They did some wheel balancing too. Was still not satisfied. All of this was free of cost.
Didn't go anymore after that, since on Jan 19th switched to 195/60 R14 Eagle F1s at arguably one of the best tyre shops in Kolkata - Indo Radial Club. They did a ok job, although it could be still better. 2 of the 5 OEM NCT5's had tears - so instead of replacing them I went ahead and upgraded.
However, overall very happy with Maruti service by Mohan Motors. Very helpful and cordial. Whenever I visit they offer a free 'top-wash' for the car - in their auto-car-wash setup.
Some observations
# No perceptible mileage change after either of the 3 services.
# Headlights seem fine for city night driving - so no plans of changing
# Went to a free Maruti checkup camp in Jan. All tests went fine.
# Tried my best to get good FE on highways by sticking to a steady 100kmph - but 'control nahi hota'
.. hats off to those who can. Given an open stretch it touches 140 so easily that it's difficult to hold back.
Accidents & Scratches
# Front bumper right corner area has some scratches - brushed the wall some more times in the garage I park.
# Skirting area below the left passenger door has a dent. Went into a low 1 ft 'wall' at wifeys office parking lot while reversing.
# Rear bumper has a barely visible undulation and the anchors on both sides have gone in a wee bit - resulting in the bumper being pushed in slightly. Noticeable on careful observation. Again a parking situation. The rear went into a bush which was giving shelter to a large rock.
# Rear bumper attacked again. Wagon R bumped into it. Elaborated in the 'Baleno Bumper Issue' thread. Bumper self-corrected
Gripes
# There's an occassional faint squeaking for which I haven't been able to identify the cause. It seems to come from the drivers side seat belt at the point where it goes into the red thingy (no pun) !! Doesn't happen always. But no resolution yet. Get to hear it at times if the stereo is off.
# Boot carpet tack had broken off resulting from usage - replacement spare not available.
# 5-10% times, the power antenna does not retract fully - about 2 inches sticks out. Switching on the HU/radio to extend it and switching off again normally takes care of it. Also, it retracts making some groaning noises. Oiling hasn't helped.
# Not sure about this. Service guy said clutch might need work. Pending second opinion. Don't have any problems driving.
Likes
Have mentioned quite a few in post 1 ... additionally
# Have got used to the gear shift now. Love it.
# Ride & NVH levels have improved considerably with the new tyres
# Floaty feel at the front @120kmph has been eliminated with these tyres.
My daily driving has increased. In the Indica I used to average 700kms a month and here I am doing 1000/month. Taking longer routes to destinations and going out for aimless drives are a norm. Just goes to show that I love driving it and am always looking for an excuse to do so. That, IMO, is what a drivers car should be like.