[R2D2]

Originally Posted by Samba

Replace brake oil. (Recommended change is at 40k interval)

Change the brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage. Assuming your car sees running of about 10K kms/year, it means 4 years would pass before TKM recommends a change.

Thing is, brake fluid is hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the atmosphere (some say even through rubber seals and hoses) with every passing day regardless of whether the car is used or not.

Brake bleeding and a fluid flush is a critical but inexpensive service. Cost me about Rs 850 (for my Altis) @ including fluid and labour at the ASC.

[sumeethaldankar]

Can power windows (retractable type) be fitted on the lower versions? Currently it's only available on the top end of the Etios model it seems.

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

Can power windows (retractable type) be fitted on the lower versions? Currently it's only available on the top end of the Etios model it seems.

Generally no unless TKM allows post manufacture fitment of these parts by the dealer. Normally dealers are not allowed to make modifications to the car.

Also, the wiring loom can and does differ by trim levels. But you can enquire about aftermarket accessories although I would strongly recommend against making any changes to the wiring. Do keep in mind most accessory stores employ auto electricians that do a shabby job. Don't take risks with the warranty or the car's safety.

[dileep]

Its interesting to note that you have never polished the car and the paint has stood up to 6 Calcutta monsoons!!

[Samba]

Update- 80,000km service

Got the service done at Saini Toyota Howrah. This time the service was satisfactory. I wont rate it excellent. Though the service adviser was a nice & helpful guy.



Parts replace-
Engine oil (Fully Synthetic 5w40 Idemistu)
Oil filter
Spark plugs
Air filter
Brake oil

The 80,000km service inspection labor charge is pretty high! It's roughly Rs 2,100 where as the total service cost was Rs 6,700!






Though this time paying the inspection fee came out to be useful. Toyota guys diagnosed bearing sound from the front right wheel and a very faint sound from the left wheel. While driving the sound never came upto my ears. So i went and inspected myself with the car on the ramp. I could hear a very faint bearing sound from the front right wheel but couldn't hear from the left wheel.
The mechanics confirmed its good to go for another 10,000km so i do not need to change it now. I asked them the cost and they quoted Rs4,500. For Etios one has to change the whole wheel hub. Separate bearing is not available. I refrained from changing on that day.

So waited for the water wash to be done so i can pay and come out. Car cleaning was done & it was just okay, i repeat JUST OKAY! The dashboard cleaner was too shiny & not to my taste.

While coming back an unusual problem cropped up. Car was knocking at low speed. That time i got very frustrated. First the bearing sound and secondly after the service, car started knocking at low speed.

Decided to visit my trusted FNG the very next day and fix both the problems.
The next day took the car to my trusted FNG and the knocking issue was solved in 2 minutes. The washing guys applied too much water and polish to the engine. The spark plug HT Cable connectors/leads were moist. They just dried it up and fixed it. The problem was gone.

Now i asked them to check both the front wheel bearings. The car was jacked up and they too confirmed there was no noise from the front left wheel but the front right wheel was having a faint noise but i can drive with it without any issues. In the back of my mind i have a plan for a long drive with the car soon. So didn't took a chance. Sourced an original wheel bearing with hub and got it replaced. For both the work my bill came up to Rs 2,900. Quite lesser than what Toyota quoted with labor charge.

So the 80,000 km service cost + the front right wheel bearing replacement costed me Rs 9,600.

After the service and wheel bearing replacement was done, drove the car for around 300 kms & it seems to be fine.

The stock clutch-plate is still in good shape, no rattling sounds either.
With mixed highway and city drive, am getting a mileage of around 15km/L (thanks to the implementation of speed limits). The A/C is doing a good job to combat this summer heat.

Looking forward to a hill drive this month and hope the car to perform well after the service & works done.

Few pics from a car meet with few Bhpian friends on Bengali new year!







The over all maintenance cost over these 6 years 11 months and 80,000 kms -

A short summary of the car's visit to service centers/ Fng's, apart from the regular service maintenance -

1) 6000 kms- To replace the fuel hose as it was a recall from Toyota.
Cost - 0.

2) A leaked shock absorber at 18,000 kms. Cost - 0 (Changed under warranty).

3) Upgraded the stock front shock absorbers to the stiffer shock absorbers under warranty at 22,000 kms. Toyota gave their customers a choice and I opted for it. Cost - 0.

4) At 23,000 kms changed one tyre due to side wall cut. Cost Rs 3,400 (fng).

5) A blown out fuse at 22,000 kms due to using a faulty mobile charger. Toyota changed the fuse for free.

6) The stock horn was replaced at 27,000 kms due to malfunction. Cost - Rs 100 (fng).

7) At 34,290 kms the following parts were changed. Front disc pads with rotors, rear left shock absorber had a leak so replaced both of them. Cost - Rs 11,599.

8) At 34,700 kms an anti rattling kit was installed due to a kat kat sound coming from the dashboard area. Though the sound vanished of its own, we still installed the anti rattling kit. Cost Rs - 501.

9) At 44,000 kms changed all the 5 tyres to Yokokama Earth 1. (185/65/R14) Rs 22,000. New Exide mileage battery - Rs 3,200 (fng).

10) At 45,000 kms there was a silent recall from Toyota to change the front seat belt Pre-tensioners. Cost - 0.

11) At 51,000 kms front left shock absorber was changed. Cost - Rs 2,200.

12) At 60,000 kms changed the Clutch cable costing around Rs 1,300.
Plus changed the rear left tail lamp. Cost - Rs 1,400.

13) At 64,000 kms upgraded the horn to dual Minda jalwa horn. Rs 1,200 (fng).

14) Changed a head light bulb - Rs 220 (fng).

15) Got an extra check up done just before a long trip and stocked 1L engine oil and coolant along with washing and cleaning. Rs 2,500.

16) Got the right hand side rear view mirror glass changed as the original one fell off by getting hit with the orvm of another car. Rs 1,065.

17)At 71,500 kms mark got the front two brake rotors changed. Rs 3,780.

18) Got the front right wheel bearing changed with the hub at 79,800km. Rs 2,900 (fng).


Scheduled 1 year/10,000kms services -

1) 1,000 kms- 1st service. Cost- 0.

2) 10,000 kms- 2nd service- Changed engine oil and oil filter. (synthetic oil.) Cost - Rs 2,800.

3) 20,000 kms- 3rd service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, rotation of tyres and greasing the side walls of the tyres. Cost - Rs 3,400.

4) 30,000 kms- 4th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, ac filter, wiper blade. 30,000 kms service inspection cost, rear brake shoe assembly both side inspection, front disc brake pad both side inspection cost - Rs 5,240.

5) 40,000 kms- 5th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, Brake fluid. Cost - Rs 5,500.

6) 50,000 kms- 6th service. Engine oil (Synthetic oil) and oil filter change, Wiper washer fluid top up, 3m under body check up, Foam wash to the exterior body, Premium interior clean.
The only added attention the car needed was the change of the front left shockabsorber. It developed a leak. Got the air filter and ac filter cleaned too ,Brakes shoes/pads checked and cleaned. The total bill amount was Rs 8,500.

7) 60,000 kms- 7th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, ac filter, wiper blade, 4 spark plugs, Clutch cable, left rear tail lamp, rear brake shoe assembly both side inspection, front disc, brake pads both side inspection. Cost - Rs 8,500.

8) 70,000 kms- 8th service. Changed engine oil (synthetic), oil filter, front brake pads. Rs 6,591.

9) 80,000 kms- 9th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, 4 spark plugs, Brake fluid, air filter. Rs 6,700.

Total cost over these 7 years (6 years 11 months) including service, parts changed, tyres, battery = Rs 99,696 for 80,000 kms. That's approximately Rs 1.25 per km.

[Samba]

Etios completes a 4,700km road trip from Lahaul spiti ! Odometer is nearing 85,000km mark.

The route- Kolkata- Kanpur- Karnal- Shimla- Fagu- Kalpa- Nako- Gue Village- Tabo- Dhankar- Pin Valley- Mudd- Kaza- Kee- Tashigang- Kibber- Chicham-
Langza- Hikkim- Komic -Kunzum top- Batal- Chattru- Rotang- Manali- Delhi- Varanashi- Kolkata.

The car has been pushed through some superb highways to bad hill roads to no roads where it has to be driven on boulders and water crossings.

Temperature varied from 45 c to sub zero! In either of the cases the A/C and the heater worked like a charm and kept us absolutely comfortable.

The mileage i got was around 14km/L.

How did the car perform-

The torque and the power from the 1.5L petrol was simply awesome. It just took the steep climbs and hairpin bends like a cake walk. Few times the ground clearance was a challenge but with careful driving it was fine at the end. No damage to the car. Though there were few underbelly hits.

Niggles-

The sponge of the air-intake pipe got torn which keeps the pipe firm at its place, though its held up with a nut at one end and plastic grooves on the other end. On idling the pipe was vibrating a bit. Honestly there was no problem with it, but i wanted to fix it. When i reached Delhi, Dbhpian SSTraveller came to meet us and he did a DIY to fix it with some extra sponge from his tool kit. Special thanks to him.

A couple of video's from the trip-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-VtTTt1488

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcus8MeOeQY

Few pics from the trip-


























The car will turn 7 on 15th June. Its getting better day by day!

Will compile a travelogue on this trip shortly.

[Samba]

Etios turns 7 with around 85,000 km on the odometer.



Today is the 7th birthday of our Etios. 7 rocking years with the car which includes a lot of driving on the rocks too! Do not take 'on the rocks' on the other way! I meant this way -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT7udUa5HVA

The birthday gift from us was a 7th year bumper to bumper, zero depreciation insurance from ICICI Lombard. As we used b2b insurance from ICICI Lombard from the very first year, they are giving their regular customers an additional offer, so we can get zero depreciation insurance till the 8th year. Normally insurance companies give zero depreciation insurance for the first 5 years.

Regarding the car, its performing flawlessly. No rattles, stock clutch is still holding up pretty well. Over all no regrets for the past 7 years.
Will i exchange my Etios for any other car now?
No! Let it do its duty for few more years! Its runs like new!

This was my update a year back-

Originally Posted by Samba

Till then a little flash back or rather a summary of our enjoyment list !

Driving on the snow - Check

Driving inside the forest - Check

Driving on the worlds highest motorable road - Check

Driving on sand in India's cold desert- Check

Driving on the beach and splashing sea water - Check

A bit of mild off roading or rather soft roading in an otr event - Check

Driving on a river bed and crossing mild water crossings - Check

Having fun on the highways - Check

Doing the odd job of carrying heavy luggage - Check

Visiting a different country (Bhutan) - Check

Touching the famous Thar desert of Rajasthan - Check

Lastly using it for my work within the city - Check

Add on's from the last year-

Refueled from the worlds highest retail outlet- Check


Driving to the worlds highest motorable village- Check


A very close to my heart pic of our Etios, beautifully clicked by Bhpian avrendu (da)'s wife at Spiti valley on the way to Tashigang.



The door is open and this car is always raring to go....

[SVK Rider]

Originally Posted by Samba

[b]Etios turns 7 with around 85,000 km on the

The door is open and this car is always raring to go....

Attachment 1771580

Lovely... this shows how much you take care of your loved ones.
Happy birthday to Etios! Wish you many more kilometres to go.

[dileep]

Its always wonderful to read your posts and adventures with your Etios. It gives me so much encouragement to push my Etios a bit more every time I drive. Thanks for the service and performance update. I'm nearing 20000km and the 2nd birthday. Will give an update when I go for a service.

Meanwhile - does it make sense to go for extended warranty - it costs about Rs. 20000/- for 2 years. I drive about 10000km a year.

[Samba]

Originally Posted by dileep

Meanwhile - does it make sense to go for extended warranty - it costs about Rs. 20000/- for 2 years. I drive about 10000km a year.

Going by the history of Toyota's reliability, it should not fetch Rs 20,000 worth repair in two years. But again its like an added insurance.
I cant tell you to skip it but me at your place would have skipped it, taking it as a gamble.

Will eagerly wait for your 20,000km service report.

[dileep]

Samba, when you go on these lovely long trips to the Himalayas especially, is there always someone with you to help navigate? Or have you ever done any of these trips all alone?

After having driven a Qualis for 15 years (most of the time all alone for several days on end in very remote parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand), I find it very challenging to negotiate poor narrow roads because of the low slung Etios. Plainly I cannot see the road and it becomes very difficult without anyone to navigate from the passenger side. Also when there is uphill traffic and I need to give way, reversing becomes daunting.

Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

[Samba]

Originally Posted by dileep

Samba, when you go on these lovely long trips to the Himalayas especially, is there always someone with you to help navigate? Or have you ever done any of these trips all alone?

After having driven a Qualis for 15 years (most of the time all alone for several days on end in very remote parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand), I find it very challenging to negotiate poor narrow roads because of the low slung Etios. Plainly I cannot see the road and it becomes very difficult without anyone to navigate from the passenger side. Also when there is uphill traffic and I need to give way, reversing becomes daunting.

Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Unlike high GC cars like Qualis in case of sedans, prejudge the road. I generally anticipate beforehand, where am going to put my wheels while crossing a rough stretch. In extreme condition's i come down from my car and check the road and then cross it.

In few occasion's my wife or dad or friends whoever is sitting next to me, do help me by seeing the left side in extreme narrow places. That definitely comes out to be handy. If am alone, i try to judge the gap by looking at the left ORVM or i take my driving seat a tad ahead.

While reversing set your orvms downwards so you can see where your rear wheel is heading to & make sure you can see a part of the car body. A reverse camera will be more helpful. Though i do not have one.

Etios can easily take these types of roads without any underbelly hits if the driver is careful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcus8MeOeQY

[Samba]

Etios is nearing 86,000 km mark.

Two small updates-

Rats chewed the left side headlight holder.
Replaced with a new one. Damage to pocket - Rs 150.

Its monsoon & my two years old wiper blade was leaving water streaks on the windshield. Replaced with a new wiper. Damage to pocket - Rs 524.

Saini Toyota kept me waiting for 1 hour 30 mins just to change a wiper blade! This was unacceptable. Feedback given to their higher up.

Else, car is running fine and both of us are enjoying the rain drive in this monsoon.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Samba

Etios turns 7 with around 85,000 km on the odometer.

You are a double inspiration. First for a prospective Etios buyer and second for a petrol head.
I loved the new platinum edition Etios. But the still same aftermarket feel interiors for a 11 lakh rupees car isn't justifiable.
Trust me I am waiting for Toyota to better that and I shall be the first to get my hands on it. Coming from Volkswagen it is really difficult to comprehend how Etios owners love to keep coming back to the bland outdated interiors every time. The engine isn't rev friendly (diesel) and there is nothing for an enthusiast. Yet it is such a luring package. It may not be true but it makes you have that comfort of owning a car and just forgetting every other thing.
Wish you a lot many miles with your best bud.

[Samba]

We had an offroading event with Kolkata Offroaders on last Sunday.

At the end of the event, I & Bhpian 1100D decided to have some fun with the Etios on slush. It was deep and it required 4WD.

Before attempting the slush there was wet sand. I approached in crawling speed and the car got bogged down. On accelerating further it was digging in more. So decided to pull it out by a jeep. On the first attempt the jeep had wheel spins, so on the second attempt we had to winch the car out.





Even after this we thought, we should try the slush too but the catch was, to reach till the slush i had to cross the wet sand.

This time we decided to use momentum, cross the sand part and dive into the slush.

Luckily this time Etios made it through without getting stuck.

Few pics brilliantly captured by Bhpian 1100D.















I go for trips in my Etios, so its always better to know the limitation of my own car and know what a 2wd cant and a 4wd can!

Lastly Etios is soon going to welcome her new friend in our family- A fiery Red Duster AWD.



My 1000th post in Team Bhp.