[saket77]

Samba Da, what are you doing this with your Etios which is supposed to be a family sedan??!! I can see a 'not so happy' co-passenger face with the window rolled down and all the slush flying around in one of the pictures

Congratulations for the AWD Duster though. And for the much deserved title of S-BHPian.

Have you already made the purchase? If yes, good for your Etios

Regards,
Saket.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Samba

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.

Attachment 1793781

My 1000th post in Team Bhp.

What a Brilliant way to bring out the 1000th Post on the Forum. Amazing precedence set for the new member by the champion Toyota which hasn't even sneezed after conquering everything thrown at it. Etios is surely one of the most under-rated cars in India.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by Samba

My 1000th post in Team Bhp.

Congratulations for getting the Duster AWD, a brilliant vehicle beyond any doubt and it can be amazing in the hands of a good driver.

Congratulations for the 1000th post as well. 6.3 thanks per post! That's Virendra Sehwag/Chris Gayle category strike rate in the team bhp world

[dileep]

Wonderful news Samba about getting the Duster. After having driven the Etios almost everywhere, the Duster would be great to drive in those conditions. Do start an ownership thread for that too.

[Samba]

87,000km Update

Apparently car is doing good.

I have a hunch that the left front wheel bearing needs to be replaced. Will get it checked by a mechanic soon.

The Yokohama Earth 1's have completed more than 44,000km. The tread indicates, it's good to go for another 10,000 km. I somehow felt, under wet condition the tyres are lacking the grip like before. I have no plans to change the tyres soon. As of now, its more than good for the city run's and occasional highway runs.

Used the car extensively during the Durga Puja within city in bumper to bumper traffic.
I and Etios, both got frustrated by the city traffic, so went for a late night highway drive with no trucks on the highway(During Durga Puja trucks are not allowed to ply for those four days). It was fun pushing the 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol on a highway with no traffic.

Originally Posted by dileep

Do start an ownership thread for that too.

Thanks & here you go.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...oint-view.html (Renault Duster AWD : An owner's point of view)

[dileep]

An update:

My remote key stopped working. I needed to change the battery. So here's a small DIY...

I opened the remote with a large flat screwdriver. There is a Panasonic CR2032 9V battery (Made in Indonesia) inside. Then went to my watch repair shop and bought the same battery for Rs. 80. The photographs say the rest.

[dileep]

My Etios petrol had a small issue a couple of days back. While driving in Gurgaon there was a very rough patch of road (about 10 meters long). As I navigated the patch, the car stalled. When I restarted the engine, the engine warning lamp came on in the instrument cluster. I drove the car home (about 40 km from there) and called Toyota service the next morning. However, when I started the car in the morning the light was gone!!. So I did not take it to the workshop.

Would anyone be able to advise on this? Thank you.

[Samba]

Originally Posted by dileep

As I navigated the patch, the car stalled. When I restarted the engine, the engine warning lamp came on in the instrument cluster. I drove the car home (about 40 km from there) and called Toyota service the next morning. However, when I started the car in the morning the light was gone!!. So I did not take it to the workshop.

Seems like something is definitely not right!

It can be -
A connector gone lose
Adulterated fuel / something related to fuel line
Chocked air-filter
Spark plug/ HT cable issue
Low engine oil

Firstly i will suggest you to check all the fluid levels, whether the air filter is chocked or not and search for any lose connectors including the battery terminals. If everything is perfect, you can drive the car but if it happens again do get it checked ASAP. Ignoring such small warnings can lead to a breakdown on road.

Will be interested to know the cause once it's solved.

[Samba]

88,000 km update

I changed the front right wheel bearing at 80,000 km mark.
From the last couple of thousand kilometers, i had a hunch that the front left wheel bearing was also making a grinding sound.

Took it to my FNG and it was confirmed.
The bearing comes with the hub in a set for Etios. So changed the hub.

Total damage to Pocket - Rs 3100.



New vs old



Rest, car is running fine.
90,000 km service will be done at Toyota.

The first click of my Etios on the 1st day of 2019!



Me having some fun at Team Bhp winter meet, 2019.
Pic courtesy - Bhpian DJR

Originally Posted by dileep

As I navigated the patch, the car stalled. When I restarted the engine, the engine warning lamp came on in the instrument cluster. I drove the car home (about 40 km from there) and called Toyota service the next morning. However, when I started the car in the morning the light was gone!!. So I did not take it to the workshop.

Any Update?

[dileep]

Originally Posted by Samba

88,000 km update

What is the cost difference of replacement between FNG and ASC? Also the part cost? Is it original Toyota and are these available in the after-market?

Any Update?

I checked all fluids and wires, connectors - did not find any problems. Also since I'm driving very less these days decided not to take it to the workshop. Will do so when I plan to drive out of town and give an update. Meanwhile the warning light hasn't come on after that day.

[Samba]

Last week my parked Etios was hit by an Innova. While reversing, the Innova driver misjudged his car's length and damaged the front fender of my Etios.

The first major damage in 7.5 years of its life.



The Innova guy immediately admitted his fault and brought a body mechanic from a nearby shop and asked him to repair it.

That guy managed up-to this much in 30 minutes.



He made it look better but i was not satisfied. So decided to give the car in my FNG for a proper denting and painting job.

While giving the car, i asked my FNG guys to paint the left running panel, a portion of the rear left wheel arch and both the ORVM covers for some minor scratches.

A full body polish with an interior and engine bay cleaning was also included.

Total damage to pocket - Rs 5,000.

I have not claimed insurance, as i wanted to saved the ncb which i got in the last 7 years.

The work done was satisfactory. The new paint shade, more or less matched with the original paint. If noticed very carefully the new shade is a tad bit darker. Overall am satisfied with the job done.

Let me share the pics-

[Samba]

90,000 km service update

Got the service done from Saini Toyota Howrah.
Overall they did a good job.

Parts changed-

Engine oil (Full synthetic)
Oil Filter
Ac Filter
Fuel suction filter
Right wheel bearing.

Thorough check up's of all the major mechanical parts like, suspension, brake, clutch, belts, fluids and electrical's. Plus got the ECU reset, as i felt the idling vibration was a tad higher. Now its sorted.

Total bill- Rs 11,540

The right wheel bearing was changed at 80,000 km mark from a FNG but that lasted for just 10,000km.
Learnt the lesson the hard way. No more FNG's for mechanical works.

Post servicing the car is running butter smooth.

The Yokohama Earth 1's have done 47,000 km and is holding up well. Tread depth measurement showed 2.8 mm left. Though road noise has increased significantly and the grip has reduced a bit. With sedate driving it can last another 10,000 km.

As of now the car seems good to go for another 10,000 km till the next due service at 1L km mark.


The over all maintenance cost over these 7 years 10 months and 90,000 km -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7) At 34,290 km 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 km 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 km 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 km there was a recall from Toyota to change the front seat belt Pre-tensioners. Cost - 0.

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

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

13) At 64,000 km 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 km mark, got the front two brake rotors changed. Rs 3,780.

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

19) At 86,000 km mark rats chewed the left side headlight holder. Replaced with a new one. Damage to pocket - Rs 150.

20) At 86,000 km mark replaced the wiper. Damage to pocket - Rs 524.

21) Got the left wheel bearing changed with the hub at 88,000 km. Rs 3,100 (fng)

22) A minor denting and painting job in a FNG. Rs 4,500

23) Had to change the right wheel bearing from Toyota again at 90,000 km mark as, the one i changed from the FNG didn't even last 10,000 km. Rs 4,500


Scheduled 1 year/10,000kms services -

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

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

3) 20,000 km- 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 km- 4th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), oil filter, ac filter, wiper blade. 30,000 km service inspection cost, rear brake shoe assembly both side inspection, front disc brake pad both side inspection cost - Rs 5,240.

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

6) 50,000 km- 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 km- 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 km- 8th service. Changed engine oil (synthetic), oil filter, front brake pads. Rs 6,591.

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

10) 90,000 km - 10th service. Changed engine oil (Synthetic oil), 0il filter, Ac filter, fuel filter, right wheel bearing. Rs 11,540.

Total cost over these 7 years 10 months including service, parts changed, tyres, battery, body work (minor denting & painting) = Rs 119,510 for 90,000 kms. That's approximately Rs 1.32 per km.

Couple of pics after the 90,000 km service.






Sharing a short story related to our Etios-

I was standing in front of our garage, where our Duster is parked.

A person came and asked me, if we bought the Duster recently?
I replied, Yes.
He then asked, but where is the real car?
I was like, what do you mean?
He replied- The car which takes you to Ladakh, Spiti, Bhutan, etc etc!
I was like

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by Samba

The right wheel bearing was changed at 80,000 km mark from a FNG but that lasted for just 10,000km.
Learnt the lesson the hard way. No more FNG's for mechanical works.

Just curious, was that bearing a Genuine Toyota one or aftermarket(OEM/compatible) which they used at the FNG? 10000 kms is too early for a bearing to pack up unless the car has been subjected to harsh conditions(which I'm sure is not the case).

Regards
Shashi

[Samba]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Just curious, was that bearing a Genuine Toyota one or aftermarket(OEM/compatible) which they used at the FNG? 10000 kms is too early for a bearing to pack up unless the car has been subjected to harsh conditions(which I'm sure is not the case).

Regards
Shashi

The Fng guys claimed it to be original, but now i really doubt it. I got it checked by the Toyota service center guys and they feel it was not original. The stock bearings lasted for 80,000 km and this one just gave up by 10,000 km.

Procuring genuine Toyota parts from outside is quite a task.
Now am skeptical how much the front left wheel bearing will last! It was changed by the same fng guys. I insisted Toyota service center guys to change the front left wheel bearing too, but they reassured me that, it's fine.

[sudsan]

Samba, many thanks for your detailed posts about the Etios over the years. I too have a 2011 Etios V (petrol) and my car has just come back from Nandi Toyota after a 70,000 kms service, though it has actually done only 31,990 kms to date. My question pertains to the cost of servicing. The 70,000 km service inspection itself was billed at Rs.2366(incl of GST). In addition to this they charged me the following-

Item descriptions as per the invoice

1) Others - air cleaner - Rs 1911
2) Others- hood - Rs.1274
3) Others - grille moulding - Rs.637

The above are all labour charges and were included in the estimate given to me before the commencement of service. The SA was a young lady and my questions only elicited some vague replies and hence I didn't pursue it further. My question is, since the 70,000 km service inspection is charged separately, what in the world could these other mysterious inspections (of which there is an only an abbreviated description in the invoice) entail.

Are these normal or have I just been scammed?

PS: My total bill of course for everything which included wheel balancing, alignment, synthetic oil, etc came to Rs.10,844.