[abirnale]

April 21st, there was a wedding to attend in my home town. April 23rd, my spouse, kids and extended family was arriving from an overseas trip in Mumbai by Air. The timing was perfect to plan a road trip - attend wedding, drive to Mumbai, pick family, drop them at home town and come back to Bangalore. I had never been to Mumbai in my own car. But it was a great experience after-all. Especially when buddies across the state make effort to say hi and take you around for great food, drive on Sunday night without worrying about work/ office on Monday morning! Thanks to Gerard, Madhu, Tanveer, Kevin, and SDP for all the help and great hospitality!

What more one can ask for when Duma looks after you - one check on TODO list.



And amazing meet-up with buddies who we kept interacting for so long but never met in person -





A very peaceful and enjoyable drive through NH48 - ample stops to soak in early summer mornings -







And with this trip, the odometer now reads as 53,000 Kms! And for almost 5+ weeks, Orange Cheetah is running the Android Auto update - the most stable release ever. More on this on separate threads here and here.

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

I am loving these colours!

Minor update -

Last week, odo continuously flashed "battery not charging" light on console. I took the car this time to Anant Cars as it was closer and I did not risk taking car on road without fixing this issue - they took care of it very well. Worked with M&M to see if this was because of any issue of Android Auto beta or something else. They checked all things involved and finally nailed the issue with battery management sensor. It was replaced under warranty and car was ready to go for drives again.

While the car was at service station, changes all three wipers (front 2 + rear). Anant cars did a complimentary HVAC service, washing and cleaning including general service checks.

I think now I have found another SA and service station that is in walking distance of my home!

Oh by the way, an idiot who had parked his/ her bike in front of my car on a busy street of Jayanagar, broke the aux light. The covers are broke and it has risk of water seeping in. I had no option but to remove both Aux lights for now. This is second time the Aux lights have suffered damage. I am thinking to put back HIDs for some time and live without Aux lights. There are no major highway drives or night trips coming up anyway.

Ciao until next update!

[mustang_shelby]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Sorry for not been able to write a detailed report on this ICE work - just uploading the pictures in random order here.

Hi Avinash. Would it be possible for you to share some more details of the ICE upgrade?

* Where did you get it done, and are you satisfied with the workmanship ? (In the pictures the install does look neat, specially the tweeters almost look like a factory install)
* Which models of the component and coaxial speakers did you go with ?
* Which model of the amp did you go for?
* Was there any specific wiring kit you opted for?
* If you play music via Android Auto from your phone, does it sound better/different from the same music through a USB stick? I ask this since I noticed a stark difference between the methods in my stock XUV.

Thanks.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by mustang_shelby

Hi Avinash. Would it be possible for you to share some more details of the ICE upgrade?

Apologies for the delayed response. Here are answers -

* Where did you get it done, and are you satisfied with the workmanship ? (In the pictures the install does look neat, specially the tweeters almost look like a factory install)
- This was done at EB Bass.The workmanship is top notch and worth every penny. I was always apprehensive about how things are installed/ cut splice or whatever. But watching them work throughout the day, it was done to my satisfaction. Learnt a lot of things watching them do it.

* Which models of the component and coaxial speakers did you go with ?
Procured Focal components and Hertz coaxial -
- Focal-ISS 165 https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00C1WX0LG/..._VxCbOVZsS8paL
- Hertz 6.5 COAXIAL 2-WAY 120 WATTS COAX SPEAKERS https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0044AFQZQ/..._LaBjzbJS5BX02

* Which model of the amp did you go for?
- I bought Blaupkunt 4 channel Amp -

* Was there any specific wiring kit you opted for?
- Nope. All of this was sourced by EB bass. Since I bought all other important stuff online, I decided to buy the hi-lo converter and wiring kits from them.

* If you play music via Android Auto from your phone, does it sound better/different from the same music through a USB stick? I ask this since I noticed a stark difference between the methods in my stock XUV.
- Nope. Android Auto is over USB only and the music you play from pen drive is USB as well so not audible difference. Some of the songs though from apps can be heard with varying quality as that is from varying quality source itself.

[mustang_shelby]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Here are answers -

Thanks for sharing the details.

Originally Posted by abirnale

- Nope. Android Auto is over USB only and the music you play from pen drive is USB as well so not audible difference. Some of the songs though from apps can be heard with varying quality as that is from varying quality source itself.

I might be mistaken here, but I thought in the Android Auto mode, the phone's DAC is being used (the signal going to the HU is already analog since the phone plays it) whereas in the case of USB stick, the DAC in the HU is being used. That was the only explanation I could think of for the varying sound quality when playing same music via Android Auto vs USB.
Maybe in your improved setup, the difference is not discernible, but only observed in the stock setup due to the below average HU.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by mustang_shelby

In the Android Auto mode, the phone's DAC is being used (the signal going to the HU is already analog since the phone plays it) whereas in the case of USB stick, the DAC in the HU is being used. That was the only explanation I could think of for the varying sound quality when playing same music via Android Auto vs USB.

I am not very sure of the technical stuff. But I have not observed much difference. It may be something to do as Android Auto also works on OTG cable which is equivalent of external data storage interface I think. May be it's the new setup.. but for sure I am not an audiophile to notice that level of difference :(

[abirnale]

As the second anniversary approaches, the rush to renew insurance by agents is seen. I went ahead with a lot of quotes, comparisons and negotiations. Finally settled with below -

Insurer : ICICI Lombard
Pkg : Comprehensive, zero depreciation, bumber to bumper with additional coverage for engine protection plus/ consumables and RA
IDV including accessories - ₹13,49,920
Deductible of ₹2000 applies for claim
NCB capped at 50%
Premium paid - ₹29138.

So the orange cheetah is all set to run again for another year!

With NCB capped at 50%, and decreasing IDV, I would not consider going for claims instead of thinking to pay out of pocket for minor repairs - accumulate all repairs and do it in one go!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

It's been two years almost - the noodle mats I had installed myself are due for change. Primarily because the driver's side had worn out multiple times. When I ran out of my stock, I used second row mat by cutting it for my need. For major part the third row seats lie down and I thus needed a mat in the boot too. So I went on shopping for a 4 ft wide good quality noodle mat and of 10 ft length. Our office vendor came to help - procured the roll yesterday and today morning completed the installation!

Here are some pictures while the work was done -





I now have a stock roll that is worth two more mats on driver side. I am also looking for some DIY to put in on driver side mat so that it does not wear out fast due to toe action.

Ciao until next update!

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Here are some pictures while the work was done -

Also time to get some interior cleaning done

Hope you are not waiting for the ladakh drive to get the interiors cleaned

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Also time to get some interior cleaning done.

Oh, is it that visibly dirty? I felt it to be at acceptable level considering kids in back seat and ongoing rains. Even if I clean it now, it would get dirty soon. So the best option is to lean it up after I return from Ladhak drive later this year

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Oh, is it that visibly dirty? I felt it to be at acceptable level considering kids in back seat and ongoing rains. Even if I clean it now, it would get dirty soon. So the best option is to lean it up after I return from Ladhak drive later this year

Yes at least to my eyes it looks dirty I am not sure if my eye sight is that good to spot it

Yeah good to get it done after monsoons and your ladakh drive.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Yes at least to my eyes it looks dirty

I will get it cleaned at regular service station but a detailed cleaning can happen only after monsoon to be over or LadakhTrip - whichever is earlier.

[abirnale]

The PUC test was due - for it done on weekend:



Note the validity date and valid for description. Contradicts with each other. Regardless, it's safer to do this test every six months.

And few pictures I had not uploaded before from recent outings -

The cockpit view at dusk!


I wish I will do more of such drives this monsoon -



This pic was due for long time!




One mini trip to Tirupati coming up on this month's long weekend and another big monsoon drive at the beginning of July! Super excited

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

So there was a minor glitch today - the rear wash spray did not function as expected. It was kind of unpredictable with water spray - sometimes works and sometimes not. So figured out there must be an issue with pipe getting clogged or somewhere pipe is stuck. On the way to work, took quick stop at Anant Cars BG road and as usual the SA (Bharath) took the work on priority and fixed issue in 30 mins.

All it needed was loosen the wash pipe, clean nozzle sprays and put back. Now things are fine. Small work, no charges.

It will soon be two years! And Orange cheetah is inching closer to 60K mark. That will be time a thorough service will be done, car will be prepared for Ladhak drive - August 2017. Praying that everything falls in place and no blockers come our way!

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by fusionbang

Also time to get some interior cleaning done.

While going through the detailing DIYs and tips and trick is too confusing and needs more energy and effort, is there anything I can use for time being to spray and wipe kind of things reliably? Specifically for the seats and plastic interiors? May be a good 1-2 hour time spent in 2-3 instalments should take care of obvious dirt?