[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by abirnale

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?

Nothing which I am aware of Avinash as I never used any products to clean my car interiors. I always make sure after I park the car, I check in detail and immediately clean with a microfibre cloth if any dirt.

Probably you can check with Nirmal once, if he has any product which you can spray and wipe to clean the interiors.

[abirnale]

Although the odometer reads slightly higher number than this - a milestone to cherish with Orange Cheetah:



And a long pending thing after ICE updates in April has completed now -





Courtesy flipkart voucher by M&M for a referral I have that turned into their sale 😜 Adding a little more on this, got Asif from EB Bass to help with tuning and enclosure. This is 12" Rockford Fosgate prime subwoofer. It's absolute fun and extremely satisfying to drive around with ICE setup. Very economic and worth the money. Focal has given me that sharpness in sound I was looking for and this subwoofer gives the bass I craved for!

And it happens that we went to Belum Caves and Gandikota fort/ Gorge view point over weekend. Here are the pictures relevant for the trip -









And some more pics of orange cheetah-





Ciao until next update!

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Although the odometer reads slightly higher number than this - a milestone to cherish with Orange Cheetah:

Ciao until next update!

Awesome Avinash Congratualtions on the milestone. And nice to see you munching miles with the cheetah which is born for.

And good to know you are happy with the updates on the ICE Have fun and drive safe.

[abirnale]

Friday June 26, 2015 A week before the curious kid in me was waiting for the day! I still remember the Friday night I spent drooling over the parked Cheetah from my balcony. The possession two years later turned out to have same excitement and attention. Every day I step into the driver seat, it adds cheer to the day.

Little I expected
- To have so many miles on the odometers (57K Kms now)!
- Countless outings and trips (not all trips are logged here, lazy me)
- Almost zero niggles in the two years of ownership!
- I end up spending in the tune of 5,00,000 for fuel, accessories and things related to routine services!

The journey of two years with orange Cheetah have been amazing! While I have all vital observations and details logged into this thread, one thing stands tall of all - "Almost niggle free ownership, pure driving fun!"

Yesterday was an impromptu trip to Talakona Waterfalls in AP after our pilgrimage trip to Titupati. Some pictures from the trip -














The next is MH MD 2017 drive on the weekend with HVK members! Stay tuned for more pictures and drive updates with car. Before I head out for biggest road-trip of my life, 60K kms servicing would be done

[abirnale]

While there will be some travelogue of these rarely traveled roads and circuits, thanks to HVKumar for his offer of taking these roads in my backyard - never knew these roads were so beautiful during monsoon!

Here is the total drive plan we executed for Maharashtra Monsoon Drive -






And now some pictures from the Drive -






It was fun!

[abirnale]

The state of car after the monsoon drive -




Needed to give through wash. So sent it for washing today. An automatic car washing machine in Vijaya Bank Layout on BG road did not do a proper work. Hence i had to get theanual wash done. The car is better now.

Another Monsoon drive in KA malnad region and the need for another thorough wash 😂

Meanwhile, a collage of the pictures from the Weeknd Drive - it was so eye pleasing Drive all across sahyadri, i am not able to get over the memories -



Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

Another set of beautiful picture clicked by Vivek and Dr Manoj during the monsoon Drive in MH -




This shade of green that was elusive for so many years, finally coming around to please the eyes and soul! Feels like going back to Sahyadri Ghats to spend this Monsoon season soaking under cloudy skies and pouring clouds.

[abirnale]

Rain can spoil the fun as well - ask for someone who just washed his car and got it waxed and polished!
But then work like this one - can sustain light rains easily!

https://youtu.be/a3pGamTBFvQ

The work done wasn't a full fledged session but more focused on interiors and light treatment for exterior. Some pictures from work area -




Thanks to a good friend who did this job as if he would do it for his car! His red beauty is already in hot threads section of our forum!

Car getting dirty is evident, more so when it's an XUV. In approximately two weeks, a mega Karnataka Monsoon Drive will be on cards. All of this exteriors will be subjected to harsh dirt! We have planned a more intense exterior job once I am back after my long awaited trip (starts on August 19). Fingers crossed!

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by abirnale

We have planned a more intense exterior job once I am back after my long awaited trip (starts on August 19). Fingers crossed!

Rains are magical. Especially when you are in an area that offers variety of green to sooth your soul and mind. A solo drive on in such weather is nothing less than meditation!

On Saturday and Sunday, attended HVK's monsoon drive in Malnad region of Karnataka State. Lush green paddy fields, mountains and overflowing rivers, waterfalls, leech bite scares were prime highlights. To me, the twisties with smooth black tarmac was more fun with dark clouds looming all the time and occasionally pouring!

Here are some pictures of routes taken, clicks on the route to sum up the drive -

































This brings 59850kms on the odometer! The car was serviced on Tuesday for 60K Kms and few prep things done for upcoming Ladhak Trip on August 19. More details on this in subsequent post.

[abirnale]

On Tuesday, car was taken for 60K servicing to Anant Cars Bannerghatta Road. The job was handled professionally - 9am it started and at 5pm, I got a call that car is ready. This time I had requested for additional work - Full checkup of the car including Battery, Suspension, Fluids, Underbody hits, Alternator health, Auto Tensioner checkup, AC checks and servicing, brake cleaning/ bleeding as needed, Electrical systems check, ECU and ICE firmware checks. I also requested for additional supplies of three liter engine oil in cans of 1 ltr each, two cans of Coolant, two cans of Brake Fluid, two spare fuses of each type and rating. All of this in anticipation and preparation towards upcoming Ladakh Trip.

I had also pre-booked this appointment using WYH mobile app and provided the washing coupon as well. The car was covered in slush/ muck. They did a good job of cleaning it thoroughly. The wax and polish from two weeks ago is showing its effect after this heavy slush-fest on the weekend. While the car was parked in the resort premises, an Innova was stuck in the next parking slot. In the attempt of getting out of that parking lot, Innova owner gave excess throttle which kept rear wheels spinning so badly that many cars around ended up taking slush sprinkles on them! Orange Cheetah being closest, took slush as high as windshield! Thankfully this wash session has taken off all the dirt and I am in love with the exterior all over again!

The total service cost including the extra supply of consumables, GST came to be Rs. 6374 + Rs. 3078 = Rs. 9452. Brake pads still have good bite and can last for another 5K kms easily. So I thought of changing this either just before embarking on the trip or in Chandigarh/ Leh.

More about upcoming Ladakh Trip:
After a lot of deliberation and convincing that went in so far, I seem to be on schedule to make this one great trip. I intent to leave on August 19, return by Sept 10. I am not sure if I would be able to build the t-log on that trip as separate thread, but when this trip happens, promise to update here in as much real time as possible. For now, personal preps, route planning, car preparation is almost about to end. Some work obligations pending, I should be on my way soon.

As part of car checkup - I again intend to visit the service station a weekend before my trip to do another thorough check. During my visit on Tuesday, I completed the learning of - changing bulbs, fuses, air filter, wheels changing tips and tricks, towing/ jacking, jump starting battery and minor troubleshooting through various alerts/ indicators. I do have an OBD scanner but not sure how much it would be useful knowing many prompts and errors are proprietary on the car. I have also procured/ borrowed some super important accessories and utilities like electric conversion kits for AC accessory charging, Fire extinguisher, tapes and twist ties, cleaning supplies, torch and batteries. All the threads on the forum here and additional support from members/ non-members who have done this earlier have been helping!

For the family that is so supportive and well-wishers from the forum and readers community, I am confident that this trip will happen soon.

Next update - when I finish packing and am ready to hit the road to Himalayas!

[abirnale]

Some milestones are special - this is first car in my garage in India that has surpassed this odometer reading and feels like - best is yet to come!



Orange Cheetah continues to stay young and keeps craving for more and more!

[Travelator]

Hey Avinash, whom are you entrusting your vehicle with, now that Bharat has quit Anant cars from Aug 1. He had been looking after my car from day 1, feeling a bit skeptical after his exit.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by Travelator

Hey Avinash, whom are you entrusting your vehicle with, now...

I met Keerthi - he is oldest of the existing batch. I haven't yet had him look at my car as last visit was taken care by Bharat. He again comes with personal reference from an old customer and will give it a shot for 70K kms service. Else to Chrome motors through another reference

[fusionbang]

Originally Posted by abirnale

I met Keerthi - he is oldest of the existing batch. I haven't yet had him look at my car as last visit was taken care by Bharat. He again comes with personal reference from an old customer and will give it a shot for 70K kms service. Else to Chrome motors through another reference

My first service advisor was Keerthi too and he is overloaded with more cars always. My first experience was not good with him and had to meet Punit who is good.

After that had to go to Sireesh Magadi road due to the distance factor and the SA whom I met there was very helpful and happens to be Punit's relative as well. My experience was good in Sireesh compared to Anant at BG road.

[abirnale]

Some dreams do come true! Here is the coverage of that dream coming into reality - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ing-lehed.html

And for the memory, the snap that summarises trip meter and Odo reading and a representative collage -




Ciao until next significant update!