[rave20]

Looking for a tyre replacement for my XUV500 (2014 W8 AWD). Run about 60,000KM's. Confused between Pirelli / Michelin. Any recommendations?

I stay in South Bangalore (Bannerghatta Road). Any recommendation on the good shop near by?

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by rave20

Confused between Pirelli / Michelin. Any recommendations?

I stay in South Bangalore (Bannerghatta Road). Any recommendation on the good shop near by?

I have been happy with Michelins. You can try SUV primacy or LTX force from them. If you need something very durable and ok with road noise, go with Bridgestone. Have heard good feedback for Maxis as well as Pirelli. Knowing my personal experience, I will go with Michelin. Just that they aren't tyres that will last for 50k+ kms. I like soft tyres and with ability to curtail the road noise as much as possible.

I also saw your quests on tyre thread - I wouldn't deviate from the stock specifications for size and section. Only speed rating can be better and nothing else.

In Basavangudi you can visit Tyre Professional (google) or visit Madhu's on Langford Road. I haven't gone anywhere else but then for all my tyre needs.

[rave20]

Originally Posted by abirnale

I also saw your quests on tyre thread - I wouldn't deviate from the stock specifications for size and section. Only speed rating can be better and nothing else.

In Basavangudi you can visit Tyre Professional (google) or visit Madhu's on Langford Road. I haven't gone anywhere else but then for all my tyre needs.

Tyre shop near my home (http://www.mytirestore.in/) recommended me to upgrade to Fortuner tyres. He said performance would be better.. hence was checking.

Will visit Tyre professional for the tyre change.

Any idea on the cost of Michelins you paid? Any recommendation on getting a best deal?

[abirnale]

The month of August has been eventful!

First up - the interesting figure on odometer:



In first week of august along with a neighbour family we went to Sakhleshpur. On the way we visited Shettihalli Church. While in Sakhleshpur we went on to trek on the railway tracks and on the way back visited Mallalli falls and Bisle Ghat viewpoint. Amazing views, lush greenery everywhere and not so crowded roads made it like heavenly experience. Unfortunately after the rains created havoc in the last two weeks, the ghat is in complete shambles. We were luck to get the view much before all of this started.














The following week we visited Yercaud for a simple relaxing day taking advantage of holiday on I'Day holiday. Nothing extraordinary about this trip other than the beautiful city view from the top, curves to ascend and descend and of course the weather that is void rain but still overcast cloudy.








The last week saw us visiting our favourite Markonahalli reservoir and ascend to see Bahubali Statue while the Mahamastabhisheka rituals are getting concluded.



Another important update coming up - Michelin Latitude Tour have come to age!

[Travelator]

I visited Anant Cars Bannerghatta road on Saturday for a quick removal of the "due for service" code. On checking with the SA, got to know that there is an update for the Android Auto available. Got it updated within 20 mins. The interface got snappier and the lag is now gone.

But now I am facing the issue that "ok Google" did everything other than platoon any kind of music. Anyone else experienced this issue?

Need to check with SA on Monday. If there is no resolution, maybe will need to revert to the earlier SW version.

Attaching the screenshot of the software version that you can check by simultaneously pressing settings gear button and mute button.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by Travelator

Need to check with SA on Monday. If there is no resolution, maybe will need to revert to the earlier SW version.

For many moons together, I have never allowed any tech to touch my ICE - it's working fine and don't want to fix anything that isn't broken. But let us know your findings and folks can take a call too - assuming you are referring to second generation 2015-2018 version cars.

Tyre Upgrade:
After almost 40,000 kms, the old Michelin's started making noise and observed wear out indicators -



So its time to get new shoes! As always, I went in for new Michelin Primacy SUV tyres - my experience with michelin itself has been very good. Silent, grippy and good load capacity/ speed ratings they have. Although it's an expense that most try to avoid by buying tyres that last longer, I can't bear the road noise and hence softer tyres are preferred. Moreover, the last set of softer Michelins did well in Himalayan terrain too so why not!

So bought four new tyres from Madhu's on Langford Road and got them shipped to Tyre Professionals (sister concern of Madhu's) in Basavangudi. TP is closer to my work place and hence a quick appointment and scheduled visit is all needed. Within 60 mins car was in and out of there with new tyres.






Quotes Price per tyre - ₹12500. And a session of regular WA/WB.

I am yet to drive longer after these tyres but whatever I have driven so far on NICE road and inside city, I am loving it.

The next is 90K kms servicing milestone!

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by abirnale

There is more light!

I now have the Morimoto HID kit (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/h7...C47335%2C48753 35W, 4500K, with relay and capacitor Link). Raghu also gave his existing low beam 2Stroke LEDs (https://www.theretrofitsource.com/h7...o-2stroke.html). Yesterday as DIY, successfully fitted both the lights. Now Cheetah has HIDs in low beam and LEDs in high beam.

Update after two weeks:
As I mentioned, the LEDs are pretty much useless to be called as usable light. Hence after two weeks I have now restored the high beam to stock H7 halogens.

Completely agree with you that the HIDs are the best for projector headlamps. I also have H7 HID kit fitted in my Skoda Laura and the light levels are amazing.
I noticed from your video that you are getting quite strong shadows from the HID bulb ground wire. This means that the ground wire is on top and that is casting shadow in the low beam. I had the same issue in my Laura when I installed the H7 bulbs. I then Reversed the bulbs so that return wire is below and this resolved the shadow issue. In my case I did not need to do any bulb grinding - I just straightened the retainer clip a little so that the bulb could go in both ways (6o'clock position of the ground wire is desirable). After doing this there is now no ground wire shadow in my HID and beam distribution is perfect.

[abirnale]

Delayed Update: Tamil nadu sojourn!

After a long time, we planned a trip during Dasara holidays. We took roadtrip Bangalore - Mahabalipuram - Puducherry - Pichavaram - Tranquebar - Rameswaram - Dhanushkodi - Kanyakumari - Bangalore over 8 days! It was absolute fun. Driving all throughout the ECR, coastal beaches and an important item from bucket list - Dhanushkodi - was done. The October heat and the holiday crowd couldn't dampen our spirits! We enjoyed the trip - especially those historical landmarks like Mahabalipuram, Puducherry Pamban Bridge, Land's end at Dhanushkodi!

Here are select few pictures from the trip:



































As usual, the Orange Cheetah performed flawlessly - FE of 13kmpl, perfect climate control at 23 degrees and effortless cruising in safe zone - what else you can ask for?

Odometer now reads 93,000 Kms +!

[abirnale]

Another weekend trip to God's own country!

After a friend called out a secluded and kind of ignored place in Kerala near Palakkad, we made plans to visit this amazing forest reserve - Parambikulam tiger reserve! The visit was made on Nov 17/18. This reserve has stay option at the KL check post as well as deep inside the reserve. We picked up the most exotic stay - Thunakadavu Tree Top hut! It was in the middle of jungle and on the bank thunakadavu reservoir. The most serene place i could imagine to unwind ourselves!

As usual, we left our Bangalore home by Saturday morning 4am to get best of the stay. Reached at the PTR checkpost by 11.30 itself. A beautiful sunrise on the highway, lip-smacking Tamil breakfast at A2B was goo enough to keep us energised and in best of the spirits. The TN roads are best I have found so far! The road to PTR goes through the Annamali tiger reserve and the roads inside the reserve are bad to worst. Nothing that Orange Cheetah would complain. Mind you that there were Altos and A-stars making up on these roads, cautiously of course.

The PTR mandates a guide from their tribal staff to accompany you while you are inside the reserve - even during your stay in those huts, he will be living in another dwelling close-by, within the shouting distance. He is everything for you - a guide, a friend and a naturalist! The best part of staying in PTR is - you are in jungle and as much as you want and wherever your car can go, you can do your own Safari! Morning 6am to evening 6pm, all roads are open for you to roam around in the jungle - the guide will ensure that you abide by rules and regulations.

There is a 465 year old Teak tree inside the forest which is major attraction of the crowd. Three large water reservoirs to see and enjoy or click pictures! There is a boating in the bamboo rafts in the parambikulam water reservoir! Early morning or evening boating would be a best experience. You will spot elephants and bisons aplenty. If lucky, you might spot a tiger or leopard. Unfortunately none came in the vicinity of orange cheetah

As a family we had best fun - highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a night stay/ weekend trip!

Now let the pictures do rest of the talking -






























And this was the best moment of the trip - early morning watching the foggy surrounding sitting under the giant tree with next best companion:


The odometer reads 95,500 Kms and some preventive checkup coming up!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

96K Kms update (Nov 23, delayed):

After driving carelessly on torturing entry roads of Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, i was skeptical of some noise from rear suspension. So I headed to Chrome Motors. The primary complaints were increased engine noise and rear suspension not feeling regular. As usual the Chrome folks do fantastic job. It took them only few minutes to discover that rear suspension has developed issues which technically can be fought under warranty and the vaccum modulator is on its way to fail. Since rear suspension needed to be replaced, they suggest to leave the vehicle overnight. I would have generally avoided this but knowing Chrome, I was extremely comfortable leaving car behind.

And like they mentioned - they did take care of car - replaced VM as well as rear suspension under warranty. Also ensured that they did general check-up, brakes cleaning washing etc. The car was delivered in tip-top shape!

Thanks to folks at Chrome Motors that i didn't have to haggle as customer to convince them of faults in suspension and VM being developed - the car is about to hit a 100K Kms milestone!

And i am looking forward to completing 1 Lakh Kilometers on this fabulous car - first for me!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

100K Kms service Update

So technically before the six digits display on the odometer, I took the car for most awaited 100K kms service to Chrome Motors, Mysore Road. With a hefty bill of Rs 17190, car was back home same day. The minor work done included - rear suspension bushes replacement, all stabiliser bars being replaced. Several small pending issues addressed including rattles. I had brought Motul X-cess 8100 synthetic oil and that was used. The cabin air filters replaced, oil filter etc regular stuff and the auto-tensioner belts replaced as part of prescribed service. I also had a small problem with AC - the front AC blower used to NOT start sometimes when the car is started. They detected it to be a blower motor malfunction and it was replaced under warranty.

The AUX port input has stopped working (last I had used was in 2016!) They fund that its not the problem with port but Silverbox! They have taken out the silver box and sent to Nippon guys to repair/ replace as the case may be. So for now I am driving without silver box - no music, no maps and no reverse camera too Hopefully in a weeks time max, i will get it back in working condition.

As usual, the car was at Chrome motors Mysore road and they take care of car perfectly. Within a day the car servicing for 100K milestone was done and returned to me before sun went down. Fabulous work.

Ciao until next update - or a six digit milestone picture

[abirnale]

Did I not mention long ago that the chrome on my XUV is little too much to my liking? I did something to get rid of some for now -











Not sure if I should cover the fog lamp chrome inserts as well! And how about if I use black film to cover ORVMs?

[abirnale]

Delayed Update: The picture will do the talking!











And this Orange cheetah completes 100k on the odometer! The most satisfying ownership ever!

[abirnale]

The XUV life is full of stories: all kind of them!

Remember i mentioned about AUX input not working issue? That was diagnosed to the firmware glitch in the infamous silverbox of the car. So the car was taken by Chrome Motors to replace it while I was traveling out of country for work. They did everything back as needed and delivered the car. They said the Silverbox is replaced with new one. To my surprise, I started seeing APPS button in action! But then upon exploration, I realised the WIFI settings are not turning on which is must for APPS to work.

Went back to Chrome to see what the issue is and the fun part is - it was just a oversight by technician there. After all the firmware updates, they had installed a wrong technopack on the silverbox. That enabled the APPS but since the silverbox is the same category that was used in my car before, it would never support apps. In the false hope and all the excitement thereafter, I ended up spending half a day without any reason!

While I was at ASC, the front brake pads also replaced.

Now to the good part - the last weekend I joined the group of XUV owners (TORC - who had been with me for Ladakh drive) to a overnight drive to Kundapura. Pictures from the meet -







Ciao until next update!

[ph03n!x]

Congrats on the 100k mark! Your threads were one of the references I had before getting my XUV5OO in December!

Originally Posted by abirnale

[b]Motul X-cess 8100 synthetic oil and that was used

Is this M&M recommended, or does it meet the API ratings? I looked it up in Google, and it seems to be API CF grade, and CH4 or above is what most current CRDI engines use - I haven't read the cheetah's manual though!

Also, is there a thread (or any other reference points) about TORC? It looks smashing, all those cheetahs and their riders! Would like to join in sometime, I'm in Hyderabad though.