[doley222]

Originally Posted by tharian

The car is nearing 50k kms and crossed 7 years last month. Although there were thoughts of upgrading, I don't think I will at least for another couple of years or more. I still enjoy the car every time I drive , especially on the highway. It is hard to get a package like this which has the power to hit silly speeds quickly, handles decently and is predictable and is small enough to squeeze through traffic and to top all this, gives a good fuel efficiency which was 20 kmpl for this trip which included multiple times where I ended up leaving bigger cars in smoke.

Very true. Same here with the 2017 sports model. I want to keep it till it lasts. It brings a smile every time I drive it. And, the red color still shines like new after a polish and this is also one of the factors for sticking to it for so long .

[tharian]

I haven't been updating the thread although the car has seen some good running in the last few months.

There were two drives to Hyderabad in the month of December and one last week to Calicut. Apart from these, I try and use it a bit during the weekends since the motorcycle is preferred due to the traffic.

No issues to report either and the I must mention, the engine is getting smoother as it is runs more. I did add Ceratec during the last service, but the effect of that was not as much as I expected and tappers off as the engine oil gets old. It has been 7k kms since. I have been using the System D diesel additive on almost every tankful and that has been a good alternative to all the various other additives I used to try out.
The Sensairy TPMS was replaced over few months on all tyres as the battery died one by one. It lasted around 5 years.

I need to check the manual to confirm if the timing belt needs to be replaced in the next service. The car will complete 8 years in couple of months and has run 53500 kms.
Fuel efficiency on highways have been superb. On two of my trips, on one way, it was 23 kmpl and other it is between 19-21 kmpl. These were with consistent speeds of around 90-100 kmh with some short bursts of full throttle.

Unlike my previous car which I exchanged in less than 7 years, with this, I don't feel the urge to change. The only constraint is space and that is only when travelling with 4 people and luggage , which is rare.

Some pictures from the last few trips.

[tharian]

8 years old in couple of months and I still turn around, look and most of the times click a picture after parking it.

[swapnil.awate]

Same here, rest assured, you’re not the only one having this feeling.
Mine has clocked 1,05,000 kms in 8 years. No signs of slowing down unlike all my previous cars. Still amazing car. I think I will see 15 years re-registration opportunity with this car.

[kmpl_extractor]

This Ford DV5 motor is a delight to drive. In my case I occasionally think about selling my Ford Freestyle 1.5 Diesel but every time when I press the gas pedal, I'm left amazed by the strong pulling power, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency of the car and then while doing so I say to myself 'I would never sell this car.'

[NaXal]

Hi,

I share the same feeling as everyone is writing here. My 2017 model (Diesel) is giving me hard time on considering any replacement.

I won't say the car isn't showing it's sign of aging but those are really negligible so far. However, even though it has been super reliable, but costs are coming to keep it reliable.



Factory clutch is 60k kms and in the mountains, under really tough conditions, I am feeling the judder. It's giving me the indications to consider early replacement.

And my aspire electricals are getting high altitude sick. Above 12000ft and in negative temps, vehicle external lights are acting up. Sometime side indicator wont flash, sometime the rear one is acting up. Some time they all work fine.

I am still using Ford given OEM accessory seat covers. They are now showing their age. Mind you, nothing torn or discolored, but they are now feeling bit hard on my long drives. For your information, back in 2017, I paid Rs. 5000/- for the covers (possibly synthetic leather) from Ford, including installation. My local accessories shop could not match this price even with their cheapest material.



Just noticed last night, left side headlight leveling motor is not working. Spares aren't that costly but no child part for this item. One needs to replacement the entire leadlight unit. Rs. 2800/- a piece (MRP). Then again, one can't replace a single side, since the other one may look dull compared to the new one.

Climate control AC seems to be working extra hard for the same temp as previously. Under full load and hard drive, mileage has come down compared to what it used to be in same route. Near about 15-20% drop. Ford ASC is unable to locate any issue or fault.

Body and Paint is holding great. Infact excellent, since I don't polish this car often. May be once a year max, in fact didn't polish it since last 2 years now.



However, all these gripes just go away when I seat in the driver seat and find a highway in-front. Unable to justify a new car spending. I wish to repair these small but arguably regular maintenance issues but with every single month, ford after sales options would be reducing now.

I am at a crossroad now with this. To keep or to replace it with lackluster petrol 3 pots.

Thanks.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Hi,


However, all these gripes just go away when I seat in the driver seat and find a highway in-front. Unable to justify a new car spending. I wish to repair these small but arguably regular maintenance issues but with every single month, ford after sales options would be reducing now.

I am at a crossroad now with this. To keep or to replace it with lackluster petrol 3 pots.

Thanks.

The service and maintenance part is what is concerning for me as well. For now, I haven't felt or experienced the fact that Ford had closed shop years ago mostly because my car hasn't run a huge amount for parts to get worn out. I am hoping it remains that way for another 3-4 years before I seriously think of changing cars.

I too had an issue with headlamp leveling motor not working couple of years ago. It wasn't fixed well when I gave it for the annual service and now the '0' level is a actually the 4th one. I didn't bother getting it fixed again since it is a feature not used.

I need to replace the windshield washer pipe in the bonnet due to a rat bite. I'll get to know how easy and expensive it is when I give the car for service in a few days.

[Taha Mir]

Originally Posted by tharian

The service and maintenance part is what is concerning for me as well. For now, I haven't felt or experienced the fact that Ford had closed shop years ago mostly because my car hasn't run a huge amount for parts to get worn out.

I need to replace the windshield washer pipe in the bonnet due to a rat bite. I'll get to know how easy and expensive it is when I give the car for service in a few days.

Had an entire timing belt overhaul for my 2013 ecosport tdci with parts sourced from authorised parts seller and work done by a Ford tech at FNG in a tier 2 city. Good going so far, with no difficulty in sourcing spares even after a front end collision.

Regarding the washer pipe, the same technician at Ford (tier 2 city) fixed a rat bite by joining the two ends with a hard plastic tube, free of cost.
Exemplary service, I must say.
Worth mentioning is that Ford has been secretly increasing the prices of its spares over the past year and continues to do so.

[tharian]

8th year service completed at 53,600 kms. It done at Cauvery Ford Hennur and for some reason., the SA mentioned it as 90k service when it should have been 80k. The 90k service involves replacing the fuel filter as well apart from the other filters.

I have a feeling that it was mentioned as 90k so this part could be replaced and added to the cost. It was around 2.6k as the assembly had to be replaced since the filter element was stuck, which again I feel was a stunt. The filter element was replaced just 2 years ago as per schedule and it was to be replaced every three years. And my car had run just 11k kms in that two years.

Another part to be replaced was the disc rotors which I said is not required and can be done in the next service. The Ferodo brake pads have been used just 9k kms and that will be wasted too if the discs have to be replaced now and moreover apart from some squeaking noise when braking in low speeds, the braking is still good.

Timing belt is due for change only around 1.2 lak kms or 12 years.

The washer pipe that was rat bitten was not replaced since the part was not available. Instead, around 1 feet of the pipe was replaced with a new one and joined with connector pipes which was done neatly. There was no other complaint and probably this was one of the few times that I didn't add any oil additive after the service. Last year, Ceratec was added and I guess the effect of that should last some time.

The engine is nice and smooth now including the gear shifts and noticed reduced smoke as well probably because of the fresh oil and new air filter.

Good to go and as good as new.

[NaXal]

Hello,

Originally Posted by tharian

The Ferodo brake pads have been used just 9k kms and that will be wasted too if the discs have to be replaced now and moreover apart from some squeaking noise when braking in low speeds, the braking is still good.

I am sure you are already aware of this but still bringing your attention about the thickness or deep grove marks about the rotors.

Usually, manufacturer would specify a tolerance limit about the rotors, as how thin it can go. If it's below that, then not replacing is actually taking some risks.

Secondly, if there are grove marks but thickness is good enough for the rotor plate, cheaper alternative would be machining out the rotor plate surface back to normal smoothness. Costs 1/4th of a new rotor but can only be done 2 or 3 times at max for a typical disc rotor plates.

Thanks.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Hello,



I am sure you are already aware of this but still bringing your attention about the thickness or deep grove marks about the rotors.

Usually, manufacturer would specify a tolerance limit about the rotors, as how thin it can go. If it's below that, then not replacing is actually taking some risks.

Secondly, if there are grove marks but thickness is good enough for the rotor plate, cheaper alternative would be machining out the rotor plate surface back to normal smoothness. Costs 1/4th of a new rotor but can only be done 2 or 3 times at max for a typical disc rotor plates.

Thanks.

Thanks for that. I will keep an eye on the condition of the discs and braking effectiveness and will get the skimming done if that is possible. My use is less and I have almost reduced my spirited drives to nil were the brakes used to loose effect due to heating. Although I am aware, that is not a reason to not service the brakes.

[Blow Horn Ok]

The diesel filter sometimes is stuck to the housing and while applying some force, it breaks and eventually the entire housing needs to be replaced. This is an issue and even the experienced mechanics warn about it, before opening the filter. So I think the service centre folks would have been fair.

Meanwhile, my car touched 90000 kms few days ago. It was lying idle since six months in my own garage/body shop. It met with an accident and required extensive amount of body work and painting. Also, i decided to address the mechanical bits first and got the following things changed:

1. Clutch, Release bearing
2. Gear box oil
3. Rear brake shoes
4. Left and right arm assemblies
5. Sway bar rubber bushes
6. General service
Cleaning of egr and intercooler were also done. Also there was noise from the steering rack over bad roads and the service centre folks had advised to change the rack. My mechanic said, since the it's a motor driven rack, it can be tightened to reduce the noise and this would lend around 20k kms of life. This was done and the noise went completely. All parts were ordered from boodmo. The clutch and release bearing were of LUK and came as combo.

After all this work, the car rode as if it had got into boost mode. All things were smooth except the alignment which went horribly wrong. I tried several shops but never got it in place. Some said it would require steering calibration. Also got it done manually using a line string but when the alignment goes right, the steering goes off center. Need to figure out this issue soon.

After this, denting of panels were done. Then we hit a roadblock. The ruby red colour of the aspire uses a special concentrate/tinter for the clear coat and it was not available in the market. All the service centres and dealerships were out of stock for the concentrate. After few months got hold of one but had to let it go for cost factors. 333 gms of tinter would cost me 6k ₹ and out of that only 50-60 gms would have been used. Colours with tinted clear are real pain to match, as the colour and pearl tends to differ on the ratio of the tinter which goes into the clear, the thinning done and the number of coats that are applied.

After much deliberation and several failed attempts the paint was made using locally available tinters. The finish is somewhat different from original but I had enough of it and wanted the car back on the road.

I made a promise to myself never ever I would go or suggest someone a complicated colour like this. The polishing of the painted panels is due and would be done in few days.

This idle time was also used to do sound damping on the doors and upgrading the speakers to basic morel components at front and coaxials at the rear. One thing I noticed is that the support beams inside the doors are very jagged and sharp and I had several cuts and bruises on my hands during the damping exercise.

The heaviness and thud of the doors now feel like a German car and sound stage has reached to a next level for me.

Plan to change the diesel filter and timing belt soon.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by Blow Horn Ok

The diesel filter sometimes is stuck to the housing and while applying some force, it breaks and eventually the entire housing needs to be replaced. This is an issue and even the experienced mechanics warn about it, before opening the filter. So I think the service centre folks would have been fair.

Yes, they did warn me about it. But the filter was not due for replacement as per the kms interval.

Good to know about the paint. I will keep that in mind to avoid any incidents as much as I can.

[NaXal]

Hello,

Originally Posted by Blow Horn Ok

2. Gear box oil

Which gear oil did you use?

Clutch, Release bearing

For the clutch job, did you need replace any gasket or oil seals?

Thanks.

[Blow Horn Ok]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Hello,



Which gear oil did you use?


For the clutch job, did you need replace any gasket or oil seals?


Thanks.

It was sourced from service centre. Castrol 70w but with Ford sticker .Came in 1 liter pack, we used two of them.

Both axle oil seals were replaced as a precautionary measure.