[Samurai]

Today morning I was at a temple for a puja. Being morning hour and all, they had no other customers except us. Few temple admin staff were seated right opposite where I had parked the Grand Vitara, the only car in the lot. So, they were obviously taking a long look at the vehicle in the 90 minutes it was parked there.

As I came out of the temple, one of them suddenly asked...

He: How much was the cost?
Me: Huh, for what? [bit annoyed that he might be asking the cost of the puja, not really his business]
He: I mean the car, how much is it on road?
Me: Oh... the car. You think it is new?
He: Huh, it isn't?
Me: No, it is 8 years old and has run over 1 lakh kms.
He & others: but.. but.. it looks new.
Me:

Couple pics from yesterday at my office campus.

[sudev]

LOL...that is one awesome looking car.

[Vid6639]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Me: No, it is 8 years old and has run over 1 lakh kms.
He & others: but.. but.. it looks new.
Me:

Couple pics from yesterday at my office campus.

Looks good. How is it holding up?

The detailing has done a world of good to that car. Much much needed.

[joshiviv]

I recently acquired a BAFX OBDII reader from the US. Hooked it up with Torque App. The app talks with the reader however it seems that it is not getting any values from the ECU. Anyone have success with the cheap OBDII-bluetooth readers on the market with their GV? When I was researching this, just floored by the amount of data that can be at our fingertips via this approach.
-Vivek

[sudev]

GV does not use standard compliant port. For that matter none of Suzuki use standard port.

[sridhar-v]

I used one cheap scanner, on my Grand Vitara, and it turned out blank.

While the physical wiring is compliant to ISO9141/SAEJ1962, the actual signalling protocols are totally non-standard. And Suzuki charges to reveal this. So cheaper scanners will be blank.

EasyDiag claims to support all Indian cars. a4anurag is using one on his Swift:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...-software.html

If you are inclined you can try out this one. Available from their online store
www.cnlaunch.com

[joshiviv]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

I used one cheap scanner, on my Grand Vitara, and it turned out blank.

While the physical wiring is compliant to ISO9141/SAEJ1962, the actual signalling protocols are totally non-standard. And Suzuki charges to reveal this. So cheaper scanners will be blank.

EasyDiag claims to support all Indian cars. a4anurag is using one on his Swift:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...-software.html

If you are inclined you can try out this one. Available from their online store
www.cnlaunch.com

Thanks, That thread gives me hope esp since Vitara seems to be one of the models covered. I think even with the cheap ones you can enter some strings (PIDs) in Torque Pro to get the readings from the car. Went through the torque forums but didn't find the right answers.

[sridhar-v]

For various reasons my usage of the Grand Vitara has dropped and will remain low till the monsoons. I had changed the battery recently, but I am planning to get a battery charger to be on the safe side.

The service manual says that for jump starting cable from positive of external battery should be connected to +ve of battery. Cable from negative of external battery has to be connected to the exhaust manifold or some other earth on the body.

Upto now in all instances of jumpstart I have seen direct battery to battery connections. Why is the manual calling for negative to be connected differently? Will the same requirement apply for battery charging?

[joshiviv]

Direct battery to battery connections can lead to some sparking. The best practice is to connect +ves first, and see if chassis grounding works for you.

Regarding battery charger, try getting a trickle charger if you have an electrical outlet close to where you park. With trickle charging the amount of current you send is too low to cause any sparking. You can also try using a solar battery charger if you get some sunlight. This one you can actually keep connected all the time, so wont have to disconnect when you drive. In fact I was looking at some on Amazon.com but realized that they won't work too well in the basement where I park.

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

......The service manual says that for jump starting cable from positive of external battery should be connected to +ve of battery. Cable from negative of external battery has to be connected to the exhaust manifold or some other earth on the body.
Upto now in all instances of jumpstart I have seen direct battery to battery connections. Why is the manual calling for negative to be connected differently? Will the same requirement apply for battery charging?

[Samurai]

Until 40,000Kms of usage, the MRF Wanderer tyres were looking as if they have done only 10K or so. But the wear has suddenly increased, like a 40 year man suddenly hurtling towards baldness. I am shocked at how much wear has happened in the last 2-3K kms. I was planning to wait until the tyres turn 50K, but I don't see a point in waiting.

I am planning to change the tyres by next month.

I was thinking about Michelin Latitude Cross, but the reviews left me disappointed. Users are claiming only 22K kms life and the tendency to get punctured a lot. I don't need either of the pains. The Michelin LTX AT2 lasted me well for 40K kms last time, should I repeat it?

I need at least 40K+ life with high resistance to punctures, good ride, good handling, and less noise. What are my choices these days? The size I need is 235/70R16.

[condor]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I was thinking about Michelin Latitude Cross, but the reviews left me disappointed. Users are claiming only 22K kms life and the tendency to get punctured a lot.

My Latitude Cross are going good @3 yrs / 50k with 5 tyre rotation. Quite some life left. I did have 2-3 punctures, but that has been routine.

But Latitude Cross may not be available currently.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I need at least 40K+ life with high resistance to punctures, good ride, good handling, and less noise. What are my choices these days? The size I need is 235/70R16.

Check MRF wanderer is available for the size, i am quite impressed with them after using a friends duster 4x4.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Check MRF wanderer is available for the size, i am quite impressed with them after using a friends duster 4x4.

Dude, I am on MRF Wanderer since 2012. Looking for some change now.

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Dude, I am on MRF Wanderer since 2012. Looking for some change now.

Have a look at the Geolander A/T-S. I had briefly driven thewhiteknight's Grand Vitara during our first off road and I could immediately make out its superior grip vis a vis my G92S. It seemed much quieter also.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Dude, I am on MRF Wanderer since 2012. Looking for some change now.

Those are good VFM tyres for indian conditions why change, i didn't realise you being on it earlier. None of the new tyres last 50-60 k kms since most of them have turned to softer compounds.