[dot]

Originally Posted by Guderian

So still puzzled. And scratching my head -

In that case, have a look at these two links.

How Does the MPG Calculator Work? - Scionlife.com

How accurate is the digital MPG tracker? - Ford Mustang Forums

Seems that it is not unusual for the MID to overestimate or underestimate the T2T method.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by dot

In that case, have a look at these two links.

How Does the MPG Calculator Work? - Scionlife.com

How accurate is the digital MPG tracker? - Ford Mustang Forums

Seems that it is not unusual for the MID to overestimate or underestimate the T2T method.

Ha ha ! Appears the folks there are also equally puzzled. And good to note that.

But the trends there also point that the MID gives a better FE reading and in the T2T method the FE reading is lower.
Now that was indeed Admiral's MID trend as well - showing a 2.7-4.5 % FE higher than the T2T method.
But I was not prepared for today's reading which showed the MID to be lower than the T2T method. The T2T figures were better by almost 1%.

[mdsaab]

Ok so Chicca too does not have the fuel efficiency calculator.
So my knowledge of these things is limited to only what i have read or heard.
From what i have heard is that these things are never accurate.
usually they readout 5% better fuel efficiency than what you are getting.
and even this 5% is not consistent, it keeps fluctuating day by day and everytime you fill up too.
My guess is that it's the current weather that has affected this times readout too.
Don't ask me how, cause i have no clue. This is just what i feel might be the cause.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Ok so Chicca too does not have the fuel efficiency calculator.
Don't ask me how, cause i have no clue. This is just what i feel might be the cause.

Hi mdsaab,
I guess you are right. About certain unexplained mysteries of life.
The Black Swan Theory applies here as well I guess !
And these readings and information/s do at times become a terrible distraction and take away the simple, pure, unadulterated joy of driving. After some stage I guess one should ignore such irritants of modern age.

[dot]

Originally Posted by Guderian

And these readings and information/s do at times become a terrible distraction and take away the simple, pure, unadulterated joy of driving. After some stage I guess one should ignore such irritants of modern age.

Could not agree with you more on this front. My little experience on such devices on friend's cars have left me a non-believer on this technology, because of the distraction aspect. Thats why you will see my personal tirade on FE indicators, elsewhere on this forum.

[Guderian]

And Then... June 25, 2011.

Did a few things on the Admiral this evening.

Filled up the windshield washer water - Tap water + 5 drops of "Oneder Drop". (So after putting in 5 drops does the name change to "Oneder Drops"? This Q has always bothered me at night before dropping off to sleep !)


Checked the oil levels:


Checked the coolant level:


Hey c'mon ! What's happening round these parts ? Today isn't Sunday right ? And so what is this all about ? Shhh...

And then loaded a few things.

A folding shovel:





What's this blurred thing ?




An US Army IFAK. Individual First Aid Kit from the Vietnam era. Complete with Molle clips

Which of course now serves me as a first aid case along with the kit from Toyota:




And what is this ?



Now that again is an US Army kit item. An M16 Rifle Cleaning Nylon Kit with the standard Molle clip.

Now serves me to pack a few small knick knacks:


Couple of rolls of duct/duck tapes:


Couple of torches checked (though it's always with the Admiral):


Most of the items securely put away in this:


Wha.....?!! That's right - that's an US Army 30 Cal (0.30 inch) ammo box. Ammo could have been for the M1/2/3 type carbines or the M60 machine guns - all use the 7.62 MM (or 30 cal) rounds.

Serves now as an ultra tough weather proof tool box for odds and ends, all in one place:


If you notice the top has a rubber beading which makes it totally water proof. And this I guesstimate is a 30 year old piece - but the rubber is still good as new.



Fine, fine - but what is really happening ?

Not sure - but may miss tomorrow morning's, what is now called, SMTR (Sunday Morning TLC Routine).

Why ? Not sure. One of those feelings I guess.

But one can watch this space for more...

[nilanjanray]

Ahoy! Long time no hear - what's up? Shore duty?

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Ahoy! Long time no hear - what's up? Shore duty?

Aye - something like that Guv'nor !
Afterall how exciting can city runs get ?

[nilanjanray]

My gears seem a wee bit stiff. Maybe my imagination, but for the first time, I managed to gnash the gears while shifting to 3rd. Maybe I shifted in some wrong angle or with wrong timing. Funnily, in the next few minutes, I was very conscious about shifting (and worried about the gearbox), and the more conscious I became, the more 'unslick' the shifting became. Then, I took a deep breath, thought about something else, and it was back to normal - effortless shifting without thinking. Must have been a one-off thing. No, it wasn't due to clutch error.

Ever had such an experience with your Fortuner?

[theexperthand]

Wow, that is some nice stuff for the Admiral. I have been trying in vein to source one of those ammo boxes to use as a tool kit, but no success till now.

I was rummaging the reliance auto store while LOH was happily spending time elsewhere in the same Reliance mart (Smart these chaps are - they converted one part of the Reliance mall to reliance auto store so that we poor guys can spend some productive time wile our LOH enjoys uninterrupted shopping bliss) and suddenly something caught my eye - Simoniz Alloy cleaner cum break dust repellent. Clicked few snaps before the sales chap started eyeing me suspiciously - here they are:




OT: While I was browsing the shelves, picked up a pair of Hella horns for Jai - will update the thread with wip pictures of fixing them later.

[mdsaab]

Now that is some nice gear, and a very handy set of loot that most of us should keep inside our vehicles. ok, not having a 4X4 i might do without the shovel. but the rest certainly must haves, to be kept in the boot.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Guderian

And Then... June 25, 2011.
Did a few things on the Admiral this evening.
Filled up the windshield washer water - Tap water

Avoid using tap water for windshield washer water as some level of hardness is present which eventually will calcify in the system (some years down the line). RO Drinking water is a nice substitute for that (I use my home installed Kent RO's water for this purpose; hardness level is about 40ppm in treated water, whereas our untreated water here in Meerut is pretty bad with 6-700ppm). I'm kind of particular about water being used by me and my machinery, being a pharma man. If RO water is unavailable, use distilled water. Anything below 100ppm will suffice (Distilled water is about 6-7ppm, RO is 40-70ppm)

[F150]

General,
When are you going to give us a audition of all the items in the kit? And explain each of the items intended use. The look of the box is macho. Where did you source the US military stuff from?

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

1. My gears seem a wee bit stiff.

2. Ever had such an experience with your Fortuner?

Hi Nils,
1. Ooops !
2. No, I have not had this issue yet. What did happen once was that I managed to grind the gears for a second while changing from 2 to 3 and realised it was because the hand moved faster than the foot on the clutch and I changed gears at half clutch. I immediately shoved the gear into neutral though. But it was embarassing to hear.
3. I have had this sticky gear issue in the Scorp often especially when some of the clutch components used to be changed.

Next time this happens -try and double clutch and then change gears. Would help.

Originally Posted by theexperthand

Simoniz Alloy cleaner cum break dust repellent. Clicked few snaps before the sales chap started eyeing me suspiciously - here they are:
OT: While I was browsing the shelves, picked up a pair of Hella horns for Jai - will update the thread with wip pictures of fixing them later.

Hi teh,
Many thanks for the lead. Will try and source this. Though the Reliance near my place started off with a bang - had a largish Auto wing - currently it stocks Pedigree dog food under the section ! And no auto products to be seen.

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Now that is some nice gear, and a very handy set of loot that most of us should keep inside our vehicles. ok, not having a 4X4 i might do without the shovel. but the rest certainly must haves, to be kept in the boot.

Hi mdsaab,
Thanks. Lots of near Indian substitutes are available in the auto shops in Mumbai.

Originally Posted by dkaile

Avoid using tap water for windshield washer water as some level of hardness is present which eventually will calcify in the system (some years down the line). RO Drinking water is a nice substitute for that (I use my home installed Kent RO's water for this purpose; hardness level is about 40ppm in treated water, whereas our untreated water here in Meerut is pretty bad with 6-700ppm). I'm kind of particular about water being used by me and my machinery, being a pharma man. If RO water is unavailable, use distilled water. Anything below 100ppm will suffice (Distilled water is about 6-7ppm, RO is 40-70ppm)

Hi dkaile,
Many thanks for the tip off. Shall keep that in mind. Any chemicals that can be used once in a way to descale the tubes and lines gently ?

Originally Posted by F150

General,
When are you going to give us a audition of all the items in the kit? And explain each of the items intended use. The look of the box is macho. Where did you source the US military stuff from?

The US Army items were all picked up over a period of time from my US visits from the multitude of military surplus stores in California. Particularly one shop called Mountain View Military Surplus Store. Where during one visit and multiple weekend chukkers picking up pieces upon pieces, the Store Manager asked me " Hey buds, what's up ? You have enough hardware there to start WW III !" That was when I had 3 K-Bar Marine Corps knives, couple of other vicious stuff etc in the cart.
He was himself an ex marine from the 'Nam days and we spent a lot of time chatting up.
On many a Saturday I was the only cutomer for hours in that musty smelling, full of desirable items, junk shop !
Well, I just keep collecting them - junk.

[Guderian]

A Quick Dash - 1. June 26, 2011.

...And so a drenched Sunday early morning (real early !) saw me and Admiral awaiting someone while braving the elements.





And soon enough arrives 'Free Spirit' - an older cousin of Admiral Togo.



Yes, Rahultomahawk's Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, 1990.
We had linked up a few days ago and decided to do a short run and a bit of mild off roading to Tungareshwar jungle.

Soon enough we were on the soggy roads rushing out of Thane:



A short pit stop at Hotel Fountain for a quick bite:



Free Spirit was attracting a lot of eyeballs. Admiral was also attracting some but far fewer and he was pretty annoyed ! But let me tell you Tomahawk's machine is something.

And soon we had left the roads behind:




Soon we were at the Tungareshwar temple. But the were not able to go further up the trail as there we three trenches dug up to prevent the water from washing away the mud road and create a deep channel for the water to drain away.


It was pouring throughout.
Decided to examine the interiors of FS.




Rtomahawk himself !


A study of the cousins:









And then the return run:




And suddenly...

(To be continued.....!)