Team-BHP - Mahindra XUV500 : Test Drive & Review

Fellas got delivery of my XUV yesterday. Enjoying every moment of it. Surreal!
Sometimes while driving still feel like dreaming.
On the lowerside have to keep close watch on the RPM meter to stay within run-in limits 1500-2200 (I hope I am right).
Manual says 1000Km but want to know experienced user opinion.
Till how many miles should I keep it in run-in rpm band?
There is a vague "KAT" sound i have heard a couple of time coming from either braking or suspension system. This comes on some jerks only.
Should I drive it for a couple more days or should report to service centre?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheIndian (Post 3383057)

How do you guys get FE's in such range? I've done several long drives but the FE on MID never went beyond 13.5 - 14 kmpl and FE on full tank basis never touched even 13 kmpl :mad::confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 3383321)

There are multiple factors

1. PSI in tyres
2. Load in the car
3. Accelaration style
4. Braking style
5. Usage of cruise control
6. A/C usage

Unless you manage to hit a sweet spot with respect to all these, you may NOT manage the BEST FE.

Edit:: If you manage to decelarate smoothly without applying brakes much, that itself will give you a good gain with respect to FE. I have noticed this myself; with heavy acceleration or braking, you fuel needle comes down really quick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by manasmadaan (Post 3383694)

I used cruise control mostly with speed between 90 - 100 km/hr.
The use of brakes and clutch was to the minimum.
And these FE values are based on MID, not tank to tank so actual FE might be a bit less.

Frankly, I'm aware about how to extract higher FE using what kind of driving style - light footed drive, no abrupt braking/ acceleration, speed range in between 80 - 100 kmph etc etc. In our earlier Petrol Linea, whenever I was in mood to get very good FE figures, I used to drive like that and used to get FE of 18 kmph versus a usual 13-14 on highway. But whatever I use, XUV FE just does not budge.

I think Munnubhai also gets the same FE as mine.

I was thinking that may be Cruise Control (@ speed of about 120 - 140 kmph:D )was the reason as I use it in all my highway drives but not much (about 20% of the total distance - basis the opportunities available). But manasmadan's reply discarded that theory also to an extent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda Monk (Post 3383897)

Congratulations !!! For initial RPM levels, have a look at the thread - How to Run-In your new car

Thanks saurabh!
It's only 5th day and only 250 Kms, so far I have been going light on engine with constant eye on rpm. It is in range of 1500 to 2500 I am maintaing, I hope I am not putting stress on engine at 1500.
Also since I shifted from honda city to xuv directly so getting used to the diesel engine of this size.
There has been 5-6 times I didn't press throttle enough during pick-up so it lugged for a flash second only couple of times. I pray that did NO HARM to the engine.

First service by mahindra for xuv is at 5000.
I might be going over board but wanted to know
What if I get oil change at 1000Km or it's good enough at 5000Km?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaureanBull (Post 3386544)

Hi folks,

I have some queries on the GPS in W8. Any replies would be welcome.

Can anyone confirm if the MMI GPS in W8 stores the location of Mahindra dealers/ service centres? :)

What is the latest MMI version presently loaded on the GPS?

Will the dealer update before delivery or would need to do it on my own by downloading from internet?

Ver 8 of MMI maps are available at dealerships

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda Monk (Post 3385879)

First oil change is good enough at 5000 Kms

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda Monk (Post 3383897)

On the lowerside have to keep close watch on the RPM meter to stay within run-in limits 1500-2200 (I hope I am right).
Manual says 1000Km but want to know experienced user opinion.
Till how many miles should I keep it in run-in rpm band?
There is a vague "KAT" sound i have heard a couple of time coming from either braking or suspension system. This comes on some jerks only.
Should I drive it for a couple more days or should report to service centre?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda Monk (Post 3385879)

There has been 5-6 times I didn't press throttle enough during pick-up so it lugged for a flash second only couple of times. I pray that did NO HARM to the engine.

First service by mahindra for xuv is at 5000.
I might be going over board but wanted to know
What if I get oil change at 1000Km or it's good enough at 5000Km?

Thanks!

If you stay within 2000 RPM (approx) for the first 1000 KM, your running-in should be fine. But you must drive your car at different speeds (and gears), staying below 2000 RPM, for a good running-in. For example, you should rev your XUV to 2000 RPM even in lower gears.
The XUV engine is a hardy one and you don't need to worry too much about lugging it once in a while in higher gears at lower RPMs. Also, turbocharged diesel engines have a slight 'turbo lag' which first time users need to get used to. Anyway, the XUV engine has very little turbo lag.
The vague 'kat' sound that you heard could be from the suspension, body (including doors or rear hatch) or something loose in the car. Unless the sound is alarmingly loud, don't worry too much about it. Keep observing occurrences of this sound carefully as you drive and see if the sound is increasing, staying the same or reducing. You can get it checked out during the first service.
The XUV uses a synthetic oil which has a life of 20,000 KM. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation and do the first oil change at 5,000 KM. There is N O T H I N G to be gained by changing oil at intervals more frequent than recommended by the manufacturer. My detailed thoughts on this issue are at http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offici...ml#post3051637

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaureanBull (Post 3386544)

Can anyone confirm if the MMI GPS in W8 stores the location of Mahindra dealers/ service centres?

Yes. Mahindra dealerships'/workshops' and Club Mahindra's locations are stored in PoI.

Mahindra XUV500 : Test Drive & Review-mmipoi.jpg

Quote:

What is the latest MMI version presently loaded on the GPS?

Version 8.0. Although I have verson 8.1 in my stand-alone MMI navigator, Mahindra dealership India Garage confirmed that they don't have it as of now.

Quote:

Will the dealer update before delivery or would need to do it on my own by downloading from internet?

The dealer will do it. Similarly, all the upgrades during the warranty period will also be done by the dealership free of charge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda Monk (Post 3385879)

Don't worry about this, Diesel engines are very sturdy. m-hawk Engine in this state of tune has good amount of pep low down, 1200-1500 rpm is my preferred range in crawling traffic. Unless you regularly try to accelerate at speeds lower than idle you wont damage the engine. Even when the engine speeds go below idle speed at load, the anti stall system takes over, tries to prevent the engine from stalling and maybe damage to the engine is lowered too(just my guess).

Got the delivery of my Black Beast (W6) on Friday and am falling in love with the vehicle every time i have been behind the wheel in the last 2 days. Be it the comprehensive feature list, the powerful torquey engine, the commanding driving position or the respect you get on the road :), am just awestruck. One of the best machines i have driven so far. Took her out for a spin on the new 6 lane elevated airport road and just loved the balance and control she has to offer, not to forget the awesome in-gear acceleration. Will be writing a detailed buying experience review soon.

Only one issue i have faced so far is the driver side door open alarm going off even when the door is closed. I reckoned the door switch sensor which activates the alarm may not be getting pressed properly when the door is closed, used a couple of layers of double sided tape on the part of the door which makes contact with the switch and its fine now. Will get it checked by the service center soon, not a major concern, but it still reminded me of the fact that i bought a car from an Indian Manufacture.