Re: Tata Zest : Official Review Okay GM and Ladies, a 7777 km update on my Revotron Engined Zest. To start off, I'm not super happy with the vehicle. It maybe because of my usage patterns and that I've spoilt myself rotten with the Nano.
I use the Zest only for long drives, so mostly it remains hidden under a dust cover. As mentioned earlier in this thread, I had once an issue with the drive axle area which TASC promptly took care of, to my delight.
The other persistent issue that I've had with the vehicle was of the engine stalling.
- In the first two months of ownership, in cold start conditions, my vehicle used to stall in the process of changing gears. This was a problem which was reported by multiple Zest owners and was subsequently claimed to be solved by an ECU update on my vehicle.
- Immediately after this update, In February'15, after the next morning start, I drove in city for 5kms in light traffic and it stalled again during a gear change. I started it and in 25mtrs, it stalled again. I parked it to the side, and observed that idling was hunting by almost 50-60RPM. The hunting was audible. This continued for a minute and then idling came to normal ; Conditions at that time:- Coolant gauge-3 bars, AC+ DRL + Music system ON, Blower 3, Outside temp approx. 28 degs(did not check cluster), Fuel level 1 red bar (130kms to refill), No error lamps. I did not stop the engine, filled petrol (30ltrs/2000rs) and continued.
- Then at destination, left car parked at 8am and took car out at 1pmDrove in very slow traffic for 10 kms, then on the highway for 2kms. Engine stalled during gear change after which I started again.In 20 mtrs, it stalled again. I started and continued. While waiting for the traffic signal,I noticed that the same hunting during idle was there. This came to normal after some time Conditions ; Coolant gauge-3 bars, AC+ DRL + Music system ON, Blower 5, Outside temp 35 degs(checked cluster), Fuel level full (430 kms to refill), No error lamps.
After above two incidents, I had called TASC, who came and took the vehicle in the morning and returned it in the evening. They did not say, what they have fixed, but it must have been re-flashing.
After this I have taken the car out three times
1. I had driven to Goa and back in mid-April. I had covered around 1400 kms with highways 95% and city driving 5% and not even one problem. Very hot ambient temperatures in Goa
2. Once in end-May for Zest drive bengaluru(city traffic,ECO mode,very hot day- 20kms) : Engine hunting observed in idling just before reaching back home, no shutoff
3. Yesterday : Car running ok for almost an hour. During overtaking in 4th gear (smooth overtaking), I felt a loss of accpedal response, but regained it, after downshifting to 3rd and pressing accpedal again. Continued driving where I encountered city traffic for 4-5 kms. Idling engine hunting was observed, which makes me aware that the engine will stall in another 1-2 minutes, only during a gear change. Surely enough, the engine stalled during gear change, after which I started again and in 20 mtrs it stalled again. Conditions ; City mode, Coolant temp - 3 bars, AC+DRL+Music System on, Outside temp 39 degs(checked cluster), Fuel level 2 bars, No error lamps
Other details that I noticed,
Reduced AC cooling with ECO driving mode : I was literally sweating because the ac was not cooling enough. I checked and made sure that the AC was not set to economy mode. Just to experiment, I used the city mode for the engine and the AC cooling was back to normal. Not sure if this is a feature.
Drivability in city w.r.t the Nano : In the city, I prefer driving the Nano, because of its point and squirt capabilities. The Zest doesn't feel sprightly enough in the traffic crawl.
Wiper hitting the A pillar in fastest setting : This I noticed during the drive to Goa. During a particularly heavy rain, I had to set the wipers to the highest speed. I noticed that while travelling at 40-50 kmph, one of the wiper blades were hitting the A-pillar! I had read in some other forum about a Zest owner who had a scratched windshield due to his wiper breaking off, so I was worried.
I have called the Helpline with the stalling issue today, after which the Concorde service people had called me. They will take the vehicle tomorrow and check it. I will update you guys on the results
Last edited by nijelj : 8th June 2015 at 16:58.
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