[Maverick1977]

Have been living with the Elite i20 since the last 3 months now and I must admit that I am in love with the car. I can actually go on and on with the praises for the car but that I guess has already been done. However...
There is 1 issue which has been bothering me since the last month. I have started noticing that whilst reversing the car from the parking spot there is a distinct noise coming from the left rear. The noise is definitely coming due to a jammed break. The noise comes only if I start the car after 2 -3 days, on a daily basis this doesn't happen.
However a jammed break isn't a good thing since it leads to a drop in the mileage also.

Has any one faced this issue with their Elite i20? What is the probable solution for this? Am planning to take the car to the HASS but any one's prior experience/expertise will be appreciated.

[RSR]

Originally Posted by Maverick1977

There is 1 issue which has been bothering me since the last month. I have started noticing that whilst reversing the car from the parking spot there is a distinct noise coming from the left rear. The noise is definitely coming due to a jammed break. The noise comes only if I start the car after 2 -3 days, on a daily basis this doesn't happen.
However a jammed break isn't a good thing since it leads to a drop in the mileage also.

I don't have an Elite i20 and I haven't faced this issue, but it does sound like a partly stuck parking brake that's causing the issue. When you park the car for long periods, do you fully engage the hand brake? It looks like it is either not getting disengaged completely when you release the parking brake lever, or some small foreign object has got stuck there.

Do you feel a slight initial resistance for the first few feet, either in 1st or reverse gear?

Yes, driving around with a partly jammed parking brake isn't good for the car. You can take the car to an authorised workshop. It shouldn't take too much time to diagnose the cause and fix this issue.

[Maverick1977]

Hi RSR, initially even I had a doubt that the parking break is a culprit. However I have done some R&D and can confidently conclude that the noise is indeed coming from the front left wheel. The resistance that you have described is absolutely correct & I do feel the same whilst engaging reverse.
Also there is a typical grinding noise for the 1st few meters, after which everything becomes normal. I am suspecting that water could be making the problem worst since the same is happening frequently thanks to the incessant rains lashing Mumbai in the last few days!

[Bubby]

Originally Posted by Maverick1977

I am suspecting that water could be making the problem worst since the same is happening frequently thanks to the incessant rains lashing Mumbai in the last few days!

I have faced similar issues in the past, in different cars. Nothing to worry and you are spot on, driving over the still waters on road does result in formation of foreign particles on the brake disc. Disc and Pad cleaning is all you need, probably a DIY.

[toiingg]

No need of any cleaning of the disc or pads. Just dabbing the break for the first time takes care of the fine layer of rust that is formed due to the moisture.

[anoop_gkris]

Mine is the 1.2l petrol Asta. I feel a drop in power with the AC on. Starting from traffic stops is a problem with the AC. I almost floor the accelerator with little success. Also, anybody else feels that the clutch is tighter?

[Dinesh_Malhotra]

Guys, see this:

Finally, the elite i20 2015 gets crash tested at Euro NCAP and it fares superbly.

Watch video here: "Euro NCAP Crash Test of Hyundai i20 2015" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/MBUPwFdKOQ0

[erohit]

This is European version and not the Indian version. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Dinesh_Malhotra]

Originally Posted by erohit

This is European version and not the Indian version. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Yes, it is. Apart from the non availability of side airbags, Indian version is quite similar. Also, the whole episode of having different quality of body shell for Indian market is still a debatable issue. Till such doubts are cleared, this video will help us feel a bit safer...

[vishnurajanme]

Originally Posted by Dinesh_Malhotra

Yes, it is. Apart from the non availability of side airbags, Indian version is quite similar. Also, the whole episode of having different quality of body shell for Indian market is still a debatable issue. Till such doubts are cleared, this video will help us feel a bit safer...

OMG!

Hyundai i20 lost a STAR???
Original i20 had a 5 star rating (Both 2009 and 2015 Eurospec varients has got the same amount of airbags)


Also, Indian i20s does not have curtain airbags. That means, it will lose 1-2 stars (Mostly 2) because of the side impact tests.

Come on Hyundai. Even the lower class swift (Which is considered the least safe car in india by newspapers ) has got a 5 star rating (Euro spec)

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/suzuki/swift/11026

[sunsetorange]

Are there any updates on the issue with sudden non functionality of brakes?

[Dinesh_Malhotra]

Originally Posted by sunsetorange

Are there any updates on the issue with sudden non functionality of brakes?

I had raised the issue with them for my car too. It was bit more severe than what was observed by other owners of the elite i20.

Hyundai dealership did bleeding of brakes after diagnosing it to some vacuum getting created in the brakes. I haven't been able to test the car extensively post that though...

During my short runs to places around my residence, the brakes are found to be working properly!

[RSR]

Originally Posted by vishnurajanme

OMG!

Hyundai i20 lost a STAR???
Original i20 had a 5 star rating (Both 2009 and 2015 Eurospec varients has got the same amount of airbags)

It's true that both the previous generation and current generation European spec i20s get 6 airbags as standard, and that the previous European i20 got 5* (2009 rating) and the current one gets 4* (2015 rating).

The key thing to be noted here is, Euro-NCAP ups the standard almost every year. Standards for the year 2014 were set quite high, and 2015 only raised the bar even higher:

ABOUT 2015 RATING

In 2015, a new full-width test is included and the total points for frontal impact protection are shared equally between this new test and the (unchanged) offset deformable impact. The side barrier test now uses a larger, heavier impactor and the side pole test is a tougher, oblique-angle impact. Both side impact tests make use of a new, more realistic dummy – WorldSID – to give a more accurate assessment of the protection provided in the tests.

There are no changes to Child Occupant Protection. The technical content of the Safety Assist section remains unchanged but the thresholds for three, four and five stars have all been raised. The pedestrian tests which used to assess the front edge of the bonnet now determine the protection offered to the upper part of the leg, at whatever location that corresponds to on the vehicle.

2015 assessments are significantly changed from previous years and star ratings should not be directly compared with earlier years.

So it's not that the new generation i20 is any less safe than the previous generation one (both Euro spec versions).

It's just that the Euro-NCAP test has got significantly tougher now, and the criteria for awarding stars has been made tougher.

I would say the new generation European i20 is as safe (probably a bit safer) than the previous generation one.

Of course, Euro-NCAP ratings are only applicable for the versions sold in Europe.

[RavenAvi]

Also, the 2015 Elite i20 tested on the Euro NCAP was the petrol variant (LINK), while the 2009 i20 was the diesel variant (LINK).

[sunsetorange]

Originally Posted by Dinesh_Malhotra

I had raised the issue with them for my car too.
During my short runs to places around my residence, the brakes are found to be working properly!

This is a really serious issue. I am looking to pick up a hatch for my wife. i20 is one of the top contenders, but the brake issues take away the peace of mind factor.

I'd rather live without a push button start than trust those brakes.