[r24x7]

Originally Posted by r24x7

On a recent highway drive....

So, the car is back home. Weirdly the warranty was approved for Engine Mount itself , but not the supporting parts such as bracket, nuts ,bolts. Weird because its the engine mount that is a wear and tear part , not the other supporting parts.

[COMMUTER]

I have a Figo 1.5 TDCi. I have been thinking of doing the maintenance at an FNG. I buy the oil and filter and go to them for labor alone.

I want to know the interval for changing diesel filter in the TDCi. Please do tell me if I should be changing anything else at regular Intervals.

[NaXal]

Hello,

Originally Posted by COMMUTER

I want to know the interval for changing diesel filter in the TDCi.

30k kms or 3 years as per Ford but if you are unsure about the quality of your diesel fill ups, I guess you should consider shorter interval.

Please do tell me if I should be changing anything else at regular Intervals.

As per Ford 1.5 TDCi service schedule, Brake oil (which acts as your hydraulic clutch fluid too) is to be drained and replaced every 20k kms or 2 years.

You can get an idea about the required work from Ford Service Promise Website -> https://www.fordservicepricepromise.com/

Thanks.

[SeshSrini]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Hello,

Last month my 2017 Aspire TDCi turned 5 years old and I went out for a 10 days long drive to the mountains.

Kolkata to Dooars and Darjeeling.

I have done the major Kolkata to Dooars and Dooars to Kolkata stretch on single day. Meaning close to 700 kms each on first and last day of the trip

Congrats for sharing your driving experience. I too had a Ford Aspire Diesel and regret having sold it having hit just 26K in ODO. I switched to 5th Gen City, petrol and miss Aspire badly. I would highly recommend to continue driving this beast from Ford. You will hardly find any cars in market today that matches torque or the driving experience of Aspire. Honestly I have started to look out for a 2nd hand diesel car to own one. None are available ina good condition. Sad Ford left us early. Keep sharing your experience

[asbshyam]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Turbo, Turbo and Turbo. Climbing is such effortless compared to the 1.2 NA patrols of the same class. Even with the A/C on, overflowing luggage in the boot, there were not a single instance where the engine felt doubtful.

Very true, it is a pain to lug around the 1.2 NA 4 Cyl Petrol Aspire in the hills. The pull is just not there with a heavily loaded car. Smell of burnt clutch was a very common occurrence whenever we climbed steep sections..

[r24x7]

Originally Posted by COMMUTER

I have a Figo 1.5 TDCi. I have been thinking of doing the maintenance at an FNG. I buy the oil and filter and go to them for labor alone.

I want to know the interval for changing diesel filter in the TDCi. Please do tell me if I should be changing anything else at regular Intervals.

Just a question out of curiosity. Why did you want to go to an FNG?

From my experience going to FASS , the price is at par with FNGs. Around ~5k for a usual service seemed okay. Also I do believe that having more patrons at the FASS will keep them in business for longer time and we do not want to have more and more Ford service centers disappear by the day.

I also bought EW upto 6th year from them and very recently had few things addressed under warranty from them.

All this explanation is out of question if you dont have any Ford service center nearby though.

Thanks!

[COMMUTER]

Originally Posted by r24x7

Just a question out of curiosity. Why did you want to go to an FNG?
..
All this explanation is out of question if you dont have any Ford service center nearby though.

Thanks!

I have had a bad experience where my AC condenser was swapped out with another drill damaged one and my oil was topped over with 1L of oil at the Ford ASC.

I had posted about them here.

Link - 1 (Ford Figo: 1.5L TDCi engine gone kaput in merely 52000 km)

Link - 2 (Ford Figo : Official Review)

[sarmarishi]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Purchase Date :- April 2017
Total Oddo :- 38k (Approx.)
Last Service :- 5/6k kms earlier
A/C & Air Filter Age :- Almost 16/17 months.

Turbo, Turbo and Turbo. Climbing is such effortless compared to the 1.2 NA patrols of the same class. Even with the A/C on, overflowing luggage in the boot, there were not a single instance where the engine felt doubtful.

New Learning 1 :- Nitrogen in tyre works


Thanks.

I have found ford service to be cheapest. Cost me 3800 for the 50k service. Even Maruti is more expensive. They also did the gearbox recall work at this service.

I drive the Aspire 1.5 petrol with the DCT transmission and no other car in that price range when bought even came close to it in terms of performance. A drive in the hills like from guwahati to shillong and back delivers 16 FE with 4 adults and 1 infant. Guwahati city traffic is between 10-12 FE.

Have Nitrogen in the innova but not in the aspire. Please elaborate on what you meant by Nitrogen works. Thank you.

[NaXal]

Hello,

Originally Posted by sarmarishi

Please elaborate on what you meant by Nitrogen works.

There are two type of drivers. One who drives for necessity and one who enjoys it. Most of the forum members are in that second group.

No matter whether it is a heart over head "Aspire" or sensible "DZire", an enthusiastic driver will always enjoy the car according to it's merit.

One of the major factors of spoiling a driving enjoyment are the settings. Starting with the condition of the car and it's major components. According to the "amm junta", forum members are over-maintaining their cars. But we know, it's not only about running the engine, it's more about that feel of it. So we may change the Oil / Filters earlier, use expensive oil for their feel. Buying that expensive imported tyre and so on. Even the mundane stuff that many doesn't pay much attention too, we spend hours to find that perfect seating position or that ORVM adjustment point.

Tyre pressure is no different.

Sure, in shorter city drives, we are occupied with the traffic, trying to save the car from scratches and paying less attention towards this but out in open highways and 15/16 hours long drive, if the pressure isn't right, it screws up that perfect driving feel.

Aspire (and many others) have some wired Tyre Pressure recommendation.

1 Driver -> 32 psi
2 people some luggage -> 33
and so on till fully loaded meaning 35.

I always wondered, they should have given a tyre inflator along with the spare wheel. According to the manufacturer, if I am going to office alone, I should be driving at 32 and in case I decide to go partying with Office Folks, I am suppose to increase the pressure to 35? and reduce that back to 32 when coming home?

But in practice, car runs just fine with pressure being any where between 30-35. That's not the issue, rather the driving feel between 30 vs 35psi is. Ride quality is noticeably softer and comfortable with 30 where as the acceleration feels little dull. Increase that to 35, its now other way around.

It's somewhat true for most of the cars. Regular driver would immediately notice if his tyres are over or under inflated to his liking.

So what we do? We settle for something in between as per our liking. For me, in case of my Aspire, it's 33.

Problem with air pressure comes in these longer hot weather and hill climbing drives. Usually I would be tanking up a night before the departure or may be at early morning. Ambient temps are like 28c and my usual CoCo Pump is within a km of my home. Starting the drive, I am satisficed with my settings but many hours into the drive, out side temps are touching 44/45c. Road surface is super hot and I am driving aggressively. Result? Tyre pressure shooting up by 4/5psi easily. Messes up that perfect setting. Subtle but sufficient enough to cause constant mental irritation.

This difference is more evident when you push it up the hills. Tyre Pressure touches like 40psi and beyond.

There is a say between the old timers. If your tyre has no puncture and in good condition, pressure inside will increase. Very true as with Normal Air, every time I go for pressure checking, I would see the machines reducing the pressure by few psi

Why Nitrogen and Why not earlier?

Nitrogen isn't a new concept in India. But availability is. Earlier, in case of a puncture, unless you are in some big city, you would end up with 1 normal air and 3 on nitrogen. However, at present, those branded tyre shops are everywhere and most of them have nitrogen. In fact most of the CoCo Pumps are now offering FREE Nitrogen fill ups.

So availability concern is no longer a challenge.

However, there is still another factor which held me back from switching. This 5th gear video ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmnZ4-EUbIk

Contradictory to the claims of the companies pushing Nitrogen, this auto show testing shows Zero benefit, on top the pressure increased more with N2.

Then why did I switch?

Purely out of coincident. During my tyre fiasco (Ford Aspire : Official Review), that mechanic informed me about the N2 fill up after the work was completed. So I thought let's not waste & try it out for a while.

And? What is the result?

First thing I noticed within 7 days of city usage. When I went for pressure checking in a CoCo Pump offering N2, all 4 tyres are stable at 33psi. Gradually, I could see the lack of need to check the pressure since it's always staying stable at 33, no matter what time of the day or how warm the tyres are.

Neither it was the first time I drove the quoted route, nor Aspire was the only car in which I did this route. But it was the first time with Nitrogen.

If you are like me, able to notice the subtle differences and irritated by the settings change of your liking, then the lack of difference is night and day compared to Normal Air.

Tyre Pressure stayed same through out, that perfect driving feel was maintained even at higher altitude hilly terrain. Never felt the need to recheck the pressure.

Thanks.

[r24x7]

Was able to get some amazing FE during my recent trips with the 1.5 TDCI.

Note - The pic was clicked by my better half.

Points to note

• 90% highway roads.
• Strict limit of speed between 90-95 KMPH.
• No sudden acceleration.
• This is the indicated FE only and not tank to tank calculation
• Reached destination 340 Kms away with over 3/4th tank left.

How I wish the 5th gear was a tad little taller so that triple digit cruising could have been even more relaxed somewhere at 2000 RPM itself. All the car does now is 90KMPH at 2000 RPM.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by r24x7

How I wish the 5th gear was a tad little taller so that triple digit cruising could have been even more relaxed somewhere at 2000 RPM itself. All the car does now is 90KMPH at 2000 RPM.

What it should have had is a 6th gear for relaxed cruising.
The 5th gear ratio feels right for me mainly because I don't have to shift gears for an overtake, just floor the pedal in 5th and it picks up speed rapidly.

[NaXal]

Hello,

Originally Posted by r24x7

Was able to get some amazing FE during my recent trips with the 1.5 TDCI.

Fantastic.

Nah, not commenting on the mileage, rather referring to your awesome self control to keep it as such speeds.

Originally Posted by me

Yes, I did miss the lack of cruise control. Not because of tiredness but rather for getting lower than expected mileage figures.

As I wrote, every time I promise myself to keep it around 80 but out in those open & empty tollways, it's anyone's guess.

Personally I wouldn't touch the gear ratio. This is a Turbo Diesel after all and SOHC 8v engine. It's not that good in top end and taller ratio may cause some turbo lags to appear. This engine is really a workhorse in its lower mid rage to upper mid range RPM band. Explosive power yet extremely efficient. Ford did great job with the gear ratio tuning to keep the engine in that rev range according to our Indian driving conditions.

Even with it's preset 5th gear ratio, it's delivering some drool worthy mileage figures and yet it's right on the torque / power band for any quick overtake. No need for any gear down.

What I would have liked is a cruise control to take my right foot off the gas pedal. That will always allow me to meet my goal of keeping it below tipple digit mark and achieve figures like you

Thanks

[SaiSW]

Can anyone run me through the basics of Reflector to Projector conversion and suggest good options for the same? My Aspire's headlamps are below average, and hence I struggle during night drives. I would like to get them changed to Xenons. I know this much, that Xenon/LEDs on reflectors = useless and dangerous. Headlamp upgrade is one of the many upgrades I've planned for the car, I plan to keep it for as long as I can, no car in its segment or a segment above satisfies me with the blend of performance, reliability and FE like the Aspire does. So, investing in this.

I read through the entirety of frank mehta's Aspire thread and his Xenon conversion, but it seems as if Morimoto products are not available in India and they need to be imported, which might invite the draconian daylight robbery called customs duties. So if I can get options which are already available here, but at the same time not el-cheapo quality, then best of both worlds

[r24x7]

Originally Posted by NaXal

What I would have liked is a cruise control to take my right foot off the gas pedal. That will always allow me to meet my goal of keeping it below tipple digit mark and achieve figures like you

Thanks

I have been trying to reach out to this guy in the video for updates and as per him , retrofitting cruise control on the BS4 models is still a WIP. Not sure if it works already. I'm interested in getting this done for my car as soon as its available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2da74W-UdGM

[raunaksaha2008]

Originally Posted by tharian

Has anyone experienced the phone dock lid not opening when the button is pressed?
My car's phone dock is not used often and recently I realized that the lid does not open and I have to lift it with my fingers. Thankfully it was never closed shut since there is a cable sticking out.

Is there some fix for this?

Hello, i got the same issue. Did you find a fix for it?