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Along with the ext. warranty booklet, I also got a certificate with policy number for the extended warranty.

What exactly does this policy card contain? Let me know so that I can check if I have also got it.


OT: Is this profile photo of your shot somewhere near Sakleshpur?

Same here. My Punto EP developed a "whoosh" noise on the front left wheel and the pad was changed at 25K+ kilometers. Look for a visual clue when you wash the front wheels. The black powdery residue on them will get less and less as the pads deteriorate.

The extended warranty certificate has a policy number. I don't know why the ext. warranty is in the form of a "policy", but I did see "National Insurance" on the ext. warranty booklet. Currently I am out of town. I'll upload it once I am back.

The profile photo is somewhere near Bhagamandala, Coorg.

nkg77, binaiks, hemanth.anand, sukrit7, sandeepmdas: Thank you for all the information. I had taken my car to the service center on saturday. The SA inspected the pads and told there is atleast 5-6K KMs of life left in them. However, the grinding noise was due to some dust build up. A wash under high pressure water eliminated the grinding noise that I had been getting.

@Fly Catcher: I do not agree with the grinding noise being related to the brake dust.

My Palio MJD has got the exact same problem for the past 20 K km. It used to run fine in city and the noise use to start after 50 to 70 km on the highway.

Get back to the city and park it overnight and the brakes acted as if nothing ever happened to them. But, for the last 6 months (after changing the brake pads), the noise has become consistent even in city drives but, tends to come in after 20 to 30 km of driving.

The FIAT service team is struggling to identify the cause. They have changed two sets of brake pads, 2 sets of brake discs and also the rear brake liners but, to no avail.

Have sent the car back to them and their technical expert from Chennai is now guiding them to first identify the problem. phew!

I am now beginning to suspect an inherent manufacturing defect with their braking system. You have to take a highway drive of about 60 to 70 km to ensure that the problem your car has is not the same that I am facing with mine.

Further, I suppose as both of us are in Blr, we can catch up with our respective cars and compare the noise.

Cheers

Saw the below post on Fiat India facebook page

"Hi all Fiat followers and existing customers - the request wth respect to upgrading ground clearance for older versions of Linea and Punto, is going to be fulfilled almost on an immediate basis across India and the service centers will be able to do the upgrade the cars at a cost. Then you can place a request with your service center and get the benefit of the product updation in your older cars also. Hope this helps in enhancing the drive experience of the Linea and Punto further for our existing customers."

What a great example this is to all other OEMs in the country.

All the best Fiat:thumbs up

Good initiative by Fiatclap:. Shows the commitment towards the customers.

However, I would not really considering going for this update and this is purely a personal choice. I am more than happy with the current GC of my car. With 185/70R14 tyres, it did not scrape its bottom during a recent drive on the Shiradi ghat.

My 2009 MJD E has a peculiar jarring sound, audible when its moving at slow speed. I get this particularly while reversing out of my parking, or at times while starting off from signals. Its a feeble sound, but irritating enough.

I mention this every time the car is given for service - but the sound does not appear when the car is taken for a test!!! Brake pads were changed (they were badly worn out) - but the sound still persists!

But since the car does not pull sideways, and there is no drop in mileage (I usually get about ~17.5kmpl - a mix of city and Kerala highway driving with 100% AC), I am not looking at it seriously.

The sound appears from the front left side.

Awesome FIAT. Kudos... But even I will not be upgrading as the raised GC on the Punto makes it look ugly.

Anyways, guys I am planning to do this in my punto -



Its a lame MS Paint job but you get the idea... Number plate will either be in the stock location or a smaller (bike size) number plate will be on the left hand side of bumper (evo style). Any opinions?

@raj_5004,

This style without the number plate (or the smaller number plate) doesn't look good IMO.
It will look like a fish with its mouth wide open. I like the black background but with the normal car size number plate.

My suggestion, don't get the grilles painted...buy the black grille (active variant)..its hardly Rs 500/-(both pieces included)
The fog lamp cover can be stickered. I have done these two things as you know.

Okay, even better. I already have the full size IND plates, I dont have to buy a new one.

Ohh, I dint know the grille was that cheap. You bought it for Rs. 500/- from the FIAT A.S.S.?

I anyways have to paint the centre portion (between the grilles) or do you recommend stickering there also?

Do not do it.
FIAT did not pay Giorgetto Giugiaro for nothing.

You mean I should keep the car the way it is now? looks better than what is in the pic?

With reg plate -

Ok it seems you already have modified the car. If its the roof then its ok with me. But no messing around with the grille of this car. Keep it stock if possible. It goes with the jewel theme of the logo.
But if you are already half way through the job then I guess I am a bit too late to say anything.