[ess_a]

Well today I went for the first 'paid' service of my Alto.
Now according to the car manual, the following things were to replaced at 20,000km OR 2 years:
-Engine oil,
-Oil filter
-Transmission oil,
-Engine coolant,
-Brake oil,
-Spark plugs.

But, there the service guy did NOT replace the last two items. On my enquiring about the same, he said that as my car had run much lesser (10k kms), the replacement was not required.
As for the Coolant, only topping up was done.

On the other hand, he did the fuel injection system and air intake system's cleaning. (costing about 1300)

Now my queries are, whether the brake oil, spark plugs and coolant should have been replaced? OR did he say the right thing?

Secondly, what is this with the "cleaning" of the injection system? Why hasnt maruti written about it in the service booklet?

[wolfinstein]

I think you should have gone for the Brake Oil Change with Bleeding, Since the Oil has property to absorb moisture over period of time.

At least the Spark Plugs could have been checked, Cleaned and Gap adjusted if required.

[ess_a]

Originally Posted by wolfinstein

the Oil has property to absorb moisture over periof of time.

Hey can oil really 'absorb' moisture? I mean arent the two, should i say, 'unmixable'??

At least the Spark Plugs could have been checked, Cleaned and Gap adjusted if required.

That was done. But I am just worried of being left stranded somewhere with my spark plugs failing me. The service guy however did assure me that nothing of that sort would happen. Any possible future problems?

[wolfinstein]

Yes because the Brake Fluid or Oil is made of Polyalkylene Glycol Ether. These fluids are hydroscopic (absorbs water). So they lose their property after a certain duration of time.

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by ess_a

Now my queries are, whether the brake oil, spark plugs and coolant should have been replaced? OR did he say the right thing?

Brake fluid just needs to be topped up, However its better to bleed the system and replace the fluid atleast once in 10-15000 kms. If water gets in the fluid, the braking efficiency will be reduced. Coolant just needs to be topped. Better to change the plugs after 15000kms. They would still work, but the sparks may be weaker.

Originally Posted by ess_a

Secondly, what is this with the "cleaning" of the injection system? Why hasnt maruti written about it in the service booklet?

Injectors can be cleaned once in 20000+ kms. Just an eye wash. If you have being using decent fuel, you shouldnt face much problems. Our Indian car injectors can stand much abuse as compared to imported ones considering the low quality of fuel in India.

[ess_a]

Thanx wolfinstein and mail4ajo.

Will surely do the needful around the 15k mark.

One more thing. After the service, both my steering and gears had stiffened up a bit. Though the gear shifts feel much better now, only the steering is making me sweat a little more (No power steering here). Is this normal? Coz it never happened in any of the previous services.

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by ess_a

One more thing. After the service, both my steering and gears had stiffened up a bit.

Maybe your steering setup requires a overhaul though this is not normal. How is the conditions of your tires? If the tires are hard, it could relay to the steering.

Check the operation of the gear lever. Is there excessive play in the lever? Try pulling the lever up gently. There should be no shake at all. The gear lever bush is known to wear out fast

[Jaggu]

steering tightness: did u report any suspension steering sound? they might have tightened the damper, thats all

plugs: replace at 10 k kms, it aint worth saving that 200 bucks
brake fluid: replace after 2 years, again is only couple of hundred job including labour

both these you dont need to goto dealer, juts buy genuine part from a reputed shop and ask the regular mech to get it fixed

[condor]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Injectors can be cleaned once in 20000+ kms. Just an eye wash. If you have being using decent fuel, you shouldnt face much problems.

An occasionaly dose of System-G could help you. I do that when ever I have to use fuel from a bunk that's not my normal filling station.

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by condor

An occasionaly dose of System-G could help you. I do that when ever I have to use fuel from a bunk that's not my normal filling station.

Hey Condor, What,s system G? Not heard that name before.

[condor]

IFTEX System-G - fuel additive. Should be available in Bharath Peroleum bunks. System-D for diesels.

We have discussed these before ..
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...-additive.html
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ex-yes-no.html

[ess_a]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Check the operation of the gear lever.

Well actually I am finding the gear shifts much better now!!

Originally Posted by jaggu

steering tightness: did u report any suspension steering sound? they might have tightened the damper, thats all

Not actually that, but I did ask him to make sure that the steering got centralized. Can I get it loosened?

Originally Posted by jaggu

plugs: replace at 10 k kms, it aint worth saving that 200 bucks
brake fluid: replace after 2 years, again is only couple of hundred job including labour

Will do that. Dad also asked me to do the same. So...
What actually made me wonder was why did the service guy advice me NOT to go for them. Dont they need good sales? It was actually me, who was asking them to replace them, wherein most cases it is the vice versa..

@condor
I have heard that system g is not needed if one uses premium fuels. (I use Power)

And what is the interval between getting the injectors cleaned?

[Jaggu]

steering centralizing doesnt have anything direct to steering damper though your mech might have tightened it too, it can be reversed and a five minute job