[hrsraghav]

For checking the Alternator voltage. One should put the car on full load, put on all the lights, the AC with blower at highest speed. And the alternator voltage should be 14V plus minus 0.20V.

Also what all is require for Suspension checks and repairs. How to know that somehting needs to be done. I have noticed that right side of my Palio Adventure is a bit down compared to left one by around one inch. Also if accidentally some speed braker comes at high speed, then I have noticed that the front tyres touches the upper body. So is it normal or the suspensions have loosened up.

[Shashank.A]

Originally Posted by hrsraghav

For checking the Alternator voltage. One should put the car on full load, put on all the lights, the AC with blower at highest speed. And the alternator voltage should be 14V plus minus 0.20V.

I don't know if that is actually possible. Maybe on brand new cars, but any aging vehicle will face loads of problem adjusting to 14 volts. Most of the local mechanics end up increasing the RPM of the car to increase the voltage, and this results in drop in FE.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Shashank.A

I don't know if that is actually possible. Maybe on brand new cars, but any aging vehicle will face loads of problem adjusting to 14 volts. Most of the local mechanics end up increasing the RPM of the car to increase the voltage, and this results in drop in FE.

If its not happening get the alternator serviced.
My indica has done 106000kms, and voltage at idle with AC and headlights on is between 13-14V on idle(this is with 130/110W headbeam)

[Shashank.A]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

If its not happening get the alternator serviced.
My indica has done 106000kms, and voltage at idle with AC and headlights on is between 13-14V on idle(this is with 130/110W headbeam)

I have heard a lot of getting the alternator serviced, what exactly do they do ?
I had a recent problem with the cut-out, got it changed for around Rs.1200.

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by Shashank.A

I have heard a lot of getting the alternator serviced, what exactly do they do ?

This link should suffice for increasing knowledge

Alternator Service

[ashthedivx]

Originally Posted by mdesai_1981

hi guys ,
just wanted to ask whenever i get my car serviced they do a throttle body cleaning by spraying a carb and choke cleaning spray in it.
now i want to know how much quantity of spray is needed as i have got a abro carb and choke cleaner; and my friend said to empty the entire can in it! while the mechanic just sprayed a few bursts in it! pls carify.
also which is a good brand for this carb and choke cleaning spray? is ABRO good?

Crab Spray is basically for cleaning crab in throttle body. No such hard-n-fast rule is there regarding the amount to be used. It's something one has to see the need at the time of cleaning, more it is dirty - more spray it need. Usually a bottle easily goes through 4-5 times cleaing.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Shashank.A

I have heard a lot of getting the alternator serviced, what exactly do they do ?
I had a recent problem with the cut-out, got it changed for around Rs.1200.

An alternator consists of multiple parts, broadly being
1. Coil : This is the "generator"
2. Rectifier plate
3. Regulator
If voltage is not optimum, the first step is regulator. costs around 300-400rs. Normally after replacing this, alternator gets to full capacity.
however sometimes, its a coil issue, in that case rewinding or a new coil is needed.
In my indica around 80K kms the alternator burnt out.
Basically, the regulator failed, leading to excessive current on the coil. Thankfully before it could fry any major stuff, the coil burnt out.
So I got new alternator for 8700. It was Lucas TVS OEM with 1 year warranty.
According to the mechanic, this will last 50K kms atleast without any issues, after which the rectifier plate, or regulator may act up or may not act up, all depends upon my luck,
Since I got a newer version of alternator, this probably won't happen, older indica alternators were horrendous, and the leading cause of "electrical problems" which used to plague the indica.

[Shashank.A]

Hmm..thanks for info bro !! I guess I will try to get the regulator changed, and see it it helps.

Because the current settings with the AC, simply consume tons of fuel, especially when car is stationary.

Tell me another thing, I have noticed that without even using the accelerator, with AC on, if I put my car in 2-3 gear, it moves at speeds of 20km to 30 kmph. Without any help from me, so does it mean that my RPM settings are too high with the AC turned on, or is it normal ?

[hrsraghav]

Originally Posted by Shashank.A

Hmm..thanks for info bro !! I guess I will try to get the regulator changed, and see it it helps.

Because the current settings with the AC, simply consume tons of fuel, especially when car is stationary.

Tell me another thing, I have noticed that without even using the accelerator, with AC on, if I put my car in 2-3 gear, it moves at speeds of 20km to 30 kmph. Without any help from me, so does it mean that my RPM settings are too high with the AC turned on, or is it normal ?

Yess thats what it seems. You can do one thing, see the tachometer of a new car at idle enogine, of the same make and model as yours.

[webjunk]

It's quite surprising that I don't see any maintainance related threads here. (pardon me if I'm blind) With so much busy life that we all lead, how do you keep track of your vehicle's periodic maintainance. (if at all)

Do most people rely on the dealer to call up on you to get the service/maintainance done or do you also do something proactively. I missed my free services for my scooter TWICE due to lack of alerts from Dealer (Its my mistake that I changed phone number)

I'm curious to know how others cope up with the maintainance schedules.

[gd1418]

People here who are members, passionately love their rides. There are certain ground rules for periodic maintainance of vehicles that most here know and follow. That's how the track is kept. One of the most basic is to take the vehicle for service after a certain number of kms are run.

Originally Posted by webjunk

It's quite surprising that I don't see any maintainance related threads here.

With so much busy life that we all lead, how do you keep track of your vehicle's periodic maintainance. (if at all)



Do most people rely on the dealer to call up on you to get the service/maintainance done or do you also do something proactively. I missed my free services for my scooter TWICE due to lack of alerts from Dealer (Its my mistake that I changed phone number)

Nowadays dealers have started calling their customers or send SMS or drop a postcard to inform that the vehicle is due for service. You can be proactive by taking your vehicle for service once a set number of kms are run as mentioned in the service booklet.

I'm curious to know how others cope up with the maintainance schedules.

I for one, take my vehicles for service at the completion of 5000kms, irrespective of what the manual says and have my own set of jobs that I insist on getting it done.

[muralisk]

For both my cars, I do not depend on the dealer/ service center to remind me, but I do keep track of the service schedules myself. I also keep record of my fuel consumption, wheel balancing/ alignment, and the money I spend on service, repairs and accessories.

[hvkumar]

Have my own maintenance schedules
Insist on preventive maintenance
Check essentials every weekend
Keep alert for unusual noises, symptoms of impending failure
Spend lots of money to keep the car 100% on the road

[webjunk]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Have my own maintenance schedules

Can this schedule document be shared out here. I'm curious and interested.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by webjunk

With so much busy life that we all lead, how do you keep track of your vehicle's periodic maintainance. (if at all)

Do most people rely on the dealer to call up on you to get the service/maintainance done or do you also do something proactively.

Depending on the dealers reminder is foolhardy. I service my cars by the kms. The Jeep is at every 5,000 kms, the C @ every 10,000 and the Indigo is according to Tatas service schedule (still within warranty period). The Vtec doesn't log high miles anymore, so I get all jobs done once a year (in December - Jan).