[wmanu]

Hi Guys,

I’m not too technical in automotives. So please forgive me, if I sound stupid.

I drive a Swift Zxi (2006) with 18k km on odometer, well maintained, serviced only at authorised service stations in Bangalore. Last service was done at 15k km.

Last week, we (me & wife) had driven to Ooty from Bangalore. While we climbing the hill/hairpins, I felt lack of power on the vehicle. I had to downshift to 1st gear for most of the hairpins. The 2nd gear was very sluggish, and was not giving me the confidence.

1. Will a Swift with 2 people (no additional luggage) struggle to climb the hill in 2nd gear?
2. Or is it something wrong with mine?
3. Should I have to change the stock filter to K&N for better airflow?
4. Is it the time to change the engine oil to a synthetic one?

Please advice.

[Surprise]

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...s-swift-2.html

Similar problem..same place..

[watashi75]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the performance. Swift 2nd gear is very sluggish, specially at low RPMs. You cannot even start from standstill in 2nd gear unless you press the accelerator and slip the clutch.

[nandans2005]

Hey manu,

I think you have tried the 36 hairpins to reach the hill top, isn't it?

I have been to Ooty many time using this route & its quite steep at few hairpens, such that you need to absolutely shift to FIRST to move.

Also as watashi has rightly pointed out, swift is definitely sluggish in the second gear indeed.

I personally dont see any issues with your car man, so be happy.

By the way, why are you thinking it should have climbed only with 2nd gear specifically, why not the 3rd gear man, how did you arrive at this 2nd gear funda ?

Your car is alright & i dont see any reason for you to worry.

[DRC]

swift is sluggish in low engine speeds. 2nd gear is even worse in that sense.
+ high altitude of ooty will rob more breath out of your car.

Considering this, there is no problem witht he car. Don't try tp fix anything.

[wmanu]

Thanks a lot for quick responses.

Originally Posted by nandans2005

I think you have tried the 36 hairpins to reach the hill top, isn't it?

By the way, why are you thinking it should have climbed only with 2nd gear specifically, why not the 3rd gear man, how did you arrive at this 2nd gear funda ?

Yes it was the 36 hairpins route.

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t know much about automobiles. As per my commonsense, it should have climbed the hairpins in second gear at least.

Thanks a lot for all your support.

[maglev]

The Swift uses the same free revving G13 engine of the Esteem.

With a 16V DOHC setup + an ECU tuned for handling the additional weight of the Swift (The Swift is around 200kg heavier than the Esteem)

Getting back to the topic your car seems to not have any issue other than engine suffocation.

Also if the car comes to a stand still then it is always advisable to use the 1st gear.

The 2nd gear is generally supposed to take over from around a speed of 15-20 kmph and not below it. i.e. for maximum engine life, economy & performance.

On extremely steep inclines use the 1st gear and NOT the 2nd.
Use the 2nd gear for straight sections in high altitude ares.

[theMAG]

1. Get throttle body disassembled and cleaned thoroughly
2. Possible contaminated fuel before that drive
3. Replace spark plugs
4. Get tappet clearance adjusted
5. Get injectors cleaned
6. Air filter replaced

[wmanu]

@maglev: Thanks for the suggestion.

@theMAG: I will get these items checked in the next service, which is due in couple of weeks. Ref to point 6. I red from this forum that K&N 33-2910 provides better performance to Swift. Is it worth going for K&N or just go with what Maruti suggests?

[bhogalrajnish]

Originally Posted by wmanu

@maglev: Thanks for the suggestion.

@theMAG: I will get these items checked in the next service, which is due in couple of weeks. Ref to point 6. I red from this forum that K&N 33-2910 provides better performance to Swift. Is it worth going for K&N or just go with what Maruti suggests?

I have taken my Swift ZXI to many inclines in Shimla and never had to get to first. Mine is a 2009 done 7K KMS. something has to be wrong.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by wmanu

Hi Guys,

Last week, we (me & wife) had driven to Ooty from Bangalore. While we climbing the hill/hairpins, I felt lack of power on the vehicle. I had to downshift to 1st gear for most of the hairpins. The 2nd gear was very sluggish, and was not giving me the confidence.

1. Will a Swift with 2 people (no additional luggage) struggle to climb the hill in 2nd gear?
2. Or is it something wrong with mine?
3. Should I have to change the stock filter to K&N for better airflow?
4. Is it the time to change the engine oil to a synthetic one?

Please advice.

Your Vehicle is perfectly alright. I had similar issue when i climbed the ooty hills with 4 people onboard in my esteem (2002 VX) and i had to drive mostly on first gear while climbing. We reached coonoor and stayed there that night and in the morning when we started climbing to ooty the vehicle was able to climb the hills at 2nd and 3rd gear with the same 4 people less the luggage.

My suggestion would be to clean your sparkplugs and check if there are any leaks in your silencer.
One good thing after climbing ooty hills is that my car was like a rocket on plains and i was doing 160Kmph in Dharmapuri to Krishnagiri 4 lane road.

[wmanu]

Thanks guys, I will get following checks done in next service, with all your inputs:

1. Throttle body cleaning
2. Spark plug cleaning/replacement
3. Tappet clearance adjustment
4. Injector cleaning
5. Air filter cleaning/replacement
6. Silencer cleaning/leakage

[sharma_sanjeevi]

Originally Posted by maglev

With a 16V DOHC setup + an ECU tuned for handling the additional weight of the Swift (The Swift is around 200kg heavier than the Esteem)

as far as i know, the current G13BB unit in Swift / Dzire Petrol is a SOHC (Single Overhead Cam) setup.

Also is there any difference in the engine G13 & G13BB, was G13 specifically for Esteem or G13BB is an improvement on the latter. Can anybody throw some light on this ?

[aerohit]

G13BB is electronic MPFi No Distributor compared to Esteem G13B

No other mechanical changes

[sharma_sanjeevi]

Originally Posted by aerohit

G13BB is electronic MPFi No Distributor compared to Esteem G13B

No other mechanical changes

Thanks for the information buddy , was just curious about this one as in my Swift Dzire VXi it was written as G13BB.