Day 43 (Wed, 14th Jan 2016)
The time showed 23:12, easily couple of hours over my usual log out time from my office. It was a tiring day, but the moment I saw the S Cross standing in a near vacant parking lot, my senses got an instant lift. I pressed the start button and the engine purred to life. I just sat there for the mandatory idle in Turbo Diesel cars
Why is it necessary to idle a Turbo car?
After a minute, I moved her slowly over the ramp, exited on to the street road. The Dim sodium-vapour lighting cast some unearthly shadows from the nearby branches. I pottered down the lane, took right and hit the main road. The road was near empty, and the temptation of flooring her, was just too much to resist.
However, I was supposed to be in the run-in period... Let’s branch off for a little discussion on Running in the Engine My Take on Run-in Quote:
I treat my cars as a baby, as my own blood. Hence, I ensure utmost care and move around very consciously. However, that doesn’t mean, I will baby it forever. I do not believe in the ‘Keep your speedo under 60 kmph’ or ‘do not exceed 2500 rpm rules’. To me a run-in period, is well, a run-in period. My understanding is that the engine needs to run on all types of speeds and all types of rpms so that all the components sync and gel properly. This might require driving the car at 4th gear @ 45 kmph as well as gear shifts @ 4k rpm. I do rev the engine as high as 4k-4.5k rpm sometimes, however, when I do these type of runs, I ensure the pedal input is gradual and seamless rather than stomping on it in haste like a drag run! The Engine – gives its feedback to you in terms of three main parameters:- Noise
- Vibration
- Heat / Smoke
If you are hearing the heart beat of your engine, then you can quickly understand if your engine is taking in a lot of stress or just warming up for flexing its muscles, during such high rpm runs.
This is the run-in method, i had followed for all my cars till date and the S cross is no exception.
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Bounding back to the main story ...However, I was supposed to be in the run-in period. The main roads were well lit from both sides, and being a connecting road for many IT SEZ’s it is easily one of the best roads inside Chennai.
I gradually accelerated her, taking up to 4k rpm in each gear. Within no time, she was in her zone, munching off the roads, and dismissing broken patches with disdain. Crossing the the 3 digit mark was a breeze. While I was thoroughly enjoying the drive, I noticed the steering vibration creeping in slowly. It kept increasing with speed. I let the pedal ease, thinking it must have been some stone struck between the tyres, the vibrations vanished. But to my dismay, it again happened – the moment I go past a particular speed, the vibrations crept in the steering. I remember, I did notice this in my last long drive too, however it was not an extended drive to check this out. Also, to be fair, my enthusiasm and excitement made me over look it. I slowed down and cruised around 80 to reach home.
My was mind pondering on all possibilities. I for sure knew it was to do something with either the tyres or alloys since the vibrations were only in the steering and not on Gear lever or pedals or anywhere else. I had a disturbed sleep owing to my anxiety.
Day 44 (Thu, 14th Jan 2016)
Today morning, I visited the tyre shop only to notice an alarming miss from my side. Before even taking the delivery, I had visited the shop and told him about my option of choosing between 16” or 17” Alloys in 114.3 pcd configuration. However during the time for alloy change, we were so engrossed in the pattern, Color and size, we completely forgot the PCD factor.
Apparently the alloy I had selected was a 112 x 5 PCD. It didn’t even strike me, because the stock bolts of the S cross went in comfortably! Also, there was not a single clue this side of 100 kmph. For a moment, I was in state of shock. How did I overlook such a simple and basic aspect of choosing an alloy. The tyre shop assured me that, he had fit 112 PCD alloys on Creta (which is same 114.3 x 5 PCD) and there was no issues. Hence also stressed that only thing the S cross needs is a proper sleeve post which one can run the alloys on at any speed. However, I was nervous about compromising on vital thing as PCD. I requested him to show me alloys only of 114.3 PCD. He did hesitate, but since it was a clear miss from his end (in showing me a wrong PCD alloy in first place), he said ok for swapping to a new set of alloys.
Unfortunately, there were not many options in 17” 114.3 PCD to choose from his shop. I didn’t want to sway away from Momo, since it had a good brand value, nice finishes, and decent weight among the other light weight alloys (HRS, SSW).
As fate would have it, I had to choose between 4 options only.
- Momo Sting – in Hypersliver
- Momo Reds – in Anthracite and Silver cuts
- Momo Revenge – in Anthracite
- Momo Strike 2 – in Gloss Black
First one was ruled out since I wasn’t looking for a Hyper silver color
This is the second one:Reds. too flashy and the cuts had silver which wasn’t to my taste. Revenge I did like it (although it was too common), however I wanted in black – but it was available only in 16” Strike 2 – I was hoping this to be the ideal replacement for winpro, alas, it was looking much worse when shod. The Gloss and Chrome was too much bling for me! Rejected without a second look! The 5 Spoke Reds vs the Multi Spoke Revenge
Finally, I choose the Revenge in 17” Matt Anthracite, since it had a better appeal when compared to the rest.
On the looks front, the Winpro in matt black scremed 'Gangasta'! Whereas the Revenge looked anything but
revenge It was pretty, but it was also quite tamed down.
Not much could be done, since I had already paid for the alloys, and the shop wasn't ready to source me the same alloy in the right PCD. In a way, I felt a bit lucky; If not for that enthusiastic drive last night, I would have taken even longer to find out this PCD mismatch issue! And thereby reducing my chances for a complete exchange of alloys!
Everything happens for a reason; No this is not a statement born out of facts or evidences; But this is probably the easiest way to convince your Brain to move over!
Here is a comparison between the two sets of alloys
Notice the Full matt black alloys complimenting the Black cover running all through the lower side of the car Teenager vs Manager Gangsta looks elevate the car to an more aggressive look, on contrary the Civilized looking Revenge make the car look like a subtly modded hatch Some pics with the new Alloys Clean side profile - Trust me the car looks better in Flesh The Matt Anthracite is has a Deep Grey hue which does compliment lighter shades
End of the day, I chose safety over looks; and i am more relived now.