Hello T-BHPions,
Today my Silky Silver VDI clocked 800 KM ...
There goes some of my observations during this brief period
Handling and cornering are extremely good … no need of any comments
Breaking: Its watertight but some times at high speed rear gets out ..
AC: its ok … but not very effective in very hot and humid climate .
Pick up: its almost too perfect … nothing more to add over here . ( Although pickup in 3 gear takes time.
Gear box : it is ok . since I am learing to drive … there are times where it feel locked .. ( I cant change into any thing ) also the reverse get does not engaged very easily … what I tend to do it to press the clutch and put it in reverse … and then release the clutch little and then it falls into place.
Average : tank full to tank full from 218 – 717 approx 500 KM in 33 Liters ( 95 % AC ) which is 15 KMPL . a little disappointed over here since I was expecting 18 + . but since I am learning to drive I do hope that it gets better.
Techno meter is a boon of a newbie like me … I always tend to shift at 2000 RPM
Based up on this the gear ratio comes to
0-15 1
15-30 2
30-45 3
45-60 4
60 + 5
but there are some times when I tend to do 20 in 1 gear ( mostly just after red light ) when I am very busy trying to look after the traffic but almost forget to change the gear.
Now the biggest problem which I am facing is the size of extended wheel arch.
Twice I have banged into other stationary car while reversing . I am 5’6 and sitting in drivers seat . I am unable to see either the bonnet / or my front wheel arc … while in moving around in tight traffic I never sure whether I would be able to take it out cleanly or not . I really get very dishearten while seeing other Maruti 800, santo zip past me …
The remedy for this situation might be
1) Increase the height of drivers seat .. by putting up a pillow.
2) Putting some flag ( either BJP / Congress) on both wheel archs … it will look very strange , but will give me adequate idea of the my cars structure.
3) opting out for parking sensors … I have requested my friend to bring them from USA … but they will arrive only in june end.
4) Stop driving .. employing some driver atleast for some time .. till I get a hang of it …
I really am muffed as I cant understand the reason behind this shape … in Indica at least that stuff ( wheel Arch ) are made up of plastic .. so they can get replaced … but what the use when they are integrated in the body shell .. moreover the wider wheel base does not translate into large space inside .. so why the effort.
Now I have got a 4x4 inch paint peeled off my front door … while reversing .. requesting you guys let me know an estimate …
