[abhikb]

29670 Kms later:

Thar is back from 1400 Kms road trip to Dang and Western ghats

In all we had three Thars doing this trip, other two were 2nd gen Thars Diesel and Petrol. So we had 3 engine variants of Mahindra Thars with us, 2.5 CRDe, Mhawk 130 and Mstallion 150.

The detailed travel experience can be seen at the Travelogue through below link:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ern-ghats.html (3 Thars and a Monsoon Drive to the Western Ghats)

This was first long distance trip after a hiatus of 2.5 years and so was the first in Thar.

First the good bits:

The fuel efficiency was around 13-14 Kmpl which was good considering 50% driving was on ghat roads.

As we have experienced earlier also, it cruises like butter on the highways and doesn’t feel tiring at all.

Having a 4X4 is a bliss while traveling we took any off road terrains during the trip which otherwise wouldn’t have been possible with any other 2WD car.

Comparing with Mhawk diesel, the old school CRDe stays at par with the new one especially on ghat roads, however, the Mhawk was quick after a steep climb whereas CRDe requires a few seconds to catch up.


Areas to be taken care off:

Steering feedback isn’t confidence inspiring at high speeds.

The turbo kicks in very late at 1800 rpm and coupled with the short peak range of 200 rpm, requires a few downshift on steep hair pin bends.

The Mhawk on the other hand has peak torque range starting from 1600 rpm which means it catches up immediately after a downshift. I wish there was a possibility to fix this without going for remaps or tuning chips.

Sharing Few pictures from the trip

[abhikb]

30,000 Kms Service Update:

The Thar went in for its 30,000 Kms service today at Punjab Mahindra, Ahmedabad. I had 3 issues which were required to be fixed up as listed below:

1) Air Mass Sensor Cleaning (This was recommended by Bhpian Rajith to improve the throttle response).
2) Wheel alignment
3) Had noticed water leakage from the windshield area a few times but then it had not resurfaced in the last few drives during the rain.

Since I had been using Mahindra’s Maximile Engine oil the oil change interval is about 20,000 Kms. It was replaced 10,000 Kms earlier hence was not replaced this time. Mahindra has given useful information regarding the service intervals and I have been following it diligently.

Service cost: Rs. 2371.





The wheel alignment seems to be alright for now.

There’s certainly a improvement of 15-20% in the throttle response after the Air mass sensor cleaning. The Thar now feels less sluggish while driving in traffic, it starts pulling right from 1500 RPM now. Though the improvement is not highly remarkable but still feels better than before. I guess this will have to be done every 10,000 Kms to ensure the improvement remains that way.

The Service center guys did a pressure wash to check on the windshield leakage and couldn’t find any leakage. Needless to mention I also did try to do it a couple of times while the Thar was sent for a routine wash and it didn’t leak either.

Wolverine characteristics in Jeep, Eh!!!!

[abhikb]

Sunday drive:

Did a 180 Kms round trip to Zanzari Waterfalls this Sunday afternoon, we wanted to have a long drive coupled with some OTR trail driving.

There’s a bit of improvement in the highway cruising as we well after the Air mass sensor cleaning is done. The ODO is catching up quickly now with regular driving, it’s already completed 10K Kms in last 7 months of which 1.5 months it was lying idle during COVID second wave.

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by abhikb

30,000 Kms Service Update:

The Thar went in for its 30,000 Kms service today at Punjab Mahindra, Ahmedabad.

Since I had been using Mahindra’s Maximile Engine oil the oil change interval is about 20,000 Kms. It was replaced 10,000 Kms earlier hence was not replaced this time. Mahindra has given useful information regarding the service intervals and I have been following it diligently.

I would recommend changing the Engine Oil every 10,000kms even if you are using Maximile. M&M recommends 20,000kms or One year whichever is earlier. Also I would replace the Air Cleaner every 20,000kms due to dusty conditions.

Are you sure they cleaned the AMS? Did they do it in front of you?
As you are doing off-roading regularly, I would also recommend you to lubricate the front wheel hubs with ATF every 20,000kms. Do not put Grease as the ASC suggests.

[abhikb]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

I would recommend changing the Engine Oil every 10,000kms even if you are using Maximile. M&M recommends 20,000kms or One year whichever is earlier. Also I would replace the Air Cleaner every 20,000kms due to dusty conditions.

Are you sure they cleaned the AMS? Did they do it in front of you?
As you are doing off-roading regularly, I would also recommend you to lubricate the front wheel hubs with ATF every 20,000kms. Do not put Grease as the ASC suggests.

Hello Vaidyaji,

For now have stuck to the company’s recommended oil change interval, anyways won’t wait till 20K Kms either, was anyhow supposed to get it replaced at 15K Kms.

Regarding the Air Mass sensor cleaning, they did send me a photo of the job being done and later on. Plus the difference in throttle response is pretty much visible.

Thanks for advising regarding lubricating the front wheel hubs.

[SportsMedicine]

Originally Posted by abhikb

In all we had three Thars doing this trip, other two were 2nd gen Thars Diesel and Petrol.
Steering feedback isn’t confidence inspiring at high speeds.

Wow Abhik, a nicely knitted travelogue. As usual i am jealous of not joining you guys. Just wanted to know your experience with steering response at high speeds in both the generation. Thar 2020 steering weighs in adequately IMO if not perfect but would like your view on it.

Originally Posted by abhikb

Air Mass Sensor Cleaning (This was recommended by Bhpian Rajith to improve the throttle response).

Need a more detailed explanation on this. When and why would it be necessary? Is it required in current generation Thar too?

[abhikb]

Originally Posted by SportsMedicine

Wow Abhik, a nicely knitted travelogue. As usual i am jealous of not joining you guys. Just wanted to know your experience with steering response at high speeds in both the generation. Thar 2020 steering weighs in adequately IMO if not perfect but would like your view on it.



Need a more detailed explanation on this. When and why would it be necessary? Is it required in current generation Thar too?

Hi Doc,

The steering response on highway was moderate in Both gens, but then Mahindra is not well known when it comes to tuning their steering.

Regarding the air mass sensor, it basically sits after the air filter and is common in all modern cars even the new thar. It senses the mass of air being fed into the engine, accordingly the ECU directs the engine on fuel air mixture required for combustion. It is advisable to get it cleaned once in every 25-30 thousand Kms, it tends to get choked and as a result the sensor will send faulty signal to the ECU which leads to loss of power.

So better to get it cleaned periodically.

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by abhikb

Hi Doc,

The steering response on highway was moderate in Both gens, but then Mahindra is not well known when it comes to tuning their steering.

Regarding the air mass sensor, it basically sits after the air filter and is common in all modern cars even the new thar. It senses the mass of air being fed into the engine, accordingly the ECU directs the engine on fuel air mixture required for combustion. It is advisable to get it cleaned once in every 25-30 thousand Kms, it tends to get choked and as a result the sensor will send faulty signal to the ECU which leads to loss of power.

So better to get it cleaned periodically.

MAF connected to the airbox needs cleaning with petrol everytime the stock air filter is replaced.

The steering js similar to a Scorpio, agile and direct , as good as it gets for a vehicle of its kind. If you find anything unusual get the alignment checked, most alignment shops have no clue how to get it right including the ASC.

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

MAF connected to the airbox needs cleaning with petrol everytime the stock air filter is replaced.

I would avoid Petrol as it leaves sticky residue behind after drying. Best is to use electrical connection cleaning sprays which are built for purpose.

[abhikb]

Back from a 850 Kms drive over the weekend:

Drove to and fro to Surat last weekend and also ended up doing a trail driving to and fro from Surat to Navi Ukai. In all the Thar clocked 850 Kms in those 2 days, the CRDe motor as usual shone beautifully on the highway and such a breeze it is to drive on the highway.

Met bhpian Sportsmedicine (Dr. Kushal Parikh) enroute near Karjan, he was driving to Nathdwara from Surat in Thar 2020 diesel AT.



The fuel efficiency figures came to decent 14.52 KMPL, the driving style was sedate with light foot driving at 80-90 Kmph and few top ups to 100 kmph occasionally. The roads have broken patches at many places between Ankleshwar and Surat especially over the flyovers.

The ODO has now crossed 33K Kms over a ownership period of 26 months which is about 10k Kms completed in last 6 months, finally the Thar is munching miles like my other cars.

[abhikb]

Did a 650 Kms drive over the weekend, the fuel efficiency this time touched 14.69 Kmpl with 80-90 kmph speeds and sedate driving style.



The windshield washer fluid is getting leaked when engaged, the wiper moves when the lever is pulled but instead of splashing on the windshield the fluid leaks from the bottom emptying the tank completely. Need to get this rectified now.

[abhikb]

Had a fun filled Sunday off roading with fellow Thar owners

We had a good off roading session at Vatrak river bed, there were about 9 Thars for the OTR, 7 Thar 2020 and 2 Thar CRDe. It was a mix of Off roading and water wading session and the jolly old CRDe did every obstacle without breaking a fuss. The ODO is now inching closer to 35k Kms, my SA at the ASC advised to get the differential and gear oil replaced since we went into bonnet deep water.





















My first hand experience with the Thar 2020:



The OTR location was about 50 Kms from our place, I took this opportunity to drive a Thar 2020 Diesel Manual. This new breed is dead silent like a regular car and leagues ahead in terms of NVH level over the CRDe. The Mhawk diesel motor apart from the refinement behaves pretty much the same, marginal difference remains as the turbo kicks in at 1600 Rpm which is 200 Rpm earlier than the CRDe, hence the speeds of 80-90 Kmph is managed at around 1700-1800 Rpm in the new thar whereas it would be at aroud 2000 Rpm in the older one.

The creature comforts provided in the new Thar eradicates the rawness of the older one completely. However, the area where the new one lags behind is the character that the old one Carries, to be precise it lacks the retro Jeep appeal that the CRDe has. The all round visibility is also better in the older one so is the sitting position.

Anyhow, in my opinion both are niche products and each of them carry the legacy of Thar brand very well which is the only thing that would matter as Jeep lovers.

[abhikb]

Weekend Outing to Velavdar National Park

Utilized the Christmas Day leave for a 1 day 300 Kms trip to Velavdar National Park. This sanctuary is located about 150 Kms from Ahmedabad and is a 3 hours drive from our place. It is famous for black bucks, Nilgai and Hyenas. In all we were accompanied by 4 more Thar owners (all 2020 models), we were allowed to take our Thars inside the jungle under the supervision of a Forest Guide.

Got a decent fuel efficiency figures of 14 Kmpl, could have managed better as during the return journey a friend of mine (heavy footed driver) drove the Thar. Our 3507 is on mile munching spree since last 6 months, have clocked more than 10k Kms in this period.

[abhikb]

First day of the year at SVC

Took a day off from work and spent time replacing the Differential oil, Gear oil and transfer case oil of my 3507. We had done a prolonged water wading off roading session couple of weeks back and it was imperative to replace the fluids since we drove under bonnet deep water.

Booked my slot at Punjab Mahindra service center, reached there lazily by 10:30 Am, the SA took the Thar in for the fluid replacement after preparing the job card. First the differential oil was replaced at the front and rear, both had water contaminated into it, then they lifted the 3507 to replace the gear and transfer case oils. Both the used oils still had some mild water presence, not as bad as the differential oil but still better to have got replaced.

The wiper washer fluid was leaking from the bottom as reported earlier, it turned out that a rat had chewed off the pipe connecting the washer tank to the nozzle, hence got the same rectified.

Our 3507 badly needed a wash especially at the underbody, since corporation has banned use of water for washing at Authorized service station, drove to a washing station nearby, who did a pretty good job.

While driving back home, the handbrake indication light came on even though the handbrake was not engaged, drove back again to the ASC and it turned out that water has got into the handbrake wiring terminal, they blew dried and cleaned the terminal and the warning went off. I must say the extended services for such small bits is appreciable.

My RSA had expired hence got the same renewed also, Total damage to the pocket was Rs.6607 plus add another Rs. 400 for the water wash.

The fluid replacement was as such due during the 40K Kms service, hence got the same replaced at the right time. The gearshifts have smoothen to a large extent now.

Fluid replacement in process


The used differential oil


The chewed away washer tube


Thar loves a nice wash


The handbrake indication light

Differential breathers are next on my mind as this much damage to the pocket after a water wading session disturbs the monthly budgeting. Any inputs from fellow bhpians who have tried on their vehicles will be very helpful.

Wish you all a very happy new year, Cheers !!!

[abhikb]

Drive to Mandan and Ninai Waterfalls:

Made the best use of Makar Sankranti weekend (PS: Gujarat gets a 2 day holiday on Sankranti), did 620 Kms drive to Mandan and Ninai Watefalls in the tribal area of Narmada district.

Owing to the COVID situation we decided not to do a overnight stay and rather have a morning to night schedule. Due to Sankranti holidays it was evident that there won’t be any rush in these places. We had a company of two Thar 2020, one being owned by bhpian AnishD and a brand new XUV700 Petrol MT.

Overall our jolly good 3507 CRDe managed the drive well, we started at 7:30 am and came back home by 1am in the night. Got a FE of around 13 Kmpl as a result of some spirited driving with heavy foot on the highway and ghat driving. For the first time drove at 130 Kmph and it ran sticking to the roads without any body roll or swaying movement, quite something for a body on frame design.

The ODO also crossed 36000 Kms during this trip, the 3507 averaged about 12k Kms in the first two years of ownership, in the 3rd year it’s been about 5 months and already we have completed 12k Kms. If all goes well and the COVID situation settles will hit the mountains this summers as it’s been 4 years since our last trip to the Himalayas.

Few pictures of the trip, a detailed travelogue shall be up soon: