[ashis89]

Saturday, August 8. Around noon, I get an overwhelming feeling to give my Coyote a good wash. Staying in an apartment, I have very limited options and space constraint. So I carry three buckets of water from my 2nd floor flat and give him a good wash using the 3M shampoo. Those microfibre cloths were put to good use as well.

Satisfied with my work, I was egged to use the 3M liquid wax and the tyre dresser. Results were not too bad!


Same evening I step out for an hour and the Murphy's law strikes hard, soiling the Coyote. Next day, August 9, we had a trip planned to Barachukki falls and Gaganchukki falls. We had our breakfast and started. Carried home cooked lunch, evening tiffin and lots of tea/coffee for the trip.

Google Blunders

Took the Kanakpura road for the onward trip. Road widening going on and lot of traffic till Kanakpura. The drive beyond Kanakpura was good and we reached around 12PM. I had added Gaganchukki falls on Google maps and it guided me straight past the bifurcation towards the dam and then asked me to take a loop road beside a lake towards the fall. Quite a few other cars had also been directed on that road.

After going 2-3 kms, we encountered a culvert where the mighty Kaveri was overflowing. Water level was a good 1 ft if not more. Crawled through it and made it across without issue. Went to the waterfall, enjoyed the view and returned. While returning, Police had sealed the loop road and diverting everyone through the main approach road which was in perfect condition. If only Google knew!



Next up was Barachukki falls. On the way to this fall, we stopped near a Marigold farm and had our lunch. Went to the fall and returned.



See the mighty Kaveri almost overflowing into those Marigold fields




While returning, my sister mentioned about this place, Gundal dam, which was 35 kms away. It was 3:30PM and we could make it to the dam as well. Tanked up and the FE was 17.4 kmpl over a 783 km range.

Google goofs up again

I opened the route for Gundal dam on Google maps and hooked up the Android Auto. Roads were good until we broke off the highway and took a state road. Even this road was good and very scenic. About 8 kms before the dam, Google suggested we turn right into a narrower tarred road which led into a village. New to the place and with none in sight, who are we to dispute the mighty Google maps!

The road was narrow and there were shrubs on both side of the road. A couple of kms later, the road turned into a mud road and we crossed two small hamlets. Shrubs turned into thorny plants which were scrapping the sides of Coyote one in a while *cringe*

Few people around were curious as to what a car was doing on that road. I stopped and asked a lady about Gundal dam. She signaled me to continue on the road. Another 5 kms to go and the road was worsening. Mud, slush, ruts and smooth patches of dirt road. Since this road was at the foot of a big hill, some portions were washed out by water flowing down the hill. So much so that there were a couple of 10-15 feet deep ravines where the car had to crawl down and up it.

I was in dual thoughts whether it was worth it to proceed on the road or just return home. Occupants in the car had high hopes of visiting the dam and they were ready to "walk" the remaining distance if need be! Needless to say, I kept moving forward. Given the road condition, I was expecting the underbody to scrape at least on a few occasions but the Coyote crawled through just fine, even with five people on board. It was a good adventure driving through that road and I was happy with my decision to have bought a crossover.

I saw another guy who might be able to throw some more light on our plight. When I asked him about the dam, he gave a big smile. Said this road did lead to the dam alright but was meant for the villagers, cattle, few tractors coming to the farms and forest dept. vehicles. There was another road parallel to this (from which we had turned earlier) which is used by all the vehicles. On the return leg, we came back the normal road and realized the blunder that Google had made us do.

Finally made it to the dam. Inspite of all the effort, it was worth it. Weather, wind, tea/coffee and those mountains in the background.









It started raining which forced us to return. The rain continued till we reached home. Coyote was beyond recognition by the end of the day.




Those lights were deemed useless




and so was the reverse camera


and rear glass! Again the rear wiper has been a boon on both my cars


No more cleaning at home. I drove him to Ozone car wash nearby for a complete wash


A clean underbody without any protrusion and all that ground clearance helps


Plastic engine guard


Odo stands around 105xx kms.

I ordered another set of microfibre cloth as I damaged the previous set. Till date I was washing them with hot water and detergent! I also cleaned and rejuvenated my Josapu duster. With these, I should be good another six months.

[ashis89]

I had been complaining about the halogen bulbs being inadequate. The last drive in rains, on the Mysore road, made me seriously look for options that are readily available.

First I got the OSRAM conversion kit with 4300k bulbs (costed me 5400 at the recent Amazon sale!). Had high hopes of doing a DIY. I contacted DBHPian Parag for tips and also went through the detailed post of DBHPian Reinhard. Fitted the setup completely, switched on the lamps and got "System error!" "Check your headlamps" error on the MID. I panicked and thought I screwed up something. Swapped the ballasts and tried again but still no luck. Removed everything and put the halogen back, half hoping there isn't any permanent damage. Halogens worked well and the Coyote was back to normal. I am no expert and simply returned the OSRAM kit.

Next best but expensive option was Morimoto kit, costing about 19500 which I was ready to pay. Contacted the dealer Anton but he strongly recommended FE Retrofit kit though he had the 5500k bulbs only. He said he has been installing both but people have been happier with FE Retrofit due to better performance. After doing some research, I finally went ahead. Booked a slot as he/team works on one car at a time. I was in and out in 30 mins. The factory light alignments were perfect and they didn't have to change it any further. Total cost was 14000.

I have driven 3 days now, including in rains. These lights are definitely better than the stock halogens though there's some still some scope for improvement in rains.

Not fully warm yet. The light has a greenish tinge


Fully warmed up. Now the DRLs don't look like an odd ball on the fascia but the front has a bluish DRL, greenish headlamp and a yellow fog


Low beam with the fogs on as well


High beam with fogs on as well


With the HID, I see an extra spread of light around the corners too which is very helpful in turns, just like a cornering lamp

Next plan, I might go for a 4300k Morimoto kit and install them in the fog lamps for that extra performance in the rains!

[Brishti]

I have a similar setup planned for my seltos but instead of getting the Morimoto kit for the fogs I would recommend getting the OEM jewel fog lamps which are around 14-16K. They are better than any single led source even if its Morimoto.

[dipdawiz]

Originally Posted by ashis89

...
Oh, and BTW, I got this solution for the unlit power window switches. I have added to all fours doors and also to other switches such as fuel filler cap. Works rather well
Attachment 2017413

Nice! Where did you get these stickers from? Any online link or shop address?

Originally Posted by ashis89

Next day, August 9, we had a trip planned to Barachukki falls and Gaganchukki falls.

Thanks for the trip ideas

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by Brishti

I have a similar setup planned for my seltos but instead of getting the Morimoto kit for the fogs I would recommend getting the OEM jewel fog lamps which are around 14-16K. They are better than any single led source even if its Morimoto.

Good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I will check the performance of the jewel LED and a Morimoto HID setup. I am inclined towards HID as it will retain the OE looks. I don't want to spoil my bumper.

Originally Posted by dipdawiz

Nice! Where did you get these stickers from? Any online link or shop address?

Got it from Aliexpress, pre-COVID.

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/4000633265554.html

[guyfrmblr]

The new headlight setup looks awesome. As you have mentioned, the DRLs does not go well with the stock projector headlights in the HTK+ variant.

Originally Posted by ashis89

Contacted the dealer Anton but he strongly recommended FE Retrofit kit though he had the 5500k bulbs only.

Could you please share more details about this dealer? Where is he located?

Originally Posted by ashis89

Good idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I will check the performance of the jewel LED and a Morimoto HID setup. I am inclined towards HID as it will retain the OE looks. I don't want to spoil my bumper.

I suggest the same too. I have seen few YouTube videos where they installed the OEM Jewel LED fog lamps on lower variants without having to modify anything on the bumper. It just fits in the fog lamp housing. Unless Morimoto HID setup gives a better performance, I would suggest you to go with the OEM LED fog lamps.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by guyfrmblr

The new headlight setup looks awesome. As you have mentioned, the DRLs does not go well with the stock projector headlights in the HTK+ variant.

Could you please share more details about this dealer? Where is he located?

The Automotive Lighting Experts, 4th main, 6th Cross Rd, opposite to CJ Car Spa, GM Palya, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560075

The owner's name is Anton. Contact number: 073377 77444

I suggest the same too. I have seen few YouTube videos where they installed the OEM Jewel LED fog lamps on lower variants without having to modify anything on the bumper. It just fits in the fog lamp housing. Unless Morimoto HID setup gives a better performance, I would suggest you to go with the OEM LED fog lamps.

Thanks, I will check the performance and also check with KIA dealer maybe during the next service. During my last service, I saw a new HTK+ (refreshed one) ready for delivery but with those ice cube fog lamps. Must have been fitted by the dealer.

For now, these HIDs are doing a very good job.

[mankuthimma]

Recently in my friend's GTX+, one of the fog lamps had to be replaced due to a freaky incident. The price of a single LED fog lamp costed around 6k. Just a fyi.

[kunalsingh]

Next two weeks, RoadRunner is super busy while Coyote will remain ignored. Couldn't get it washed but managed to him a cover. So now the super dusty Coyote has a cover to protect him from further dust!

Attachment 1967024

Hi, could you please share the details/price of this cover and your review of it? Thanks

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by kunalsingh

Hi, could you please share the details/price of this cover and your review of it? Thanks

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B081TZMZT2?...p_mob_ap_share

I was looking for something with quick delivery and paid 999/- for this cover. Till date, I have used it 10-15 times and I can already see a small tear near the front bumper.

My car is parked in covered parking and this cover has protected well from dust. It is light weight and easy to cover the car by oneself. That said, the A pillar in Seltos has a gloss panel. Using this cover repeatedly scratches this panel slightly. I don't cover the car unless the car is very clean but going to remain unused for few days.

[ashis89]

What do you do on a working Friday?

Well....wake up unusually early and get down to cleaning your car to have it ready for the weekend

Some waterless wash and a layer of 3M liquid wax


End result


The air pressure was topped up during the last service in the first week of June, 3 months ago. But ride quality was at its best and grip at highway speeds was better too (even my wife agreed). So I got it checked during the last refueling and found the pressure to be 33 psi, the golden number for the best ride. Kept it as such.

Even though I moved from a petrol to diesel, the free-revving nature means I still rev it hard most of the times and love it. At other times, the torque low down is great to keep pottering around the city without gear-shifts! Average FE has been varying between 15-18 kmpl which gives me range of 700-800 kms easily.

[ashis89]

Weekend day trip to Mallali Falls and Bisle Ghats

Based on a suggestion from DBHPian procrj, we planned a day trip to Mallali Falls and Bisle Ghats. The plan was to start early, take a short break for breakfast and carry lunch along so that we can have it any time and anywhere!

Started from the LBS Nagar at 6:15AM and reached Kamat, Kunigal by 8:15AM, via E-city Nice road.



After breakfast, we resumed the trip towards Mallali. First stop was near Gorur dam backwaters! Couldn’t help stopping and clicking few pictures. While others were busy clicking and getting clicked, I captured the blinking Coyote!




And some lush green fields

Mallali Falls

Reached Mallali Falls by 12:15PM and found a lot of cars parked on the narrow approach road. The approach to Mallali falls is a steep incline. Due to a narrow road and cars parked on either side, there was a jam between the cars coming down the slope and some of us going up to park. With 5 on board, the handbrake was insufficient to hold back the car on the slope and the car would start rolling back. This was the first time I had to give some throttle while releasing the clutch in first gear, to keep the car in turbo zone (~1500 rpm). After struggling for few mins to find a proper parking spot, we trekked down to the waterfall.





It was beyond 2PM when all of us returned back to the car. Since it was hot and we were tired by the hike from the waterfall, I suggested we cool down, drive for some distance and find a nice spot to have our lunch. Since the next destination was Bisle Ghat View point, we started in that direction. After 30 mins, we found THE perfect spot for a picnic.

Parked by the side, took out the plastic mat and spread on the soft grass. Served ourselves lunch and enjoyed the jungle view by the side.

Bisle Ghat View Point

Next was Bisle ghat view point. Again few cars and a big bunch of bikers had visited the spot. While walking to the view point, I found a small trail going down to few rocks where we could stand alone and had a great view of the mountain range.







It was 4:15PM by time we wrapped up from the spot. On our way to the view point, we had seen a sign board about Patla Betta cutting off the road. While returning, we thought of giving it a shot to this view point. Unknown to us, we didn’t have high expectations.

Patla Betta View Point

Reached the point where a broken mud trail was leading up away from the road. We asked the lone person there and he said that cars can’t go up that road as it is bad. He was right and I learnt it the hard way.
It was a mud road with rocks/stones of all sizes jutting out randomly. The 4*4s had travelled and smoothen it wherever possible. After barely 300 m. there was an incline and a hairpin turn. Due to rains, the road was partially washed exposing the rocks while the top layer was slippery red mud. After a recce, I thought I will be able to drive up if I stick to one corner. Chose the outer one as the gradient would be gradual and will also give me more space to turn. Since there were rocks jutting out, I started at crawling speed with bare minimum throttle. Slowly as the gradient increased, I felt the need for more throttle until right before the turn, the front wheels lost traction and started spinning.

Due to the wet red mud and smooth stones, Coyote didn’t get any traction. Due to uneven ground, the weight distribution on the tyres was uneven too. Even here the gradient was such that the handbrakes were not able to hold the car from rolling back. If I kept the RPM near idle and try to start, the car would get bogged down and stall. If I give some throttle to get into the turbo zone and then launch, loads of torque and no traction resulted in wheel spins and sliding. I backed up a couple times and tried to restart but the result was same. No forward movement due to no traction. That day I realized these HT tyres are useless.

Uneven ground and the rocks jutting out


There was still another way. I could back down for some distance and then restart with some momentum which could help me sail through this patch. But I was driving a cross-over, with HT tyres, in a remote area, on a road with slippery mud and jutting rocks, with my family and barely anyone else to help. That was enough adventure for Coyote for the day. Reversed down and parked by the side, we decided to continue on foot for the remaining 2-3 kms.



It was a long tiring trek but in the end, it was worth all the pain and struggle! Climb to the top and you can view the whole Mallali falls on one side and the Bisle ghat on the other side!













Trugged back to the car by 5:40PM and started the return trip.Again after a 30 min drive to cool us down, we stopped for some tea and snacks which we had carried from home.

Parked beside the same lush green fields


My wife exclaimed that bald tree behind reminded her of a miniature Whomping Willows


All this while Coyote had managed to get dual tone alloys, only on the front though



Finally started by 6:15PM, had dinner at Empire Kunigal, and reached Nelamangala toll by 10:30PM. Took the NICE road and were home by 11:40PM.

Distance: 640 kms

Trip time: 18 hrs.

Driving time: 11:40 hrs.

Odo stands at 11860 kms.

FE: 15 kmpl

Driving experience

This was my first experience driving a turbo diesel on a ghat road and I could find some difference vs. my previous experience with petrol cars.

- For hair pin bends with moderate slope, the car was relaxed in 3rd gear.

- for the ones with steep slope, downshift to 2nd before the turn and you are good to go.

- While moving from standstill on a steep incline, just releasing the clutch in 1st gear is not enough and engine feels bogged down. Keep the RPMs around +/- 1500 rpm and it starts moving fine.

- It was a joy driving this car around the corners and I felt confident keeping speeds

- The 33 Psi tyre pressure all around gives the perfect balance between ride and handling

[fhdowntheline]

Nice report!. Just a question- reading some reviews on the tube, I saw someone mention that the Seltos rear end tends to sag under a full load of 5 passengers, leaving very little room for the rear wheels for handling bad roads. Do you experience this ?

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Nice report!. Just a question- reading some reviews on the tube, I saw someone mention that the Seltos rear end tends to sag under a full load of 5 passengers, leaving very little room for the rear wheels for handling bad roads. Do you experience this ?

Never faced any issue of the rear suspension bottoming out. We have been doing few long trips with 5 passengers (including a kid). The rear does sag a bit (from its normal unloaded stance) but that is true for any car. That said, ride quality still remains good in the rear.

Having driven over bad roads and even mild off-road in few instances, I never faced any issue with the GC either.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by ashis89

[h3]we planned a day trip to Mallali Falls and Bisle Ghats.

It was good to meet you ashis. Did you drive via Koothi - Vanagoor to Bisle or did you take Kundali - Patla route that gmaps directs you to by default? Patla betta and Bisle have been on my to do list for sometime now. Maybe next year after a visit to Mallalli again

Here is a pic of the Coyote and Dwarf at Mallalli