[BLACNWYTE]

Tyre Rotation, Wheel Alignment and Balancing.

It was very much fill it, shut it, forget it kind of use for the past 3-4 months with the Panda. Hence nothing much to update. Anyway during the start of April Panda rolled over the milestone of 10k kms on the new shoes so it was time for recalibration. I went with Travancore Wheel Club, Edappazhanji from where I brought the tyres. All works done and tread wear seemed normal.

Cost - Rs. 1200/- for TR, WA&B. 4 wheel tyre rotation done. Spare is the old Goodyear for which only the air (N2) was topped up.

Small review of Continental UC6 tyres:

• Plusher than the Goodyears.
• Less road noise.
• Grip levels, both wet and dry are very good.
• Braking grip is also good. No squealing or slipping noticed even on hard braking.
• Tread wear at 10k kms seems normal. (Haven't measured the tread depth, just visual opinion)
• Fuel Efficiency - a little less that what I used to get on same sized Goodyears. (This may also be due a suspected bad clutch)

As I mentioned above, I have started to suspect that the clutch is on its last legs. With my average driving skills and taking Panda up and down the hilly Trivandrum rural roads for the last four years might have worn down the clutch faster. Sometimes even on level roads under hard acceleration there is a plasticky / burning smell which might be the clutch slipping. There is a little bit more pronounced vibrations on half clutch method on inclines with full load. However, Panda always manages to pull through.

Its nearing the 10k km mark after the last service, so, maybe during this service which will be the 8th year/80k km service, I might get the clutch system also replaced. I will ask the HASS guys about the condition of clutch, but I feel that they will anyway ask me to get it replaced.

In this connection, I wanted to get the expert opinion of valued members, should I get the entire system i.e., clutch plate, pressure plate, flywheel, master and slave cylinder and clutch release bearing replaced or just the bearing, cutch plate and pressure plate.

[nkghai]

Good morning

I am a proud owner of Creta 2015 Petrol VTVT SX called Nanook. When i purchased it i was very active and we solved a lot of teething issues in this forum. However have not been very active of late. Most of my vehicle is still stock with only changes being battery (every four years). Tyres changed at 65 K and wiper blades change. I did get the pressure plate and clutch plate changed at 65K. Always been serviced at authorised service centres. The speedo is at 105000.
With this background i have two queries

Firstly about headlight upgrade : Headlights are still stock but of late i feel the headlight luminosity extremely reduced. My question is which is best bulb which can be used in the existing set up for better visibility?

Secondly about Suspension upgrade : of late have found the ride a bit harsh particularly over breakers. Have regularly got the suspension checked during service and have ensured correct tyre pressure at all times. My question is whether changing all rubber bushes and suspension overhaul is worth the effort.

Thanks in advance

[BLACNWYTE]

The Auto Spa, Palarivattom - A Brief Review. (On Service Road, Near EMC Hospital, Kochi)

For the past seven years, the back seat of our Panda has been abused by my son and daughter. Numerous water, juice and other liquid spills later there were still stains which were beyond my cleaning abilities. The fact that the seats are fabric also didn't help with the cleaning.

After every longish trip, I spend hours carefully wiping down the seats and floor for the stray food items and spilled liquids. However, overtime some food stains remained and I understood that wet wiping and sun-drying are not going to cut it anymore and decided to get professional help.

Last weekend I was at my home town Kochi and I decided to give Panda for a proper interior cleaning with shampoo wash and vacuum of seats. I chose The Auto Spa, Palarivattom just because it was at a walking distance from my home.

I gave Panda in the afternoon around 1 PM and asked them for a basic exterior wash and interior cleaning with shampoo wash and vacuum of seats. I also told them that I needed the car back by evening and they gave me estimated delivery time as 6:30 PM and an estimate cost of approximately Rs. 2000/-.

I was back at 6PM and to my surprise, the car was cleaned and ready. They had washed the exterior and mildly polished it and I couldn't recognise the interior. It was almost near showroom condition when we took delivery. They also had polished the interior and I was apprehensive about the slippery stuff the HASS normally use. However, this stuff was good and it was not slippery. The guy in charge (I forgot his name) was very pleasant and explained what all was done and told me to air out the car overnight (since I had covered parking) so that the shampoo smell and polish smell will reduce.

The interior was spotless and all seats looked as good as new. The final bill was Rs. 1800/-. That is very reasonable for the work done on the car. They take UPI and cash only so no card payments. The interior smelled of the polish and shampoo for about 3-4 days but vanished once I aired out the car in sun with all doors open. Overall, very happy and satisfied with the service.


P.S.- I don't have any vested interest in the Auto Spa, Palarivattom. Just a happy customer.

P.P.S.- Forgot to take the before and after pictures but will try and post some with the current condition soon.

[BLACNWYTE]

Price of carelessness.

I was a bit careless while reversing Panda at my office parking and it cost me the passenger side ORVM. This happened a week before, while it was rain Gods were havocking vengeance in Kerala. I have been using the car since it started raining mid May and this particular morning I was so focused to get to the office building after parking without getting drenched that I forgot about the sidewall of the parking structure.

Had I spent a couple of more seconds focusing on parking I would have saved me money and spared a lot of heartache. I while avoiding a pillar on the driver side, reversed Panda too close to the sidewall and dinged the passenger side ORVM.

Crunch and Pop. Felt like my soul crushing and heart dropping. Mirror fell out and shattered, the turn indicator broke, outer casing popped off and the frame got dinged. All of this happened in a second. It has been over seven and half years since I got Panda and I thought it won't hurt me much to see some dings, dents and scrapes on her. Boy was I wrong. It stings and pains a lot.

I then parked her correctly and then assessed the damage. Even though the glass broke it didn't scatter but was held together by that cheap aftermarket rain guard I put earlier. There was a dent in the frame and the turn indicator glass was broken. I popped back the outer casing which had one locking pin broken and put back the mirror. Every thing held together and I pressed the retractor button and the mirror closed normally. The Indicator function was also functioning. The mirror adjustment wont operate fully but it was enough for me to see the area behind. I getting drenched in rain was not even a remote concern in my mind then.

The service is due in June and Panda has already done the 10k kms before the scheduled service. So I called up HASS and fixed an appointment. I told the SA over phone that the ORVM might need replacement and have that part in stock and I sent him the pictures of the damage over WhatsApp. The SA told me to order the part they need to see the damage so that they can assess whether it can be repaired before replacing the unit fully. I looked in boodmo and the unit cost is around Rs. 4000/-. So including labour I'm expecting an expense of Rs. 5000/- plus the service costs.

However, I was tied up with some important work at home that I missed my appointment and as I write this Panda is still suffering the damages I inflicted. This Sunday I took some time to try and fix up the dent so that the mirror will move a little more freely but I should say that it was a very limited success. The dent is smaller now but all the other damages remain. I'll be able to make the service appointment may be by mid June only.

Pictures of the damages..













P.S.- I will upload the current condition of the mirror in a later post as I forgot to take pictures.

[BLACNWYTE]

UPDATE - Ninth Service /(8 year/80000 kms)

Like last time, the usual 10k kms were done by May itself but since I had only limited running I thought of pushing the service to late June. However, since my careless encounter with the wall led to damage to the LH ORVM, I thought of getting Panda serviced at the next possible time.

So booked an appointment with HASS Karakkamandapam, Trivandrum (Popular Hyundai), which has become my default service destination when in Trivandrum now. Appointment was taken for 07/06/2025 and I reached the HASS by 9:30 AM. This time however I didn't have to wait much and within 10 mins SA came to me for assessing the works that need to be done.

Straightaway he told that the clutch has become hard and will need replacement. I told its not that hard (which I later found to be wrong) but to check if it really needs replacement as it is an expensive job. Regarding the ORVM he told that child parts are available for the mirror but the outer casing (black frame) which I dented, is not available separately. So I will have to get the full mirror assembly replaced it seems. He further told that they do not have the part in stock and will have to order. So I asked him to inform me the cost of the part and then I'll tell him how to proceed. I also asked about the minor dent and scratch corrections for which he told the body shop SA will give me a quote.

From the remaining periodic service works, this time I removed the windshield fluid filling, evaporator coil cleaning and interior disinfection. But I agreed to the engine bay cleaning, rodent protection and greasing and lubrication of all joints and hinges, which I could have done by myself but now cost me around Rs. 2500/-. I also asked them to weld the holes in the exhaust but not to put any coating on them as I know it to be a waste from my experience last time.

Remaining were routine periodic services like engine oil change (mineral oil - I insisted), oil filter, o ring, brake overhaul and interior and exterior cleaning. Additional works like cowl top cleaning were offered but I rejected.

A whatsapp group was created including me, SA, SM and technicians where I received regular updates and short videos of works being done. I was informed that the ORVM assembly costs about Rs. 6500/- + labour for replacement so, I decided to defer it for now. However, I never got any info from the body shop Sa regarding the denting and painting works and I didn't pursue it.

The works were completed on 09/06/2025 by 4 PM but since I was tied up at work I decided to take delivery on 10/06/2025 morning. So reached the HASS at 9 AM and as expected the dents and scratches were not touched. Took a very short test drive with the SA and I was pleasantly surprised at the lightness of the clutch. Feather light. I had forgotten how light the clutch was when Panda was new.

The total Bill came to Rs. 27760/-, highest service bill till now. Clutch parts cost about Rs. 8000/- and the labout cost was also the same. The regular service cost was around Rs. 4000/- and taxes were close to Rs. 5000/-.
Paid the amount and took Panda to office.

On the way I observed that there is a judder while releasing the clutch pedal just at the biting point. It is slight in 1st and 2nd gear but more pronounced from 3rd gear onwards. Since in traffic I could go only up to 5th gear, all gear changes caused vibration on the clutch pedal. On the return drive home, the judder was evident in all gears. I have parked Panda and informed the same to the SA. I have made an appointment for this Saturday and till then Panda will stay parked.

I suspect it could be some issues with flywheel polishing or there could be air in the system. Bleeding might not have been done properly. Apart from this issue, the clutch is very light and the pick up has improved a lot. I got the old parts back and upon inspection of the old clutch plate, it was seen all the grooves were intact so it might still had life in it, but I'm not going to rethink the replacement decision now. Photos of the old parts attached below.

Old Clutch Cover Assembly/ Pressure Plate





Old Clutch Plate





Old Clutch Release Bearing



Old Slave Cylinder



They damaged my battery cover.



P.S.- I have tried to repair the ORVM and slightly succeeded. The mirror and turn indicator needs to be replaced. If I get the black outer frame (will try from the second hand market/ scrap) maybe this unit can be salvaged.

[sagarpadaki]

The juddering should not be present with new clutch. There are a few possibilities as to why the clutch judders. The Clutch assembly may not have been centered properly. Alternatively, they assembly may not be torqued to the flywheel uniformly.

Either way, the issue has to be fixed. It will not go away on its own after a few hundred kms. The service center will say that the clutch will need to bed in and will be fine after driving for a while. Do not fall for this. Hyundai parts come with 6 months/10,000 kms warranty if installed at their service center.

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

... The service center will say that the clutch will need to bed in and will be fine after driving for a while. Do not fall for this. Hyundai parts come with 6 months/10,000 kms warranty if installed at their service center.

Thank you. Will keep this in mind while dealing with HASS.

[sumeethaldankar]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Thank you. Will keep this in mind while dealing with HASS.

I was given this story that the clutch juddering will go away after 500 to 1000 kms after I had got my Civics' clutch overhauled. It never went away till 50k kms post which I got fed up and changed to a new clutch and flywheel. I believe they have skimmed the old flywheel while changing the clutch which also done the first time for me. I hope the juddering goes away for you.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Like SagarPadaki mentioned there should be absolutely no judder with the new clutch kit. It could also be that they have not centered the clutch kit again like what Sagar mentioned. Moreover I hope they did not force the gearbox into the engine rather it should mate to the engine flush very easily. I've seen mechanics force the gearbox into the engine which inturn damages /Bends clutch plate due to the input shaft smashing against the clutch plate making it completely useless. You will start to get judder and moreover it you will notice burn marks on the pressure plate.

How do I know this? Last Saturday, A Ritz came from Bangalore to me which had a brand new clutch put at a local garage and they messed a lot of things up when reinstalling the gearbox. Even though they put a brand new OEM clutch kit , while installating the gearbox they hurried up and slid the gearbox tilted partially and mated the gearbox with the engine using bolts effectively bending the clutch plate. There was also judder when lifting from standstill. I had no choice but to replace the clutch kit again even though it had done just 600kms

Regards
Ashton Castelino

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar

... I hope the juddering goes away for you.

Sorry to hear about your experience. I too believe they messed up the flywheel skimming. Earlier the car used to judder at half clutch now the pedal judders and car is running fine. Also when I say judder its not violent but you can definitely feel it and is abnormal. I too hope that the HASS rectifies my issue.

Originally Posted by Ashtoncastelino

Like SagarPadaki mentioned there should be absolutely no judder with the new clutch kit ...... There was also judder when lifting from standstill. I had no choice but to replace the clutch kit again even though it had done just 600kms

Regards
Ashton Castelino

Thank you. I don't want to believe that they have messed up my new clutch. I never had anything bad to say about the workmanship at this particular HASS. However, I'm taking the car to them this Saturday. Let's see what they have to tell.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

. I too believe they messed up the flywheel skimming. Earlier the car used to judder at half clutch now the pedal judders and car is running fine. Also when I say judder its not violent but you can definitely feel it and is abnormal.
.

If HASS lowers the gearbox, put the clutch onto the input shaft on the gearbox with Neutral and rotate the clutch to make sure it is rotating in a proper circle and make sure there is no bends noticed when it is rotating.

Judder felt on the pedal could be that the pressure plate is not evenly tightened onto the flywheel. the fingers of the pressure plate are not levelled and this causes the judder on the release bearing which is then transmitted to your clutch slave cylinder and finally to the pedal.

Anyways, keep these in mind when they do the diagnosis, you anyways have warranty on the work they did for 6 months. Hope my incidents help in finding your root cause !

[ike]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

P.S.- I have tried to repair the ORVM and slightly succeeded. The mirror and turn indicator needs to be replaced. If I get the black outer frame (will try from the second hand market/ scrap) maybe this unit can be salvaged.

Aren't you better off hunting for an entire left OVRM assembly from the scrapyard rather than child parts? Given that this is not a rare car or a rare color you should be able to find something for much less than what the dealer quoted.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

Price of carelessness.

Had I spent a couple of more seconds focusing on parking I would have saved me money and spared a lot of heartache.

You can get the glass separately from Hyundai. Attached link or you could get an aftermarket side mirror assembly from Lumax which is very reputed and costs under 4K.

[vividhavasthi]

Just curious as to why you insisted on mineral oil?

[BLACNWYTE]

Update

I took the car to the HASS on Saturday and had multiple test drives with the chief technician and the SA. They both say that the car is fine. Whatever vibrations I'm taking about they don't feel it and everything is normal. I also took turns in driving the car and I could feel vibrations while shifting from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. Given that these vibrations are very light but its definitely there.

They did checks again and insisted that the vehicle is in fine condition and also have told me that I can bring in the vehicle anytime I feel that there is an issue. I told then I'll drive the car some more and bring it back if the issue persists. Interestingly, there is absolutely no vibrations on the clutch pedal during half clutch in the first gear. I don't want to create mountains out of molehills or for that matter imagine up issues and would rather enjoys my drives.

Another thing is that, this time I didn't get that free check up coupon which is valid for 6 months or 5k kms whichever is earlier from the HASS. Feels ominous.

Originally Posted by vividhavasthi

Just curious as to why you insisted on mineral oil?

My running is around 10k kms a year for which the present grade mineral oil is more than enough. I feel, synthetic oil is primarily for performance cars, those with high running and also for cars running in harsher climates/ environments. Also, mineral oil only costs a fraction of that of good quality synthetic oil.

I have regularly checked the oil levels and found that apart from turning dark brown from the initial golden yellow colour, the oil is fine and levels are same. Further, I open the oil filler cap and check for any residue/ sludge inside and haven't found any till now. Hopefully, it remains the same for many more years. Fingers crossed.