[PrasannaDhana]

Year End Update

December usage: 2542 km

Odo : 36,925 km




Any issues to report - None

Total mileage done in 2022 -

Altroz 1.5 D - 31,000 km
Storme V400 - 9500 km
Kwid 1.0 (now sold) - 4500 km
Celerio 1.0 - 2000 km

A good year for driving, clocking a total of 47,000 km driving for me. Glad most was on altroz diesel. A very nice mixture of frugality & fun!

Some pics as usual

I had the chance to push a Ford Fiesta 1.6S on highways today. I can't say any further without facing the risk of infraction lol. It was fun, but I expected a better top end. But a solid handling compact sedan nevertheless. I am spoilt by the Polo 1.0 TSI I guess. This blue shade is gorgeous!



I also did the routine wheel balancing and alignment last week







Ended 2022 with a trip to my inlaws home. A 300 km round trip.









With my 2021 Celerio which has run just 3500 km in 2022



My close pal is buying a nexon diesel. Pics during PDI






2022 was a good year. I wish everyone a better, happier, more prosperous and productive New Year 2023!!

[PrasannaDhana]

37,500 km service - general check up & Warranty Replacement

I had given the altroz for 37,500 km scheduled service. This service was just a routine check up accompanied by wash and vacuum.

I decided to get the warranty replacement done for the AC air recirculation assembly which was not closing external air intake properly. Gave it yesterday morning and took back the car this afternoon.

AC works fine now. Parts replaced under warranty were air intake assembly and actuator motor, both totalling 2500 rupees.

Total bill was 2400 rupees for the general check up and wash. Attaching the bill here.

I always were paranoid about getting dashboard removed for any work. I didn't do that in Ciaz until I sold, even though AC work was pending in ciaz. I was afraid the car would develop rattles after dashboard reinstallation. Fortunately it remains as fine as it was before.

There were some dirt marks on upholstery which I wiped off as soon as I saw them. Other than that Kaveri Tata did a wonderful job. CRM Mr. Rajesh himself took the car into service. My usual service advisor Mr. Raja has resigned and I was worried about the next person who would be taking care of my cars. Altroz has been taken care by Raja since purchase and storme since 30k km on odo. Now I have been directed to equally efficient service personnel by the CRM.

Any other issues with the car- The steering height adjust is not settling in properly. Thankfully it's now in my usual position. I am suspecting whether something happened during the alignment I did last week at a FNG. Will get it rectified during thr 45000 km service.

Some pics as usual

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Any other issues with the car- The steering height adjust is not settling in properly. Thankfully it's now in my usual position. I am suspecting whether something happened during the alignment I did last week at a FNG. Will get it rectified during thr 45000 km service.

Well, I was in for a shock the next day when I started the car and started to move, the steering automatically turned right. I thought it must be a flat tyre, but it wasn't the case.

Then I took it up with kaveri Tata. Apparently the steering column had to be removed for the AC actuator motor replacement. While reinstallation, the steering angle calibration had not been done properly

The service manager apologized for the carelessness on their part and promised to rectify it ASAP. I left the car at the dealer in the morning and got a call stating the work has been completed at 4 pm. I went and did a thorough test ride. One advantage in altroz top trim is that it shows if the tyres are aligned, in the MID during start up. When the issue cropped up, the tyres would be aligned but the MID would show unaligned graphics, either to the left or right. Now it is back to normal.

The steering height adjust has also been rectified.

Phew! All is well that ends well! I was frustrated to say the least. I did loop in the dealer GM after I left the car for rectification. Though the work has been done 100% effectively now, it should have been done this way the first time around.

As the widespread opinion goes, Tata A.S.S definitely need to up the game. I am just glad Kaveri atleast owned up to their carelessness and did a diligent job of correcting the mistake.

[PrasannaDhana]

Routine Month End update

Odo : 39,000 km

January 2023 was a busy month, but I spread out the Usage between my Storme and Altroz. Altroz was used only for 2077 km.

January 2023 Usage : 2077 km



I have driven the car for 1500 km since the SAS calibration/Steering column niggle. The car has been totally trouble free.

My usage will go up as I have taken up a new project which would add one day a week of 150 km drive (75 km one way) on state highways from Trichy - pagalavadi - Thathiengarpet.

My psychological barrier of 40k km is nearing. It's just 1000 km away. That's when I usually replace the stock tyres and upsize. But the stock goodyear assurance tyres still have atleast 10000 km life to them. I might do another 5000 km before going for Continental UC6 195/65 R16 (yes, extra sidewall height for better ride quality) or MRF Perfinza 195/65 R16. Many good reviews about that MRF.

And 40k km is the usual mileage where I replaced disc pads. Surprisingly Altroz pads do have lot of life left.

Next oil change will be at 45,000 km. Storme is also being used more oflate. It was driven for 1400 km in January. I have got about another 600 km in the next week alone for the storme. I feel the pinch clearly while refills, after being used to the great fuel efficiency of altroz diesel. There is a clear difference of 3 rs per km.

Some photos as usual

With my brand new SML BS6 School bus



With the oldest vehicle of mine, 2004 Tempo traveller with 2 lakh km on odo






At our favorite highway dhaba



With the hot Ecosport S



Just the regular engine bay cleaning & fluids check time



The sparingly used big brother, with just 59000 km on the odo, will complete 5 years coming March

[Benoit]

Always a treat to read your updates.

My car is at 44k km now. By next week, it will be past 45k, and i will leave the car for the oil change service. After the 40k mark, the tyre starts to wear out pretty quicker. I am pretty sure you will cross 50k km before me. I will be waiting for your tyre upgrade review.

I am also contemplating buying continental UC6 195/60R16. Would 195/65 be a good fit? I was under the impression that 195/65 would rub against the fender liner while making full right or left turns. If not, it would be a great choice.

[vamsi_k_b]

Absolutely well detailed review and really good updates.. Altroz would have been a perfect car for me I was able to fit properly.

[CarCraze]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

[

At our favorite highway dhaba

More interested to know this location please 😄

[fluidicjoy]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Routine Month End update

You have a lovely thread with a very beautiful car. The Altroz is truly breathtaking. Thanks for continuing to share your experiences with immaculate detail.

[PrasannaDhana]

Update:

Odo: 41,500 km

I have been super busy with work since the last update. I was quite held up that I even missed to do the routine month end update.

February and a couple of unlucky events


1. Stress crack on the windshield of Altroz.
I was not mindful enough to realize the car had been parked in the hot sun, and proceeded to go on with the weekly Sunday TLC of washing it. Hosing the panel beneath the windshield with water may have caused rapid temperature differences between the 2 materials and it resulted in a 40 cm long stress crack from the bottom towards the middle.



I called the service manager at Tata dealership who directed me to the bodyshop manager. I was told it would take 3 days and the windshield of XZ+ which comes with rain sensor will cost around 14000 INR. Money wasn't an issue, but to leave the car at the bodyshop for 3 days was something I was totally against.

The next option was AIS Windshield Experts. I haven't read or heard about them before. When I shared about this windshield crack in our Teambhp Madras whatsapp group, there were atleast 4 BHPians who had nothing but nice things to say about Windshield Experts when they replaced their windshields.

Luckily, Trichy has a branch and I called them. I was surprised that they had the exact OE windshield with rain sensor in stock and it can be replaced in 4 hours tops.



I went ahead and they suggested for an insurance claim. I made it clear that I needed the car by the evening, for which the person there told me that the work is subject to insurance company approving the job first and until then they won't start working. I told him I will pay him the expenses and he can reimburse me once the insurance pays him back. I left my driver there and left for work. Exactly in 3 hours, the job was done. I was totally satisfied with the work.

With the new windshield



There was this poor altroz which had been subjected into vandalism. All windshields shattered. I was told it was sitting in the garage for 15 days waiting for the insurance company to approve the work to begin.




Total damage to the wallet was 10k, of which 9k will be reimbursed by insurance, which hasn't been done so far. Lol. The insurance company says I night receive the reimbursement anytime next week.

2. New Celerio and recurring minor accidents

My 2021 (sheesh, I bought in on 23rd December 2021) celerio has been driven just 5000 km so far. It has been into 3 minor accidents so far. Twice with 2 wheelers rear ending the bumper when it was stationery, and once a brio sideswiping it and knocking off the ORVM. One of those instances was my driver driving and other two were while my dad driving. This time, the rear bumper tore like a fabric. My dad was frustrated and we decided to let the car go. I spoke to my usual Truevalue manager and asked him to dispose the car. We arrived at 6.4 lakhs as the price and the deal was done. They took the delivery and handed me the delivery report.

I then booked a Tata Punch Adventure Rhythm in orange colour. The next day our true value guy calls and says his superiors are not giving approval and Maruti doesn't have funds to take 5L+ rupee used cars right now and what not! I could have refused to take the car back as I already had the delivery report. But since the guy is known to us over 2 decades and has taken 6 of my cars so far, I Iet it slide. Only thing, the guy will get no further business through me. Trust lost, is business lost.



Now the car back at my garage, I decided to replace the bumper. Total damage to wallet -8k. I have told the Tata sales TL to keep the booking and not allot any car till I tell him. I might be looking at a 4th car within next 6 months. So I didn't cancel the booking. It might either be Punch or nexon diesel, to be used by dad.


February saw the least usage as for as altroz ownership so far has seen. Just 1400 km. It was because I drove the storme close to 3000 km in February.

Storme has been used close to 4000 km in 40 days



Altroz, though sparingly used in February, is back to its stride in March. I had completed 1000 km in 9 days.


Kodaikanal Trip

I needed a break after a hectic February and decided to have a holiday in Kodaikanal. It is the 2nd time the altroz is being driven to kodaikanal, and the 3rd time it is being driven on hills in the 16 months of Ownership. It has always been a delight to drive on ghats.







But this time though, I had a really frustrating time driving around the rural parts of Kodaikanal where the roads were terrible. The stiff low speed ride + bad roads really took a toll on my lower back. I almost decided to sell the car off That was until we hit the good roads and ghats again. What a lovely little car to drive on good roads and what a crappy car to be in, on bad roads.





The 1.5L diesel mill shines everywhere. I did Dindigul to Trichy in 45 minutes, which means averaging at the speed limits. The car still returned 20 kmpl while being rock solid at speeds.

Compact dimensions of Altroz was a boon in Kodaikanal town, where there are no properly planning parking areas anywhere. Every car/bus has to be parked on the main roads at the side.




Things to be taken care of at the 45000 km routine service

1. AC air flow has become reduced. Cabin air filter might need a replacement. Right now the ACC requires the blower speed to be at 5 or 6 initially for a few minutes to get the cabin cooled. Hot summer and gloss black roof don't help either

2. The wipers will have to be replaced

3. The disc pads are stock ones which haven't been replaced since purchase. Most probably they will have to be changed.

A few pics as usual :

Originally Posted by Benoit

Always a treat to read your updates.

My car is at 44k km now. By next week, it will be past 45k, and i will leave the car for the oil change service. After the 40k mark, the tyre starts to wear out pretty quicker. I am pretty sure you will cross 50k km before me. I will be waiting for your tyre upgrade review.

I am also contemplating buying continental UC6 195/60R16. Would 195/65 be a good fit? I was under the impression that 195/65 would rub against the fender liner while making full right or left turns. If not, it would be a great choice.

Thank you!

I need to recheck if 195/65 would brush against the fenders during complete turn of the wheel. It's about an inch increase in the sidewall height on either sides. I don't think it would be a problem though.

Originally Posted by vamsi_k_b

Absolutely well detailed review and really good updates.. Altroz would have been a perfect car for me I was able to fit properly.

Thank you!

I am surprised, how tall/heavy are you? I am a solid XXL guy and I don't have any problems using the altroz (albeit on good roads only).

Originally Posted by CarCraze

More interested to know this location please ��

Lol, it's the dhaba to the right of the highway when you are driving from trichy towards Madurai, just about 250 meters before the Viralimalai toll plaza.

Don't go the one on the left, before the toll. They look similar but are not the same.

Originally Posted by fluidicjoy

You have a lovely thread with a very beautiful car. The Altroz is truly breathtaking. Thanks for continuing to share your experiences with immaculate detail.

Thanks a lot!

[chaksjr]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Update:

Odo: 41,500 km

The next option was AIS Windshield Experts. I haven't read or heard about them before. When I shared about this windshield crack in our Teambhp Madras whatsapp group, there were atleast 4 BHPians who had nothing but nice things to say about Windshield Experts when they replaced their windshields.

Luckily, Trichy has a branch and I called them. I was surprised that they had the exact OE windshield with rain sensor in stock and it can be replaced in 4 hours tops.

Coincidentally I too had a windshield crack sometime in January. Had not transferred the insurance to my name from the previous owner's (noob mistake) and hence I could not claim any. Ford ASS was asking for about 10k, found Windshield Experts by chance online and talked to my nearest branch (BTM, Bengaluru). They settled for 7.1k and I was there the next morning. Work was done in a couple of hours and is going well till date. They seem to be running a good enough chain.

[vamsi_k_b]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Update:
I am surprised, how tall/heavy are you? I am a solid XXL guy and I don't have any problems using the altroz (albeit on good roads only).

I am around 6'4. Even if I some how some how squeeze in, the seat behind the drivers seat will be pretty much useless. This was the case with Nexon as well.

[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Things to be taken care of at the 45000 km routine service

1. AC air flow has become reduced. Cabin air filter might need a replacement. Right now the ACC requires the blower speed to be at 5 or 6 initially for a few minutes to get the cabin cooled. Hot summer and gloss black roof don't help either

I couldn't wait until the 45,000 km service. The summer heat and a clogged cabin filter can be a bad combination.

Visited the new Kaveri Tata service center, which is just 2 km from my home. The previous branch was 20 km away. It is a big facility and luckily only a few cars were in the service bay.




Only 9 cars so far at 11 am, their other branch would have 3x the number of cars waiting to be serviced by the same time



The service advisor told me they can do it asap and return the car. Within 30 minutes, they cleaned the cabin air filter (will replace it at the 45000 km service) and tightened the RHS wiper base which was loose.

AC is back to being an absolute chiller, as it was on the day of delivery. Now blower level 2 is sufficient to cool the cabin even in the afternoon sun. Before, i had to have it at level 6 or 7 and yet it took time to cool.

Big to new service facility of Kaveri Tata.

The Lil red car is back to perfect shape



Looking forward to doing more miles on the altroz. Storme has been doing the majority duty so far.

[GuyBurnsFuel]

Hi,

If you have changed the wipers can you please share the part number or the website from which you have ordered these. I have XT and i hate those old design wipers. Also, do you feel any jerks while shifting between gears 1-2 while going uphill ?

[PrasannaDhana]

45,000 km Service Update

It has been exactly 1.5 years of Ownership. The little Tata has completed 45000 km. Except for the AC recirculation motor warranty replacement and Windshield replacement, altroz diesel ownership has been blissful.

The All 4 milestone



Left the car at the new Kaveri Garage service center near my home yesterday. It was 45k Service which includes oil replacement, oil filter, air filter and diesel filter replacement along with wheel balancing & alignment and other routine checks. I was happy with the vehicle wash which was much better than the other older Kaveri garage service center in Trichy.

It was also time to replace brake pads. My usual brake pad replacement interval is 40000 km. Altroz had lasted 5k km extra.



I felt there was 3 to 5k km more life to it



Total bill was INR 12100, which is the highest I have paid for altroz since purchase. Disc pads alone contributed to 4k bump in the bill. But then, new pads have substantially improved the brake bite. No worries till 90000 km.

Dirty air filter



Bill





Tyre replacement has to be done at 50000 km/ June.

Post service pics, wax polish was also done









So far the maintenance cost (including insurance) has been INR 40000. A little close to 1 rs per km.

Overall Ownership costs in 1.5 years / 45000 km - 6.1 Rs/km




We have a new addition to our friend circle - A Hyundai Creta 1.5 diesel SX.

Very refined, spacious, has a lot of features. I didn't like the ultra light steering though. I am still wondering how a Compact SUV could cost almost 20L OTR!









A few pics







To another 15000 flawless km before the next oil service



Next post will be after the tyre replacement

[shancz]

Exceptional effort in keeping us in sync with the updates on the Altroz

You're one of the few who are really using and enjoying the car.
The posts are very well balanced, being short, crisp without leaving out any details. I have to learn from you.

I have said this before and I say again, your ownership review is the only reason the Altroz exists in my mindspace.

Impeccable and wishing you exceptional drives.