There is never a dull day in life of Mahindra vehicle owners! And I mean it
Here are some updates:
ICE/ Silverbox Updated to latest firmware: Last week I was checking if there is an update on the ICE software that can help keep the iOS connections more stable. Learnt that there is one - it’s not informed to everyone to start applying. The CoTeks are taking the call based on owner’s need. If you complain of screen blanking etc, this may be the latest update worth applying. I got it done before I went on the weekend trip to home town. The version I am running now is below:
It seems to be much better than older one - zero screen blanking issues so far. The CarPlay disconnected at least 3-4 times in that 1300 kms drive over weekend.
1300Kms to home town and back!
We had an urgent visit to be made to our home town. We decided to go to MH on Saturday and return on Sunday. Something we had not done anytime before on any cars I owned. This was back to back long day drives - it was fun and least tiring to say the least. The only issue that occurred was - I started getting the “Front Brakepad worn out” message when I had left the NH48 onto the MH local roads. No MASS/ ASC in the vicinity, it was a nervous drive for the last 70Kms to home. I tried reaching out to RSA, Local service stations. The closest ASC was either Kolhapur or Sangli. Knowing the brake pad life is at the dead end based on the warnings, I had to crawl through either of the district cities with least brake usage! The ASC in Kolhapur was not at all helping - they were not at all thinking straight. They needed me to drop the car on Saturday and return on Sunday afternoon!
On the other hand, the ASC in Sangli Sahyadri Motors, were super accommodative. The lady on the reception desk connected me with their service manager - Rohit. He assured me that the brake pads are in stock, I can drop in anytime upto 5pm and he will ensure that car will be attended, returned in less than hour! And all of this without using any connects, links or influence of any kind! I must say that this ASC is far better in attending its customers than some of the best in our metros.
After driving carefully with least brake usage, I dropped family at home, drove to ASC and they attended the car in less than 5 mins of entering their premise. To my credit, I reached there by 4pm itself allowing them good 2 hours to do the work instead of 5 as cut-off. The ASC investigated the issue and found that brake pads are absolutely fine! A good life left in them! The issue they identified though was something scary - the ABS wiring exactly at the place where it joins the coupler had got cut due to heat or something like that. Since the cut wire was touching the metal mounting base intermittently, it was triggering the brake pad worn out warning! The ASC said that this cannot be fixed by taping it - we need to replace the entire wiring harness related to this part and it will take 1-2 days for sure. Moreover this part isn’t in stock and need to order. Left with no option, i decided to give it a shot - called upon the Service Manager. I and him brainstormed how this can be fixed. A solid wire connected through the soldering would hold it good for sure. Decoupling the wire is not an option - ABS, ESP and what not can go bonkers for the return drive of 650kms! To my pleasant surprise, they did. Fantastic job - see it for yourself in the pictures below. This is better than original wiring itself!
With just Rs. 413 bill, they ensure car was doing fine and I am out of there by 5 pm itself. Flat 1 hour, great treatment. I am thoroughly impressed with this staff and ASC! The car is doing perfectly fine!
This is the ASC I visited - MAHINDRA Sahyadri Motors https://maps.app.goo.gl/sDhQSyStWLBnMvySA?g_st=ic
This is a perfect 10/10 rating experience!
On our way back to BLR, we took stop at kolhapur, great darshan at Ambabai Temple, Fadtare Misal breakfast, picking up Mishra Pedha at Dhawad and back in BLR by 7pm. It was just like the clockwork - everything worked nicely.
The car is doing fine and I will attend to the wiring harness either before the next long trip or on my next visit to ASC. And thus the exploration and drives continue!
Stay tuned for more updates.