It took me good 3 years to clock up 27000 kms on my Alto LXI. I have taken it through 7 services. Here are a few things I would like to mention.
Car performance:
Nothing to really complain about. The car does its duty well and does not bother me much.
The FE is a little over 16 and I drive almost 100% with AC on.
Servicing:
After trying out 3 different M.A.S.S., I finally zeroed in on Machino Techno as the safest albeit a little expensive than others. Other service stations, especially Mohan Motors are quite unsafe to go to. The last time I went there, they tried to cheat me on two counts - clutch plate needs to be replaced and battery needs to be replaced (both at around 18000 kms on the odo).
I challenged them to it and they agreed that they made a 'mistake'. I complained about this to the GM and also got several calls of apologoes from the service advisor.
But no such thing with Machino Techno. They charge for every minute and every trivial piece of labour but the job they do leaves little room for complaints.
One common grouse I have with all service stations including Machino Techno is that every complaint is attended to but when the car is delivered, there are two or three new issues although quite minor to bother one. I have not been able to understand why the technicians and advisors refuse to pay complete attention to the vehicle before delivering it.
Changes done during the last servicing (at 26500 kms).
Other than oil, the brake pads were changed completely. Now, I did not complain about it and I did not experience any issue with the brake pads. But when I went back to pick up the car, the advisor said that the brake pads were worn out and 'as a policy' they changed it without informing me of the cost or the reason. I argued about this but did not go aggressive.
Reason is that after I drove the car for about 50 kms, I did notice a perceptible change in the way the car behaved while braking. I assume the advisor was right.
Any Alto onwing team member has any idea about this? Kindly let me know.
Another funny thing happened (
and here I would like your views). I changed the engine oil at 23000 kms but not at the service station. I went to a roadside mechanic, bought oil on my own (Servo: "approved for Maruti cars" it said on the label) and had the mechanic change the oil. After that, I noticed that the mileage dropped to around 12. I did not know the reason and felt it could be due to the petrol bunk I regularly use (Trimurti at Theatre Road crossing). I changed the petrol bunk and started going to the one at Gurusaday Road.
During the 26K service, the advisor called me and said that the oil was the wrong one and he changed it again. Since then the FE has gone up to close to 17.
Can anyone tell me in case I wish to buy the oil on my own, which one I should buy and if it is a good idea to get it done out of MASS?
Other than this, the car is behaving perfectly well. The merciless potholes on Kolkata roads do not let the wheel alignment stay aligned. And the rattles; I feel the road noise gives me more peace than this. Some nut or screw or something is always making some noise. I guess the longer you know your car, the greater then rattles and the nagging becomes. No wonder we all refer the our car in the feminine gender
I still keep dreaming of switching over to a newer, faster car but so far my Alto has not given me any reason to go for a change. Now I plan to take her out on a long drive across states. Again its a plan fraught with chances of cancellations.
Do let me have your views.
Travelwriter
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