[nairanupg]

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt

Got one smart advice on Spoiler, the dealer told me that it looks better to have a spoiler, but as the time goes on and car goes through all potholes then there are chances that the holes for spoiler becomes big and will cause rattling noise of the spoiler which will not be good

Thats funny coming from a dealer...
considering the same logic most of the screw holes on the car whould widen with time and in due course we would end up with more holes and less car.
Honestly i dnt think that has anything to do with widening holes. The only 'cause for concern if you are looking for spoiler fitment is the thought of someone drilling holes on the car. Otherwise the original Ford accessories fit pretty well on the Fiesta and the screws nuts and bolts are all treated to prevent rusting and damage.

P.S. also note that the Ford factory bolts and screws the thing in too. They dont paste it on the car. Ask the dealer to take a hike.

[sanjayc]

I mentioned it incorrectly..it should be touch below 100 (halfway mark) and NOT 60..since the guage starts at 60 and ends at 120.

Regarding spoiler, I don't think there should be an issue in the long term, if fitted correctly. In my previous Ikon, it was rock solid for almost 7 yrs before I finally sold it off.

[ruchirtnt]

Originally Posted by sanjayc

Regarding spoiler, I don't think there should be an issue in the long term, if fitted correctly. In my previous Ikon, it was rock solid for almost 7 yrs before I finally sold it off.

I will take your experience in account while planning for a spoiler,
is there anything i need to ensure before going for a first service

Got to see a leaflet of Fiesta where the company is installing a Sun roof top based on user requirement, this will be done by the company directly.

[mayukh]

Originally Posted by lin-jo

I also have noticed this sound- I believe it is the fuel in the tank swaying and making the noise - like of you were to take a huge plastic container and fill it half way up and slowly undulate it. Does not sound so pronounced when tank is full.

I was thinking to update you all about the noise problem in my Fiesta. But I was not sure anyone could refer it back.

But when I saw lin-jo referring to it, I need to narrate it.

Well I tried all the things which sanjay, gilead, nairrk said to prevent the noise. Got tired of searching loose items in my car finally, but the noise did not go away. Instead it started increasing. It became audible in almost any speed and on any surface (except very smooth). I also became very sure that it was coming from the rear bench.

So I had to fix an appointment with the service center to fix it. I reached there on the very day. The service advisor (SA) came and noted down my issue. After 10 mins, a road tester came and took out the car for a drive. I accompanied him. Within 1 minute of driving, he confirmed the noise & returned back. It was from either of the doors. Something got loose. They fixed the same with 10 mins. Took another road test and everything seemed fine.

Since then I am driving it for 5 days and I do not hear any noise now.

Few good things:
1. I was allowed to oversee all the work being done on my car (and on any cars present there). Any owner can opt to oversee work instead of sitting comfortably in the lounge.
2. They washed my car for free after a little persuasion. 3M guys are responsible for the care care activities in the showroom. However, I should rate the cleaning as a top quality one. May be because they had to do it for free.
3. I found all the persons (except my SA) to be very professional and confident about the work.

1 bad thing (though I am not sure of blaming them);
Once I got the car, I inspected around & returned. But after returning home, I saw few hairline scratches on the right front edge of the car (the place above the front right wheel). The scratches are very minor & hard to see. I had a feeling that they might have done this while working. But I cannot blame them as I do not know for sure if it was there earlier.

Overall a good 1st car service center experience in my life.

The story about my SA:
Though he is very good mannered & polite, I did not find him professional & knowledgeable at all. The reason? Hear this small conversation between me & my SA while I am seeing things around in the workshop.
SA: Now it is 11 AM. You must be late for your office, sir.
Me: Yes, but it's not a problem. We have flexi work timings.
SA: That's good. Which company are you in sir?
Me: I work in XXXX, an IT service company .
SA: That's so good to hear. What type of work do you do?
Me: I said bla, bla, bla.
SA: Can I say 1 thing sir?
Me: Yes.
SA: I am proficient in mobile repairing & servicing. I am done certifications in website development also. Can you find a job for me in your company?
Me: Why? Are you not happy here?
SA: Actually sir, do not tell this to anyone here but I actually used to work in a very small website development company. I lost my job during recession and landed up finally here as a front help desk guy. I am now temporarily assigned the SA role.
Me: So how are you managing things?
SA: I am actually not able to manage at all, as like the other SAs. They have all done 3 years of automobile training. I want to leave and that is why I am requesting you to look for a job for me.
Me: OK. I will try. Send me your CV.

During the entire conversation, I was just thanking God that at least he did not do the actual work in my car.

[Gilead]

I don't think sun roof is an official Ford accessory. It must be a dealer accessory and if it is, please don't install it. Non factory installed sun roofs tend to leak.

[sanjayc]

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt

is there anything i need to ensure before going for a first service

During the 1st service, basically they check all fluid levels and top up if reqd...and that's it. If any other complaints you have, you can bring it up.

One piece of advice though..since the 1st service takes comparatively less amount of time, ensure to be present and get your car in perfect shape. Actually, the cleaning of the car may take more time than the so-called service itself, if you have no addl issues. If your car is already clean or you can take care of the same yourself, avoid their cleaning service otherwise you may end up with hairline scratches/soiled seats since the quality of clothes they use for cleaning is questionable. See the cleaning operation at your dealer and decide for yourself.

Originally Posted by mayukh

It was from either of the doors. Something got loose. They fixed the same with 10 mins. Took another road test and everything seemed fine.

Since then I am driving it for 5 days and I do not hear any noise now.

Hey Dada..that is great news! Finally the noise ghost is buried! Seems like fixing the sunfilm was the culprit here..since normally they would take out the glasses from the doors while fixing the film.

Originally Posted by mayukh

The scratches are very minor & hard to see. I had a feeling that they might have done this while working. But I cannot blame them as I do not know for sure if it was there earlier.

Not surprising - I have decided that only underbody wash I will have done, if at all, in my subsequent visits. Probably, at the lower sides of the car, to remove the road grimes, they would have rubbed vigorously, and hence those scratches..should be easily managed by doing a wax/rubbing compound.

Originally Posted by mayukh

During the entire conversation, I was just thanking God that at least he did not do the actual work in my car.

This trend I have gradually noticed from 2003 onwards..everytime I step into the service center, there are new faces, and it has got younger every time. It has now reached a situation, where SAs basically do/fillup the paper work..they have no clue and are actually worse-off than sales guys. Seems to me that these guys are not paid well enough to be motivated..after all simply filling up the job-sheet and note down the complaints and enter the same in computer software - any tom/dick/harry will manage - so why the dealer should invest in training these guys, when there are high chances that he/she may jump ship in no time at all.

[mayukh]

Originally Posted by sanjayc

Hey Dada..that is great news! Finally the noise ghost is buried! Seems like fixing the sunfilm was the culprit here..since normally they would take out the glasses from the doors while fixing the film.

I have not fixed my sunfilm yet.

Originally Posted by sanjayc

Not surprising - I have decided that only underbody wash I will have done, if at all, in my subsequent visits. Probably, at the lower sides of the car, to remove the road grimes, they would have rubbed vigorously, and hence those scratches..should be easily managed by doing a wax/rubbing compound.

For the last 3 years since my marriage, I have steadily become a very lazy guy. This is evident from the fact that I have myself washed my car only once in 2 months of ownership. The day it was taken to the workshop, there were dirt & dust everywhere. So I had to ask them to wash it up. Anyway, I think I have to work up now to get the car cleaned myself

Originally Posted by sanjayc

This trend I have gradually noticed from 2003 onwards..everytime I step into the service center, there are new faces, and it has got younger every time. It has now reached a situation, where SAs basically do/fillup the paper work..they have no clue and are actually worse-off than sales guys. Seems to me that these guys are not paid well enough to be motivated..after all simply filling up the job-sheet and note down the complaints and enter the same in computer software - any tom/dick/harry will manage - so why the dealer should invest in training these guys, when there are high chances that he/she may jump ship in no time at all.

+1 to that. Very true

[ruchirtnt]

Originally Posted by sanjayc

One piece of advice though..since the 1st service takes comparatively less amount of time, ensure to be present and get your car in perfect shape.

I did not had a very pleasant experience on my 1st service at Narain Ford, lucknow

1. to start with, I took a appointment 15 days before, but yesterday the front desk woman did not had my car details in her Appointments List, I had to tell her that i do have a appointment, A bad management

2. the car was taken to wash, the car was put in the last queue even when i came first on right time and the car cleaner boy was relaxing in the car with AC ON, when i complained to the SA, about the deed then he looked into

3. When i took away the car after the so called 1st service, i realized that the floor mat is missing and then i went back to collect it came as a shock to me that even the boot mat was not there, then these people told me that they have forgotten to put it

4. The SA STRONGLY recommended me to go for 3M anti rust for 3500 and will give a teflon coat free, he told me it is highly recommended by Ford, i told him to go for it, but later one of the other guy at service station whom i knew told me not to go for it as it a total waste

What a MANAGEMENT, i always thought of that my Wagon R for Maruti service is not much cared about because of the volumes, but now i think they are still very well managed keeping this incident in my mind

[nairrk]

Missing of mat after servicing is almost there with most of the workshop.
When my car came back (pick up & drop service from the workshop) from service, I found that original Ford mat was missing ( I had two set of mat's i.e original mat and on top of it the rubber mat. After the servcie, they returned the car with only the rubber mat). I called the people and they said a SORRY (the took out the mat for cleaning but forgot to put it back thinking that my car has got only the rubber mat in it) and brought the mat next day.
Next time I will give the car only with the rubber mat.

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt

I did not had a very pleasant experience on my 1st service at Narain Ford, lucknow

i

Sounds like a typical lazy Ford workshop. They didn't misplace my mats but the wash quality was atrocious. Luckily I have found another A.S.S where things appear to be more professional. The anti rust is not a waste. It's actually pretty good. And it costs 2800. Maybe taxes are more in your place. I have heard that Ford A.S.S is shared with Mahindra in Lucknow. Is that still the case?

[sanjayc]

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt

I did not had a very pleasant experience on my 1st service at Narain Ford, lucknow
....
What a MANAGEMENT, i always thought of that my Wagon R for Maruti service is not much cared about because of the volumes, but now i think they are still very well managed keeping this incident in my mind

Ruchir, pardon me saying so..but it is actually a good learning process..

These are minor irritants, which as a car owner we must be careful about:

Over a period of time, such experiences have made me a "trust but verify" kinda guy, and so I keep a checklist with me:

While giving it for service, I ensure that everything which is removable, is removed...even the mats/carpets, rear seat belts..these are better cleaned at home rather than some wishy-washy vacumming.

Next, I make it a point that all stuffs which can be checked (like the indicators/fog lamps/ac/horn/lamps/interior,boot lamp/wiper etc is shown to the SA in working condition before signing on th job card. All scratches/dents etc are marked as far as possible on the job card.

While taking it back the same process is followed to check each stuff. I am not too particular about the cleaning/wiping quality (since they cannot match my expectations), any ill treatment to the car gets me furious.

Just like a PDI checklist, we need to follow the same routine while servicing the car.

[ruchirtnt]

Originally Posted by Gilead

I have heard that Ford A.S.S is shared with Mahindra in Lucknow. Is that still the case?

Yes, it is. How do you know this? have you made a visit to lucknow

[Gilead]

Originally Posted by ruchirtnt

Yes, it is. How do you know this? have you made a visit to lucknow

A friend of mine told me. He owns an Ikon in Lucknow. It has TN plates. Ford should end this shared service deal with Mahindra asap and open up their own service center in Lucknow. The Figo volumes will definitely demand this.

[ruchirtnt]

Yes, they should, but the dealership of Ford at lko is not very friendly and responsive including service station which both belong to the same guy

[ruchirtnt]

a unique problem has risen in my car, after the first service on 22.03, I had got my car tank full and after just a drive of around 30 km the car petrol needle has gone down by almost a quarter,
I visited the service station yesterday for which they said that there is no leakage, i took the car back but the same thing i diagnosed today morning as well when the needle has gone further down even when i am not driving,

do anyone has faced this kind of an issue, i will take the car today also to the service station for some corrective actions.