[sumannandy]

We still have it. Completing 3 years and 50k kms. No vibrations felt. No unscheduled maintenance. Recently we sat 6 in the car and it did not touch any speed breaker. Regularly driven in highways at 120 kmph but runs out of breadth after that. Suspension is good. no rattles.

Mileage is good. On regular highway driving you can expect 18-22 kmpl.

[sajanjohn]

Wife drives 3 year old AT. No issues to report yet . Car has completed about 13000Km and planning to keep it for a long time.

The other day I was wondering if its possible to convert this car into AMT = better mileage.

Ps: Don't shoot me for this stupid question . Coming from a novice when it comes to automobile mechanical division.

[condor]

Sajan, no can do !
Unlike the Automatic transmission, the AMT car has a manual GB in it's heart. The AMT unit uses hydraulics to do the gear changes for you.


On another note, we're almost there ! Should get a blue baby in the next couple of days.

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by condor

Btw, what's hot-melt glue ?

By the way, did you fix the knob? How much did it cost you?

Sorry, since you didn't "quote" me, I did not see your question -
You get glue sticks (like a pencil) that you feed into a gun shaped heater so it melts and then is squeezed out like a gel to glue pieces together. Somehow, have not used this tool a lot. When it solidifies, it is rubbery and hard.

[condor]

Originally Posted by mvadg

By the way, did you fix the knob? How much did it cost you?

No, I have not been able to fix the knob. From previous experience, I am not so inclined to go to JC Road - it would be like hunting for a needle in a haystack .. (actually, that needle may be found earlier)

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by condor

No, I have not been able to fix the knob. From previous experience, I am not so inclined to go to JC Road - it would be like hunting for a needle in a haystack .. (actually, that needle may be found earlier)

Before I repaired my knob, I was on the lookout for a cap that would fit. Shaving gel tubes, toothpaste,... none of them were the right size, but I'm sure one of them will be the right size - keep looking!
(Check out the small size Dologel tube, it might fit).

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by condor

No, I have not been able to fix the knob. From previous experience, I am not so inclined to go to JC Road - it would be like hunting for a needle in a haystack .. (actually, that needle may be found earlier)

I think I have your fix - a cap from the Pepsodent Whitening Toothpaste (small):


Now you can confidently smile while you change the volume!!

[NPV]

Originally Posted by condor

No, I have not been able to fix the knob. From previous experience, I am not so inclined to go to JC Road - it would be like hunting for a needle in a haystack .. (actually, that needle may be found earlier)

Did you visit Hi Tech Service at Koramangala to see if they can fix/provide a spare ?

[vsbabu]

Mine is a 2011 Dec make; 31K+ so far. Zero issues and usually gets 13kmpl in Koramangala-HSR-Sarjapur Rd commute. I had done 30K service last December. Thought of getting 40K service done soon - or just have oil, brake fluid and spark plugs replaced with usual service. Any thoughts?

Been giving to Bimal service at Airport Road; very unhappy with their service. Car usually comes back with more dirt inside and they just keep on replacing things without informing (LED parking lights, "new model" mudflaps, A/C vent shampooing and deo etc to name a few).

Thinking of Mandovi Sarjapur Rd - let me see how it goes.

[vsbabu]

Originally Posted by vsbabu

Been giving to Bimal service at Airport Road; very unhappy with their service. ..
Thinking of Mandovi Sarjapur Rd - let me see how it goes.

Got 40K service done by Mandovi Sarjapur Rd. 3 hours total; changed all fluids except AT oil; and sparkplugs too. Car feels good. Happy with the service. Costed a total of 7000/- including tax - no unnecessary charges.

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by vsbabu

Got 40K service done by Mandovi Sarjapur Rd. 3 hours total; changed all fluids except AT oil; and sparkplugs too. Car feels good. Happy with the service. Costed a total of 7000/- including tax - no unnecessary charges.

May I know if which engine oil was used (Synthetic or Mineral). I need to give my A-Star for the 40k service and don't want to be fleeced with unnecessary charges. May I also know if the service center filled 0W20 or 5W30 oil? At the last service 0W20 oil was filled as they said that Maruti now recommends that one, but the user manual states 5W30 oil, with 0W20 only for 2014 and newer models

[vsbabu]

Mineral oil. 5W30. I had used synthetic oil 2 years ago. Didn't feel any difference. So switched back to mineral and saved some money!

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by vsbabu

Mineral oil. 5W30. I had used synthetic oil 2 years ago. Didn't feel any difference. So switched back to mineral and saved some money!

Thank You. Just got the 40k service done at Nexus Maruti on New BEL Road. Filled 5W30 Shell mineral oil.

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by joybhowmik

Agreed. The problem is that A.S.S. workshop mechanics/service advisers are not well-versed in servicing the AT. Their collective experience on this is far less than the manual transmission.
The fact that SAs have told me umpteen times, that my AT oil does not need changing is witness to this lack of awareness and training.
When I decided to bite the bullet for my specific car at the FNG, both he and I were horrified to note the colour of the oil draining out. It had been 11 years and 72k km, and no one in A.S.S. had bothered to check the condition of the oil in the tranny much less recommend a change.
Furthermore, most spare parts shops of Hyundai (mine is a Santro automatic) dont even keep the AT oil in stock. And this includes HMP (the company owned workshop).
If the customer needs to get the oil changed, he needs to come in and deposit token money, then take delivery of the oil , and finally it will be changed.


Depends on the car. Most ATs require removal of the oil by opening the drain plug, , unscrewing the transmission case pan, cleaning/replacing the oil strainer and magnet of iron particles and guck, changing the gasket, and putting everything back together again.

Originally Posted by avi550m

Thank You. Just got the 40k service done

Originally Posted by vsbabu

switched back to mineral and saved some money!

Originally Posted by condor

No, I have not been able to fix the knob.

Originally Posted by sumannandy

We still have it. Completing 3 years and 50k kms.

Originally Posted by neon_daytona

I still have my A-Star AT.
Purchased Dec 2012, Around 37000 kms covered till date.

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

I have an AT since august 2013, t.

Originally Posted by pgsagar

I still have mine. Due to compact dimensions, fantastic for in-city drives. Even on highways it will keep up with big boys, with bit of a struggle. I found absolutely no vibrations any time of the day. Pick up is not exciting though. Takes looong time to reach 120 on highway. Crawls up to 140 and that is it.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Congrats Condor.

Shall enquire at MASS and MGP stockist here in Hyderabad. In case they do have, shall inform you.

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

I would like to change my ATF at around 50K, to be on the safe side. .

OK, that question again, have you people checked the ATF color in your cars? Mine has some black in it and it is not pure pink like it was when new.

Now that my AStar is close to clocking 50K KMs, I am seriously looking to flush and refill the ATF.

@a4anurag - I've included you because you're among the hands-on-est tech gurus on TBHP and your step by step procedures are among the best anywhere.

Problems:
1. No response from Maruti when I requested information on how and where to change the ATF

2. Not sure where to buy the ATF (finally, did find ZIC brand on Amazon.in, but since Maruti has not clarified if it is a suitable alternative, I'm left wondering).

3. Some videos on YouTube use 20 liters to flush out the old and refill - that seems a bit too much.

4. ZIC website in NZ states 3 litres for refill and 5.4 litres for complete replacement. (Alto automatic HA25s).

5. Not sure which MASS is competent to do this. Even the Suraksha advisor (Girish) who is extremely knowledgeable otherwise did not know anything about ATF/automatics.

6. Somewhere I read that the i10 and AStar share the same automatic transmission, but I've been unable to confirm this from any authentic source.

7. If the i10 and Astar AT have the same (JATCO JF405E ??) would they have to use the same ATF? Is it possible that they use different spec ATFs?

Googled quite a bit, but only lots of stories on the Pakwheels site without much authentic advice.

Only Hyundai owners (Santro) on TBHP seem to have actually done it. [ joybhowmik]

ZF India is selling complete kits to make it easier to service their automatics (kit includes ATF, gasket and other spares), but then the Astar is no Merc and it has a JATCO (?) - I see no such initiative from JATCO.

I am sure many of you have crossed the 50K KMs mark by now, any advise on the ATF change? Any recommendations for the best MASS to go to for this ATF change?

Thanks in advance.

[condor]

ATF needs to be changed at 11 years / 160000 km. Why do you want to change it at 30% of the running ? is there a problem with the running / performance ?

Also, engine oil will also go black with use. As long as viscosity is correct, you should not have to worry.