[laxmanrk]

@Vina: I would say, Fortune Ford. As I mentioned in my intial write up also, they have been much better than Mody Ford.

@Warwithwheels: Thanks for the compliments and suggestions. On the contrary, most people have complimented me on the de-cals on the vehicle. As you have said - Each to his own

@dot: I have installed a two-way switch, where in at 1 position the stock horn works and in another position the Nautilus works. If you buy this horn, it has a wiring diagram on it. I have appended this as a pdf for your perusal. Hope this is helpful. If this is unclear, then I shall get our electrician to draw a rough sketch and scan it through.

Coming to the brakes, I agree the Fiesta also has the same issue of lacking any feel. But in case of the Figo it is much more so. Probably this could be due to the ABS. Our Fiesta was non ABS.

[dot]

@laxmanrk, Thanks for posting the pdf. I guess the two way switch has to be bought separately. For the Nautilus, does a relay also needs to be installed?

[laxmanrk]

Originally Posted by dot

@laxmanrk, Thanks for posting the pdf. I guess the two way switch has to be bought separately. For the Nautilus, does a relay also needs to be installed?

Yes, the two way switch has to be bought seperately. In fact I am not very happy with the switch I have installed and am on the look out for a solution that integrates cleanly with the dash-board.

Will post some pictures of the current dash board soon.

The Nautilus box includes a relay and installation bolts/nuts.

[laxmanrk]

Update!

Vehicle has done 21000kms and has been sent Fortune Ford for the paid service!

So far trouble free motoring.

Yesterday received a call from them about a leak in the steering rack!

As all know I have upgraded my alloys and tyres, the dealership has said that this part (costing Rs.9000/- plus labour) cannot be replaced under warranty!

I am really surprised and hope there is a solution to this.

I am not really awed at the cost or non provision of warranty!

If the steering rack is going to be replaced at 20000kms just due to the incremental size of tyre then I have concerns on the build of the vehicle!

Any inputs on the same on how to escalate this to Ford appreciated!

[jayded]

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Yesterday received a call from them about a leak in the steering rack!

As all know I have upgraded my alloys and tyres, the dealership has said that this part (costing Rs.9000/- plus labour) cannot be replaced under warranty!

I am really surprised and hope there is a solution to this.

I am not really awed at the cost or non provision of warranty!

If the steering rack is going to be replaced at 20000kms just due to the incremental size of tyre then I have concerns on the build of the vehicle!

Any inputs on the same on how to escalate this to Ford appreciated!

Hi Laxman,

My Figo also underwent a steering rack replacement due to a leak detected. It was found out when my car was taken in to the A.S.S. for another issue. It was replaced under warranty and the bill shows 7,580/- for the part. They can be quite picky about the warranty since you have gone for the tire upsizing. But yeah, even that should not be the real reason for the rack failing.

BTW, mine was replaced at around 9,500 kms on the ODO, which was much earlier compared to your's.

[abhibh]

laxmanrk nice ride you got there. Can you shed some more light on the Alloy make and model number ?

[laxmanrk]

Finally!

Good news! Fortune Ford have graciously offered to replace the steering rack under warranty!

All I did was asked them to 'put it in black & white' that the rack cannot be replaced under warranty due to larger tyres and wheels!

And ho, in no time they changed their stand and said 'Since you are a loyal and very old customer, we have decided to take it up as a warranty claim'

Well Chuffed about the warranty! But still have some concern about build quality! Our Ford Escort had done nearly 1.3L kms before any major issues like this cropped up! In fact, I vaguely remember a power steering belt replacement at that mileage!

Anyways, alls well that ends well!

@abhibh: I think the alloy wheel make is Veloche. I have contacted the dealer to get the model number but sorry mate, no luck! Will update you if he reverts on the same.

[aries_mavrick]

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Thanks all for your wishes and compliments.



Firstly, there are 2 blanks inside each tail-light cluster. You will need to buy the holders. But the same holders as the others will fit.

Then comes the wiring:

Brake-light: For the brake light, I just connected it to the existing wiring. So now there are 2 bulbs glowing in each cluster everytime I press the brake-light. (One of the original brake-light and the new one)

For the fog-lamp, 1 wire had to be drawn from the head-light/ fog-light switch. Some testing had to be done on this switch with a multi-meter.

Hope this clarifies your queries.

Hi,

excellent review, i have been planning to do what you have done to the rear light cluster - I have a ford figo titanium 1,4 tdci - recently when i had given my car for its second service (lathangi ford - Bangalore), i specifically asked the mechanic to see if he could install the second bulb for brakes he said that it would not be possible since there is no wiring available & the guy at the spares shop simply refused to give me extra holders when i said i wanted to purchase it and try getting it fitted outside. if there are any good mechanics you have heard of in bangalore - i would be grateful if you could pass on their contact details. else will do it the next time i drive down to hyd.

[laxmanrk]

Originally Posted by whitelion

Hi,

Please ref. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...i-shocker.html your ownership thread. In first Picture I saw extra lamps in front. I would like to know whether those are useful to improve Night Time Road and Peripheral visibility. I would also like to now Cost and how you have fitted them May be the in place clamping Pictures. What arrangements you have made for wiring and switching them on. Have you upgraded the HeadLamps as well to support them.

Thanks and Regards

R.S.Patil

Hey whitelion

The Hellas I have are Hella 700FF and were sourced at around 5k/-
The kit includes the following:

2 700FF lamps with 60W bulbs (H3)
Wiring
Relay
switch

Basically everything you need for the install.

The only thing I had to get made locally from a welder was a piece of metal (bracket) for fitting the lights on the vehicle. I will try and get a close up image of this.

The original bulbs have been replaced with OSRAM H3 100W bulb sourced from vicky.in

They are not very expensive at 100~150/- a bulb. The site is trustworthy. But they will take a while to get the item to you.

If you own a Figo, then on the dash above the headunit, there are a couple of blanks that's where i ve put the switch. Will post some pictures. I am not happy with this and am on the look out for some good quality automotive switch.

Now to answer your queries:

I have not changed the stock bulbs in either the headlamp or the stock fog lamps.

As for visibility, at various instances I have felt running with only my car's parking lights with the 700FFs adequate for most of my highway stints.

The minute I find someone from the front on high beam, all I have to do is flash my main beam and the guy immediately dips to low beam.

The spread and distance the light covers is exceptional.

Hope that covers all your queries.

I posted the answers here on the thread for the benefit of other bhpinas too.

[whitelion]

Thanks laxmanrk for quick Response,

Please Ref My comments below in bold.

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

The Hellas I have are Hella 700FF and were sourced at around 5k/-
The kit includes the following:

2 700FF lamps with 60W bulbs (H3)
Wiring
Relay
switch

Basically everything you need for the install.

Whether You Sourced them from India or Imported them ? I searched in My town but I could not Find Hella Lamps here.

The only thing I had to get made locally from a welder was a piece of metal (bracket) for fitting the lights on the vehicle. I will try and get a close up image of this.

It would be nice in point of view of Figo owners if You do that. You have put those lamps at Fog Lamps level any specific reason ? Have you given any thought to putting them at HL level ? In my opinion they could have given even better results.

The original bulbs have been replaced with OSRAM H3 100W bulb sourced from vicky.in

They are not very expensive at 100~150/- a bulb. The site is trustworthy. But they will take a while to get the item to you.

I have located a Osram Dealer in my Town. I was about to buy Osram Night Breaker Plus for HL but thought why not evaluate Auxiliary lamp option. Your threads link was in My Notes which I took during my Buying Research. I feel that Figo reflectors are at Fault so even with 90/100w upgrade Figoians are not Fully satisfied. What do you Think ?

If you own a Figo, then on the dash above the headunit, there are a couple of blanks that's where i ve put the switch. Will post some pictures. I am not happy with this and am on the look out for some good quality automotive switch.

If these Lamps need relay and Direct Connection from Battery then How about getting wires from empty Connection for rear fog lamps in Head Lamp switch ?
Have you given any thought to this ?

Now to answer your queries:

I have not changed the stock bulbs in either the headlamp or the stock fog lamps.

As for visibility, at various instances I have felt running with only my car's parking lights with the 700FFs adequate for most of my highway stints.

The minute I find someone from the front on high beam, all I have to do is flash my main beam and the guy immediately dips to low beam.

The spread and distance the light covers is exceptional.

Thanks for sharing experience in detail. Few more queries Hope you dont mind.

1. In rain and foggy weather is it useful ? This part of India do not have heavy rain as in Kerala but on few occasions we do get.

2. Is it blinding On coming traffic on single or two lane roads ?

3. With Stock Head Lamps Problem I am facing is The beam Focuses on limited area and I could not see Cyclist or Bullock carts, Parked Tractors ahead of the reach of beam and suddenly when they come into reach they are visible which creates a panic to maneuver the car accordingly. Similarly in Ghat section turns and signs are not clearly visible. So speeds are restricted to 40/50. Somehow night driving Phobia has been developed with Figo. I was confident Night Driver with M800 but with Figo I am finding it bit difficult due to pathetic Head Lamps. Can you elaborate you experience in this perspective ? You might have driven Figo without these lamps so might have experience with only stock Lamps.

4. How is visibility of Wet roads ? Is it adequate to see potholes inspite of High Beams of On coming traffic on 1/2 lane roads ?

5. What I have thought is I will add Auxiliary Lamps and use them only Outside City Limits, Preferably at same height as HL. Also Upgrade HL with NBP or XV (55/60w) and use them in city Commute. What do you think. The estimate may be increased by about 1K over Hella budget.

6. have you given any thought to Auxiliary HID lamps like these Hella lamps ?

[laxmanrk]

Q) Whether You Sourced them from India or Imported them ? I searched in My town but I could not Find Hella Lamps here.

A) Purchased locally at accessories shop. Hella products are available quite easily and I am sure there is a dealer in your town also. Hella India - they have a dealer locater also.

Q) It would be nice in point of view of Figo owners if You do that. You have put those lamps at Fog Lamps level any specific reason? Have you given any thought to putting them at HL level? In my opinion they could have given even better results.

A) I have appended photographs of the metal bracket used to fix the lights. Where the metal bracket is bolted to the vehicle, there was already a hole with nut inside.
Before I procured these lights itself I had looked at this point for mounting the lights. Hence no drilling/ screwing on the body.
Now primarily I use the lights only out of city limits. Primarily the low mounting was to ensure that no undue inconvenience was caused to oncoming vehicles.
Definitely, at high level the lights would have provided some improvement in the reach. But overall, I would give the lights a rating of about 4.5 out of 5. The reach and spread is more than adequate and primarily it covers the regions the headlight/ OE fog-lamps do not cover.

Q) I have located an Osram Dealer in my Town. I was about to buy Osram Night Breaker Plus for HL but thought why not evaluate Auxiliary lamp option. Your threads link was in My Notes which I took during my Buying Research. I feel that Figo reflectors are at Fault so even with 90/100w upgrade Figoians are not Fully satisfied. What do you think?

A) The reasons for not changing the stock head-lamp bulbs are – 1. When using higher rated bulbs, the headlamp becomes dull within 6~8 months of useage. 2. As you have rightly said, the reflectors in the head lamp are not of great quality. This has been accepted by Ford and they are going to improve the same on future vehicles.

Q) If these Lamps need relay and Direct Connection from Battery then How about getting wires from empty Connection for rear fog lamps in Head Lamp switch ? Have you given any thought to this?

A) Now, in my vehicle I have used the empty connection in the head-light switch wired to rear fog-lamps in the rear cluster. Also I wanted control over all the lights and be able to independently turn them on/ off. (Yes, you could say I am a control freak)Now to answer your other questions-

1. In rain and foggy weather is it useful? This part of India do not have heavy rain as in Kerala but on few occasions we do get.
A) The lights are more than adequate in rains, but cannot vouch for foggy weather as I am yet to encounter this weather in this car.

2. Is it blinding On-coming traffic on single or two lane roads?
A) As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons for installing the lights at that low level was to cut undue glare to oncoming traffic. But it does cause some inconvenience to oncoming vehicles. If you mount the lights any higher, the glare caused will be definitely much higher.

3. With Stock Head Lamps Problem I am facing is The beam Focuses on limited area and I could not see Cyclist or Bullock carts, Parked Tractors ahead of the reach of beam and suddenly when they come into reach they are visible which creates a panic to manoeuvre the car accordingly. Similarly in Ghat section turns and signs are not clearly visible. So speeds are restricted to 40/50. Somehow night driving Phobia has been developed with Figo. I was confident Night Driver with M800 but with Figo I am finding it bit difficult due to pathetic Head Lamps. Can you elaborate you experience in this perspective? You might have driven Figo without these lamps so might have experience with only stock Lamps.
A) Definitely agree on all your points. Our highways/ out of city roads are a peril and various objects are parked without any reflectors/ indications/ lights. The Hellas have been a boon in this scenario and in all of our 25k kilometres in the last 6 months we have been safe and visibility of these obstacles is widely improved.

4. How is visibility of Wet roads? Is it adequate to see potholes inspite of High Beams of On coming traffic on 1/2 lane roads?
A) Now, due to low positioning of the lights, pot-holes and stones are very easily spotted. If you look at rally vehicles, they place a bank of lights at low level exactly for this purpose. In spite of high beam from the opposite direction, I have spotted ruts/ stones on various occasions.

6. Have you given any thought to Auxiliary HID lamps like these Hella lamps?
A) My budget was about 7k. The Hellas work inside of this budget. I am not particularly convinced that HIDs give you better visibility over halogens. I think the colour they emanate is more annoying to oncoming traffic. In the real world they are not better than regular halogens. Our Octavia has HIDs fitted inside the stock head lamps and I don’t find them any better than my Figo. Now my dad is going for a pair of Hellas like mine.

[bullboy]

The vehicle is revving around the 2.5k mark in 5th gear when you touch 100kms. This is in my opinion is high for a diesel vehicle. Hence I feel a 6th gear would improve the mileage drastically. Also the engine makes enough noise at this speed. Ford should have considered that the average cruising speed in India would be around the 80~100 kms range on highways

That is the problem with my ikon too because of which i'm restricted to 80kph.crap.

[whitelion]

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Q) Whether You Sourced them from India or Imported them ? I searched in My town but I could not Find Hella Lamps here.

A) Purchased locally at accessories shop. Hella products are available quite easily and I am sure there is a dealer in your town also. Hella India - they have a dealer locater also.

Thanks I used the link and Found a Nearest Dealer who is in Pune. Almost 250KM away from My Place . Anyways My daughter is There so I can Manage when I visit there next time.

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Q) It would be nice in point of view of Figo owners if You do that. You have put those lamps at Fog Lamps level any specific reason? Have you given any thought to putting them at HL level? In my opinion they could have given even better results.

A) I have appended photographs of the metal bracket used to fix the lights. Where the metal bracket is bolted to the vehicle, there was already a hole with nut inside.
Before I procured these lights itself I had looked at this point for mounting the lights. Hence no drilling/ screwing on the body.
Now primarily I use the lights only out of city limits. Primarily the low mounting was to ensure that no undue inconvenience was caused to oncoming vehicles.
Definitely, at high level the lights would have provided some improvement in the reach. But overall, I would give the lights a rating of about 4.5 out of 5. The reach and spread is more than adequate and primarily it covers the regions the headlight/ OE fog-lamps do not cover.

Thanks for valuable Info and Photographs clearly showing every nut and bolt. very simple and clean way of modification. I liked that very much, the only improvement I am thinking is How to made it easily removable and re-installable so that chances of stealing those lamps can be reduced by installing them as and when required.

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Q) If these Lamps need relay and Direct Connection from Battery then How about getting wires from empty Connection for rear fog lamps in Head Lamp switch ? Have you given any thought to this?

A) Now, in my vehicle I have used the empty connection in the head-light switch wired to rear fog-lamps in the rear cluster. Also I wanted control over all the lights and be able to independently turn them on/ off. (Yes, you could say I am a control freak)

I think earlier you have used that connection for lamp in Rear Cluster, this time you are using it for Hella lamps. You have put 100W bulb in those lamps. I think By default it comes with 35W or 55W, then doesn't it needs a Relay to put 100W in it ? How was illumination with stock lamp ? To best my knowledge, rear Fog Lamp switch in Figo is meant for 35W, how you have manged this issue ?

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

3. With Stock Head Lamps Problem I am facing is The beam Focuses on limited area and I could not see Cyclist or Bullock carts, Parked Tractors ahead of the reach of beam and suddenly when they come into reach they are visible which creates a panic to manoeuvre the car accordingly. Similarly in Ghat section turns and signs are not clearly visible. So speeds are restricted to 40/50. Somehow night driving Phobia has been developed with Figo. I was confident Night Driver with M800 but with Figo I am finding it bit difficult due to pathetic Head Lamps. Can you elaborate you experience in this perspective? You might have driven Figo without these lamps so might have experience with only stock Lamps.
A) Definitely agree on all your points. Our highways/ out of city roads are a peril and various objects are parked without any reflectors/ indications/ lights. The Hellas have been a boon in this scenario and in all of our 25k kilometres in the last 6 months we have been safe and visibility of these obstacles is widely improved.

Thanks laxmanrk you have releaved me from worry of Night Driving problem. I am a sedate driver still i was scared to drive Figo during Night due to above mentioned problem. A sort of Phobia was developing and I was about start regretting my decision of buying Figo.

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

6. Have you given any thought to Auxiliary HID lamps like these Hella lamps?
A) My budget was about 7k. The Hellas work inside of this budget. I am not particularly convinced that HIDs give you better visibility over halogens. I think the colour they emanate is more annoying to oncoming traffic. In the real world they are not better than regular halogens. Our Octavia has HIDs fitted inside the stock head lamps and I don’t find them any better than my Figo. Now my dad is going for a pair of Hellas like mine.

With this Only option left now is Adding Hella Aux. Lamps. The thing remains is which one, that I will finalize when I see shortlisted Models Physically. Mostly in couple of weeks time I will be visiting Pune. Meanwhile I will contact Dealer and get information about various models to shortlist them.

[desideep]

Originally Posted by laxmanrk

Update!

Vehicle has done 21000kms and has been sent Fortune Ford for the paid service!

So far trouble free motoring.

Yesterday received a call from them about a leak in the steering rack!

As all know I have upgraded my alloys and tyres, the dealership has said that this part (costing Rs.9000/- plus labour) cannot be replaced under warranty!

I am really surprised and hope there is a solution to this.

I am not really awed at the cost or non provision of warranty!

If the steering rack is going to be replaced at 20000kms just due to the incremental size of tyre then I have concerns on the build of the vehicle!

Any inputs on the same on how to escalate this to Ford appreciated!

HI i have a question for you, you have mentioned that the rear extra bulbs that you have fitted are connected with the rear fog lamps switch so does that mean the wiring for the FOG lamps is already there? even i have a 2011 model and it has the rear fog light switch iwould like to do this mod aswell.

[laxmanrk]

Originally Posted by desideep

HI i have a question for you, you have mentioned that the rear extra bulbs that you have fitted are connected with the rear fog lamps switch so does that mean the wiring for the FOG lamps is already there? even i have a 2011 model and it has the rear fog light switch iwould like to do this mod aswell.

Firstly, the question you have asked and the text you have quoted off my original text have no relation!

Secondly, I have already answered this question of adding the rear fog lamps, but will repeat my answer -

There is no wiring available in the vehicle, atleast not in my vehicle. You will need to draw 1 wire (+ve) from the headlamp switch to the rear of the vehicle. You can tap the earth from the rear cluster wiring itself.

Some testing will need to be done on the headlamp switch with a multimeter to understand its working before you do the wiring.

If you are unsure, then I will recommend using a reputed car electrician.