I have multiple questions for the service manager at the Tata workshop, but am yet to get a response.

BHPian SpeedBird recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I had a pathetic experience with Key Motors Kanakpura, Bangalore. Below is the email I sent to their service manager, CRM, and Branch manager, to avail of no response. I have also attached the photo of the "service" they provided during the rat-bite incident. Here is the email that I sent:

I own a Tata Altroz XZ with reg: ********** which suffered from a rat bite 2 times recently, for which I left the vehicle for service at Key Motors Kanakpura branch, the first one dated 21st June '23 and the second one dated 13th July '23.

During the first instance, the rat-bite-damaged wiring was replaced within half a day and delivered the same day. Upon reaching home and inspecting the quality of the work done, I was concerned and brought it to the notice of the Service manager Tharun over WhatsApp, for which I got no reply. I even told the same over the feedback call which I received from Tata Motors. While I was figuring things out to re-check the wiring done by reaching out to the correct POC and taking some basic precautions against rat bites, a second bite happened on 13th July, this time, biting the same wire which was repaired along with another wire next to it, which seized the engine completely. Therefore, the vehicle was towed.

During this second instance, I was expecting the same rewiring and was also hoping to check on the previous rewiring while collecting the vehicle. But to my surprise, the service advisor assigned to my vehicle, Subhash, called me and said that the repair would cost around ₹15k since replacement of the whole wiring harnesses is required and on top of that, insurance cannot be claimed on the same since they have done some patchy rewiring work and the original photo of the rat bitten wire was not taken, thereby the claim getting rejected if claimed. Furthermore, the advisor warned me that the vehicle would risk a short circuit if the normal rewiring was done. The advisor also claimed that the wiring snapped 2 times during their test run of the vehicle. Considering the advice, I agreed to the replacement having no other choice. However, after 15 days of keeping the vehicle, the advisor called me and said that the part which arrived was wrong and they needed more time. I was angered by this delay and the carelessness and I took the risk of the patchy rewiring and drove the vehicle slowly to Mysuru URS car service station in Hebbal. The delivery of the vehicle was taken on 26th July.

At the URS car service station, they patiently showed me the entire wiring harness where it was realised that it was exactly as same as the first instance rat bite it was fixed in half a day. They assisted in the rewiring work and after seeing the rewiring work, I got confidence as the quality of the work done was excellent.

I then drove to Shringeri which is known for bad and unexpected roads and I didn't face any issues whatsoever.

Now, it has been over 15 days and I still haven't received any feedback call!

Here are my questions:

1. Why was the wiring done hopelessly during the first instance of rat byte and why didn't I get any response when I raised a concern to the service manager over WhatsApp?
2. During the second instance, why weren't any photos taken of the rat bite by the service station, knowing that the rewiring would cost 15k and the customer might opt for an insurance claim?
3. If I was able to drive to Shringeri from Mysuru on bad roads for around 500km, why didn't the wire snap then, but it snapped 2 times while the advisor went for a test run? This asks further question, was the part replacement required in the first place?
4. Why after keeping my car for 15 days, did the advisor say that they had the wrong part and required more time?
5. Why didn't I receive a feedback call from Tata Motors within 3 days (for the second rat bite instance) when I received them without miss within 3 days for all my prior services, including the service of the first instance of rat bite?

I request you to escalate this service instance which was performed by key motors initiate a feedback call for the same and provide me with answers to my above questions.

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The Altroz Racer will compete with the Hyundai i20 N Line in the Indian market.

The Tata Altroz Racer, a sporty version of the Altroz hatchback, was unveiled at the 2023 Auto Expo. Latest reports suggest that the car might be launched in the coming weeks.

The Altroz Racer will be positioned at the top of the Altroz line-up and take on the Hyundai i20 N Line. It is expected to feature a few sporty bits on the exterior, including a dual-tone colour scheme with racing stripes, a revised front grille and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Altroz Racer could get a larger touchscreen infotainment system and might also be equipped with features like ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and a sunroof.

The Altroz Racer is expected to use a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the Nexon. It produces 118 BHP and 170 Nm and is likely to be paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Source: Autocar India

Fuel efficiency on the highway is 15-18 km/l. As for the Tata service, it is really a hit or miss.

BHPian Max5414 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Greetings Bhpians,

I'm thrilled to share my two-year journey with my cherished Tata Altroz Turbo Edition, which has now clocked an impressive 18,000 kilometers. To provide some context, I've previously owned the Elite i20 Petrol and currently also have a Nissan Magnite Turbo Manual variant. In this recount, my primary comparisons will be drawn between these two cars.

In 2021, I set out to find a new car within a budget of 10 lakhs, with a willingness to stretch it to 12 lakhs if needed. My key criteria were exceptional build quality, spacious interiors, and good performance.

The initial contenders included the Ford Ecosport TDCI. Despite its solid build and impressive engine performance, rumors of Ford's potential exit from India and the prospect of a facelift caused some uncertainty. The back seat was a bit cramped, but not a deal-breaker. With a promise of delivery within 10 days and assurances about Ford's continued presence in India, the Ecosport remained a contender.

Next on the list was the Tata Nexon 1.2 Petrol. With a 5-star safety rating, robust build, and satisfactory fit and finish, the Nexon impressed. The 1.2 turbo petrol engine delivered decent city performance, with a fun sports mode for quick overtakes. However, a waiting period of 3-4 months for the XZ Plus variant made us explore other options.

Considering the budget constraints, the Hyundai Creta was a bit beyond reach. Having already owned an Elite i20, the focus shifted to exploring other Tata offerings.

Enter the Tata Altroz. While we initially settled on the Nexon, the lengthy waiting period prompted us to check out the Altroz, particularly the Dark Edition Turbo variant. Surprisingly, the dealer had one in stock and ready for immediate delivery. After a thorough pre-delivery inspection and VIN verification, the Altroz 1.2 Turbo Dark Edition found its place in my garage.

Here's to two years of driving joy with the Altroz, a decision that aligned with my preferences and provided a seamless ownership experience.

Pros:

• Balanced Performance: The 1.2T engine delivers commendable driveability and satisfactory performance, striking a good balance on the road.
• Looks: Altroz catches the eye with its stunning exterior, complemented by a solid build that adds to its allure.
• Interiors: Step inside to experience a pleasant interior adorned with quality components and ample space for a comfortable ride.
• Space Management: The Altroz boasts one of the largest boots in its segment, offering a generous 345-litre storage capacity.
• Mature Road Manners: Displaying maturity on the road, Altroz excels at highway speeds, ensuring a stable and composed driving experience.
• Top-Tier Safety: Achieving a 5-star NCAP safety rating, the Altroz prioritizes your safety with features like dual airbags, CSC, and a rest break reminder. Solid build and construction compared to almost all competitors in this category.
• Music System: Elevating the driving ambiance, the Harman 8-speaker ICE stands out as one of the best audio systems in its segment.
• Feature-Rich: Packed with impressive features like auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control, leatherette seats, and an adjustable armrest, Altroz caters to the modern driver's needs.

Cons:

• Awkward seating entry, thick A-pillar design.
• No wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
• Mediocre paint quality.
• Short service intervals at 7500 km or 6 months.
• Headlights, especially low beam, are just average.
• Tata ASS is a hit or miss.

Engine Performance:

I went for the turbo version because I wanted a decently powered car – 107BHP and 140NM torque. It handles a heavy load well, and you can smoothly drive at low speeds. The engine is strong at 1800 to 2400 RPM. It's not as quiet as some other engines, but it's a good mix of power and efficiency. Sports mode is enough for most of the cases.

Steering, Clutch, and Gearshifts:

The steering is light and gets a bit heavier as you speed up. It gives decent feedback. The clutch is super light. Gear shifts are mostly smooth, except for 1st and Reverse gear which sometimes need a bit more effort.

Braking:

At first, I thought the brakes weren't great, but they get better with more use. In the morning, the brakes feel sharp for a bit, but it's not a big issue.

City/Highway Driving:

It's easy to drive in the city or on the highway. The car feels sturdy, and the suspension handles bad roads well. It's a bit firm at slow speeds, but you'll get used to it.

Interior and Music System:

The music system from Harman is good, with clear sound from 4 speakers and 4 tweeters. More bass would be nice. Inside, there's plenty of space for your stuff. Some things could be put together better, but it's not a big problem. When I connect the audio system via Bluetooth, there's a 2-second delay, but it gets fixed when I connect to Android Auto, and the sound quality also improves. Radio reception is poor but I don't use it so ignored it.

Fuel Efficiency:

I'm getting around 10 to 12 kmpl (tankful to tankful) in the city and 15-18 kmpl on highways. I drive mostly in the city, about 75% of the time.

Service Experience:

I bought my car from a Tata dealership in Coimbatore. At first, the general service experience was average. However, things turned nightmarish when my car got into an accident, causing significant damage to the passenger-side doors. The impact was severe, and I was advised to replace both doors and the back bumper.

We filed an insurance claim, and they ordered the necessary parts, giving us a timeline of 2-3 weeks for the repairs. Unfortunately, what was supposed to take a few weeks ended up dragging on for two months. During this time, there was a lack of communication from the service center. I had to consistently reach out for updates.

Every time I called, they provided excuses such as staff being on leave, power outages, and even running out of paint stock for my specific dark edition, which needed a separate order. This lack of transparency and constant follow-up on my end made the overall service experience quite frustrating.

When I finally went to pick up my car after the repairs, I noticed that it was covered in dust. To my surprise, they were asking for an additional 5000 rupees for both interior and exterior cleaning. The problem was on their end, as they left the car unattended for so long with the windows open, leading to the dust issue.

They did a sloppy job with the repairs. When I picked up my car, the doors were jammed, and they weren't closing or opening properly. The locks and power windows were also not working. Exhausted and lacking the strength to argue, I took my car and left, planning to take it to another service center in Coimbatore.

I immediately took the car and gave it outside to a detailing mafia store for a thorough cleaning and got it cleaned. I am happy that the dealership in question was closed by Tata. They were lethargic and incompetent.

After reading Google reviews, I decided to give my car to SGA Tata for repairs. I explicitly mentioned all the problems, but to my dismay, they returned my car without fixing any of the issues. The service manager called for feedback, and I expressed my frustration about the unresolved problems.

He requested me to send the car back, promising personal attention. After some days, I sent the vehicle again, and this time they properly addressed and fixed all the issues before returning the car.

Driving Experience and Visibility:

The car is comfortable to drive, seats are also height adjustable for a better view. It's not too soft or too firm, but could use better side support. Visibility is mostly good, but the front pillar might block your view a bit. You'll get used to it quickly, though.

I've taken my car on many trips to places like Ooty, Munnar, Kodaikanal, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Allepy, and Kumarakom, and it has never let me down on the road. All the drives were comfortable. The only issue I faced was occasional screen jittering, but other than that, no problems.

Finally some images of my Black Beast

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The car was tuned to stage 1 (115 hp, 280 nm) and for the most part, the DPF warning frequency has reduced.

BHPian Chaman K recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My father bought an XZ+ Dark diesel in January of this year (MY 2023) because of the excellent dynamics and practicality. The car has done 5700 kms as of now, it is stage 1 tuned now and drives much much better.

The auto AC goes nuts even at 26° C and we had thought the random clunk was due to stone hitting the underbody!! Will get it rectified.

Other niggles faced:

1) I want to know if there's some sort of fuelling roughness when giving full throttle as it's present in our car (since new) brought it up at TASS who said it's normal for the diesel (I believe this may be the cause for DPF issues)

2) DPF issues - My father's daily running is pretty low (about 3 km daily) and the car doesn't even warm up completely during the daily stint. The DPF light is so small on the cluster so it was missed the first time around which led to the car going into limp mode as well (before the tune). I drove the car that day and en route to the dealership after 20 km the limp mode and DPF light went away though the check engine light remained which had to be cleared. Later on, the car threw the DPF light about a month later (when running was low without the weekend drive to our native place) for which my father did some driving around the highways and it promptly went away.

The car was tuned to stage 1 (115 hp, 280 nm), and for the most part, the DPF light didn't come (the frequency reduced) however when it came it went away. But recently the DPF light came and didn't go away, after some driving it did go away but the following day power was reduced and the check engine light was on along with a gushing sound from whenever the turbo was supposed to spool up.

In the service centre when it was brought, we got to know that it was due to the intercooler pipe which had come loose and it was fixed and the car was handed back to us who asked us to come later to clear the check engine light cause they didn't have the laptop for the time being. After coming back they took the car in for about 2 hours and performed a thorough dpf regeneration.

They informed me that DPF regeneration has to be done manually after 3-4 times on the cluster even if it goes away, with the cleaning of the oxygen sensor, 30 minutes of park regeneration and 30km of driving (which is supposedly their procedure). We were not charged for any of the DPF issues.

Drove the car to Bangalore and back to Mangalore (around 1000 km since then), and I noticed that there was brake fade during hard braking at times.

3) Slam the trunk - Or else it doesn't close completely

4) FM Radio - The overall sound system is excellent in the car but the reception of FM radio is sub-par and there's a peculiar issue of sudden volume increase in between which makes it unusable.

5) Screen flickering - This happens when the car is parked out in the sun and the interior is hot. The flickering goes away when the cabin starts to become cool (with AC)

6) Blind spot - more of a design flaw I guess as the A-pillar is pretty huge. Does need some time to get used to.

Overall, it's a great car and we have no regrets about the purchase. Would love to hear the inputs from fellow owners and BHPians

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There is no substitute for Altroz in that segment in terms of diesel engine, road manners, solid build quality, brilliant fuel efficiency on the highway & a big car-like feel on highways.

BHPian AutoYogi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have covered close to 13 thousand kilometers in less than 9 months. I have never faced DPF issues till now (not even once) even though my running is 40:60 (city:highway) ratio.

The major issues I have faced till now are as below:

1. AC unit defect right from factory. I somehow missed this during PDI as all the functions of AC were working when I did a thorough PDI.
2. I live in a Tier-2 city where I have access to only one TASS and the other TASS is 80 kms away and is from the same group as my TASS. The TASS in my city is always dis-organised and rarely anybody is accountable enough once the car is dropped for service or repairs.
3. Minor rusting in engine bay which has thankfully not expanded and I hope it is just surface rust and doesn't worsen with time ( I have taken appointment to get it sorted for peace of mind).

So, from the above points of mine you must kindly realize that I have been struggling with AC issue from the time of delivery and it is the TASS experience that has spoiled my peace of mind as they kept on testing the car and wasted my time with no resolution.

I feel you can go ahead with the purchase because:

1) According to your handle location you stay in Vishakapatnam and a simple Google search for Tata Motors shows me multiple Tata showrooms in terms of sales/service and few of them have very good ratings (say 4+) on Google. Unlike my case where there is only one showroom to rely upon.

2) There is no substitute for Altroz in that segment in terms of diesel engine, road manners, solid build quality, audio system, ride quality, feather-light clutch for a diesel, strong mid-range, brilliant fuel efficiency on the highway, a big car like feel on highways and expressways, seating comfort for a 6'3" and 93kg well-built guy like me, etc. There's a lot more that is awesome with the Altroz, especially in the diesel variant. I have never been stranded with my car as it is very solid mechanically and it is only the niggles that irritate me which are mostly from the electrical and electronic parts of the vehicle along with bad TASS experience in my place but, every time I sit in the car and close the door I feel so safe and cocooned from the outside world and one long drive makes me fall in love with her again and again.

3) You will absolutely love the in cabin experience, especially due to the brilliant ergonomics, safe feeling on shutting the doors, nice audio system and you'll have a memorable time as long as you are driving the car. There is something in the ALFA ARC that makes it a brilliant platform and it rides like magic. Be prepared for minor niggles that come once in a while and don't worry about major breakdowns as Tata Motors is well known for their diesel engine reliability.

4) I have researched among a lot of forums and watched online videos to realize that there are only two major issues with Altroz:

• AC Actuator/Dampener failure which will lead to the AC modes (face, leg, windshield) not changing while you can still use the AC in face mode normally with all temperature and fan settings working as usual.
• Paint defects (small dust particles embedded in paint) in most of the altroz's especially near weld joining areas along with rusting issues in a few cars especially in coastal regions or areas where salty water is used for washing the car daily. If you can kindly take care to not wash the car daily and avoid using salt like water then, you are all good.

5) I would kindly suggest you check out the Altroz XZ with fabric seats and see if you like them. I know you have booked the dark edition but I would suggest you to spend some time in lower variants with fabric seats and beige roof (feels airier compared to dark edition with black roof liner in my opinion) and then take a call.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale due to these continuous issues with my Altroz.

BHPian AutoYogi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to update you all regarding my Tata Altroz XZ diesel whose issues are never-ending.

1. I realized recently that the AC mode is not working. For example, the modes on infotainment display change whereas the air still blows only through face/front vents whereas the windshield and foot vents aren't working. Recently I got to know this since I rarely use the foot blower option. I have been wondering why my car doesn't defog the front windshield when it is set at front windshield defog mode all these days. I realised recently that the mode flap isn't working. TASC response - will require your car for a few days to check (which is their standard reply)
2. I have changed two sets of wiper blades and still the wiper blades start to slip and make a loud grrr sound every time I use them during the rain. I even tried aftermarket Valeo wiper blades and still the issue persists. I believe the windshield itself is defective.
3. A-pillar trim was finally ordered as I shared a video of the rattling while the car was being driven by somebody else they accepted and ordered the part which in turn took more than 2 months to arrive.
4. I hear a strange creaky noise that the rear suspension makes whenever I get in or get out of the car or whenever I lower my windows and drive into any undulation. The sound is like that of a rusty creaky metal part under friction it is hard to replicate at TASC. TASC response - it is because of the rainy season
5. The infotainment display continuously keeps dimming up and down until I restart the vehicle (Very rare occurrence)
6. Ambient light is deactivated and reactivated from infotainment whenever the car feels like it wants to.
7. Yet to fix the paint rusting issues.

I had been to TASC today to get the A-pillar trim replaced under warranty. Seat covers were not used and the mechanic had greasy clothes. The mechanic started to patch the existing A-pillar trim as I kept telling him that a new replacement part had arrived and he ignored me and went on repairing the current A-pillar trim. I went and got hold of my SA who came and confirmed the same. The service technician started removing the A-pillar trim using a screwdriver and the mechanic soiled the roof liner with his greasy hands.

When I asked the mechanic why he wasn't using trim panel remover and not bothered to keep his hands clean, he dismissed my request and just went on doing his work. The mech took 15 minutes to remove the A-pillar trim panel which is a 2-minute job. I told the mechanic that the tweeter plug should be unplugged using a very thin flat screw driver but the guy just went on using a heavy-duty screwdriver and pulled out the plug holding the two thin wires instead of the connector which could de-pin the connectors due to their rash behaviour. I requested them to stop this drama when one of the technicians finally removed the tweeter connector using a lot of force by pulling the wires. I told them to move away and they didn't bother to listen to me.

The mech got the new A-pillar and was struggling to fit it and I told him to first step out of my car and I fixed the new A-pillar myself. I then requested the other mech to look into the wiper noise and juddering issue. He went on to state that it is a wiper issue. I firmly told him to just go and get the demo car as we shall swap the wiper and wiper arm of both the cars and my car wipers were juddering even after replacing the wiper and wiper arm with the demo vehicle ones. The mech who had been ignoring the issues for the last few months accepted my analysis not so happily. With all this drama unfolding in front of me, I just couldn't tolerate it anymore and I sat in the backseat of my car and started shooting a mail to CCM and Tata Motors as the technicians were fiddling with my car and the service head found out that I was mailing Tata Motors and requested me to not send the mail as it would be again redirected to him. He requested me few more days time to sort out all these issues and that is when I just couldn't control my anger and frustration anymore and gave him a piece of my mind while still maintaining basic manners.

I have been going through all this for the last 8 months and just couldn't take it anymore. I have visited the service centre more than 10 times for various issues without any resolution or finding them either ignoring or blaming me and my analysis as wrong when it has been correct since day one. The last time I went they made me wait for 4 hours to tighten the wiper arm bolt. I have never lost my cool during any of my automobile purchases or maintenance services as I have done at Tata Motors. I really felt bad for losing my cool since I very rarely lose my cool and I prefer to treat everyone equally but today was a serious testing ground for me. Couldn't hold 8 months of pain, suffering and frustration anymore. I also felt hopeless looking at my situation and just packed my stuff and left from there. I told the service head that this would be my last ever Tata car and I thanked them for all the pain and agony they (TASC) and Tata Motors have caused me.

I left the showroom with a deep regret of purchasing a Tata product. I always prefer Tata products outside of TAMO viz. Voltas, Croma etc but Tata Motors which comes from the same Tata group is so much different from their other verticals. I feel cheated to trust Tata Motors and purchase a car for the second time. I sent a mail today to CCM Tata Motors South and Tata Motors customer care requesting to take back my car which has so many new issues that are arising every single week and also the QC/QA isn't Tata Motor's forte yet. Also, the mail is again redirected back to the TASC which is of no use. I have always respected the staff at TASC and have never troubled them. I tried to understand things from their perspective and have friended most of the SAs due to regular visits but a cool person like me losing their temper is no small feat and these guys achieved it. I would put 90% of the blame on TAMO for not assembling the cars properly. Every single car from the same batch is never the same in terms of fit and finish.

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale due to these continuous issues with my Altroz. I am now contemplating selling my Altroz but it is less than 8 months old and I have 4 years of EMI to pay. I am stuck without hope. Please let me know what can be done forward. The ASC is just interested in ripping apart interior parts even for minor issues without actually thinking about it. Tata Motors isn't providing me with any support either, all they do is redirect my mail back to TASC who in turn are only interested in closing the complaint and only want a 10/10 rating. The main problem arises because of the lack of quality control at the plant.

To sort out the ASC issues Tata can just appoint a quality compliance officer or a flying squad to each respective zone who would just barge into any Tata showroom like a regular customer and check the service centre behaviour, manners, etc and penalize the TASC for their demerits and shortcomings. It is such an easy thing to fix the TASC's quality and customer satisfaction if TAMO puts in efforts but they are only concentrating on sales, social media advertisement, fanboy ego massaging, etc. I strongly believe the time isn't far away when TAMO will see a reduction in sales and people will again boycott TAMO like they did after their indica became a hit and TAMO didn't give a damn about service. I have always recommended Tata Cars to people in my circle and a lot of them have purchased it but today I am not recommending Tata Cars to people in my circle.

I admire and have utmost respect towards Mr Ratan Tata ji. I am aware of Tata Group's contribution towards our country. But TAMO seriously needs a restructuring to fix QC/QA and ASC.

Now coming to the good things I believe even the worst things should end on a good note. I have covered 12,000 km in 8 months, I love the seating comfort, braking, stability, audio system, and lighting and I have a strong bond with the car. But what is the use of a beautifully designed and safe car when it is visiting the service centre every other week and keeps rusting in spite of getting regular TLC? I love the engine roar after 2000 rpm, I love the way the engine rushes when I want it to and I also like the nice drivability from the engine from low rpm's. That light clutch needs a special mention.

My cousin recently purchased an Altroz DCA and another friend of mine purchased the same colour and variant of the Altroz as mine. Both my cousin and my friend never considered Altroz but it was only after I purchased the car that they loved it when they drove my car. I warned them in advance about TASC but still they got their cars delivered recently, one DCA and one diesel. They purchased the car from the same TASC sales division where I got my car serviced and faced a lot of hiccups to book and get the car delivered. To sum it up in one line - Great cars from TAMO require a greater level of patience and persistence. Please refer below pictures.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Got an impressive indicated fuel efficiency, I was filling the tank to just take a break.

BHPian gauravanekar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Altroz diesel XZ ownership review after 2500 km:

• On a 1500 km long trip which consisted of 2 cities and mostly highway: with a driving style which can be considered above average speeds, always in city mode and zero engines lugging at low RPMs, the indicated fuel efficiency is 22.5km/l
• The power delivery is linear and fast if one manages to keep the RPMs above 1500 at all times (which is easy to achieve)
• The gear ratios are perfect 1st and 2nd are not too short, 5th gear is long . Each gear has a unique range of speeds for which it is perfect. Due to the spread of the gear ratios skipping of gears is mostly not possible if one does not wish to lug the engine (e.g 2nd to 4th or 3rd to 5th is not advisable ) overall the gearbox and engine are a good match and well-tuned
• Cruise control was used extensively throughout the trip even though the expressway-like uninterrupted drive was for less than 300 km.

Cruise control was used in 3 ways:

C1: speed set at 65 when starting the drive on an empty highway. This is to help me set my mobile with a map and start a music or YouTube video playlist

C2: speed set at 95(approx) with exactly 2000rpm, this is the ideal setting which ensures fast progress without dropping fuel efficiency by a large amount

C3: when there is fast-moving traffic I set the cruise speed to 110 km/h and the ‘resume cruise’ button like an alternative accelerator. If a truck comes or traffic obstructs I gently apply brake till the traffic is cleared and then I press resume. Immediately after pressing resume car accelerates as if the pedal has been pressing strongly. I got back to 90-110 without much effort, I couldn’t get to drive at such high speeds for a long due to traffic hence I again decelerated with a gentle brake application and I resumed to accelerate again. This is an easy method to drive on a fast-moving high-traffic highway.

• The suspension is soft at all speeds without losing high-speed stability. There is more body roll compared to Figo but you get to experience the difference maybe 0.5% of the time in a long drive like this. This is a great compromise
• I experimented with 2 different tyre pressures. 34 (hot temp pressure) in the rear and 36 (also @hot) in the front tyres, which was good. The second setup was 32 (@hot) in the rear and 34 (@hot) in the front, this setup is more comfortable without damaging tyres. This pressure is perfect for medium loads in summer conditions.
• Engine noise is higher but it doesn’t tire you during long drive
• Had to experience 2 emergency manoeuvres, one during dark night and one during the day. The car handled sudden direction change without losing composure or scaring the driver. The tank range is fantastic, I was filling the tank to just take a break.

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I absolutely love driving the car on the highways on a daily basis.

BHPian PrasannaDhana recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey guys,

Just passing by posting a milestone odo number here.

55555 km

The car is back on its duty since September first week and has clocked 2000 km this month. Last month saw lesser usage as the AC and sloshing issues were tended to at the A.S.S.

AC is back to perfect functioning. The sloshing sound does appear on rare occasions. No complaints though. I absolutely love driving (flooring it) on the highways on a daily basis.

I will be posting a detailed post during the 2nd anniversary / 60,000 km service update. Until then:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale, due to these continuous issues with my Altroz.

BHPian AutoYogi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to update you all regarding my Tata Altroz XZ Diesel whose issues are never-ending.

1. I realized recently that the AC mode is not working. For example, the modes on infotainment display change whereas the air still blows only through face/front vents whereas the windshield and foot vents aren't working. Recently I got to know this since I rarely use the foot blower option. I have been wondering why my car doesn't defog the front windshield when it is set at front windshield defog mode all these days. I realised recently that the mode flap isn't working. TASC response - will require your car for a few days to check (which is their standard reply)
2. I have changed two sets of wiper blades and still the wiper blades start to slip and make a loud grrr sound every time I use them during the rain. I even tried aftermarket Valeo wiper blades and still, the issue persists. I believe the windshield itself is defective.
3. A-pillar trim was finally ordered as I shared a video of the rattling while the car was being driven by somebody else they accepted and ordered the part which in turn took more than 2 months to arrive.
4. I hear a strange creaky noise that the rear suspension makes whenever I get in or get out of the car or whenever I lower my windows and drive into any undulation. The sound is like that of a rusty creaky metal part under friction it is hard to replicate at TASC. TASC response - it is because of the rainy season
5. The infotainment display continuously keeps dimming up and down until I restart the vehicle (Very rare occurrence)
6. Ambient light is deactivated and reactivated from infotainment whenever the car feels like it wants to.
7. Yet to fix the paint rusting issues.

I had been to TASC today to get the A-pillar trim replaced under warranty. Seat covers were not used and the mechanic had greasy clothes. The mechanic started to patch the existing A-pillar trim as I kept telling him that a new replacement part had arrived and he ignored me and went on repairing the current A-pillar trim. I went and got hold of my SA who came and confirmed the same. The service technician started removing the A-pillar trim using a screwdriver and the mechanic soiled the roof liner with his greasy hands. When I asked the mechanic why he wasn't using trim panel remover and not bothered to keep his hands clean, he dismissed my request and just went on doing his work. The mech took 15 minutes to remove the A-pillar trim panel which is a 2-minute job. I told the mechanic that the tweeter plug should be unplugged using a very thin flat screw driver but the guy just went on using a heavy-duty screwdriver and pulled out the plug holding the two thin wires instead of the connector which could de-pin the connectors due to their rash behaviour. I requested them to stop this drama when one of the technicians finally removed the tweeter connector using a lot of force by pulling the wires. I told them to move away and they didn't bother to listen to me. The mech got the new A-pillar and was struggling to fit it and I told him to first step out of my car and I fixed the new A-pillar myself. I then requested the other mech to look into the wiper noise and juddering issue. He went on to state that it is a wiper issue. I firmly told him to just go and get the demo car as we shall swap the wiper and wiper arm of both the cars and my car wipers were juddering even after replacing the wiper and wiper arm with the demo vehicle ones. The mech who had been ignoring the issues for the last few months accepted my analysis not so happily. With all this drama unfolding in front of me, I just couldn't tolerate it anymore and I sat in the backseat of my car and started shooting a mail to CCM and Tata Motors as the technicians were fiddling with my car and the service head found out that I was mailing Tata Motors and requested me to not send the mail as it would be again redirected to him. He requested me few more days time to sort out all these issues and that is when I just couldn't control my anger and frustration anymore and gave him a piece of my mind while still maintaining basic manners.

I have been going through all this for the last 8 months and just couldn't take it anymore. I have visited the service centre more than 10 times for various issues without any resolution or finding them either ignoring or blaming me and my analysis as wrong when it has been correct since day one. The last time I went they made me wait for 4 hours to tighten the wiper arm bolt. I have never lost my cool during any of my automobile purchases or maintenance services as I have done at Tata Motors. I really felt bad for losing my cool since I very rarely lose my cool and I prefer to treat everyone equally but today was a serious testing ground for me. Couldn't hold 8 months of pain, suffering and frustration anymore. I also felt hopeless looking at my situation and just packed my stuff and left from there. I told the service head that this would be my last ever Tata car and I thanked them for all the pain and agony they (TASC) and Tata Motors have caused me. I left the showroom with a deep regret of purchasing a Tata product. I always prefer Tata products outside of TAMO viz. Voltas, Croma etc. but Tata Motors which comes from the same Tata group is so much different from their other verticals. I feel cheated to trust Tata Motors and purchase a car for the second time. I sent a mail today to CCM Tata Motors South and Tata Motors customer care requesting to take back my car which has so many new issues that are arising every single week and also the QC/QA isn't Tata Motor's forte yet. Also, the mail is again redirected back to the TASC which is of no use. I have always respected the staff at TASC and have never troubled them. I tried to understand things from their perspective and have friended most of the SA's due to regular visits but a cool person like me losing their temper is no small feat and these guys achieved it. I would put 90% of the blame on TAMO for not assembling the cars properly. Every single car from the same batch is never the same in terms of fit and finish.

I have withheld selling my Fortuner which is on sale due to these continuous issues with my Altroz. I am now contemplating selling my Altroz but it is less than 8 months old and I have 4 years of EMI to pay. I am stuck without hope. Please let me know what can be done forward. The ASC is just interested in ripping apart interior parts even for minor issues without actually thinking about it. Tata Motors isn't providing me with any support either, all they do is redirect my mail back to TASC who in turn are only interested in closing the complaint and only want a 10/10 rating. The main problem arises because of the lack of quality control at the plant. To sort out the ASC issues Tata can just appoint a quality compliance officer or a flying squad to each respective zone who would just barge into any Tata showroom like a regular customer and check the service centre behaviour, manners, etc. and penalize the TASC for their demerits and shortcomings. It is such an easy thing to fix the TASC's quality and customer satisfaction if TAMO puts in efforts but they are only concentrating on sales, social media advertisement, fanboy ego massaging, etc. I strongly believe the time isn't far away when TAMO will see a reduction in sales and people will again boycott TAMO like they did after their indica became a hit and TAMO didn't give a damn about service. I have always recommended Tata Cars to people in my circle and a lot of them have purchased it but today I am not recommending Tata Cars to people in my circle.

I admire and have utmost respect towards Mr Ratan Tata ji. I am aware of Tata Group's contribution towards our country. But TAMO seriously needs a restructuring to fix QC/QA and ASC.

Now coming to the good things I believe even the worst things should end on a good note.

I have covered 12,000 km in 8 months, I love the seating comfort, braking, stability, audio system, and lighting and I have a strong bond with the car. But what is the use of a beautifully designed and safe car when it is visiting the service centre every other week and keeps rusting in spite of getting regular TLC? I love the engine roar after 2000 rpm, I love the way the engine rushes when I want it to and I also like the nice drivability from the engine from low rpm's. That light clutch needs a special mention.

My cousin recently purchased an Altroz DCA and another friend of mine purchased the same colour and variant of the Altroz as mine. Both my cousin and my friend never considered Altroz but it was only after I purchased the car that they loved it when they drove my car. I warned them in advance about TASC but still they got their cars delivered recently, one DCA and one Diesel. They purchased the car from the same TASC sales division where I got my car serviced and faced a lot of hiccups to book and get the car delivered. To sum it up in one line - Great cars from TAMO require a greater level of patience and persistence. Please refer below pictures.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

This is the second Tata car in our family after an Indigo Dicor. I expected them to have better QC and QA after these many years.

Thanks to Varun Reddy for sending this in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

I have been a regular visitor on the Team-BHP forum for the last 8+ years. I have gained an invaluable amount of knowledge regarding cars from the team-bhp forum. I would like to share the bitter experiences I have had with Tata Motors due to the purchase of an Altroz Diesel XZ, which was delivered on 26th January 2023 from KHT Motors Domlur, Bangalore. This would be a long read hence, please bear with me.

Booking Experience

I am a resident of Ballari, Karnataka and I would like to share my sincere experiences with team-bhp members and forum readers. It all started with booking my car at KHT Motors Bangalore since my dealership in Ballari (Bellad Motors) was forcing me to purchase a White Altroz which was readily available in stock and I was interested in a grey colour Altroz XZ diesel. I made my booking for Tata Altroz XZ Diesel in the month of December 2022 at KHT Motors Domlur, Bangalore while I was in Ballari via a phone call. In less than 15 minutes of the phone call with KHT Motors, I transferred the booking amount and sealed the deal.

Post Booking Experience

Once the booking amount was done, KHT Motors started ignoring me. They became lethargic and wouldn't give me their final price, or proforma invoice nor would they even care to get back to me. With the impending price hike coming into effect from the 1st week of January 2023 I started to panic as I would have to shell out around 30,000 extra and none of the dealers were taking bookings since it was a year end. I travelled all the way from Ballari to Bangalore (a total of 750 km) just to get the final offer for my car as these guys were not responding to my requests. Even after informing the showroom guys 2 days in advance, they made me wait for close to 3 hours to take me to the stockyard for the PDI of my car and they said the driver isn't available hence, I had to drive the Tigor EV demo car all by myself from showroom to stockyard and they made me wait another 2 hours at the stockyard to let me allow for the PDI as the car was really dirty and I asked to get my car washed since the washing area was inside the stockyard itself, KHT motors has its stockyard and service centre at one place. I finally lost my patience and gave an earful to the guys at KHT Motors for treating a customer who has travelled 350 km just because of their incompetence and I finally decided to cancel my booking and go for the Baleno. My SA came back and requested me to not cancel the car and she pleaded with me since the car was already booked in my mother's name. I entered the showroom at 10bAM in the morning and by the time I did the PDI and got my final offer, it was 7:30 PM. They promised to not trouble me and said they would finish the next processes quickly. I came back to Ballari and they started ignoring my requests again. They started pestering me on 30th December 2022 stating price hike is impending and to process the loan quickly or else I would lose 30,000 due to the price hike from 1st Jan 2023. In just one day, we could get the loan sanctioned and finally, I heaved a sigh of relief thinking all the drama is done. The dealership registered the car without informing me nor did they ask for my preference for a particular number. I shared the whole booking and post-booking ordeal with Tata Motors via Email and I didn't get any response from Tata Motors.

D-day

I informed the KHT Motors team lead and my SA 12 days in advance to keep all the documents in place since I didn't want any more mess up. They promised to keep all documents and number plates in place on D-day. I kept reminding them about the documents and number plate every alternate day until D-day. The team leader also confirmed to have it with him. On D-day, I was again made to wait for 1.5 hours for delivery and guess what? they didn't have the documents and number plate with them. I was so furious at that moment but I preferred to not spoil my delivery moment and they kept pestering me for 10/10 feedback without bothering about my issue. The team lead was very rude and irresponsible right from the beginning and I just took my car out from the showroom never to meet them again in my life. The moment I took the delivery of my car I realised the AC was malfunctioning, it would blow air at 16 degrees centigrade no matter what temperature I set it at. Somehow I missed this aspect during PDI as I checked if the AC is cooling properly or not but this is the first time I have come across such an issue in any car. The blower speed would reduce but the air coming out of AC vents would be damn cold. I got the car to Ballari and I fell ill for the next 3 days due to exposing myself continuously to cold air from defective AC for close to 400 kms. I rated my delivery experience with Tata Motors person on call post-delivery a pathetic 01/10 and nobody from Tata Motors bothered to call me in spite of the 01/10 rating, and I decided this would be my last Tata car.

My car is at the dealership due to an AC issue

I took my car to ASC in Ballari (Bellad Tata) regarding the issue and the service advisor there straight away denied the AC issue stating that I do not know how to use auto AC. I told him this was the 8th car in our family and my other 2 cars that I currently use (Ford Ecosport Titanium BS6 27,000 kms on odo and Fortuner 2014 1,60,000 kms on odo) both are cars with auto AC and he kept on arguing stating there is no issue with the AC. Finally, he took the car inside the service area and disconnected the battery for half a day and called me saying the issue is sorted I went to the ASC only to realize that the issue isn't sorted and the technician started blaming me for the lack of knowledge from my end. To my luck, there was an Altroz Diesel demo car that was available that day hence, I made him set 27 degrees centigrade in my car and the demo car to compare. The technician confidently entered the demo car trying to prove me wrong and he was in for a surprise. Then he stated that he will have another thorough check done. I requested him to just reset the codes by connecting the BCM module and retain the AC sensor since the actuator and other components were all working fine. The technician stated the issue is in the actuator and started opening up the bottom part of the dashboard in spite of my requesting him to check the sensor first. they ripped open the bottom part of the dashboard near the passenger side and kept the car for 2 days and called me stating the issue is sorted. Guess what? yes, you are right. The issue was still present. I took my car back and was unhappy with a brand new car which was delivered less than a month ago being ripped open like this. I drove the car as it is for close to a month and I contacted the ASC again since this is the only Tata Motors ASC in my place. This time the technician said he will open up the whole dashboard and check the AC unit. I thought enough is enough and shot a strong-worded mail to Tata Motors stating their pathetic QC/QA process and not expecting much help from TaMo I started sharing my experience on the YouTube comments section as I am not active on social media and Tata Motors started waking up from their slumber. Finally, one of their engineers was connected to the technician at ASC and finally, it was decided to be a simple software error as informed by me the technician on day 1 and the car was given back to me this time with the issue sorted. My technician then argued with me stating that it was unexpected and all parameters can't be modified by them and bla bla.

Oil sump gasket failure noticed at 2nd service (7500 km)

I requested my ASC to change the engine oil to 7500 km since I have a habit of changing engine oil once before 7,000 km on all my new cars. My car was lifted in the service bay and I noticed the SA trying to clean the leaking oil under my car. I went inside the service area and noticed oil leaking from the gasket area of the oil sump/reservoir. My SA advised me that there wouldn't be any issue and I can continue driving since the leakage is minimal. I requested him to replace the gasket under warranty to which he obliged and gave me the car back the next day.

Engine bay area rusting

Recently I have noticed that several areas in the engine bay have started to rust and this was the final test for my patience. I shared the pictures with the service head at my ASC and I called the service head he said get it and we shall see what can be done. I mean the guys at ASC and Tata Motors are so casual with the customers who purchase their cars with hard-earned money and these guys don't give a damn to our emotional bonding with the car. I make sure to only wash the car if it is absolutely necessary and I use only soft water at all times. The ASC guys use hard water which leaves white spots after drying hence, I request them to give me my car without washing after service from now onwards. I live in a dry region so there shouldn't be chances of rusting for a less than 6 months old car.

Issues faced by me till now

• AC issue.
• Driver side A pillar trim rattling (sorted out by myself after ASC failed to do it twice).
• The Centre console's grey colour trim around the gear lever has an ugly gap and they made it even worse after the warranty replacement.
• Fog lamps switch on intermittently. The fog lamp switch displays on condition but fog lamps don't turn on sometimes.
• Paint sprayed over dust particles right from the factory.
• Engine sump gasket leakage.
• Abnormal panel gaps on each side of the tailgate area.
• Engine bay rusting and paint peeling off at the edges along with paint bubbling up at certain areas.

Windshield with defects. I have changed the OEM wipers that were making a juddering noise while used in rains and installed Valeo wiper blades which also started juddering during rains and I realised there is a manufacturing defect either with the windshield or the wiper arm. The same Valeo wipers perform really well on our Fortuner and EcoSport.

What I love about the car

• Excellent seating comfort for a well-built guy like me ( 6'3 and 94 kg).
• Brilliant road manners.
• Chilling AC.
• Ultra-light clutch never gets tiring.
• Gem of a diesel. Quite powerful along with excellent driving ability. Great fuel efficiency.
• Doors close with a reassuring thud and make you feel safe.
• Nice audio system.
• Brilliant headlights for a stock car. The low beam is especially too good.
• Looks awesome.
• Decent braking.
• Interior is a nice place to be in.

Summary

I have done 10,000 kms in less than 6 months and I drive a minimum of 30 kms daily. This is the second TaMo car in our family after an Indigo Dicor. I expected TaMo to have better QC and QA after these many years yet they haven't sorted it out yet. Altroz isn't a high-selling car like Punch or Nexon yet, they managed to mess up on the QC front. There is a reason why people prefer Maruti, Toyota, Hyundai and Ford. The service experience is several times better with the competitors and also a mail to the company from a grieving customer is taken seriously whereas in TaMo it is seriously a hit or miss. My car has so many QC passed stickers all around the engine bay, glass area and the interior component yet, they missed catching hold of so many issues in one single car. People who mock MS cars as tin cans should realize and appreciate Maruti Suzuki's QC approach and the way they treat their customers right from booking, and delivery to service everything is smooth. If Maruti Suzuki starts getting cars with better structural safety then I would go back to Maruti without a second thought. I request you all to not blindly fall for the Made in India automobile craze instead, buy a car on its own merits. I thank team-bhp for imparting a vast amount of invaluable knowledge to us automobile enthusiasts. I wanted to bring to the notice of automobile enthusiasts how TaMo hasn't changed their old habits and the end result is borne by the customer.

Cars Owned

• M800 (2000-2005) (Pre-worshipped, ultra-reliable)
• Matiz (2002-2006) (Pre-worshipped, reliable)
• Scorpio (2006-2016) (Purchased brand new, done 1,80,000 kms without a single breakdown)
• Ertiga Zdi (2012-2018) (Purchased brand new, done 22,000 kms, ultra-reliable)
• TUV 300 (2016-2020) (Purchased brand new, done 23,000 kms, ultra-reliable)
• Fortuner (2018-till date) (Pre-worshipped, done 1.6L kms, absolutely reliable)
• Ecosport (2021-till date) (Purchased brand new, done 28,000 kms, very reliable)
• Altroz (2022-till date) (Purchased brand new, done 10,000 kms, no comments)

Please find attached the respective videos and images.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.