We usually clean/replace our AC filter depending upon its condition, but there is another part you need to clean/maintain if you want the best performance from your AC system.

BHPian vivek2652 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

As part of PMS, we usually clean/replace our AC filter depending upon its condition, but there is another part you need to clean/maintain if you want the best performance from your AC system. This part is a blower motor that works continuously whenever we turn on our AC or use the heater. You must clean it every year if your car doesn't have cabin AC filter.

Tools required:

1. Star screwdriver
2. Old toothbrush
3. Old cloth or microfiber
4. Flexible body

Procedure:

1) The blower motor is located behind the glovebox in Baleno. Open the glovebox and you'll find two rubber pieces on either side preventing it from falling after opening. Gently pull both rubber pieces inside and the glovebox will sag down.

2) Pull the glovebox towards yourself to completely remove it.

3) Open two Philips head screws and pull the cover upwards to remove.

4) Now you'll need to bend down in the passenger side footwell area and you'll be able to see the blower motor attached by three Phillips head screws.

5) Remove the power connector (white colored) by pushing the clips and pulling the tab downwards.

6) Remove two Philips head screws of the blower motor.

7) Hold the blower motor with one hand and remove the third screw. Now the blower will come down.

8) Clean the blower using a toothbrush and microfiber. My unit was clean since I do this every year.

9) Since you have opened the glovebox and ac filter is also located behind it, you can also clean/replace it. You'll need to remove its cover by pressing it from one side and by pulling the cover. One thing you'll need to make sure that you install ac filter by checking the up symbol on the filter.

10) Do all the steps in reverse order and enjoy clean air and silent operation.

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11,851 units of the Baleno and 4,190 units of the WagonR manufactured between July and November 2019 are affected.

Maruti Suzuki has announced a recall for its Baleno and WagonR models over a potential defect in a fuel pump motor component. 11,851 units of the Baleno and 4,190 units of the WagonR manufactured between July 30, 2019, and November 1, 2019, are affected.

According to Maruti Suzuki, the defective fuel pump motor component could lead to engine stalling or starting problems. Although it's rare, the carmaker has decided to recall the vehicles as a precautionary measure.

Authorized Maruti Suzuki dealer workshops will contact owners to get the faulty component replaced free of cost. Customers can check if their vehicle is among those recalled by entering the chassis number on Maruti Suzuki's official website.

The Fronx hybrid is said to be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles offering 35 km/l.

Buoyed by the market’s response to its hybrid offerings, Maruti Suzuki is planning to offer hybrid powertrains in mass segments. According to a media report, the carmaker is working on hybrid versions of the Fronx, Baleno, Swift and even a small MPV.

The report states that Maruti Suzuki will not use Toyota’s hybrid system, but is developing an in-house hybrid powertrain (codenamed: HEV). It is said to be a series hybrid that’s cheaper to produce compared to series-parallel and parallel hybrid. It features an internal combustion engine that serves as a range extender. The engine produces electricity that in turn powers an electric motor.

The report states that Maruti could launch the Fronx hybrid sometime next year. The car is rumoured to be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles offering 35 km/l.

The Baleno hybrid is likely to be introduced in 2026, followed by the Swift hybrid a year later. The next-gen Brezza, which is also said to be a hybrid, will be launched around 2029.

Source: Autocar India

The car looks immaculate even after 4 years and the average overall fuel efficiency is upwards of 15 km/l.

BHPian dkaile recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Maruti Baleno 4th Year service at 19,268 km on Odo

So after completing 4 years of absolutely tension-free time with the Baleno and with nearly 10,000 km from the previous service more than 2 years ago, it was time once again for the 4th service. They did the 40k service according to the time elapsed thing that they followed and it included replacing the spark plugs and fuel filter in addition to all that was done in the previous service. As the fuel filter was not in stock, it was skipped for a later date.

19,268 km on the odo in 4 years. Averaging just 5k kms a year.

Getting some TLC and thorough underbody wash

Service starts after washing with all 4 wheels removed to clean the brakes

The total bill was just Rs 6,009 which was satisfactory for the work done.

The car looks immaculate even 4 years down the line with zero errors or issues and average overall fuel efficiency of upwards of 15 km/l.

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The Tata Harrier and Safari were the first Indian cars to receive a 5 star Bharat NCAP rating.

Maruti Suzuki has announced the first batch of cars that will be sent for Bharat NCAP crash tests.

According to the company, the Brezza, Baleno and the Grand Vitara will be the first Maruti models to be evaluated by BNCAP. The Fronx will be a part of the second batch of cars.

Global NCAP has already evaluated the Brezza earlier. However, it was the previous-gen model known as the Vitara Brezza. It was awarded 4 stars for adult occupant safety and 2 stars for child occupant protection.

The crash safety of the Baleno has also been evaluated before. It was awarded a dismal zero-star rating by Latin NCAP. On the other hand, the Grand Vitara has yet to receive a safety rating from an independent body.

Bharat NCAP was launched in August last year. The first crash test results were announced in December, which included the Tata Harrier and Safari. Both SUVs were awarded 5 stars and became the first Indian cars to receive the BNCAP 5-star rating.

Baleno tie-rod ends weren't available locally - so used Esteem's which were a direct fit.

BHPian supremeBaleno recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

8-Jul-2023: A couple of problems pending for some time were addressed at 117,300 km.

There was a hard thud sound from the front suspension traced to the faulty right lower arm. The front left lower arm which was changed in 2019 had some life left as per my FNG, but decided to get both changed.

At the last oil-change service in April 2023, the FNG had removed the sparkplugs and ignition coil to check/clean. While fitting back, an internal spring of one of the coils got misplaced - they put in an alternate, but it wasn't a right fit and thus firing wasn't correct, leading to an issue while driving - you could feel a misfire & judder. Got the ignition coil changed.

Had bought the spares from Modern Automobiles (near High Court, Kochi).

The tie-rod ends had gone bad and had to be replaced. Baleno tie-rod ends weren't available locally - so used Esteem's which were a direct fit.

1. 2 x Lower Arms (Euromac brand): 4200 (2100 each)
2. 1 x IgnitionCoil SGP: 2060
3. 2 x Tierod ends (Esteem's): 480 (240 each)
4. Labour: 800
5. Total: Rs.7540

After changing the lower arms and tie-rod ends, the steering felt vague, which apparently is normal (I wasn't aware). The mechanic asked to get a wheel alignment done, after which the steering was back to normal.

Wheel Alignment: Rs 500

• This is the 4th Left lower arm & the 3rd right lower arm on the car in 18 years.
• Both arms were first changed at 80K service in 2014 @ Ignite, Chennai.
• Only left arm was changed in 2019 @ Gulf Auto, Kerala.
• Now both changed in 2023 @ Gulf Auto.

So basically the OE ones lasted 9 years, while the local ones barely lasted 4-5years.

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The new safety features are available across all variants. Prices remain unchanged.

According to media reports, Maruti Suzuki has upgraded the safety kit offered in the Baleno. The car is now available with adjustable rear headrests and a 3-point seatbelt for the rear centre passenger.

While there have been reports of the Baleno getting additional safety features. The changes made to the car are yet to reflect on the company's official website. It is also said that the new feature additions come at no extra cost to the customer and will be available as standard across all variants.

The Baleno also gets features like a 360-degree camera, ESP with Hill Hold, 6 aiarbags, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX anchorages.

The Baleno is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 89 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm @ 4,400 rpm and is offered with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed AMT.

Source: Cardekho

Maruti Suzuki began exporting made-in-India vehicles in FY1986-87.

Maruti Suzuki has achieved a new milestone, as the carmaker’s cumulative global exports hit the 2.5 million mark. The landmark vehicle, a Baleno, was recently shipped to Latin America from Gujarat’s Mundra port.

Maruti Suzuki began exporting made-in-India vehicles in FY1986-87. The first big shipment of 500 cars was dispatched to Hungary in September 1987. Today, the carmaker has expanded its presence to nearly 100 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

According to Maruti Suzuki, exports to advanced markets helped the company to benchmark its performance against international standards.

The Ertiga and XL6 now get the ‘Surround Sense’ Arkamys audio system.

Maruti Suzuki has upgraded the infotainment system in the Baleno, Ertiga and XL6 with new connectivity features.

The Smart Play Pro and Pro+ infotainment systems in these cars now offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Baleno’s head-up display now integrates Turn-by-Turn navigation.

Turn-by-Turn navigation is also available on the speedometer MID of the Baleno, Ertiga and XL6. Besides this, the Ertiga and XL6 get the ‘Surround Sense’ Arkamys audio system.

These features will be available via an Over-the-Air (OTA) update. Customers can install these updates via their smartphones or download them from Maruti Suzuki’s website.

Models that are affected by this recall include the Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno and Grand Vitara.

Maruti Suzuki has recalled seven of its model over faulty airbags. These include the Alto K10, S-Presso, Eeco, Brezza, Baleno and Grand Vitara.

According to the company, 17,362 vehicles manufactured between December 8, 2022, and January 12, 2023, have been affected by this recall. It is said that these cars could have a defective airbag controller unit.

Maruti stated that the defective airbag controller could result in the non-deployment of the airbags and seat belt pretensioners in the event of a crash. To rectify this, the carmaker will inspect and replace the affected part free of cost.

Maruti Suzuki has also warned customers from using the suspected vehicles until the defective part is replaced.