Both, the SUV's invoice & RC have the correct engine number, validated by the RTO.

BHPian SinghBHP recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All,

I'm facing a peculiar situation with my old car which was given to a Mahindra dealer in exchange for purchasing my XuV700. I handed over the car, got a delivery note on letterhead and also a Stamp paper affidavit that car is now purchased by the dealer. Later completed the RTO formalities of transfer and got the NOC done in October'2023. Now during the transfer of the car to a new owner, the dealer hit a roadblock - my car's engine number is matching with a 32-year-old Hero Puch in Mysuru (KA09). Surely, there was a clerical/data entry mistake at KA 09 end as my invoice, RC and the car have the correct engine number, validated by GZB RTO also. The dealer though slow in responding is cooperating and has visited the GZB RTO with this issue. After a struggle of a month or so, he finally got the GZB RTO office to send an email to KA09 RTO with all the artefacts of my car and asking them to check and fix the engine number at their end. It's been almost 3 weeks now and a reminder has also been sent but there is no response from them. The dealer is working at his level and engaged an RTO agent from Mysuru to look at it however there is not much progress as he is unable to find a file for KA 09 vehicle in the records Room. He informed - the clerk is saying it was a very old record and it will take time to search.

I need your help to know what are my options to solve this situation and get the issue resolved. I have filed an RTI to Mysuru KSRTC, no response yet. Recently Filed a complaint on UP JANSUNWAI seeking support on transfer. What else can I do to get this resolved?

Though GZB RTO has accepted the issue and has sent an email from their official email ID to KA09 RTO, the VAAHAN website is showing the status as NOC Issues, I have a picture of signed documents of the transfer form stamped by RTO and the Aadhaar of the person for whom the form was signed for car transfer however I am still worried from Legal perspective as the car is still on my name.

Please advise what can be done to resolve this issue.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The overall drivability and response has definitely improved. Looking forward to some highway drives and enjoying this lovely machine for many more years to come!

BHPian arindambasu13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Just did a Stage 1+ remap from Wolf Moto on my 2020 TDCI Ecosport done 44000 kms. The results are really good.

The overall drivability and response has definitely improved. And of course, the thing pulls like a locomotive from 1600-1700 rpm onwards, which is the best part. I am generally a relatively sedate driver, and my driving rev range is between 1200 to 2200 RPM in the normal course. Prefer riding the torque wave of the TDCI engine. The engine already had decent enough power for all city driving situations, but now it definitely feels more sprightly and free revving, with the tacho needle moving fast across the rev range.

On highways, or when quick overtaking is required, the acceleration is pretty ferocious anywhere above 2000 RPM now (downright scary upwards of 2500 RPM), and I have to back off from the throttle quickly to avoid over speeding. Overall, money well spent and provides a worthy midlife upgrade to an already brilliant car. Looking forward to some highway drives and enjoying this lovely machine for many more years to come!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Just to be sure replaced the relay and checked in OBD, the error disappeared. I really am not sure about what Ford's up to and especially after this incident I'm absolutely upset.

BHPian kaushiksudra recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All,

I own a 2015 Ecopsort TDCI, haven't been much active on this thread. I have done about 106000 kms as of today and had a few things changed recently. I'm planning to prepare a detailed ownership review soon.

In the recent times, the car has been performing flawlessly, and was due for service. Thought would be a good idea to get it done at ASC since it had crossed 1L kms. Everything was ok, and just general things like engine oil, filter etc. were replaced s per schedule. However, got a call just before the promised delivery time saying some problem with the Fan Motor and it's not running which will in turn have a problem in running AC. Went and inspected and gave a go ahead to change the same. My worry is how could a part just fail in a few hours, as I've never experienced any problems with AC in all these 9 years of ownership.

Anyways, I was ok in spending that money considering the age of the vehicle, but the problem started after that. Got the MIL just a few days after service and never got the time to visit them due to busy schedule. However, borrowed the OBDII adapter from a friend and upon checking it had errors related to MAF sensor, upon inspection I found that the plug was loose and fixing it snug, removed the error.

The other error seems to be there even today, on visit to ASC, they say there is no such error. Had dropped off my car recently for Rotors and Caliper change which was suggested in last service. The problem I'm facing is basically at idling and low speeds at around 850-1250 rpms, with the AC on, there is a certain resonating sound which is irritating. As soon as the AC is switched off, the noise goes off. Apparently, the SA told me its due to the condenser being dirty and a pressure was should solve it. I'm not too convinced though.

Found another problem yesterday when I was inspecting under the hood. The part below was just not connected anywhere, and I very well remember there was a pipe that was connected. On doing some fiddling, found a hanging tube near the gearbox, did some research online and realized it was a breather for gearbox. How can they forget connecting something like this in the first place. Wonder what all they would have missed.

Attaching the error code and part that was unconnected below for reference. Any pointers will help.

Also, have a peculiar Ecosport Boot release actuator issue. I was told to replace the entire lock assembly for around 7K+ installation. Is there any way this can be repaired?

UPDATE-

So on further investigation by self, I found the relay for Fan Motor Highspeed(R1) missing from the Fuse Box under the hood. Wonder if that was the reason the AC want working at the first place and they made me replace the entire fan motor assembly and related parts for over 15K ? Just to be sure replaced the relay and checked in OBD, the error disappeared. I really am not sure about Ford's up to, especially after this incident I'm absolutely upset. In 9 years+ ownership I have never had any concerns. Also I visited the ASC with the same concern and they deny it even being there and need a day to check if it really has a relay or not. Sometimes these ASC's think they know everything, but when an informed customer tries to show them their place, they just show their arrogance. Can anyone check their Fusebox if the relay is there or not and share a pic. Mine's a 2015 Ecosport TDCI Titanium+

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

High school, undergraduate, post graduate, new bonds, farewells, new city, college bunks, new jobs, getting married, first kid; you name it. From rash driving to maturing up, she's seen it all.

BHPian Taha Mir recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My Sanam, through thick and thin. High school, undergraduate, post graduate, new bonds, farewells, new city, college bunks, new jobs, getting married, first kid; you name it. From rash driving to maturing up, she's seen it all.

The tough times didn't last but she did; without skipping a beat. 11 years and not one instance of being stranded on the road, not even for a flat tyre. She's been the most perfect companion, a few days without driving and I want to get back in the drivers seat, not just of any car but exactly my Ecosport.

She's been maintained better than the factory maintenance schedule. Mild mid life updates like the stage 1+ wolf remap, green performance air filter, bi-xenon projector fog lamps and Rockford coaxials have kept her on par with current cars on the road, if not more, and have played their part of keeping me very well entertained.

For years I've scoured team bhp and used car websites (I still do) for an upgrade but nothing seems to catch my fancy. Great handling, power, illumination, better AC than some newer cars, good stereo with potential for modding (it's got a great soundstage) top notch build and solid paint quality, stellar fuel economy, good after sales support (yes, even after fords exit). It can't all be rosy, right?

My car, being the 30th Ecosport to be delivered in Hyderabad was plagued with interior rattles, although very minor (I love me a dead silent cabin). A roll of double sided tape and some foam sufficed. Early model Ecosport (2013-15) also have the most expensive spares. My most expensive repair was of an intermittently working AC compressor which costed 47k rupees. The door locks like to fail on you randomly; you won't be stranded but you'd be driving with a door that won't close. 5-6k a pop. The car simply does not enjoy being driven in b2b city traffic, the hard ish clutch and the anti stall rpm thingy can get annoying and new drivers will find it difficult to drive smoothly in traffic. These items were the most annoying parts of ownership; in hindsight much better than what some cars make you go through.

Some specs and trivia:

• I seem to get better fuel economy when driving hard. Seriously. 19-21 kmpl with constant ripping is normal.
• 11 years and I haven't changed a single bulb that came with the car; headlights, stop lamps, cabin lights etc. Real strange. I use stock headlights as DRLs now that I have bixenon projectors. Key fob battery is also factory.
• 96k kms and I'm still on factory brake pads and rotors. Brake feel is top-notch, very progressive and Ford like.
• The car came with a standard 3 year warranty and we did not opt for extended. Ford replaced my clutch plate which is a wear item under goodwill at the 5th year (due to a judder issue, took some back and forth on emails though).
• She has not crossed more than 10k kms between oil changes. Average is 7k kms.
• I personally (and obsessively) wash and wax the car myself. Hardly 4-5 pressure washes done (outside of Ford) in it's lifetime. She still shines like a 2-3 year old car.

Future mods planned:

• Cobra 30mm lowering springs
• Amplifier and subwoofer
• Decat downpipe and stage 2 (when she's no longer my primary vehicle)
• EBC yellow stuff brake pads (are these better than OEM?)

Cars I'm potentially considering for the future:

1. Used Octavia/Jetta/A3/O3 TDI DSG
2. W212 E250d
3. Crysta 2.8 AT
4. Endeavour
5. MUX
6. Scorpio 4x4
7. Thar 4x4.

It's a varied list, but they are all competent tourers. For now, Sanam is my primary. Finalizing something that ticks all the right boxes is a task and implementing is gonna be a costly affair. I'm open to all suggestions, TIA.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The new iteration of the popular SUV could make its global debut sometime in mid-2025.

According to reports, Ford is mulling the return of its popular crossover, the EcoSport, in Europe. The Ford EcoSport was a popular SUV, both in India and the international markets, before it was discontinued in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Now, reports state that Ford could introduce an all-new iteration of the EcoSport to fill the void between its low and premium segments. While Ford does offer the Puma SUV in the B-segment category in Europe, it is still positioned as a premium product, leaving a void in the lower end of the segment.

Reports claim an all-new B-segment SUV has been allocated for series production at Ford's facility in Valencia, Spain. It could be the all-new EcoSport. The new iteration of the popular SUV could make its global debut sometime in mid-2025. Also, the new EcoSport is said to be a "multi-energy vehicle", which means it could be offered with a hybrid powertrain.

The new Ford EcoSport will be larger than the now-discontinued model, measuring around 4.3 metres in length. The SUV will take on the likes of the newly launched Dacia (Renault) Duster in the European market.

Source: Motor.es

The carmaker will focus on the T6 platform, that underpins the Everest and Ranger.

Ford is reportedly gearing up for its next innings in India. The brand is returning to the Indian market with the next-gen Endeavour but is unlikely to bring the EcoSport, Figo and Aspire back.

According to a media report, Ford will not bring smaller petrol or diesel models to the market. The carmaker will focus on the T6 platform, that underpins the Everest and Ranger.

Quoting an unnamed source, the report states, “That chapter [of made-in-India mass-market internal combustion engine models] is closed. Out internal combustion engine play in India will only be limited to T6 products.”

The Ford Everest and Ranger pickup have already been spotted in testing in India. Both models are being evaluated for local assembly, however the decision to start production would depend on the company’s EV plan.

Speaking of EVs, Ford is said to be working on an affordable EV based on a new platform. The low-cost EV platform is expected to spawn products that will rival the Tesla Model 3.

Source: Autocar India

The BMW G 310 GS, the EcoSport, the Jimny and the Gypsy King is my dream garage & I have them all.

BHPian Akash_1806 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since this thread was last updated. Work and responsibilities at home have kept me busy.

In my previous post, I admitted that I was too lazy to write an ownership review of all the vehicles at home. Hence, I will be posting timely updates here on this thread.

Also, the TBHP sticker set arrived and was applied to the rides.

Starting with the two-wheeled madness - BMW G 310 GS

The baby GS has clocked around 4000 kms, slightly less than my intended mileage. Delhi winters and a busy schedule are to blame for that. I went on a few short rides to Jewar and Leopard Trail, Gurgaon, in between.

The brake lever broke again while the bike was parked in Sector 18, Noida. I have ordered a replacement, which will be installed in a week or two.

Impressions after almost a year of riding:

1. One of the best motorcycles in the segment, whether in looks, drivetrain, build quality, or simply in its ability to bring a smile to my face every time I pick up the keys.
2. The gear shifting has improved significantly. As the 310 has a reverse inclined engine, shifting can be a little hard. However, adjusting the chain tension has helped.
3. Ride quality is amazing, handling potholes and bumps effortlessly.
4. No vibrations, no rattles, no drama. It rides like a charm.

Moving on to the family's daily runners, Ford 1.0 Ecosport

This one recently crossed the 80,000 km mark and will soon undergo servicing. NCR traffic has taken a toll on the clutch, which needs to be checked as it has become a little stiff. Additionally, the front suspension is due for replacement.

Recent experiences with Ford have not been great. The vehicle was taken to Gautam Buddh Ford for suspension replacement twice but was returned without any work being done. They started with excuses, blaming lateness for appointments, claiming the vehicle needed extensive work, and suggesting leaving it at the dealership for a few days, etc. I believe it is time to switch dealerships as I intend to keep this vehicle for the long term.

Quick question - When should the timing belt be replaced in the 1.0 Ecosport? The manual states it is fitted for life, but I consider it more of a gimmick. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Next, my trusted steed - Maruti Jimny Zeta AT

Well, this one has been my go-to car due to its automatic transmission, which is extremely convenient for city driving. It has completed 9000 km and will soon undergo the third free service/first oil change.

I have made a few cosmetic changes like adding Jimny Graphics from Nexa and a sticker set from our group, 'Cars of Hindustan - Driving for a Cause.' on both the front doors.

Off-road drives with the Jimny have been nothing but fun. Compared to the Gypsy, it can tackle similar terrain but with more comfort.

Observations after almost 7 months:

1. The K15B engine does not feel underpowered in my usage. The gearbox always seems to be in the right gear and does not hesitate to downshift when needed.
2. Performance with stock tyres has been more than satisfactory, both on and off-road. However, I am struggling to find the right tyre pressure. 26 PSI seems too low, and anything higher increases bouncing at the rear. Still experimenting.
3. No matter what the world thinks about this car, it turns heads. People look at it, stare at it, and even slow down on the road. I have started to enjoy these reactions.

Raw power? Yup, the King - Maruti Gypsy 1.3 MPFI

She saw the least usage in the past few months due to a lack of time and my inability to attend meets and events. Tried attaching a video of her cold start after almost 2 months of hibernation, but got some error.

There were a few issues in the past few months:

1. The starter relay malfunctioned, replaced.
2. Starter wiring was also replaced.
3. The clutch cable was replaced twice. Once when it snapped in the middle of a drive and the second time when the previous replacement was not done properly.
4. The wiring for the tachometer needs to be checked as it is not working.
5. Needs to be detailed; the paint has become quite rough and uneven (it is time for some TLC which has been pending for too long).

These are the updates and observations about my 'dream garage,' as I prefer to call it. I will be updating this thread regularly, provided I overcome my laziness and get back to what I love most, anything and everything on wheels.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was on top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat and Radiator checked.

BHPian peterjim13 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

UPDATE

I do not remember when was the last time I updated here. But I had some eventful December, Jan & Feb and now the car is back at FASS on a problem that I think should be the root cause.

November - December 2023:

While I was preparing myself to leave with the issue, I noticed one more thing along the same lines.

After short drives or city drives especially with AC on - I observed that my radiator fan is mostly on High Speed, and then the compressor goes off. In a short time, the Fan goes back to low speed - but in a few seconds, the compressor comes back with a click.

So the jerk is that of the AC compressor going on and off. (my assumption)

While I was driving home for the Christmas holidays I had an uneventful drive until about 4 hours of drive till I reached the Wayanad hairpins. While I was preparing to take a steep climb on a curve, dropping down from 3rd gear to 2 within traffic - I felt a very strong power drop. The engine was running on AC, but the car did not have sufficient power to pull the RPMs up. I managed to park off the road, amidst a lot of honking.

I switched off the AC - and kept the car running for another 3-4 minutes and had the radiator fan go off. I started driving and it looked like nothing like this had happened.

FNG at Sulthan Bathery New Indian Service: Presented the car and they did not find anything, but attributed it to the loose accessory belt. Replaced it. - even I was not sure.

Drove back in January, planning to take this to the AC guy. But January and Feb became packed for me because of a family tragedy, where I couldn't spare time to look at it.

Car AC guy in Cochin Automobia, Kakkanad: Fast Forward to March - This Monday I took the car to the AC guys since I am travelling again to Wayanad this weekend and I also have another hill station drive planned shortly.

The AC guys checked the AC functioning since the cooling was in top form - he suspected this to be because of Engine overheating. He wanted me to get the water pump, Thermostat, and Radiator checked.

To iron out the resistor which helps the radiator fan switch between speeds, he poured some water into the condenser and we could see the radiator fan moving down from high speed.

FASS Cochin Kairali Ford, Kakkanad: Drove straight to the FASS, and after a day they looked at a pump closer to the Thermostat not heating up enough like it is expected to be after running. I hope the car geeks would understand this scenario better.

They suspect that the thermostat is not pumping sufficient coolant to manage the engine temperature as coolant levels are closer to max.

I feel:

• My car lost power on the hairpin as the engine heated up after a long drive.
• I learned that the AC compressor cuts off itself when the engine heats up.

By logic, this should solve it. But I am sad that I had to have the AC guy find it and not the FASS.

I am hoping to get an update today. By the way thermostat and coolant need to be replaced and may come close to 5K.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Ford has also filed a design patent for the new-gen Endeavour in India.

Ford has reportedly filed a new design patent for a mid-size SUV in India. This has sparked speculations about a possible replacement for the EcoSport.

The patent image reveals a front ¾ view of the SUV. It appears to be a mid-size SUV that could rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. It has a wide hexagonal grille with three-piece LED lights, flared wheel arches and a small rear quarter glass.

There have been rumours about Ford making a return to the Indian market. A design patent for the new-gen Endeavour was filed last month. It is said that the popular SUV could be introduced as a CBU around 2025.

More recently, the carmaker trademarked the Mustang Mach-E nametag in India. The electric crossover is expected to compete with premium EVs like the Mercedes EQE, BMW iX and the Audi Q8 e-tron.

That being said, Ford has been tight-lipped about its future plans for India.  

Source: Rushlane

Almost all my road trips will have circuitous route so that there is some variety and thrill while travelling.

BHPian jithin23 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Disclaimer This travelogue is going to be a lengthy one and I hope I am considered a normal person! I could find some time on a weekend to finish this travelogue as I'm on constant travel almost every weekend due to my personal and social commitments. I have clicked only a few pics from these mammoth drives as I had a very simple phone and I like to keep my experiences raw and real as well as re-live them by narrating over here. Most of you might be familiar with the mods and the build I've done on my car, but I also like to put all the mods on the car to good use by driving it around too

All work and no play make Jithin a dull man, right! Well, this man(yours truly) has been travelling like crazy for a long time but in 2022, The Red Dragon took him to places he had only written down on a piece of paper while graduating from College on a motorcycle was his dream. Such travels are still a dream for many and the Almighty has blessed me with good health and sufficient opportunities to explore the planet. Well, the place is almost the map of India. To top it off 80% of the drive was solo(Even if friends have accompanied me on this trip, I'll be the one behind the wheel and to speak as not all are familiar with Hindi). I've driven crazy distances and never felt fatigued despite the geographical changes and language barriers(I love to learn different languages as that is a major bridge for forging some really great bonds with people). Plus I was always inclined to Geography as a child and loved observing maps and atlases.

Of course, I have a few more states pending to visit and nobody has ever completed studying the entire syllabus for an exam right. So I wanted to leave out a few places so that I can travel those places with my future better half, else I'll be bored by saying I've seen almost all the places in India and she will give me a kicking as well. Plus when I travel abroad in the future I want to be in a position to tell that yes, I've been across India and I can understand the diversity it offers. To experience that diversity, there's nothing better than a road trip(rail too is fine) as it gives you the autonomy and flexibility to do whatever you want, wherever you want! The travelogues on team-bhp were partly an inspiration for me to do such drives, and I wanted to execute such drives on my own. I might remember only some of the places of stay or food as it has been more than a year since I returned from these trips.

Some of you might think why I'm not posting too much on Instagram or I could have been a YouTuber. I want to enjoy the present and live in the moment at that place and not be carried away by curating videos(no offence to the Youtubers or Instagrammers) and there are many who do it as a means of living and I respect their choice. Like I mentioned earlier, I want my experiences to be read and I have documented this for my future reference. And of course, you folks are aware of the after-effects of the place after one influencer goes to a particular place or restaurant for example. I believe in word-of-mouth experiences. Plus I do not refer much to any travel forum too so that I can get a proper feel of travelling on my own.

Some might even think after reading this travelogue, how on earth does this guy pull it off! I'll give a bit of a background for the same. In the year 2008( I was in class 7) and Volvo buses were the fad in Bangalore back then. I was supposed to watch a movie in Inox(this too was a fad back then) with my friends but for some reason, my friends ditched the movie plan. I took a bus pass and started exploring the city bit by bit alone. Back then in one single day, I travelled from Majestic to Kadugodi, then Majestic in the same Volvo. Again from Majestic to Nelamangala and back in the same bus and then from Majestic to Attibele to Silk Board to my locality near Kalyan Nagar. Full paisa vasool of that pass(I still remember it was 150 Rs for the Vajra day pass and that itself was pricey) as well as explored the then tourist spots such as Isckon and the likes and the rest is history! There are some more insane stories of mine but I think I'll keep that a secret(Take a guess: Varaanam Aayirram-inspired scene, however, I travelled within India itself during college days).

Moreover, what's the point of paying an EMI on the car when it's not put to use properly. I remember a saying as well: "The more miles a car is driven, its value depreciates but the experiences of that individual increase in value". Plus in my case, the car and experiences are immense. My parents have had no issues with my travel as long as I'm working and earning for myself because I remember that my parents were like you're free to do whatever you want after you start earning and I started living my dream one by one as we never know what's in store for us the next day. We can earn money in several legal ways but the bonds with people and the memories are priceless, no amount of money can suffice that. My Travels might be a bit extreme on a short notice, my style of travel is a bit different and I do not click too many pics as well, as I always like to tell a story. Please read it with an open mind and perspective. I'm sharing my personal perspective and learnings from the trip over here, so kindly bear with the long hours of driving and jumping state by state. I love to drive so much because I felt connected with an automobile, I was deprived of driving, a lack of a car for the initial 4-5 years after I earned my license. I then decided, that one day I would drive across the world in my own car and start with the home country first! My personal best has been 1200kms in 14 hours from Bangalore to Nagpur, 1000 kms in 11 hours(Bangalore-Shirdi).

I'm really grateful to all my friends, acquaintances, family, and the Indian Army(at the borders) for helping me on such crazy drives! These drives are a testament and a token of gratitude to the travel, automobile community, and Ford, you have given me a lot of firsts in my life! For making my life better right from my first flight to visit the factory(partly sponsored by Ford!) to my first relationship(the girl asked me out seeing my travel stories, now back to being happily single), my first job(I narrated how I got the First EcoSport and the cross country drive), the first car I sat in(A 1998 Ford Escort 1.8D), my first own car(My Red Dragon) and a lot more, especially great friends who are family within as well as outside the Bhpian community. Without it I would have still been without an identity and purpose in my life.

The Blue EcoSport has taken me to another country,(An unplanned drive: Bangalore to Bhutan in an EcoSport) the Red made me explore the country in detail. I'll focus more on the travels with the Red Dragon and I've split the Pan-India Drive into two parts:

Part 1. Bangalore - Leh- Bangalore (7,800 kms): This was during June-July 2022

Part 2. Bangalore - North East(Upto Tawang)- Bangalore(9,800 kms): This was during Oct-Nov 2022.

Almost all my road trips will have a circuitous route so that there is some variety and thrill while travelling. I have condensed the information over here as much as possibe and I have left out explaining about places or things to do as many Bhpians or Google Ammayi have shared info on these. I'll be sharing only my experiences here.

P.S.: Both were unplanned trips. I just empty my closet into the car's boot and off we go!

My OEM+ Steed without the Shelby grill

Without further Ado, let's take off into this travelogue!

Part 1: Getting Leh'd for the second time(this time by car from home)

Day 1: The Random Rush(21 June 2022)

Distance Driven: 1,087 km(Bangalore-Nagpur)

Time Taken: 15h 38m

After a hard day's work and meetings, I was thinking I hadn't driven much this year and I always wanted to drive to every place in the country and I was bored of driving within South India, so I just emptied my closet into the car's boot and I set off on the highway with the compass pointing towards North on the Speedo. I usually carry a baseball bat, a portable inverter(so that I can work from the car itself) tyre inflator, and repair kit and a water can. Plus some muesli to snack up as I don't prefer processed snacks much.

Set off from home at midnight and reached Hyderabad by 7 am. Crashed into a friend's PG for a few hours to get some sleep and met a fellow EcoSport owner, had a sumptuous lunch(of course Biryani!) at Pista house and I continued my journey towards Nagpur by 3.30 PM. The overall drive for this stretch is uneventful, but I like the reserve forest stretch after Adilabad which feels like driving in a vast expanse of foliage. This was the first time I was traversing beyond the Deccan Plateau by car and I cherished driving every single km of my drive. Energy levels were quite high and I used to take a break after every 150-200km or 2 hrs 30 min.

Booked a stay near Ganeshpeth in Nagpur and I called it a day by 10.30 and completed some work till 12 am (I was working in night shift during 2022). All I had thought was I'd reach Delhi and then let the steering decide the direction for me.

A few pics from Day 1

An average range of 800+kms tank to tank is impressive

Kashmir ain't that far away

I like the Adilabad stretch from Hyd-Nagpur

Stay at Nagpur

Distance for today

Day 2: Dilwalo Ki Dilli!(22/23 Jun 2022)

Distance Driven: 1,080 km(Nagpur-Delhi)

Time Taken: 16h 10m

Started off a bit late from Nagpur by 10 am after having breakfast at Haldirams, buying the OG Nagpur orange for the trip, and within no time I reached Pench National Park. What amazed me was the way the roads are built over a forest thereby ensuring hassle-free movement of vehicles above and animals below the bridge. I was grinning ear to ear as the stretches were scenic though the region is arid. Was gunning the car down as though I was driving on a track and the car was sticking to the road like a rail!

Nagpur Oranges

One of the several tank fills

Once you enter MP, the roads get even more deserted and the weather gets hotter. By noon I was scouting for food options, so I zeroed in on Midway Treat by MP Tourism as I'm skeptical to try random food joints on the highway as I'll be travelling for at least 2 weeks. Had parathas and panner curry and then I set off further into the hinterlands as the sun was setting on the horizon, I reached Jhansi and stopped for a quick kullhad chai plus sutta break(I quit smoking now as I write this travelogue). The dragon has been an amazing companion and I did not feel one bit tired despite driving crazy distances at crazy speeds. Attended a couple of meetings in the car itself and then I stopped at a Rajasthani Restaurant in Gwalior. Started at 10 pm from Gwalior and reached Delhi by 3 am via the Yamuna Expressway. The drive on the expressway was surreal and I hit some mad speeds on that road. Reached a friend's place and slept for the day in Delhi.

A quick cladding wash

Bangalore to Delhi Stats

Day 3: Manali Madness

Distance Driven: 508 km(23/24 June 2022)

Time Taken: 16h 21m

We started off a bit late close to 11 pm in order to avoid traffic at Delhi. I had taken my friend along too(though I was driving for the maximum amount of time) as he hadn't travelled much within the country. We stop at Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba for a sumptuous dinner(the usual Parantha and Subzi when in North India). Post dinner, we sped past Chandigarh in a couple of hours and the cops had flagged me down for tint. I have sunshades and mild tint on the car so that the interiors remain cool, so I paid the fine to the cops and started ascending Himachal within 40-50 kms from Chandigarh.

Once you enter Himachal, it is all a touristy vibe up to Sissu. We were stopped by a harrier en route after he saw me zipping past him. He enquired where I was from and he thought I was from Kerala(by my looks and my car). Most of them in the North have a perception that if a South Indian is travelling by car that means they're from Kerala, then I sit and tell them that I'm from Karnataka as my car has KA plates. We were driving slowly in the traffic and reached Manali for lunch and we stopped for the day.

As I decided that today was a rest day, after some scouting we found a place to stay and I bought a jerry can(basically an old oil can) and a tow rope as I know that the terrain beyond Manali is unforgiving. After refreshing, we went to Hadimba temple and Mall Road in Manali. That was the time I decided that would be my only visit/stay in Manali as it was too crowded even in June.However, the vintage Manali charm was missing.

In terms of food, Siddu(an XL-sized momo) was really tasty and I liked the night vibe in some of the cafes in Manali.

One funny incident was my manager somehow got wind that I was not in Bangalore(that year WFH was allowed and I made the best use of it by travelling every week!), called me up that night and he started stating some HR policy that you have to inform if you're out of Bangalore, I told him that VPN rule applies if you travel overseas and not within the country as per the policy and I like to keep my personal interests away from my work and colleagues unless I vibe well with them. Then I sorted the work scene and he told me to apply for leave I asked him for a week's leave and he approved it immediately and I had to return back to Bangalore on the 8th day! Till then I used to work and attend meetings in the car or hotel wherever I stayed during my shift hours.

The stay at Manali

Day 4: Ascent towards Hanle

Distance Driven: 320 km(25 June 2022)

Time Taken: 12 hrs

We started driving towards Leh road and the traffic was at its peak till Tandi. I fueled up the car the previous night itself and filled the Jerry can too as I know that in Tandi there will be a huge line for fuel because from Tandi to Leh, there are no fuel pumps at all! Not even a bit of vegetation. Almost everyone wanted a pic at the Rohtang tunnel which further added to the time.We stopped at a kutty restaurant for a quick snack and food stop and I didn't click too many pics at Suraj Tal either as it was too crowded. Felt almost like a jaathre(which means a crowded market/mela in Kannada) there(even in Khardung La as well). Then we were gaining good pace and the topography was rapidly changing with a dip in weather. We quickly crossed Jispa by noon and the roads were literally a bliss to drive.

At Jispa

By evening we crossed the Gata loops as there was a truck which turned turtle while he was negotiating a turn. Plus Gata loops were fun to drive with a tuned car but perilous at the same time as there are no guard rails and one wrong move, you're gone! We also saw a toppled Ecosport too over there. We stopped for Maggi and I had already downloaded offline maps, I was looking for a place to crash for the night. We stopped near Tso Kar tents and surprisingly we had natural light till 7.30-8 ish in the evening in this part of the country. The Harrier gang split towards Leh and Me and my friend towards Tso Kar.

That frame!

Day 5: A failed attempt to Umling La and then to Leh

Distance Driven: 350 km(25 June 2022)

Time Taken: 14 hrs

We started early around 5 am towards Hanle and after some mild off-roading and stream crossings, we reached a place called Mahe(not the one in Kerala) and wrote the details of my car and my ID.I always carry my passport in if I'm travelling across the tropic of cancer in my car as I might drift off to another country if I feel like it. After Mahe, I missed noticing a gap in the road, and my car got stuck in that gap. Luckily the car didn't slip off into the ditch nearby and there was a BRO truck filled with laboureres at the right time. I took their help and within 5 minutes we were back on the road again! We stopped at Nyoma for breakfast and to withdraw some money and I really loved the eerie silence and the aura around this place that I was just gazing at the nature and mountains for half an hour straight. Post Nyoma, there is a check post at Loma and I did not have a permit. Then I convinced the army personnel and they let me go as they saw my car's plates. A few stretches were being patched but the roads were very well maintained. by 10ish we reached Hanle and we spotted a few bikers and a UP16 Thar and asked them if they knew the route to Umling La. I went to the Hanle gompa and I was again sitting and viewing the mountains(I wish the roads the world over had a fuss-free system like the European Union). By noon we decided to head towards Umling La I tried going through 3 routes but my car's tyres were giving up and the battery was in its last stages. I tried the photi la route and this was under construction after a few kms. I also tried going along with some bikers by crossing a ground-type route but a GJ Skoda owner was like this route isn't good and he had to turn back. Talk about worst luck :(. Then I also wanted to try via Loma as there was a longer route to Umling la, but that was even more dangerous and as I knew my car's condition plus a solo driver(my friend was barely 20, so I couldn't risk putting his life under risk too), I decided that I'll head to Leh and visit Hanle and Umling La next time. Moreover, we didn't have any stay options too in Hanle as the places were full and I had only very limited cash in my wallet.

I thought this signboard was a sign of completing one of my bucket lists, but the list still remains on for a greater purpose

No man's land for kilometers and kilometers

Hanle Gompa is in the background. Next time I'll stay and visit the observatory too

We drove towards Leh, after helping an Army gypsy and a truck as its axle had broken. Fortunately, the. jerry can come to use and I could fill up half a tank of diesel in my car and continue towards Leh. At one of the Checkposts, I got lucky as one of the army personnel gave 2 packs of Juice and biscuits as he saw my car and me driving post dusk and by 10ish at night we reached Leh and stayed for the night at Sponbo guest house. It's a simple guesthouse with home-cooked food and car parking for 2 cars with a TT table. Wanted to explore Leh Market and stay for a day to rest.

A long drive to China Anyone?

Dragon gave itself and me a warning in the form of a weak battery by the ABS light glowing in the ignition. In another few kms, we would have conquered Umling La. Must have been 18,000+ ft for sure

Sometimes it is the journey, not the destination we need to focus on

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