[swiftnfurious]

Originally Posted by mohan41

Hi Varun,

Have you taken your SX4 ZDi on steel slopes? Came across this video of a Manza which has the same 1.3 MJD engine which seems to show that the engine could not pull the car up on steep gradient ..

I guess there is some problem with clutch in this Manza's case. I don't think I have come across a similar Manza issue in this forum as well. My Swift D climbs quite steeper inclines [than shown in the video] with no roads in first gear without any problem. So I believe this is a peculiar issue with this one car. And to climb one such steep as shown in the video, ideally you need only very low rpms (<1500) and you would not even need the turbo to kick in with first gear engaged.

[mohan41]

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

I guess there is some problem with clutch in this Manza's case. I don't think I have come across a similar Manza issue in this forum as well. My Swift D climbs quite steeper inclines [than shown in the video] with no roads in first gear without any problem. So I believe this is a peculiar issue with this one car. And to climb one such steep as shown in the video, ideally you need only very low rpms (<1500) and you would not even need the turbo to kick in with first gear engaged.

Thanks @swiftnfurious. I think you are right, although the reason I asked this question in SX4 context is because it is heavier car and the 1.3 engine has VGT turbo like Manza, different from the one in swift.

[swiftdiesel]

Originally Posted by mohan41

Thanks @swiftnfurious. I think you are right, although the reason I asked this question in SX4 context is because it is heavier car and the 1.3 engine has VGT turbo like Manza, different from the one in swift.

Usually a diesel engine's operating efficiency goes down a bit at higher altitudes due to rarer oxygen. But I've never come across a situation where the engine struggles to pull up an incline on my Swift. I remember my drive to Doddabetta (tallest peak in Ooty) where my engine's note sounded a bit raspy and I knew the air was thin. Also I felt a slight loss of power in one of the steep inclines leading all the way to the top and I had to maintain a certain rpm. No drama, no niggles, it went smoothly all the way up!

There is another incline in Yercaud that leads to the TTDC hotel which will easily beat all the gradients shown in that video. For comparison sake, an unloaded Omni van has to gain enough momentum to tackle this gradient. It cannot start on this gradient from a standstill. My Swift took this gradient from a standstill, all this only with the clutch released and no accelerator input and the engine sounded like a baby being pampered! I just wanted to get out then and there and plant a kiss on the engine! So, I reckon the Manza on the video is a one-off issue.

[nilanjanray]

Congratulations. I have the old model SX4, and it has been giving great service after 35K kms. Runs like new apart from minor niggles such as seats making noise, minor brake noise in the morning etc. Still on the old tyres.

[powertrain]

Originally Posted by mohan41

Hi Varun,

Have you taken your SX4 ZDi on steel slopes? Came across this video of a Manza which has the same 1.3 MJD engine which seems to show that the engine could not pull the car up on steep gradient (though not really 45 degree gradient as the guy claims).



Is the SX4 better behaving in such situation? Or is it true that one has to use half clutch and high revving of engine to take it up steep slopes?

SX4-Diesel is still on my list, may be this year I will go for it, but I want to know from existing owners about this issue, as this is not covered in any test drives. I had done a brief test drive but had not taken it on steep slopes.

- Mohan

Mohan, I guess the above problem seems to be a 1 off case. I have taken my SX4 D to quite steep gradients & it has performed admirably. Although I cannot comment on the angle of the gradient.
My question - How do we confirm that the Manza is in the 1st gear while climbing this slope??
Hope this helps
Varun

[Peter]

Originally Posted by mohan41

Hi Varun,

Have you taken your SX4 ZDi on steel slopes? Came across this video of a Manza which has the same 1.3 MJD engine which seems to show that the engine could not pull the car up on steep gradient (though not really 45 degree gradient as the guy claims).

Is the SX4 better behaving in such situation? Or is it true that one has to use half clutch and high revving of engine to take it up steep slopes?

SX4-Diesel is still on my list, may be this year I will go for it, but I want to know from existing owners about this issue, as this is not covered in any test drives. I had done a brief test drive but had not taken it on steep slopes.

- Mohan

Hi Mohan,

Own a SX4 DDIS myself which is 10months old and has completed 20K kms , never had any issues with the pickup in the 1st Gear on a climb , the car moves effortlessly just by releasing the clutch itself , no revving required , irrespective of whether there is a single passeger or 4 passengers , have experienced this in both scenarios.

Cheers

[Crazy4.Cars]

Hi Varun,

Sorry to join the party late, congratulations for the SX4 D!!

You have made the right choice, yes even i have felt SX4 with ABS the car's braking is awesome, this is one sedan that can travel on any road in india.

when compared to the other sedans you will enjoy better FE and lesser maintainence bills over a period of next 5 to 8 years.

i feel you shouldnt have shifted to 5w40 or 0w40 Mobil so fast, because this DDiS engine loves Mobil delvac MX 15w40 more than anything else.

That Manza driver does not know to drive the Fiat engine to be honest, you can not stamp the accerlator pedal like that and expect performance, plus he surely has a clutch failure which is a result of his driving.

Drive safe Cheers!

[powertrain]

Originally Posted by Crazy4.Cars

Hi Varun,

Sorry to join the party late, congratulations for the SX4 D!!

You have made the right choice, yes even i have felt SX4 with ABS the car's braking is awesome, this is one sedan that can travel on any road in india.

when compared to the other sedans you will enjoy better FE and lesser maintainence bills over a period of next 5 to 8 years.
Drive safe Cheers!

Hello Crazy4Cars,
Thanks for your compliment,buddy!! The cars braking is simply superb. That's the main reason for me buying the car.
I'm currently getting a mileage of 13.5 kmpl in the city & 19 out on the highway. I'm trying to extract as much mileage as possible from the car

Thanks & Regards
Varun

[powertrain]

Technical Issue
From past 1 month I have been facing some issues with my SX4. When ever I change gears & lift off the clutch, I hear a strange "tak-tak" noise from somewhere near the front left suspension. This happens mainly in the first 3 gears. Also there was a slight pull towards the left.

I showed it to my S.E & he confirmed the problems. We suspected some loose bolts in the strut brace or tie rod end.Took it up the ramp & tightned all the bolts,but the problem persisted.

Finally had to leave my car there for further diagnosis. Finally after 2 full days they found the problem. It seems that the nuts holding the steering subframe had gone loose, so much so that it had eaten into the bolts. Due to this the link rod was also replaced under warranty.

I fail to understand how this can happen to a car which has run less than 10,000 kms. Can some techs throw some light into this? Has someone come up with the same problems?

Although I must add, my S.E, Mr. Abhijeet Patil was very proactive & helpful in dealing with the issues.
Service Station - Fortpoint,Thane

Mileage - 9646 Kms

Damages - Rs.25/- !!!

Some Pics -






Regards
Varun

[powertrain]

My SX4 just completed her 10,000 kms / 3rd service.
Service Station - Fortpoint Thane

Problems - Zero !

With no problems to report, it was just routine service. Replaced the Oil & Oil filter. Also did wheel alignment & balancing. Total bill amount was about Rs. 5,000/-

Service Quality - Excellent.

Attaching pic of the final bill -


Thanks & Regards
Varun

[anoop.mathew]

A fantastic review of your SX4 ZDi. I too plan to upgrade from a Santro to a diesel sedan. While I was not initially considering the SX4, I am now thinking about it for the following reasons :-

1) High seating - I find the Santro seating quite comfortable and want something similar
2) GC - Bangalore has killer speed bumps and a number of cars scrape their bottoms on them
3) Basic sedan features - Airbags, alloys, ABS, 90bhp, boot space are all available

I like driving on the highways and if the road is capable of it (like the GQ roads between B'lore and H'bad) I like to take the car to 140kph. The Santro allows me to do this (very noisy though), but the FE gets affected badly. I wanted to check with you if you have driven at such speeds for extended periods of time and what kind of mileage you have got from your SX4 with such drives?

Also, is the AC truly auto? For example, if I set the temperature at 24, will it adjust the blower and cooling automatically?

Any regrets, especially when comparing it to the Vento/Rapid?

[audioholic]

Let me pop in, if you do not mind. What do you mean by truly auto? Yes it is. There is no false auto. You set the temperature at the required position and leave it there. After that, it will automatically adjust blower speed and compressor cut-it depending upon outside, inside temperature and also a solar sensor to let the system know if the car is exposed to sun light. Being a petrol SX4 owner, I can say that the only regrets I have is/was the lack of a diesel option when I brought the car. I am not crying about the mileage, but diesel would have always been better, considering its frugality and a price which I was readily willing to pay. Still, the car has run a mere 20k kms in 40 months, so not a big problem.

[gavinimurthy]

The automatic climate control (ACC) in SX4 is to be experienced to believe that it is a class apart when compared to normal ac of car. As audioholic has put it ,simply set the desired temperature, put the fan control and air flow direction in auto mode and forget about it. The blower speed is higher when you start the car and gets automatically reduced to inaudible levels once the set temperature is reached. The compressor too kicks in and fades out without your knowledge and makes you feel krisp and cool all the time.

I love my SX4 and congratulate all the owners on a wise decision. If you look at the statistics across forums, more than 90% of SX4 owners ,across all the variants, are very happy with their choice. I don't hesitate to recommend this car.

Give it a try if you need a sedan.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by anoop.mathew

A fantastic review of your SX4 ZDi. I too plan to upgrade from a Santro to a diesel sedan. While I was not initially considering the SX4,

Hi Anoop,
Incase you are planning for SX4 guess you can check out the celebration edition, been seeing the advertisement of same since past few days.

[Chitta Pradhan]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

1)

2) Do update us on how is the car behaving on highways when it comes to long high speed stretches. This is one aspect that has kept aside many prospective buyers. After 120, I have seen that Linea, Manza are relatively slow to pick up speed as compared to Vento or Verna. I am quite curious to know this aspect if SX4 can do high speeds atleast upto 150 effortlessly. Dzire is lively as compared to Manza or Linea IMO.

Hi Powertrain!

Hope you are enjoying your car. Have you got the reply to the above query posted by aaggoswami? I think by this time you must have experienced the highway capabilities of your machine.