[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by NaXal

Thanks for the post, however, I doubt if I would be able to up size since my 5 year warranty may become invalid. Leaving me only with the stock size option to play with (that too if I can get those tyres in my desired size and along with good exchange value for my stock rubber).

IIRC, you are going for the TDCi Aspire right. Warranty is relative and dependent on your rapport with the service adviser at the service center. Even if they do deny warranty, it would be mainly for the suspension components. They cannot deny warranty for electrical issue or mechanical failure in engine due to the upsize of the tyres. The only warranty you would lose out should ideally be on on the suspension and alloys if you stick to the OEM alloy with marginal upsize.

Tyre upsize/change is a personal choice but for the kind of acceleration that the TDCi has, it is better to have good quality rubber. The tyres are your only contact patch with the road. The better they are it is safer and good for you and family who travel in the car. Just my 2 cents!

[ramki067]

Originally Posted by samaspire

Chapter 7: The Upgrades

[*]Dashcam + Reverse Camera: My most expensive online accessory yet. A product that serves as Dashcam (Front and Back), Reverse Camera, wide rearview mirror and as parking monitor. Rs.2,200 from AliExpress.

Attachment 1578249

Dashcam + Reverse Camera is just awesome. Can you provide a link as i couldn't find it in your bought price range at aliexpress?
Also if you can provide a short review of this product would be much helpful.

Thanks.

[samaspire]

Completed 13,000 kilometres in 19 months




Lifetime Mileage - 12.99 kmpl (85% highway usage)
Could have been more if I would have restrained my temptations and that car approaching in the rear-view mirror.

No issues to report other than a small rattle over rough, concrete roads. Not yet been able to pinpoint the location.

All DIYs on hold. Will start once school vacations are over.

Have to install back the floor mats that were removed months back for drying. Need to visit the bodyshop for that which is too far away. Am also considering having a layer of plastic lamination after a couple of incidents of water spillage - thankfully the fabric mat did not get wet because it was in the boot.

The interiors desparately need a cleanup after 3 kids wreaked havoc in it during the vacations.

Sadly, a few small scratches have been added while parking that need to be taken care of.

[mobike008]

Congrats Sam!

I wasn't aware that we are just one month apart from our respective purchases

If you had 85% usage on highways wondering why you chose petrol? Do you regret not buying the diesel?

Cheers and Keep updating the thread

[samaspire]

Don't know how time flies. Been almost 3 months since the last update and a lot has happened since then.

1) Headlights Replaced - twice



I had noticed the reflectors turning white just above the bulb and complained about it to Ford. Both the headlight assemblies were replaced under warranty sometime in June. Now, just 2 months later, the problem resurfaced and they were again replaced. Left on 17th and the right one on 21st (transportation damage). I wanted to get the headlight assembly from the Sports variant by paying the difference in cost, but then I realised that there could warranty issues if the same problem resurfaced again.

I have a doubt that the problem could be with the bulb - that it is generating excess heat and burning the reflectors. But they were not ready to consider that.


2) New Tyres

I had driven another Aspire and noticed that the tyre noise in the cabin was lesser in that car compared to mine. Then bhpian blackbandit told me that he had spoken to someone whose MRF tyres were replaced under warranty for the exact same problem. I wrote to Ford Customer and they asked to visit the service centre for investigation. A few days after the inspection I was told that I was eligible for a replacement but since I had run close to 15,000 kms I would be charged on a pro-rata basis (25% of the cost). I agreed.

The choices I was offered for 4 tyres were as follows: Apollo Alnacs = 4700 (standard issue)
Bridgestone B290 = 4700 + 350 x 4 = 6100
Michelin XM2 = 4700 + 350 x 4 = 6100

I chose Michelin. Finally on 17th August, at 14442 on the ODO the Aspire got new shoes. Paid 5100.

The old MRFS







The new XM2S







Not sure if there is that much difference in noise, but its a big improvement in grip levels. The ride is also a lot smoother over rough roads and potholes.

There must be a major issue with those MRFs. Why else would they replace the tyres - just for tyre noise? I'm almost certain now that those tyres were a major reason for my accident.


3) The Glovebox

The hinges that hold up the glovebox are of plastic and you are supposed to bend them inside to access the fuse box. Now, I have opened them just 8 times in 2 years and they had broken (the right one fully and the left one, hanging by a proverbial thread).





That moulded plastic is hard and is not flexible enough to take the strain of bending - but the design dictates that it has to be bent to be removed.

This was the 3rd issue that I had written about in the same mail asking for warranty replacement but this was denied citing that the breakage was not due to a manufacturing defect. I would have to shell out 3800 for a new piece. Before doing that I wanted to consider options for fixing it. First thought was to glue it with feviquick or PVC gum. Both would not work as they were corrosive and would not hold up while bending. Then someone told me about plastic welding and I got the contact of this guy who's supposed to be a genius in fixing damaged bumpers. He could fix most bumper that would otherwise be scrapped. He has a proprietary technique where he shapes, moulds and joins plastic pieces. So I went to meet this Mr. Karunakar and he got right on it.





He got started on it right away. Steel mesh, hot screwdriver, his "glue", metal powder and a hammer. He fixed it in 15 minutes and for 200 rupees.






Looks messy, but functions perfectly. This would anyway not be visible and I had another idea to reinforce the hinge and cover up the area.

Now that the glovebox was out I decided to line it with felt. Gives it a premium look while also eliminating noise from within.




4) Wipers

Changed at Ford. They were cheaper than my Alto's




Other things:

- Had noticed a few small rust spots which Ford said is surface rust and normal over iron parts. Have got a written statement that it would not spread any further and damage the car in future.

- Planning to touch up the minor scratches next week as it completes 2 years

- The floor mat still resets at home. Will be installed after the paint job.

[NaXal]

Originally Posted by samaspire

I had noticed the reflectors turning white just above the bulb and complained about it to Ford

I am having the same exact problem but strangely the left side is more effected compare to the right side.

[samaspire]

2 years completed on 1st November with about 16,800 on the odometer



Had big makeover plans for the 2nd anniversary but work got in the way.

Firstly, got the 3rd service done at Cauvery Ford Udupi. Just the required stuff. Did not do the alignment as it was taken care of during the tyre upgrade couple of months back. Major complaints were:

• Creaking sound from the back on going over humps and bumps. Turns out the back seat wasn't fit properly. My fault.
• 12V socket had become loose - fixed
• Bonnet lever felt loose - they said it's normal. (I don't think it is)

Since the Ford cleaning was just not up to the mark, I got complete interior detailing done along with basic wash and wax at an "at home service". All 3M products used.



The guys were enthusiastic but attention to detail was lacking. I spent another hour on the car after they left and then it was perfect.






While washing the seats they informed me that the seat covers were of poor quality as a greenish tinge was left behind after removing the sweat stains. This was a Ford genuine accessory worth 7000

Next day I spent 2 hours cleaning the engine bay and viola...



Reached 17,000 in the next week.

Update on DIYs:

1) Puddle lamps for the 4 doors: Put this on the back burner for now, as it is not possible to pass wires through to the doors. Will be possible if I tap wires inside the doors, but I don't want to risk cutting any wires. But maybe I'll use the idea and the equipment for making footwell lights.

2) Driver Armrest: Installed

3) Dashboard covered in anti-reflective felt.


4) Glovebox Lighting: Done



5) Boot lights: Done but with a switch.





I used the flexible tube LEDs that I had ordered for making the DRL. Also could not find any fuse that controlled the boot lighting. So installed a switch on the side to control the lights.

Notice the blue light on the side of the guard - that's the switch.

Current status...




Coming Soon : DRL and "facelift"

[samaspire]

20,000 in a little over 2 years and 3 months. (18-Feb-2018 12:00 noon)

Lifetime fuel economy is 12.49 kmpl which is ok I guess for my style of driving. A sedate driver might have got over 16 kmpl.

Total fuel cost - Rs.1,14,000
So that is about Rs.5.62 per km
Not bad...

[AYP]

Hey Sam, is it possible to fit Tacho on the Ambiente trim? Did you consult with Ford if this can be done via an OEM instrument cluster swap?

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by AYP

Hey Sam, is it possible to fit Tacho on the Ambiente trim? Did you consult with Ford if this can be done via an OEM instrument cluster swap?

I had enquired casually, and they, like always, said that it is not possible. Practically it might involve changing the unit along with the relevant wiring harnesses.

The easiest and cheapest workaround is a dedicated smartphone + OBD reader + Torque (or similar app). This will show you a lot more parameters along with the RPM.

[bhuvan_prasad]

Great to see another fellow figo owner indulging in various DIY activities.

I see that you have removed the front main grill and air dam grill as well. Could you guide me on how you did this? I would like to de-chrome my grill. Thanks in advance.

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by bhuvan_prasad

Great to see another fellow figo owner indulging in various DIY activities.

I see that you have removed the front main grill and air dam grill as well. Could you guide me on how you did this? I would like to de-chrome my grill. Thanks in advance.

First thing is - this is how it will look if you remove the 4 chrome strips. So you might have to either paint or plastidip the strips and the surround also, in your case.

But to do that, you have remove the entire bumper because all the clips are accessible only from the inside. I went to an independent garage to do it for me last time and he charged me 200 bucks each time. This time I'm planning to do it myself - let's see.



These are components of the grill (leaving out the 2 pieces on either side). I had mine painted black + maroon.

[Wiley Coyote]

Where do you get the antireflective felt for the dash?

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by Wiley Coyote

Where do you get the antireflective felt for the dash?

That's another DIY of mine
Have been meaning to write a DIY thread for a while now. But I think I've shared a PDF of the template on the main thread sometime back.

[Wiley Coyote]

Originally Posted by samaspire

That's another DIY of mine
Have been meaning to write a DIY thread for a while now. But I think I've shared a PDF of the template on the main thread sometime back.

Thank you sir. Looking forth to a lot more DIY threads from your end.