Duma goes to the health-clinic (service-center) for the first time:
I had noted down some 6-7 issues for which a service/repair was needed. Since this would be my first experience with Mahindra Service Center, did not wanted to do it on a working day. So Saturday it was when Duma went to the clinic for the first time. I felt (almost) as concerned as when taking my new born for the BGC vaccination.
Had verified the location of the service center last week itself. The location is inside a industrial compound. The heavy truck-traffic and the rains have ensured that there are no road lefts inside the compound - just huge craters filled with mud and dirty-water. Would upload a pic later today.
Reached the service center at 9:10AM and my RM was still not there. When inquired, was told that he would turn up at 10! Called him up and he said that he is reaching in 5 minutes. He indeed turned up in next 5 minutes. Took a token in the mean time, emptied the vehicle and deposited the key with the security guys. Then the RM went through the service booklet and made entries into his system. He asked me about what issues I am facing and I read out from the list that I head on my mobile. He typed in every point and printed the service request. It was already 10 by now. In my opinion, the basic data entry and creation of service request took much longer than expected.
Here's the list that I gave:
1. Fuel lid opener switch had caved in.
2. USB does not play videos.
3. Steering wheel off-center by around 5 degrees.
4. Vehicle drifts to the left.
5. Second row RHS AC vent not blowing any air.
6. Red dome light has a couple of non-working LEDs.
7. Right side static bending light may not be working. I wasn't sure, wanted them to test.
8. Bluetooth SMS not supported. I use a Blackberry, which gives me this problem.
Asked about the headlight throw being clipped on the right hand side. The RM confirmed it to be a feature. So was noted down in the service request.
The RM asked me if I am interested in installing a reverse-camera and informed me that the accessory prices have come down by quite a bit (e.g. reverse camera now costs 3500Rs as against 4500Rs earlier). I told him, I already have one.
Finally, my XUV was brought inside and parked at the last bay which did not had a fork-lift. All the other bays (except one) had other XUVs, most of which were raised, front tyres removed and some or the other work being carried out. Myself and Duma were scared at that sight - too early to have an operation. Another observation was - 8/10 cars at the service center were white with really dark films and a political party map on the number plate. There was a black one which apparently belonged to a Dentist. Duma was the only red one that I observed in the entire day.
I asked the RM about how much time its going to take and he said, if the system needs to be flashed, 2-2.5 hours for that and about an hour for wheel-alignment etc - overall ~4 hours. My own guesstimate was around 2 hours. Felt good that I did not bring the kids along, they would have lost patience in 4 hours. Additionally there is no decent hotel nearby where we could have had lunch.
Asked the RM if it was OK to be next to my vehicle while it is being worked upon. He said - no issues. So spent most of time watching the repairs and very little time watching the TV in the customer lounge.
I went out around 12:30 and had a mediocre lunch at the nearest hotel (around 7-8 minutes of walk, half of which was through mud).
Cutting a long story short, got the vehicle back after the repairs and a wash at 3:30PM! 5.5 hours after the job-card and 6.25 hours after reaching there.
Status of work done:
1. Fuel lid opener switch
-> Fixed
2. USB does not play videos. -
> Fixed. Apparently there is a problem with specific file extensions and my pen-drive.
3. Steering wheel off-center
-> Fixed
4. Vehicle drifts to the left.
-> Fixed
5. Second row RHS AC vent
-> Fixed
6. Red dome light has a couple of non-working LEDs.
-> Not fixed. Part ordered.
7. Right side static bending light may not be working.
-> Fixed. Bulb replaced. Rs 145 charge
8. Bluetooth SMS not supported. I use a Blackberry, which gives me this problem.
-> Not fixable. Apparently an issue with s/w on specific handset models. Apparently Nokia works like a charm. Samsungs face the maximum issues.
Thane Service Center:
1. Location -> 4/10
2. Facility and ambiance -> 8/10
3. Time Estimate v/s actual time taken -> 3/10
4. Attention to detail -> 5/10
5. Knowledge - mechanical -> 8/10
6. Knowledge - Infotainment system -> 4/10
Overall -> 6/10
Was very tired by the time I reached home and had a headache (most likely because of the compressor noise in the wash area).
It makes sense to accumulate a few issues and then go the service center. Won't be able to spend half-day for one or two minor issues. Wasting (?) a full-day once in 4-6 weeks should be doable.