[ashis89]

I have driven about a 100 kms after the service and lower arm change. Initial reactions are:

- RoadRunner feels tighter and sure-footed around corners. I know people will laugh at me for using WagonR and corners in the same sentence, but it feels much better now

- Airflow from the AC has increased significantly and is more than sufficient for the summers. My benchmark was my friend's Baleno Alpha which is why I felt the airflow to be low. May be I check another WagonR to be double sure. The cabin filter was removed rather than being replaced. I am undecided whether to put a new one (and reduce the airflow slightly).

- Brake bite is back. I'm going easy on the new pads for a few hundred kms.

- I filled nitrogen in my tyres while getting the alignment done. 33 psi in all four. I feel the comfort levels are same as I get with 32 psi of normal air. A run on the ORR is pending to test the overall alignment work.

RoadRunner completed 1 year 1 month with me in Hyderabad and has run ~16.5 kms in this time. It includes 3 long highway trips:

1. BBSR-HYD: 1200 kms (in 1 day)
2. HYD-BLR-HYD: 1200 kms (over 2 days)
3. HYD-BLR-HYD: 1350 kms (over 2.5 days)

The remaining ~13k kms have been covered in the city or on the ORR runs.

[ashis89]

Finally, the RoadRunner breached the 39k kms mark on Saturday. Minor rattles are irritating, bass thump from the stock head-unit helps ignore the rattles. FE has been 14.7 kmpl with 50% AC use, 100% city.

The ticking sound from the brake caliper pin is back. I went to the FNG and he suggested to replace the caliper whenever possible. He assured me, apart from the irritating sound, that caliper would pose no problem even if I drove it for 25k kms. I will replace in the next couple of weeks when time permits. The car has to be left with the FNG where he will note down the part number and place order. It will take one day to arrive and then will be fitted.

The stock battery soldiers on. I haven't got time to replace it and it hasn't thrown any tantrums.

[ashis89]

The RoadRunner ran past the 40k mark on 21st Dec. During the last 14.5 months, RoadRunner has seen 18k kms of tarmac. Majority of it is Hyderabad city roads. The last alignment has been good, 90-100 kmph on the ORR has been like 'meh'. Even higher speeds (for trial run) were stable for the brief distance I checked. Work has kept me very busy through December and I haven't had time to order the brake caliper and get the replacement done. I guess it will be half past Jan before I can devote time to the RoadRunner. Till then, fill it shut it and forget it.

[ashis89]

Tanked up the RoadRunner. Got a very good range and FE as, about 70% of the run was on the ORR at sub-three digit speeds.

Distance: 496 kms
Fuel: 27.43 lts
Price: 73.81 INR/lt
FE: 18.08 kmpl
Usage: 70% ORR, 30% city (60% AC)
Price: 4.09 INR/km

[ashis89]

RoadRunner crossed the 41k mark on 25th Jan '17. I got the front LHS brake caliper replaced and the sound is now gone. Total bill came to 3250 INR. including full washing and interior cleaning of the car. The new caliper also came with new brake pads along with it. I had replaced the front brake pads during my last service (2.5k kms since service). So now I have a relatively new set of front brake pads with me, along with a damaged caliper.

I went on a 500 km round trip to Hyd-Srisailam-Hyd on 28th. Started from Hyd by 8:30am and were back by 7pm. We were 4 of us and the trip was relaxed and enjoyable. RoadRunner handled the ghats pretty well, aided by the relatively new Earth-1s. Poor low end torque meant some slipping of clutch/revving while starting from standstill. The FE was 15.5 kmpl with 100% AC and speeds maintained sub-110 kmph.

On the return leg, I could hear a slight screeching sound from the new set of brake pads, could feel minor vibrations of the screeching while driving in the ghats (I used lower gears/engine braking wherever required). The sound came mostly when the car was slow/about to stop. I haven't encountered it after I returned and while driving in the city.

Summer is slowly making its presence felt here. Come March and I plan to get the AC system cleaned. While the cooling was adequate through rest of the year, I feel it will be inadequate during summers. I also miss the quick chilling effect of the AC which was once there and a simple cleaning should solve the issue. Any pointers for a good AC mechanic in Hyderabad?

Odo stands at 41.5k kms and the OE battery is still holding on. Work load means I still fill it and forget it.

[ashis89]

And the RoadRunner ran past the 42k mark over the last weekend and currently stands at 422xx kms. Rattles galore and AC seems loud with reduced air throw, though cooling is good. Need to get them checked some time. The Earth-1s have covered 6k kms and are doing a good job. Which reminds me, I need them rotated as well. Hopefully, I will be able to devote a weekend in March to take care of the above issues.

The last tankful returned 16.66 kmpl (436.6 kms in 26.2 litres). This was 50% ORR, 50% City and 80% AC.

[ashis89]

RoadRunner ran past the 44k mark on 30th March. Nothing to update except that the I got magnetic sunshades for the windows to beat the summer to a certain extent. I must say, there's some improvement in the AC efficiency. Secondly, I am spared from the sun glare from the driver side window. I have problems with glare and hence, these shades are a boon.

Last three tankfuls have returned 17.8, 16.7 and 15.8 kmpl respectively with 100% AC, city + ORR use.

[ashis89]

Crossed the 45k mark today. Ten days back, I changed the OE SF Sonic battery after 5 years 10 months as the cranks had started becoming long/hesitant over the prior two days. I got the Amaron Flo this time from www.carbatteryexpert.com and paid Rs.3325 after exchanging the old battery.

The AC cooling has reduced a lot while the volume of air is almost negligible. This means the cooling is insufficient even in at night when I am the lone person travelling in the car. I have been held up with work over the past couple of weeks and travelling the whole of this week. I will get this addressed over the next to next weekend before my long drive, planned for June 1st/2nd.

The last tankful gave me 13.8 kmpl.

[Dieseltuned]

Originally Posted by ashis89

RoadRunner ran past the 44k mark on 30th March. Nothing to update except that the I got magnetic sunshades for the windows to beat the summer to a certain extent. I must say, there's some improvement in the AC efficiency. Secondly, I am spared from the sun glare from the driver side window. I have problems with glare and hence, these shades are a boon.

Last three tankfuls have returned 17.8, 16.7 and 15.8 kmpl respectively with 100% AC, city + ORR use.

Hi ashish,

Could you please share the details and some snaps if possible for these magnetic sun shades. I have been looking for these for my WagonR, but was not very happy with the quality on offer.

Regards
Diesletuned

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by Dieseltuned

Hi ashish,

Could you please share the details and some snaps if possible for these magnetic sun shades. I have been looking for these for my WagonR, but was not very happy with the quality on offer.

Regards
Diesletuned

Please refer the images below.









https://paytm.com/shop/p/accedre-mag...hild_site_id=1

You can see from the images that there are minor gaps in the lower part. But since air-tight snug fit was not required, I am happy with the purchase. You can look at the ones with zip but I not sure how easy and stable would those be, especially since these shades and merely stuck on the window frame. Pulling the zip chain might pull out the shade.

[ashis89]

The 50k mark is fast approaching (should reach that by end August). The RoadRunner got a few more updates to jazz him up.

• Got LED bulbs for the parking lamps.
  http://www.amazon.in/Hard-Knit-Tarsi.../dp/B01DL92EIW

• Got a Bergmann cellphone holder and stuck to the small quarter glass on the driver side.
  http://www.amazon.in/Bergmann-Automa.../dp/B01CE3DYIU

• Got an arm rest which will be fitted over the coming weekend.
  http://www.amazon.in/Ascension-Armb0.../dp/B00KJHLIKA

I got a bottle of ABRO fuel injector cleaner and will be using in the next tankful. RoadRunner has a 1200 km trip coming on June 1 or 2nd. I will driving down from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar and have planned for the return trip on June 25 or 26.

I have not measured the FE in the past 1k kms as I had been travelling and my friend was using the car for 10 days. Partial fills means no FE calculation possible. It has been 7k+ kms since the last service and will get the oil checked over the weekend. Mostly, I will get the service done in Bhubaneswar.

[ashis89]

Me and the RoadRunner will be embarking on a 1100+ kms (one way) trip on June 1st or 2nd. Should take me about 20-24 hrs for driving from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar.

Got the armrest fitted over the weekend. Though the quality is not that great, I love the convenience it offers. The bad part is access to the seat belt lock and the handbrake have become tough due to the lack of space between the front seats. I also got nitrogen topped up in the tyres.

I am planning to add ABRO fuel injector cleaner to the first tankful of petrol before I start from Hyderabad and hit the highway. Any concerns on this?

The odo stands at ~458xx kms as of today. June will see RoadRunner running anywhere between 2.4k-3k kms.

[ashis89]

RoadRunner completed the 1150 km run in 19.5 hrs, from Hyderabad to Bhubaneswar. I was driving alone and started at 5:30PM in the evening. Maintained barely 3-digit speeds throughout and took regular breaks (including a power nap at Rajahmundry). I reached my home the following day at 1PM.

Some key points from the trip:

* Two tankfuls returned 17.2 kmpl (100% AC and includes 25% city use) and 18.1 kmpl (100% AC and some idling)
* Third tankful was used 30% and now, being used in the city
* Yoko Earth-1s have covered ~12k kms and are doing a very good job. Road noise on concrete roads are on the higher side. These tyres still look like new if not seen minutely.
* Light car + very good front brakes means the front wheels lock very easily. Brakes have to be applied carefully.
* Engine doesn't feel underpowered on the highway even with the AC on but only 1 person on board
* Lights fade out when blinding trucks come our way and dividers aren't able to block their beams. I am planning to upgrade to 100/90 setup now from the current stock lamps.
* Armrest is a boon for such long highway trips and seems to be a good investment

Odo stands at 473xx kms. RoadRunner was attended to at our trusted FNG. Engine oil, oil filter, air filter and coolant were replaced. Exterior was washed and interior was detailed. We both are happy now.

Before the end of this month, I would drive back to Hyderabad.

[ashis89]

LED pilot lamps in action

Somewhere on the Vizag bypass



After a complete service, the interiors were detailed. The results are below:




I replaced the front wipers with Minda frameless ones. Last couple of days, our city has received heavy rains and the wipers are doing a very good job. Rear wiper is holding up and should last another season.

Last tankful returned 13.2kmpl (100%AC, 25% highway). It included more than an hour of idling which should explain the low FE.
BTW, I realised that the car can go 500+ kms between refuels. I covered 553kms before the last bar of the fuel gauge started blinking. All this was with 100% AC and 90-110kmph steady speeds.

While returning, my wife would join me. So BBSR-HYD would be covered in 2 days.

[ashis89]

After our marriage ceremony was over, me and my wife were to go her place for a day. I had booked train tickets for 700 km round trip well in advance but destiny had other plans. Track repairs meant all the trains were running late by 5-7 hours. So the tickets were cancelled and RoadRunner was sought.

It was our first road trip together after marriage. We started on June 23 morning and it took me 6.5 hours to cover 340 kms of single lane roads. We returned the following day and it took us similar time.








Got this figure enroute


FE was ~17 kmpl throughout the trip with 100% AC.