[abirnale]

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

Is this M&M recommended, or does it meet the API ratings? I looked it up in Google, and it seems to be API CF grade, and CH4 or above is what most current CRDI engines use - I haven't read the cheetah's manual though!

Thanks ph03n!x.

The Engine Oil is a better grade than specified in the manual. The M&M engine oil is semi synth and this is fully synthetic. In General the ASC does not allow you to use engine oil other than their default one unless you are able to convince the ASC. The user manual asks for just API CH-4 SAE 15W-40 oil. I have been using Motul for past 20K+ Kms and haven't had any issues.

[jayanttalwar]

Hi abirnale

I also own a xuv500 w10 run around 1.2 lakhs, apart from all the niggles, I hear a squeaky noise coming from the back while driving, don't know if its the third row or suspension. The mahindra people always say they don't here anything but it's very annoying for us and we urgently need a solution.

Have you gone through something like this ?

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by jayanttalwar

I hear a squeaky noise coming from the back while driving, don't know if its the third row or suspension.

Great to hear your XUV mile munching behind 1.2 lakh KM's.

The rattles could've been due to -
- Second row tumble seat backrest moving
- Seat of last row not folded properly
- Tools in the rear are loose
- Suspension bushes worn out
- If you car ever had been rear ended, check the bumper for snug fit.
- The storage on rear hatch where you find the warning triangle, see if the straps holding it are still in shape or anything loose there.
- If the hatch door hinges and struts are making any noise?

These could only be the possibilities and should be easy to eliminate one by one and reach to root cause.

[jayanttalwar]

Thanks for the advice,have tried some of the things you mentioned. I just hope the mahindra staff gets more motivated for solving problems rather than forcing me to give a good feedback!

[abirnale]

It's been long time since I posted any updates :(

Currently the odometer reads 1,05,000 + Kms. And some exciting drives coming up as soon as it we step into monsoon!

Recently I took car for a checkup to Chrome motors and they detected leakage in front left suspension seal. Since the car is on extended warranty, they said it's not covered. For approximately Rs. 4000, the FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY LH was replaced. This is first major expense out of my pocket since almost 44 months of ownership!

Orange Cheetah is still breathing strong and has a lot of life left to it to enjoy. The intermediate itch to upgrade is put to rest until we venture out for a long drive!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

4 years! 1,08,000 Kms! Already traversed K2K - Kanyakumari to Kashmir (not in one go but through the trips)!

Orange Cheetah is absolutely doing fine - no issues, niggles tp bother daily operations. Just to celebrate the four years, we went to a secluded place on off peak time - to reflect upon four years passed by:



These years have been filled with amazing memories with the car. We went to places we have never been before - drove it over good, bad and ugly roads. never had any severe complaints that frustrated me in. Met many folks through the ASC circle, Owners forum and friends who read up this very thread and connected. For past four years, I learnt number of things about this car, in general dared some DIYs and in the process got some irreversible rattles too

The best part of, every time I get into the driver's seat, one can see a visible smile on my face.















I wish and pray that I continue to own this car free of issues for another half 50K kms!

And a small update - the annual PUC formalities are done. The emission stats continue to remain healthy.



Ciao until next update!

[nirmaljusdoit]

Originally Posted by abirnale

, the FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY LH was replaced. This is first major expense out of my pocket since almost 44 months of ownership!

It is always better to replace Shock absorber assembly in a pair (LH & RH) as there will be uneven wear and tear on both ends. This will affect other suspension components in long run besides giving stability issues.

Exception would be if the RH one has been recently replaced, then you can replace only one side.

[abirnale]

Odometer is at 1,08,500 Kms. Participated into Mahindra Monsoon Challenge TSD Rally of 2019

For the fun of it, I participated into the Mahindra Adventure sponsored and IMSC managed Time-Speed-Distance rally. The rally started from Mangalore to Mysore and then ended into Ooty. The experience was totally new and thrilling. While I learnt tons of new things, I also grabbed the opportunity to cherish the event in memory forever by way of these photographs -

The road to Mangalore via Shiradi Ghats is always bliss to drive on!


The cars in my group who drove from bangalore to participate - all TBhpians.












And while I did not score any noteworthy positions our friends claimed second position in novice category! And we celebrated this deserving win


The roads we took included city, ghat and scenic reserve forest roads. The car had absolutely no issues and performed flawlessly. The great thing is - the Odometer of the car is pretty close to GPS based Odo - if you know what I mean for a TSD rally.

The car is dirty and I am loving it. I will keep the stickers for some more weeks and then take off

Ciao until next time!

[abirnale]

The Orange Cheetah is just 3 kms away from 1,10,000 Km mark and a routine service is due now. The reason it sprinted this distance since I updated last - had to make a quick trip to native. Or let's just say I found a valid excuse to drive! The rains in MH and the particular shade of greenery around, the brown water has a magical effect! Every year I have been to some monsoon drive - this year hasn't happened it yet. So this drive comes as pleasant change in otherwise routine life.

Sharing the pictures from yesterday and day before -

The beautiful NH48 - always bliss to drive on (even if there is a road work happening)


Bring your own food and eat it road side while soaking yourself in that typical monsoon weather -


The rivers in and around my home town are overflowing!



The old guy - Irwin bridge on Krishna river!


And a small road that leads to the Ghat - cheetah takes rest there for some time while kids enjoy the flood waters!


And on the way back - we took a small detour to Gokak Water falls - what a crowd!



Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

1.1 lakhs Kms Update

On the weekend, car completed 1,10,000 km mark and it was due for the routine service. It also needed a thorough wash, front right suspension check, rear discs and pads to be replaced, new wipers for the rains and some minor checks. Took car to Chrome Motors as usual and they did fantastic job - within a day they changed all necessary components and returned the car neat and clean.

Here are the details of job done -




This being fifth year (the last year under extended warranty and RSA support, I am making sure that as much as logical the parts are getting replaced instead of repairs. The FR suspension had leak and though it could have been find for another 5-10 k kms, I chose to replace it. So now within 10K kms distance, both front suspensions are replaced. With all other routine maintenance done on time, checks to satisfying level, I hope the car is good to run for another 50K kms.

A long trip coming up this weekend - stay tuned for more pictures and stories of the travel!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

Roadtrip Update: Monsoon Drive with XUV group (TORC)

Not sure if there will be a detailed travelogue on this trip but I thought of quickly posting the pictures from the amazing get-together I did with veteran XUV owners from a Facebook group to Dandeli and Anshi national park area.

I would let the pictures do talking

Some pictures clicked while on the road at various places/ breaks -




At the Sanavalli dam back water near Mundgod -


Magod Falls in its glory -


All cars that attended meet-up (minus two who had to rush for personal emergency) -


The result of the monsoon drive -


A small off-roading adventure also "happened to my car" during which I managed get stuck - drove over the soft soil on the left side of the car and got into the small ditch. Knowing the scenario, didn't make any effort to take out car on its own. Instead used another fellow drivers XUV and pulled out without any drama. Flat 180 seconds from attaching tow rope to taking it out! And good thing, no damage whatsoever. Just red soil on underbody Now i am searching through the dashcam footage to post the video.




And earlier this week, I found that tailgate was not operating from outside. I had to use the emergency latch to open it. So went to Chrome motors and they found the actuator switch to have gone kaput. Just the wear and tear I think since there was no visible damage. Good thing is that, it was covered in warranty. So a clean car back in garage after the fabulous trip!

The current odometer reading!


And the clean car - looks as attractive as when it was dirty!


Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

A good friend and reader of this thread complained that i have not updated the space here. Sorry for that. Here you go with some more pictures and updates.

August end was the time I finally got to drive in the MH monsoon rains! A friend of mine came from USA for his annual vacations and we decided to make it our usual get together with few more friends in Amboli. The pictures would give an idea of drive and the addictive MH green.





































The Orange Cheetah continues to get its deserved rest during week while I ride to work on my new INT650 (yes, orange). The weekend is when things come to life! Looking forward to the next drive... hopefully soon!

Ciao until next update!

[abirnale]

A week after our Amboli trip, we planned a weekend drive to Malpe - the long pending Pithrody Udayavar beach drive was done. On the way back we visited Karkala as well. Some pictures from this drive.

















And on the regular maintenance or routine stuff - nothing to report. No issues, no problems and nothing exciting too.

[abirnale]

The month of October saw us taking our car to MH and GOA for festival home-coming trips. Nothing to report as such.

The November is where we kick started with an unplanned wandering into Western Ghats section. Over weekend, we visited Honnemaradu, Jog Falls, Siganduru, Linganmakki Dam and took our first ferry for Orange Cheetah!

Happy to report that things are holding up pretty well with a small issue - the front wiper motor seems to have conked off. Will need to schedule a visit when relatively free to the ASC and get this fixed. Meanwhile, pictures from the weekend travel -

The farm fresh juicy pineapples from road side vendor near Jog Falls - it was the best we tasted!


On the way to Honnemaradu, we stopped at a paddy field. The evening rays and calm surrounding made our evening. It was lovely!


Closer to Honneramadu, and close to the water -



The jog falls after the rains have stopped are reduced back to a small trickle... should have visited two weeks earlier may be.


We visited the crowded Nipli falls - its not even falls - just a small lake type reservoir with some streams coming and going out of it -


The trusted ride never lets down - stands tall as always.



Ciao until next update!

[procrj]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Over weekend, we visited Honnemaradu, Jog Falls, Siganduru, Linganmakki Dam

We were there wandering around Jog area on 1st Nov. If I had know you were around, could have caught up. Details posted on my ownership thread.