[Leoshashi]

Lockdown Maintenance: I usually keep a lot of detailing products like Carpro PERL, Spray type leather conditioners/waxes etc. Top of the line in my collection is Meguiar's Ultimate Leather Balm. However I don't use it much since it takes a lot of effort compared to something like Spray and wipe on type products. But the results it gives is simply mind blowing. Also applied it on steering wheel.

We have to leave the product to soak well into the trim, and wipe down the excess later. I'll wipe the excess tomorrow, will give the product enough time to act. Gives a nice satin finish post final wipe down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqpLPAUkQUo

Regards,
Shashi

[amit_2025]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Last month was pretty bad for us, our entire family was down due to COVID. Running remained pretty low, with most of the runs limited to hospitals and test labs. The extra rows of seating helped a bit.

Stay safe!

Regards,
Shashi

Hope you and everyone in the Family have recovered without any complications Shashi.

Stay Safe and keep sharing these pearls of automotive wisdom :-)

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by amit_2025

Hope you and everyone in the Family have recovered without any complications Shashi.

Yes, we have all recovered without any complications. In fact we tested negative couple of days back(official need, not needed medically).

This is what happens when I'm locked inside with no work and a car, had detailed almost everything and when it was time to venture out, the XL6 was looking absolutely eye catching. Some pics of the car outside test center:

Regards,
Shashi

[Leoshashi]

Indulged in some battery terminal maintenance and engine bay cleaning: I used Liqui Moly's electrical grease earlier, but it used to create a mess whenever washed. So tried 3M's Battery terminal spray. I also hated the way detailing centers spray, leaving blue marks on many adjacent parts(MASS had tried it on negative terminal earlier).

Cleaned the terminal with MGP's Cleaner, and masked the surrounding areas. I then sprayed the coating carefully.

Also cleaned the engine bay comprehensively and detailed the parts with engine bay safe trim coatings.

The mess LM's grease used to make:

Cleaned and masked:

Terminals coated:

Clean engine bay gives me a different kind of pleasure:

Regards,
Shashi

[sridhar-v]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Indulged in some battery terminal maintenance and engine bay cleaning: I used Liqui Moly's electrical grease earlier, but it used to create a mess whenever washed. So tried 3M's Battery terminal spray. I also hated the way detailing centers spray, leaving blue marks on many adjacent parts(MASS had tried it on negative terminal earlier).
Clean engine bay gives me a different kind of pleasure:

Regards,
Shashi

Nice job.
Will one be able to connect a battery trickle charger to the terminals after the coating?

[f1fan]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Terminals coated:

Regards,
Shashi

What is the advantage of coating terminals this way?

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Steps for updating Smartplay Studio Infotainment system to MD-0820:

As the interface is almost the same, Can this update be attempted on the Glanza?
The software version in My Glanza's system is being shown as 1920.

[CrossLife]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

As the interface is almost the same, Can this update be attempted on the Glanza?

You will mostly end up with a Suzuki start up logo in the Infotainment system .

[PaddleShifter]

Originally Posted by f1fan

What is the advantage of coating terminals this way?

Battery terminal corrosion is a common thing over the years of a car’s life. This spray/coating acts as an inhibitor of battery terminal corrosion.

Recently, my Punto battery terminal has become like this. Pic source: Google as my car is lying at home.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by sridhar-v

Nice job.
Will one be able to connect a battery trickle charger to the terminals after the coating?

No, not with this coating. I tried to measure voltage and this coating layer was preventing me from getting a reading. So it's pretty thick and insulating.

For your requirement of trickle charging, the good old Liqui Moly's terminal grease was a better option.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

As the interface is almost the same, Can this update be attempted on the Glanza?
The software version in My Glanza's system is being shown as 1920.

Originally Posted by CrossLife

You will mostly end up with a Suzuki start up logo in the Infotainment system .

That's my fear. Better check with Toyota guys, they too must be having their version of the updated firmware.

Regards,
Shashi

[universal]

Hey Shashi, my friend wants your advice on which tyres to put on 2nd gen (latest) Ertiga ZDI+. Currently has stock Bridgestone Ecopia. Daily running ~100 km, mix of city and highway driving.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

That's my fear. Better check with Toyota guys, they too must be having their version of the updated firmware.

Thank you. I will check with them after the lockdown is lifted/relaxed sufficiently here. Are there any major feature additions/changes in the system after this update?

[procrj]

Originally Posted by universal

Hey Shashi, my friend wants your advice on which tyres to put on 2nd gen (latest) Ertiga ZDI+. Currently has stock Bridgestone Ecopia. Daily running ~100 km, mix of city and highway driving.

Michelin XM2s would be the best bet but will be nearly impossible to source. Alternatively, you can consider Yoko BE AE51 or Yoko Earth1.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by procrj

Michelin XM2s would be the best bet but will be nearly impossible to source. Alternatively, you can consider Yoko BE AE51 or Yoko Earth1.

What about the Primacy series?

I have used XM2 for close to 93K while Primacy 3ST which is the current set has clocked 97,000 Km and easily will last another 10,000 Km.

Strictly between the 2, since I don't have experience of using any other (and hence refrain from commenting), all I can say after this usage on my Ertiga is that Primacy is definitely the better tire in all aspects - Performs well in rains and dry conditions, better life, lesser noise and the rubber doesn't show any signs of brittle or cracks which many XM2 owners had reported. In fact, my WagonR too ran on XM2s and I replaced them with Yoko Earth 1 in 2017 because I realised the rubber had become hard and surface was showing signs of cracks.

Of course today, the availability of Michelin itself has become a challenge and is near impossible and my next choice is Conti UC6.

[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by universal

Hey Shashi, my friend wants your advice on which tyres to put on 2nd gen (latest) Ertiga ZDI+. Currently has stock Bridgestone Ecopia. Daily running ~100 km, mix of city and highway driving.

After having experienced the size and brand for a good 11k kms, I'd say 195/65R15 is the best possible size for our roads, considering everything. More sidewall, more width and fits in undercarriage carrier easily. It's also around the 2% upsize mark.

Regarding brand and variant, Michelin P4ST was my top priority when I was scouting for replacement. But couldn't find them anywhere in my city. So went with XM2s and they are simply awesome till now. I'd say I was lucky enough to lay hands on one of the last XM2s left in my region. Try for Michelins first.

Not sure what situation is right now as there were news of Michelin restocking some sizes. Next best alternatives IMHO will be Yokohama BluEarth AE50 and MRF Perfinza CLX1. In 185/65R15 you also get Conti UC6(best choice) and Yoko Earth1(on the noisier side though).

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Thank you. I will check with them after the lockdown is lifted/relaxed sufficiently here. Are there any major feature additions/changes in the system after this update?

Sound quality is a bit improved, specially the clarity part. Also earlier I had issues of Google Maps freezing in AA, that hasn't happened till now.

Regards,
Shashi