[benbsb29]

Without even realizing how fast time has passed, it was time for the 20.000 kms service. Its been a fascinating 12 months with the car, and during this period it had covered 12196 kms.

Issues, if any :
There were no specific issues as such to report, all was well. As i had mentioned in the earlier post, there was a delay in the cabin lamp turning on when the left front door was opened. This was communicated to the service advisor when i proceeded for the service.

The service experience :
It was after a long while that i visited the dealership. When i reached there along with my wife, felt at home immediately due to the warmth with which we were received. It was interesting to note families who had come to drop off or collect their vehicles, wives and kids included in some cases. Just goes to show how inviting the customer service/lounge actually is.

As usual there were a lot of vehicles which were to be serviced, but as i had booked an early slot mine was taken in without any delay. The service advisor took the car for a test drive with me on board, and all he could decipher was that the doors needed some alignment. Otherwise, the car was running smooth.

This being a non-free service, the final bill was expected to be higher than the last time round which came out to about Rs.1200/- or so.

Following are the items from the bill:

PARTS
Fuel Filter : Rs. 137.49
Washer fluid : Rs. 49.88
SOHC Oil Filter : Rs. 80.55
Element Air Cleaner : Rs. 263.61
Engine Oil (Mobil 10W30, 4.5 litres) : Rs.620.01
Distilled water : Rs. 11.11

Labour and Services
Paid Service @ 20,000 kms : Rs. 825.01
Wheel Balancing : Rs. 220.00
Wheel Alignment (2 wheels) : Rs. 275.00
Door Striker Plate Adjustement(2) : Rs. 110.00
Consumables : Rs. 211.00

Total Bill amount was Rs.3152.00 (including Taxes).

The car came back as good as new, with a proper polish job and interior cleaning done.

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Without even realizing how fast time has passed, it was time for the 20.000 kms service. Its been a fascinating 12 months with the car, and during this period it had covered 12196 kms.

My friend had a 1.6 from the first ever batch of Ikon in Bangalore from CAUVERY FORD. How i loved to drive that car!!. Ikon 1.6 was one of the best driver's cars i've come across. It's got the best responsive engine with the best view from the driver's seat.

Four years after the purchase, the engine started getting heated up unnecessarily. The problem was traced to a faulty thermostat. This was replaced. But the problem reappeared. Cauvery Ford insisted that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle and one fine evening on the way to Chennai with his wife and 2yr old kid, the car stopped. The car was towed to Chennai. The engine had seized after it lost all engine oil. This time the problem was traced to a clogged pipe from the coolant tank. This pipe had developed scales and was almost closed. This scale formation could've been avoided if they had checked it during regular services. Cauvery ford never admitted to their mistake and my friend had to foot the enormous bill.

So, please make sure that the service guys do what they're supposed to do even if it's a simple coolant pipe.

-- Torqy

[VC12]

Benny,

Good to know about your 1st yr service, that was the same amount i paid for my 1st yr service.

Enjoy your Mike....

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by Torqy

So, please make sure that the service guys do what they're supposed to do even if it's a simple coolant pipe.

-- Torqy

Hi Torqy,advice taken in the right spirit. There is a particular service advisor with whom i maintain good relations, and he has been quite helpful too. Every time i go for the service, i make sure the car is attended to by him, and he takes over. Since Ford's policy doesnt allow one to be present personally with the car while the servicing is carried out, i guess there isnt more that i can do.

@VC12 : How many kms has your car covered during this period?

[theMAG]

Benny,

Your 20K service came within the first year ?! Did you drive MIKE to Dubai and back by any chance?

[benbsb29]

Maggie, thats how the servicing schedules are as per the manual. One year or 20,000 kms, whichever earlier.

Just for a comparo, what are the costs for the Swift with respect to the parts i had put up.

[theMAG]

4th service/20000 kms/2 years not yet come up. Expecting it around next month.

[VC12]

Hey Benny,

I use my Panther very less as I have much travelling abroad on my work and henec My Ikon clocked just 6100 for the 1yr service...


By the way what ever Ford ploicy, I do barge in to the work bay to see my car work in person, usually I known soem folks here and they never stoped me....

[VC12]

Benny,

Did you get bthe waxoyl engine care spary done its just 250 rs and is worth it, keep the engine clean and any oil spill will not stick on.

[benbsb29]

@VC12 : I did the same once, but was asked to wait at the customer lounge, as per the company policy. Didnt want to foul relations there, so did accordingly.

[VC12]

ya,

I agree with you,In my case all guys knwo me well and hence never had such situation.

Benny, by the way any plans on ur alloys and mods?

[benbsb29]

@VC12 : Me stuck with the typical Indian middle class dilemma, which is investing in a house. So, all funds are locked up for now, which means it will have to wait, probably eternally. :(

[VC12]

ya Benny,

I can understand , as I too was in such situation a while ago...

But the best part id after some time say when your Mike is 2 yr old and thats when you spice it up , You will fall in love with your mike even more....

[benbsb29]

Been a month since the last update.

Car gets to see Bangalore roads only on weekends, and enjoys the siesta on the remaining days. Crossed the 13000 kms mark over the weekend, and still maintains that sense of pride which it was associated with.

Mileage is within the same 13-14kmpl in city.

Planning on heading to Kerala for Xmas with the car, and that should see us heading on a long trip after the Coorg trip last month.

[theMAG]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Mileage is within the same 13-14kmpl in city.

That is good mileage indeed for city. Circumstances forced me to drive in city traffic (Jayanagar 8th Block - RMV II Stage) against my liking for a few weeks this month in peak traffic (9 am, 630 pm); that coupled with the almost-zero usage of the car since November 1, dropped my mileage to around 13 kmpl from 16 kmpl when I used to drive to another office campus for a year over NICE/Kengeri Ring Road.