Coming close to a year from the last post, so here are the updates:
The Safari has now done 59,000 kms. Did a drive from (which now seems to becoming a regular affair) from Chennai to Trichy and then a day run to Palakkad, while in Trichy. And then the return run back to Chennai for the flight back. All this in 5 days while I was in the country.
Few points to highlight:
Mileage: The run from Chennai to Trichy was a high speed one driven by my brother. We kept doing 120-130kmph wherever possible and it was possible in most of the stretches. Refueling brought up the following figures: 33.73 liters for 351.2 kms, which translates to 10.41kmpl. Bad and got me worried if the previous mileages that I achieved is a thing of the past.
Subsequently, the day run to Palakkad was done, where I kept within 100-110 kmph on empty stretches. Primary concern was the heavy rain and next was trying to enjoy the drive. There was no point in rushing through when driving solo without any deadline looming. Refueling brought up: 38.86 liters for 586.1 kms, which translates to a healthy 15.08 kmpl. Smile back on my face.
Handling: Had been following the thread where discussion was on a SUV's character when made to do a sudden track change maneuver - well, here is the first hand experience.
Drive back to Chennai was at off peak hours (started from Trichy at 8pm; this ensures that there are no travels buses at the toll booths and you get lesser traffic towards Chennai).
Was behind a Figo which was being driven sanely at 90kmph on the fast track. Kept behind it for sometime due to traffic on slow track. Once we cleared the traffic, the Figo kept going on fast track. I move to the left track and start overtaking. No sudden rush, I was at 100kmph and slowly inching ahead. The next things I know I see if just next to my front right fender. Cut the steering to the left and both were moving parallel to each other across to the left. He corrected himself and ended up in the 3rd lane (from the median) and me with two wheels on the dirt and two just on the tar. There as absolutely no swinging or movement where it felt I was not in control (but honestly, I am now not sure what happened between the time I noticed the car inches away from my vehicle till I got all 4 wheels back on tar). So yes, provided you are on sane speed, sudden maneuver is doable.
Comfort: Not much to say here; minimal fatigue even when driving for long hours on our beaten up roads.
Service: The vehicle was serviced at VST Chennai, except the last one at 55k kms, where it was done at TAFE. Bunch of jokers with no idea of what their work is.
#1
One of the horns was not working and their analysis was to change the horns (which comes as a set(!!!)). Opened the grill and found that it was a case of loose contact. Plugged it back in and all back to normal.
#2
Also noticed that they had broken one of the holder of the grill when they had removed it for checking the horn.
#3
The winding cable on the passenger window broke some time back. TAFE had removed the door panel to check this and fixing it back was done so badly that is was misaligned and rattled all along. Fortunately, all screws and covers were there.
I had removed the panel on the front, which houses the wiper spray nozzles, and cleaned the dry leaves, twigs (and also a frogs skeleton) accumulated below it. This seems to be a favorite for these dirt's to accumulate. Please do clean them periodically.
Engaged the 4x4 (H & L) and drove around a bit. Still works as intended. And still, I do not get any audible sound when the differentials gets unlocked.
This is how he looks now; same as always.
After a wipe down with Meguire spray.
The scratch you see in the photo above was caused by a vandal at Chennai. The person made a line around the vehicle! Fortunately not too deep.
The interiors:
The photo below was supposed to be the "before" photo; not sure how good it is serving the purpose since the sunlight plays foul. To give you a perspective of how bad - 3 years of abuse by kids and the service people. The first year, I used to clean the panel with a damp cloth. But this time it was ArmorAll Multi-purpose cleaner and 3 hours of effort.
The result:
The back door was the worst of the lot, but fortunately, they were all taken care by some hard scrubbing.
ArmorAll was able to remove the dirt accumulated on the foot steps as well.
The same treatement was done to the interiors, which were, the a/c unit, the side panels (which houses the seat belt), the panels in the boot and especially the dash and the storage pockets between the front seats. Missed to take photos of them!
The engine bay: Notice the jugaard done for the wiper tank cover. Some where along the line, the cover was lost and it seems it costs 800 Rs for the set (since the tank and cover are sold as a unit). Even then, not in stock in Chennai. So, this is what I ended up with.
Below photos shows the corrosion caused on the holder by battery leakage. Am still running on the original battery and wasn't surprised that it was leaking. Cleaned it up and placed a rubber (cut off from a discarded inner tube). This can be seen in the photo above.
The battery as such is holding out well. Still starts the vehicle on half crank. I am sure it might give up any time without notice.
QUESTION: Can someone please tell me how to clean this blackening?
QUESTION: Do you guys think this scratch is removable with polishing? Apart from this, there are also patches caused on the hood by bird poop being left on for long! :(
The odometer, as it stood on 25th July.