[swiftnfurious]

Nice details and pics sure add up the joy of information.

Originally Posted by Guderian

- Prop shaft greasing and shaft bolts/nuts tightening.

Incidentally the propeller shafts have to be greased and bolts tightened every 10K KMs or greasing within 24 hours if the vehicle is ever submerged during OTRs etc.

So is this step required for ALL SUVs [be it TATA, M&M & Toyota] ? Isn't this mentioned in the manual as well? If not, I guess you should let the customer care know about this as it can help a lot of other owners. I am sure Toyota service is good, so they should take it up positively.

Originally Posted by Guderian

- Full body wash and engine air blown after wash.

So there is no problem in washing the engine bay with water right?

Originally Posted by Guderian

Total bill: Rs 2267/-.

Heck, that bill is cheaper than my Swift's.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by ritedhawan

A very well written reporting of your experience with your Admiral H.
By the way, isn't that avatar of yours of 'Heinz Guderian'.

Hi ritedhawan,
Thank you for the kind words.
Yes, have been standing on the shopfloor for years now. And have saved myself quite a bit of trouble. Ultimately irrespective of what the quality of service is - it is your vehicle ultimately and you have to live with it not the grease monkeys of the ASC or their supervisors. Nothing like investing some time on/for your vehicle.

Well, I am Generaloberst Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, Commander Panzergruppe, architect of Blitzkrieg, my previous command was Army Corps XIX.
And glad to note your interest.

Originally Posted by dkaile

1. The spare wheel should have been washed routinely by the ASC on the 10k service. This would have ensured that the stepney removal mechanism also got a workout.

2. Guderian, what is the make and cost of the digital tyre inflator? Any issues with it so far?

Hi dkaile,

1. The ASC would have lowered the stepney if I would allowed them to carry out the 5 wheel rotation. But I asked them to carry out only a 4W rotation. And washing it ? Would they have done it ? Anyone's guess !

2. The make of the inflator is 'Link' and costed me 2.5K about 2 years ago. Have given the complete details of it in one of the pages earlier on.
Absolutely no issues with it - as of now (touchwood !).

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

1. Nice details and pics sure add up the joy of information.



2. So is this step required for ALL SUVs [be it TATA, M&M & Toyota] ? Isn't this mentioned in the manual as well? If not, I guess you should let the customer care know about this as it can help a lot of other owners. I am sure Toyota service is good, so they should take it up positively.



3. So there is no problem in washing the engine bay with water right?



4. Heck, that bill is cheaper than my Swift's.

Hi SnF,
1. Thanks for the compliments.

2. Not sure about the other SUVs. But it was surely required for my Scorp CRDe and now Admiral the TFort. But I guess wherever you have properller shafts you will need to grease it.
It is very clearly mentioned in the Admiral's manual.

3. No, not all. That's what is also done at the ASCs. But do be careful when washing around some parts like alternator etc.

4. Nice to note that. I guess the amount will go up once the paid service stuff. But then I have been informed that the service charges of the TFort are quite reasonable.

[nilanjanray]

Thanks for the propellor shaft greasing tip. I am not sure that this was done at 10K and after 4WD bootcamp. I will follow up on this next time I visit the service centre.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

1. Thanks for the propellor shaft greasing tip.

2. I am not sure that this was done at 10K and after 4WD bootcamp. I will follow up on this next time I visit the service centre.

Hi Nils,
1. My pleasure !

2. Going by my experience, possibly -may not have been carried out.
As mentioned earlier, if the vehicle submerged into deep water/slush while being driven - the prop shaft greasing action needs to be carried out within 24 hours. The reason being that the existing grease within the prop shaft would have picked up contaminants/muck/sand and other particles and so running the TFort/shaft with the muck would create mechanical problems duly. So a good wash and greasing after a hard OTR expedition is a must.
In any case they are supposed to be doing the greasing bit every 10 K KMs as mentioned in the manual - which, experience has now shown, may not/never be done !
So suggest getting it checked out and done ASAP.

[dkaile]

@Guderian - How do you manage to stay on the shop floor during servicing? They make quite a ruckus when I try to get my cars serviced standing on the shop floor at the Toyota ASC. Lets hear the tricks of the trade...

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by dkaile

@Guderian - How do you manage to stay on the shop floor during servicing? They make quite a ruckus when I try to get my cars serviced standing on the shop floor at the Toyota ASC. Lets hear the tricks of the trade...

Hi dkaile,
Earlier (first 2 services) there were the normal protests. But then I insisted that I would like to see every little thing being done on the Admiral otherwise no go and they relented without much of a fuss.
In the last service (IIIrd) I preempted them, as mentioned, that I need to stand on the shopfloor. Now as per the ASC policy (or as I was explained by the sales folks at the time of purchase) the customer can stand on the shop floor provided there is a specific issue and the chap is not happy about it but the SA too needs to be present on the shop floor, which is OK by me. The SA can stand around till the cows come home for all I care, but on Sat the SA hung around for sometime and then vanished after the 'nipple' issue - leaving the shopfloor and its denizens at my mercy !

But overall the local ASC ( or -'my ASC' if I may dare brand them as that !) guys are sweet and very customer friendly.

[Guderian]

To further update, post the third service & after two days of running:

- Might be psychological, but the engine now seems/feels super smooth. Must be the result of the new engine oil, the air filter cleaning and the engine also settling down.

- Again could be psycho, but feel the greasing of the prop shafts also could be contributing to the super smooth run.

- I was expecting a different feel in the steering feel after the two rear wheels were balanced and placed in the front. As per me they should have carried out an alignment exercise, which they mentioned as 'not required'. But the alignment seems to be fine and the balancing also seems to have been done OK.

Question for other TFort owners here:
- How often do you get the alignment of your vehicles done ? Especially if you don't sense anything wrong with the alignment ?
- And do you get it done at the ASC or go outside ?
- Any specific action/s to be ensured for the 4X4 alignment process ? Different from the normal 4X2 semi SUVs like Scorps, I mean.

Other observations from the ASC.
- They didn't carry out a test drive before or after the service. Possibly because there were no issues as such listed or what ? Not sure. Or just missed the process ? Will check the next

- Battery wasn't checked at all. However an auto-electrician did come and check all the electrical components and going by that, including the light strength, assumed all is well with the battery. However as a strict process at 10K service, the battery cell strengths, charging level from alternator output etc should have been checked together with the water/electrolyte levels.
Thank God I don't depend on the ASC for topping up etc which if not done causes the primary issues, by and large.
Will get the other checking etc done free from an Exide outlet soon.

Other TFort gup-shup from the ASC on talking to the people there:

- The facelifted T-Fort is expected to hit the Indian shores mid 2012.
- Around that time possibly the A/T TFort could also be released.
- A cheaper T-Fort could be on the anvil. Cheaper ? Yeah, a 4X2 version which currently only available in some of the SE Asia markets. As of now this is only a thought in the minds of the powers that be at Toyota.
- More ASCs are being planned and some have been opened, across the country, thanks to the huge number of Etios/Livas on the road. Some of these ASCs could be pure service outlets like Maruti's MASS. But right now only the existing dealers have been asked to open more ASCs to meet the numbers.

Aloha !

[Raosaheb Desai]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Hi dkaile,
Earlier (first 2 services) there were the normal protests. But then I insisted that I would like to see every little thing being done on the Admiral otherwise no go and they relented without much of a fuss.


But overall the local ASC ( or -'my ASC' if I may dare brand them as that !) guys are sweet and very customer friendly.

Yes,
Maintaining good rapport with service personnel helps a lot.
It is good to get your machine serviced under your supervision, it gives you additional satisfaction and also confirmation of job done in right way.
For this, you don't need to be automobile expert.

[nilanjanray]

I am getting alignment checked every 5K km. Or after a rough, long trip. I get it done at the service centre.

I can usually make out if there is a minor difference in alignment, so for my SX4, I also go by gut feel.

[Monaro CV8]

Hail Heinz Guderian!

Few things first:
1. Apologies for not reverting after our meet at "The Mega Meet".
2. I will always remember that day how you told me to look under my T-Fort and find out why its a "he" and not a "she"..

I must commend you for keeping a brilliant record of Admiral's well being!

And yes, thank you very much for the tiny tips (e.g. the Prop Shaft greasing, etc.), which will be very handy during my times.

Though I have still some time to reach 10k on the ODO. Last month I took my car to the ASC; it was for the 1st free service. I insisted to the SA that I wanted to witness the servicing being done, but he gleefully showed me a biig window though which I could watch the car getting serviced. I spent half a day at the ASC then.

As a matter of fact I'm nearing the 5k kms service mark for my 'Truck'; yea that's what I call him (after having a look land down under ), and this time I will stand firm on being a witness on the service floor.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Raosaheb Desai

Yes,
Maintaining good rapport with service personnel helps a lot.
It is good to get your machine serviced under your supervision, it gives you additional satisfaction and also confirmation of job done in right way.
For this, you don't need to be automobile expert.

Hi Raosaheb,
You hit the nail on the head - satisfaction ! Besides the sense of well being of the vehicle. Absolutely right on the matter of not having to be an automobile expert. I learnt whatever little I know about vehicles by just standing on the shopfloor - something that I started with the Zen and later the Scorpio. By and by you learn a lot. A bit of passion is all what is needed.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I am getting alignment checked every 5K km. Or after a rough, long trip. I get it done at the service centre.

I can usually make out if there is a minor difference in alignment, so for my SX4, I also go by gut feel.

Hi Nils,
Thanks for the info. At 5K service the road test techie informed me not WA not required to be done. This time around no road test was carried out at all. But then I didn't feel anything amiss - though I asked them specifically as to when is it mandatory to do the WA as per the service schedule. Predictably they had no answer. I guess I'll get it done at the 15 K service or visit a local WA specialist and see if anything needs to be done.

Originally Posted by Monaro CV8

Hail Heinz Guderian!

Few things first:
A. 1. Apologies for not reverting after our meet at "The Mega Meet".
2. I will always remember that day how you told me to look under my T-Fort and find out why its a "he" and not a "she"..

B.I must commend you for keeping a brilliant record of Admiral's well being!

And yes, thank you very much for the tiny tips (e.g. the Prop Shaft greasing, etc.), which will be very handy during my times.

Though I have still some time to reach 10k on the ODO. Last month I took my car to the ASC; it was for the 1st free service. I insisted to the SA that I wanted to witness the servicing being done, but he gleefully showed me a biig window though which I could watch the car getting serviced. I spent half a day at the ASC then.

As a matter of fact I'm nearing the 5k kms service mark for my 'Truck'; yea that's what I call him (after having a look land down under ), and this time I will stand firm on being a witness on the service floor.

Hi Monaro CV8,
Nice to hear from you after a long time ! Was great meeting you at Pune. Trust your Truck/TFort is doing good.
A. No issues at all.

B. Thank you for the warm words and my pleasure to relate experiences here !

Would be good if you stand with the Truck and see what is being done. Another tip, before you land up there, is to run through the Owner's Manual - Maintenance Schedule Section and check what all needs to be done at 5/10K etc services make a list and read it out the SA and ask if anything additional needs to be done. This makes them realise that you know more about the truck than the average Joe owner-driver and they generally pass on the word to the shopfloor as well. Makes life a little easier for you.
Do let us know the progress of the Truck.

[alfredenuemann]

Hi, This is my first post. I own a Fortuner and have done 25k till now and have had no complaints whatsoever. I thought I must relate what happened today at the fuel pump. The attendant started filling in petrol instead of diesel ( despite my having said it's diesel). I noticed it after about ten litres had been filled in. I immediately had the fuel supply cut off and called up Toyota roadside assistance. The vehicle had to be towed to the service centre where they will have to now remove the fuel tank and flush it as also check and clean/replace the fuel filters. I feel like kicking myself for not having paid attention when the attendant put in the nozzle. I learnt a valuable lesson to ensure that the fuel nozzle is of the correct fuel. Just thought I would post here so that others are not as dumb as I was.

[mdsaab]

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

Hi, This is my first post. I own a Fortuner and have done 25k till now and have had no complaints whatsoever. I thought I must relate what happened today at the fuel pump. The attendant started filling in petrol instead of diesel ( despite my having said it's diesel). I noticed it after about ten litres had been filled in. I immediately had the fuel supply cut off and called up Toyota roadside assistance. The vehicle had to be towed to the service centre where they will have to now remove the fuel tank and flush it as also check and clean/replace the fuel filters. I feel like kicking myself for not having paid attention when the attendant put in the nozzle. I learnt a valuable lesson to ensure that the fuel nozzle is of the correct fuel. Just thought I would post here so that others are not as dumb as I was.

Thats scary. But good you finally realized before more fuel was put in. And even better that you called up toyota road side assistance immediately. I am sure they will do the needful and corrective measures will be carried out. Hope you get your T-Fort back as good as before and are back to crunching up those miles soon.
Wishing you luck!

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

Hi,
1.This is my first post.
2.Just thought I would post here so that others are not as dumb as I was.

Hi AEN,
1. Welcome to TBHP and the Togo Channel and hope you have a wonderful time !
2. Thank you very much for a wonderful first post. It worked as a wake up call for me as I too have been slacking off at the bunk.
Just because I go to the same fuel bunk everytime, a sense of complacency seems to have set in assuming I know everyone, everyone there knows me and Admiral and so everyone knows what is to be done.
I just release the fuelling point lid and get down and observe - I think they know it's full tank and I think they know it is sada diesel etc etc and no words are exchanged - only pleasantries and gentle ribbing. There are a thousand things that can go wrong which I need to be vigilant about:
- A new attendant.Keep a look out.
- An attendant having a bad day and not concentrating.
- Checking that he has indeed pulled the diesel line.
- State in clear terms as soon as I get down as an SOP - "Sada Diesel. Diesel theek hai - full tank".

Your episode also reminds me of my ex-colleagues travails with a Captiva. With a brand new Captiva and a brand new driver, he pulls smartly into a bunk and the driver only lowered the window and asked for a full tank and the tank was duly filled full. With Gasoline aka Petrol. What followed was cranking, yelling, a screaming match and disaster.
And a month long stay at the GM ASC etc and quite a bit of money being shelled out from his own pocket and what else...yes...etc.

Sorry to learn of your trials and tribulations.
Thanks once again for sharing the experience. And how much did it finally cost you ?

But of course with a handle like Alfred E N, I am sure, after the Toyota chaps had arrived you must have famously stated - "What me worry ?"

AEN - And how about an ownership report with lots of snaps ?

Originally Posted by mdsaab

Thats scary. But good you finally realized before more fuel was put in. And even better that you called up toyota road side assistance immediately. I am sure they will do the needful and corrective measures will be carried out. Hope you get your T-Fort back as good as before and are back to crunching up those miles soon.
Wishing you luck!

Hey mdsaab - There you are ! Where have you been ?!! You have run out of leave as per Togo Channel records.
And a warning to the others too...dot, noops et al !

[noopster]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Just because I go to the same fuel bunk everytime a sense of complacency has set in assuming I know everyone and everyone there knows me and Admiral. I just release the fuelling point lid and get down and observe - I think they know it's full tank and I think they know it is diesel etc etc and no words are exchanged - only pleasantries and gentle ribbing. There are a thousand things that can go wrong which I need to be vigilant about:
- A new attendant.Keep a look out.
- An attendant having a bad day and not concentrating.
- Checking that he has indeed pulled the diesel line.
- State in clear terms as soon as I get down as an SOP - "Sada Diesel. Diesel theek hai - full tank".

(...)
Sorry to learn of your trials and tribulations.

Hi Alfred, let me join in the chorus and offer my sympathies. As a petrol Vento owner I have to constantly be careful at petrol pumps since everyone assumes the default is diesel! It helps that the Vento fuel lid doesn't pop open like other cars. Gives me enough time to exit the car and position myself correctly to minimise the chance of such gaffes.

But of course with a handle like Alfred E N, I am sure, after the Toyota chaps had arrived you must have famously stated - "What me worry ?"

That made my day, HG!

Hey mdsaab - There you are ! Where have you been ?!! You have run out of leave as per Togo Channel records.
And a warning to the others too...dot, noops et al !

Hello, pot! Kettle speaking. Am very much here, mate! Been doing some drivin' and postin' of my own. Missing your rapier wit on my thread- the Fraulein's sulking that Herr General doesn't pay her much attention these days too.