Team-BHP > Team-BHP Advice > On modifying a car


Reply
  Search this Thread
4,471,528 views
Old 7th August 2009, 14:22   #1861
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pune
Posts: 2,678
Thanked: 1,791 Times

Guys, your faith in what happens inside autocos is touching! Naive, but touching! Service departments that are charged with the making of manuals are on their own trip and cut paste is the usual SOP. And the usual corporate comedies that happen everywhere are rampant inside these workplaces as well. Manuals are not updated accurately, or on time, and released on an unsuspecting public. They are prepared by the so called aam janata, for the benefit of the aam janata. And in their own way, they work well. Question is, as more interested users of automobiles, do we want to use our given faculties to get better than average results from our automobiles? Isn't that one of the reasons for being on the forum? As opposed to following what the car maker says? Car makers that are largely staffed by mediocre, disengaged people?! Isn't that even why this thread exists - else all would be using the Maruti recommended Servo in Maruti cars!
Anyway, there has been enough said here by now for any discerning reader to decide the course of action to be taken on this subject. And choosing to not use ones faculties to rely on the car maker is a valid choice too.
Sawyer is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 14:24   #1862
gpa
Senior - BHPian
 
gpa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,789
Thanked: 342 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sawyer View Post
Or are you saying that take the normal change recommendations in the manual at face value, but do not do that for the severe service condition description?
Apologies on the confusion. But what you have mentioned above is exactly what I'm referring to. The changes depend on the usage of the car. If one does fall in the severe service conditions it would be wise to change it as per the schedule.
gpa is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 14:26   #1863
Senior - BHPian
 
sgiitk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Gurugram
Posts: 7,971
Thanked: 4,800 Times

Let us paraphrase on old adage,"Manuals are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools"
sgiitk is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 14:29   #1864
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pune
Posts: 2,678
Thanked: 1,791 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgiitk View Post
Let us paraphrase on old adage,"Manuals are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools"
Amen to that, brother! And on that wise note, this is a good time to sign off on this thread.
Sawyer is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 15:17   #1865
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bombay
Posts: 1,051
Thanked: 304 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sawyer View Post
Guys, your faith in what happens inside autocos is touching! Naive, but touching! Service departments that are charged with the making of manuals are on their own trip and cut paste is the usual SOP. And the usual corporate comedies that happen everywhere are rampant inside these workplaces as well. Manuals are not updated accurately, or on time, and released on an unsuspecting public. They are prepared by the so called aam janata, for the benefit of the aam janata. And in their own way, they work well. Question is, as more interested users of automobiles, do we want to use our given faculties to get better than average results from our automobiles? Isn't that one of the reasons for being on the forum? As opposed to following what the car maker says? Car makers that are largely staffed by mediocre, disengaged people?! Isn't that even why this thread exists - else all would be using the Maruti recommended Servo in Maruti cars!
Anyway, there has been enough said here by now for any discerning reader to decide the course of action to be taken on this subject. And choosing to not use ones faculties to rely on the car maker is a valid choice too.
I would rather follow the manufacturer's recommendation, to ensure I get my 4-5 years of warranty and laugh the longest.
sandeep108 is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 15:20   #1866
Senior - BHPian
 
greenhorn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: KL-01
Posts: 7,873
Thanked: 4,875 Times
Infractions: 0/1 (5)

At least during warranty, if the recommended procedures are not followed, if something related breaks, it could prove to be pretty expensive, something which is avoidable.

If the Mfr screws up, at least we can hold them liable for it. I doubt if anybody here would want to be held liable for the advice we give.
greenhorn is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 17:16   #1867
Senior - BHPian
 
Gansan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 4,580
Thanked: 5,724 Times

Found these while Googling the subject:

Castrol USA - Can You Handle the Truth about Synthetic Oil?

https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...ynthetics.aspx

https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English...ics/Myths.aspx

Last edited by Gansan : 7th August 2009 at 17:19.
Gansan is online now  
Old 7th August 2009, 17:21   #1868
Team-BHP Support
 
Eddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Singapore
Posts: 9,482
Thanked: 13,917 Times

All the above are from the maunufacturer's websites. They would not list out the negatives, would they ?
Eddy is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 17:26   #1869
Senior - BHPian
 
Gansan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 4,580
Thanked: 5,724 Times

Agreed. But I could not find any contrary views by technical experts/affected users either. I would very much like to view them if they are there.
Gansan is online now  
Old 7th August 2009, 18:01   #1870
BHPian
 
saurabhdadhichi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 218
Thanked: 78 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgiitk View Post
Super 1000 is API-SM as against API-SC/SD/SF of Servo. However, Super 1000 is essentially an oil for petrol engines. It does conform to API-CF for Diesels also. You may untimately be better off with a Diesel Specific Oil. Essentially, a diesel oil has a higher detergent content as compared to a petrol specific oil.
I am sure you will be able to find superior diesel specific oils at comparable or lower cost (look at the API-C? rating). This should be equal or higher than that specified by the car manufacturer.
Agreed, i had been looking specifically for a diesel specific oil & thus opted for Mobile Super 1000 as it is suitable for use in applications requiring CG-4/CF-4/CF. So i guess i am still using the right oil for my car....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaggu View Post
Mobil Delvac Super i guess, i felt its slightly better when it comes to engine smoothness compared to Servo. But Delvac MX gives the best results, though in recent times its reported that procurement has become difficult.

It doesnt mention anywhere on the container that its Delvac, but just Mobil Super 1000. However, i will try to get hold of Mobil Delvac Super next time i go for oil change after 5000 Kms.

Wrt oil change stick to 5000 kms if you are particular or 7-8 kms at max with mineral oils. Beyond this "chances" of sludge happens esp in diesel engines with Turbo and EGR's. Its always advised that you change the filter along with oil for best results.
Yeps, i also agree moreover, with the change in Oil brand also calls for change of the oil filter, though they are all of the same grade, but mixing can be avoided.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselFan View Post
There is no way Sludge can form in a DDIS/ MJD diesel engines within 7-8 K Kms if you are using Mobil Delvac MX or Super as FIAT has recommended 15K kms as their service interval for the same engine on their G. Punto. If what you say is true then 90% of Punto will come for breakdown maintenance even before they complete the second 15k kms (Assuming there are 3 services in first 15k kms).
True Dieselfan, more over the maintenance hours are suggested by companies, keeping in mind all these factors, so say even if we drive more than 10K a car which was recommended to have oil change at 5k, the engine would be able to survive, provided oil level is properly maintained & filter is checked for clogging ( In simple terms, one has to do these checks more frequently than it is done when we are running the same vehicle under the required oil change kms) - Hope i made sense.
saurabhdadhichi is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 20:41   #1871
Senior - BHPian
 
DieselFan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,584
Thanked: 259 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by saurabhdadhichi View Post
True Dieselfan, more over the maintenance hours are suggested by companies, keeping in mind all these factors, so say even if we drive more than 10K a car which was recommended to have oil change at 5k, the engine would be able to survive, provided oil level is properly maintained & filter is checked for clogging ( In simple terms, one has to do these checks more frequently than it is done when we are running the same vehicle under the required oil change kms) - Hope i made sense.
Engine oils lose their physical and chemical properties with usage. Hence if a manufacturer recommends 5K oil change I would change the oil after 5k kms. If I use it till 10k kms them oil might lose its properties and may harm the engine (I do not think manufacturers over design their oil requirements so much). If oil loses its lubrication properties then the engine may overheat and seize.Net net if a manufacturer has suggested 5 k km/ 6 months oil change then you may go upto 6k kms and say7-8 months and not beyond it. Again anything beyond what manufacturer suggests is risky.

Some WISE MEN on this forum has suggested you to take Manufacturer's recommendation just as guideline but I would follow it with obedience if I own a lakhs of rupees car and I don't want to screw it up. Following manufacturer's guideline is like insurance for your car against major problems (Again you can't eliminate problems but can definitely minimize them).

Last edited by DieselFan : 7th August 2009 at 20:43.
DieselFan is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 21:13   #1872
Distinguished - BHPian
 
R2D2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pune
Posts: 3,243
Thanked: 5,801 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gansan View Post
Sir,
The next change is recommended at the third free service (10,000 KM / I year) even for this oil! I have a couple of long drives planned in the next few months,and don't want to take chances.
Gansan, please go right ahead and change the oil to one of your choice whether semi-synth or mineral. As long as you exceed the mfrs recommendation you will not go wrong.

Regards,
R2D2 is offline  
Old 7th August 2009, 21:41   #1873
BHPian
 
saurabhdadhichi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 218
Thanked: 78 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselFan View Post
Engine oils lose their physical and chemical properties with usage. Hence if a manufacturer recommends 5K oil change I would change the oil after 5k kms. If I use it till 10k kms them oil might lose its properties and may harm the engine (I do not think manufacturers over design their oil requirements so much). If oil loses its lubrication properties then the engine may overheat and seize.Net net if a manufacturer has suggested 5 k km/ 6 months oil change then you may go upto 6k kms and say7-8 months and not beyond it. Again anything beyond what manufacturer suggests is risky.

Some WISE MEN on this forum has suggested you to take Manufacturer's recommendation just as guideline but I would follow it with obedience if I own a lakhs of rupees car and I don't want to screw it up. Following manufacturer's guideline is like insurance for your car against major problems (Again you can't eliminate problems but can definitely minimize them).
You have a point, that oil might loose up its properties & damage the engine in return, but some of the factors of the oil properties will be affected also by driving conditions, kind of gasolene used & also how old is the vehicle. However, i do see a point that as a thumb rule, one should not extend much (around 1-1.5K) beyond the suggested time of oil change.

Thanks for the help.
saurabhdadhichi is offline  
Old 9th August 2009, 15:20   #1874
gpa
Senior - BHPian
 
gpa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,789
Thanked: 342 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by saurabhdadhichi View Post
one should not extend much (around 1-1.5K) beyond the suggested time of oil change.
Just wanted to make a small mention on this. MUL clearly specifies in its warranty claims that if the service/replacement of oil is not done within the 1,000 kms grace period of the actual change mentioned (10,000 kms intervals) then that will lead to the warranty being void.

So its best not to push the change beyond the stpulated mentioned time interval but have it changed earlier.
gpa is offline  
Old 9th August 2009, 15:56   #1875
BHPian
 
saurabhdadhichi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 218
Thanked: 78 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by gpa View Post
Just wanted to make a small mention on this. MUL clearly specifies in its warranty claims that if the service/replacement of oil is not done within the 1,000 kms grace period of the actual change mentioned (10,000 kms intervals) then that will lead to the warranty being void.

So its best not to push the change beyond the stpulated mentioned time interval but have it changed earlier.
GPA, thanks for the correction, well if we go by books then there is no doubt, we should follow what company recommends. The point i was trying to make was even if you are not able to get the servicing done as per the schedule, then lets not stretch beyond a point where engine might not be able to take the change in the chemical properties of Oil. So, we might be able to stretch the oil change to at the 1.5K. But in order to keep the warranty working for us all the time, it must not be stretch beyond 1K of the recommended oil change interval.
saurabhdadhichi is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks