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Originally Posted by tushar_b Hello all BHPians!!
In recent time - say around 6-8 months I am observing an issue specifically while slotting from 1st to 2nd gear. Gear lever simply refuses to get in to 2nd gear like someone is applying reverse pressure.
In such case i have to release clutch, again press it & slot in 2nd. It too happens with some effort. & after some time at next round gear will slot as if you are cutting butter with knife.
But this issue occurs very randomly. So couldn't replicate it in front of SA, when visited last time.
Did any Lodgian  faced such issue? If yes what precaution i have to take in such case. |
Came here to discuss exactly the same problem. I'd say that there is 99% match of the issue that I've been noticing for the last 3-4 months and plan to bring it up for my 3rd service.
When this happens, I do not try to apply force, but simply release clutch fully, and reapply clutch and the gear transitions perfectly and without issues. This is something I realized via trail and error, and quite quickly. Long-long time ago, I had the fortune of driving a Tata truck, at a relative's place.. and the procedure reminded me of how I learnt to change gears on that truck!
Eventually, did you find a satisfactory solution ?
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Originally Posted by predatorwheelz Test Drove the Lodgy 2 days back. The criteria is a Diesel MPV within 15L. Here are some observations:
1. This is the most spacious of all the monocoque MPVs I've driven (read: Ertiga and BRV). I'm 6'2" and fairly healthy (read:fat  ). It has excellent height, supportive seats and all round visibility. In both the BRV and Ertiga I felt a dearth of shoulder room, especially when seated next to a similarly endowed individual. No such problems in the Lodgy. The middle row seat has adequate legroom. Even the third row seat seemed a comfortable fit for my height. In the other 2 cars the offer of space seems to dwindle the moment one looks beyond the first row. Not so in the Lodgy. |
Spot on. I'm 6' and well somewhat on the healthier ;-) side (similarly). My wife and son too have above average height. I test rode Lodgy (5 times) in a span of 1 week, including one where I test rode Lodgy after 30mins of test-riding the Ertiga (with it's then new micro-hybrid engine). Space including space behind 3rd row seat, legroom, headroom was the #1 thing that I liked. Ertiga, with 4 adults and 2 kids, was cramped... by my reading.
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2. While the overall looks can only be classified as ugly, certain design
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Looks can be very subjective. Ertiga IMV looks decent only from few angles. Honda BRV in my eyes is likable only with trick photography of having shot in 4:3 format and presented stretched on 16:9 format. Finally, having been a Wagon-R owner... I think I'd anyday rate practicality over looks.
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3. I know the dashboard and switchgear is mostly borrowed from the Duster. But maybe due to the all around airy feel, or the color, it appears a more premium interior for the uninitiated.
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Depends really on what one is comparing with. Toyotas are known to be very spartan in terms of dashboard looks, but things do seem to be of good quality... not the flimsy plastic kinds that Maruti has been famous for. Then again if you look at dashboards from M&M, where they put garish (in my eyes) looking chrome and fake wood panels in many models -- Renaults choice looks functional and decent. Now if we go comparing it with vehicles that cost thrice as much, it's a whole different thing.
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4. The TD vehicle was the 85bhp version. Brisk acceleration from start, and adequate power all throughout. It feels much more refined than the Maruti diesel and especially the Honda diesel. Much more driveable due to the easy spread of torque and good gearing. I've driven the 108bhp Duster before, so I know what to expect from the higher spec engine.
5. The driving experience is what really impresses. It drives completely like a car. Did a lot of moderately high speed turns, and the car didnt step out of line once. I reside close to the Noida expressway, so there's enough expressway and (empty) service roads at my disposal. Took the car to 110 on a service road and slammed on the brakes. The ABS kicked in, the car stopped smartly without a hint of getting unsettled. Then went on to a completely broken road, and the suspension handled the same in a matured manner without throwing me all over the cabin. All I could feel were distant thuds. Tried parallel parking, in the same slot where my Verna gets parked. Very good all round visibility meant I was able to do it without a hitch. Everything impressive, given the wheelbase and the shape of the vehicle.
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Since I own the 85bhp version, which I purchased after extensively test-driving it and 110bhp version, I have to agree that for most parts the difference between 85bhp and 110bhp is almost unnoticeable in city roads. The place where 110bhp will excel are open highways and tricky mountain roads. However, I've taken my 85bhp Lodgy, fully loaded on some mountain roads, without issue -- although, I do admit, that for an inexperienced driver, the 110bhp might offer easier handling. I have also had a Logan (still have, wife drives it), 1.3L petrol version...which was a nightmare in mountains. We will never forget the point when the car stalled at the 3rd last hair-pin bend on the way back from Kannur, it was pouring heavily, and an oncoming truck (going downhill) forced me to apply breaks on the climb. The car simply refused to budge. I consider myself an expert in both handbrake and half-clutch usage (can use both very comfortably in fairly steep hill climbs), but with handbrake applied the car was skidding back, with a deep valley just 10feet away from where the car stalled. I've to admit that it scarred me enough to take a very careful look at Lodgy. While I didn't redo that route on Lodgy so far, but few with slightly lesser gradient and difficulty, fully loaded -- without issues.
As for maneuverability, I think Lodgy offers a very good compromise given the vehicle length. It is not excellent, and I've to disagree a bit that the rear view without the aid of a reversing camera is challenging, however -- formally for a tall person, without mobility (or stiff-neck) issues... it is not much of a problem.
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6. The build quality feels superior to the Ertiga and the BRV. In cabin insulation is also very good. A calming experience, especially when you're in the habit of doing 10 hour+ highway drives.
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Again, need to disagree a bit on the first part. I don't have first hand ownership experience with Ertiga or BRV, but I feel that Lodgy's body and paint-job are it's weakpoints. Lodgy's body is made of -- IMHO, very thin sheet-metal, although there seem to be adequate safety precautions, structurally speaking. I've seen some light bumps between cars, leaving dents in Lodgy... especially the rear hatch. Also, the paint job, is IMV, unusually thin. Once a i10 bump into my Lodgy's rear at about 10kmphs near Sarjapura Rd/ORR junction, at 9:30AM peak, bumper2bumper traffic. At that time I didn't notice the largish dent (visible only from a certain angle), and the bumper where the paint had cracked.
Having said all that, I've driven Bangalore-Goa, with one short stop (between 10-12hrs based on season), thrice in the last 2 years. No sweat, no fatigue. The armrest is a blessing, although I seldom get to use it's cruise control. I doubt, Indian roads will ever afford real usage of cruise-control, other than some short burst of enjoying the novelty.