[samsag12]

I need suggestions regarding the servicing of My Alto. Its the first paid service as per manual (24months 20000Kms one). Although my car hasn't clocked more than 6000Kms till date, the fluids replacement and adjustments during the free services were carried as per the Maruti data sheet.
Now I am a bit confused regarding changing of all the fluids as the car has covered very low mileage. Just need to confirm should i go ahead and change all the fluids and parts(spark plug) irrespective of the mileage. Just want to ensure the best for the car & don't mind spending for it.

If i go by the manual this is what has to be done (read changed/replaced).

1. Engine oil change. (20W40 any good brand?)
2. Engine coolant replace (should i use MAK readymix one or dilute the concentrate mix with Distilled water?)
3. Spark plug to be replaced. (should i use the Champion one or NGK one. Also any indicator on how much plug gap is to be set)
4. Transmission oil change (?????)
5. Brake fluid change. (Lucas-TVS DOT3)

[Gansan]

All of them were repaced during my Alto's 24 month service last June, though the odo was at 9897 KM. I let them do it with their own MGP stuff, except for engine oil (Helix HX-5) which I took with me. In addition I had the air filter replaced as well, which I do every 12 months. I got the original plugs cleaned and am keeping them in the car as spares.

I think the bill was ~ Rs 4750.00.

Better stick to MGP as far as possible, especially if the car is under extended warranty (mine is). Do not spend too much! Remember ours is a mule and will not become a race horse, even if you feed it the diet of one!

[guptavis]

hi all,

anyone knows the brake pad size in ALTO? i am going to change my brake pads in a few days. thinking of getting BOSCH ones.

[jp2u]

how to improve the mileage of my alto, mine any tips, will changing of air filter or spark plug, or anything help ?

[Gansan]

^^How much are you getting?

[joslicx]

jp2u

Switching off the AC will help

Alto already has a good mileage. Mine gave me 15 with AC all the time. Of course it helped I was in Noida then (and Noida has some of the best roads in India) and I was mostly driving in 3rd or 4th gear. In winters with AC switched off I would get 17-18 easily.

[anky]

I replaced spark plugs , new air filter , gear oil , break oil , engine oil , tyres align rotata balance and routine service at maruti as per schedule , so my daily running being a total of 14 km in traffic with 60 % ac on I have been getting a average in bombay traffic of 12.5 kmpl . Alto covered 23000km in 7.5 years . Stock tyres and no mods . I do not raise engine or race the car . On querying maruti about this they said the average is perfectly normal . So much for buying the alto

[adishenoy]

Originally Posted by anky

I replaced spark plugs , new air filter , gear oil , break oil , engine oil , tyres align rotata balance and routine service at maruti as per schedule , so my daily running being a total of 14 km in traffic with 60 % ac on I have been getting a average in bombay traffic of 12.5 kmpl . Alto covered 23000km in 7.5 years . Stock tyres and no mods . I do not raise engine or race the car . On querying maruti about this they said the average is perfectly normal . So much for buying the alto

Its a 7 year old car, don't expect it to give 16 kmpl till it serves you.

[anky]

I have been driving the same route in a maruti 800 1996 to 2004 and 2004 till today in alto and ther average has always been a constant 12 kmpl in both cars +- 1 kmpl . On the same route my Indigo Dicor gives 14 kmpl . Sir 7 yr old car has nothing to do with it especially a well maintained Maruti Alto . Always from MASS (Sai Service) who are excellent I may add .

[adishenoy]

Originally Posted by anky

I have been driving the same route in a maruti 800 1996 to 2004 and 2004 till today in alto and ther average has always been a constant 12 kmpl in both cars +- 1 kmpl . On the same route my Indigo Dicor gives 14 kmpl . Sir 7 yr old car has nothing to do with it especially a well maintained Maruti Alto . Always from MASS (Sai Service) who are excellent I may add .

I didn't mean to sound rude my friend. I don't own an Alto but an engine loses its performance and efficiency as it ages. There are many factors that cause this, a well maintained car shows less degradation over the years.

I have a Maruti myself and I know how they are.

[anky]

Originally Posted by adishenoy

I didn't mean to sound rude my friend. I don't own an Alto but an engine loses its performance and efficiency as it ages. There are many factors that cause this, a well maintained car shows less degradation over the years.

I have a Maruti myself and I know how they are.

No offence yaar! just that buying the cheapest car on the block for its mileage and then not getting it frustrates me , instead I would have brought a car 2 segments higher llike swift or i20 and atleast enjoyed it . Not that I complain about the alto but if 10% lesser mileage then any day a swift or i20 . In fact I will change soon as on trips longer than 3hrs alto not comparible to my Indigo dicor . The Indigo does not shake that much over potholes which make the passengers sick over a long time . Alto suspension although strong is quite basic .

[isiv]

I've been looking around for a DIY for engine/gear oil change and oil-filter change for the Alto, but have not found one so far. I'll be grateful if someone can provide me the steps (I'm having trouble locating the drain/filler plugs and filter) or provide a link if this has already been described somewhere.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by isiv

I've been looking around for a DIY for engine/gear oil change and oil-filter change for the Alto, but have not found one so far. I'll be grateful if someone can provide me the steps (I'm having trouble locating the drain/filler plugs and filter) or provide a link if this has already been described somewhere.

First you need to purchase some kind of pan to collect the used oil & and figure out an environmentally safe way to dispose it. You also need a oil filter wrench and some basic tools like a socket set.

As far as showing, its best if you watch a local mech do it once and then DIY thereafter.

[guptavis]

hello all,
my 2007 alto lx has done 40k KM, both front shock absorbers (i think they are called dampers) are leaking and need to be replaced. The lower arms have already been changed at MASS.

But the Maruti service (labour) charges are really too high. They charged me Rs875+ tax for service of ALTO. in addition 250 for brake pad change.
The suspension arms cost Rs 585 each so Rs 1170 for both and some bushings ~ Rs 150.
this job took at most 15min and the labour for the same was 550+tax !
i dont know how Rs 550 for a 15min job can be justified.

They say shockers are 1160x2 = Rs 2320. and including some bushings and labour it will come to ~ Rs 3800!
I dont want to spend Rs 1200-1400 as labour for an hour's work. So im going to get this done at local workshop.

If anyone has any idea about which shockers i should get please tell me. ive heard gabriel are good. what make are the MGP ones and are they gas filled or oil filled?

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by Mpower

First you need to purchase some kind of pan to collect the used oil & and figure out an environmentally safe way to dispose it.

This is why I don't change the oil myself for my car or bike, though I can do it easily, and always have it done at the service centre. Getting rid of the used oil is a real bother.