[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Clutch slippage occurs more under load than at steady cruising speeds....Hope it turns out fine.

So I had the opportunity to run Panda under different rpms today on the trip form Kochi to Trivandrum. Took the MC Road itself and I redlined her on first and second gear multiple times. No clutch slippage. Didn't redline in 3rd gear and upwards because in second itself I had reached illegal speeds.but did some in gear acceleration runs on 3rd to 6th and then also no slippage observed. The power delivery was smooth and linear. The car pulls till 6000+ rpms and I didn't push after that.

Hope it's safe to say that the clutch is working fine for the time being.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

So I had the opportunity to run Panda under different rpms today on the trip form Kochi to Trivandrum. Took the MC Road itself and I redlined her on first and second gear multiple times. No clutch slippage. Didn't redline in 3rd gear and upwards because in second itself I had reached illegal speeds.but did some in gear acceleration runs on 3rd to 6th and then also no slippage observed. The power delivery was smooth and linear. The car pulls till 6000+ rpms and I didn't push after that.

Hope it's safe to say that the clutch is working fine for the time being.

The clutch should be good. Uneven can give judder at times. BTW, avoid redlining in the lower gears frequently.

[BLACNWYTE]

I redline the engine rarely. This time it was done to check the Clutch condition. Otherwise in the whole six years of ownership, I might have redlined Panda less than 20 times. Maximum I push is till 4k rpms.

[d.w.w.]

Originally Posted by BLACNWYTE

So overall I would give Popular Hyundai, Karakkamandapam, Trivandrum 9.5/10 for the service.

Hi,

Came across your thread while searching for Hyundai service center reviews in TVM. I have an out of state car which is due for service this month and this service center is the nearest to my place. Do you have any recommendations for an SA here? I'm planning to take my car there this week or the next. Thanks in advance.

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by d.w.w.

Do you have any recommendations for an SA here? I'm planning to take my car there this week or the next. Thanks in advance.

I have forwarded the available details in DM. Please check. I'm also planning to get the four month check up as I have a coupon from the last service. Planning to get it done in the first week of November.

[silver-stand]

Hi @BLACNWYTE

I have a similar issue with the AC, as you described earlier, in my 2016 Verna AT.

May I please know how's ACC performing in The Big Fat Panda after replacing the Evaporator Coil?

Thank you

[BLACNWYTE]

Originally Posted by silver-stand

May I please know how's ACC performing in The Big Fat Panda after replacing the Evaporator Coil?

Hi silver-stand,

I have done over 3000 kms after the evaporator coil replacement and I'm happy to say that the cooling is back to normal. That's what was like when the vehicle was new. I have taken it on sunny and rainy days and there is no mist formation on windshield nor there is any drop in cooling.

At single occupancy or with just the front passenger, 24 deg celcius on ACC is more than enough to chill you. With full load 24 deg and 4 fan speed is required for comfortable cold temperature. If ACC is activated, then the temp should be dropped to 23 or 22 otherwise the backseat passengers won't feel comfortable. That's because in ACC mode the fan speed usually remains at 2 at 24deg celcius.

[BLACNWYTE]

Six Year Update!

It has been six beautiful years since the Big Fat Panda came into our lives. I had initially planned to post this on the first week of November on the sixth anniversary, however, due to a very busy schedule I didn't get enough time.

So 6 years and 55k kms later Panda is still kicking it, lazy style. No squeaks, rattles and still butter smooth with a very silent engine.

The parts replaced due to wear and tear are as follows along with the total costs incurred:

She is on the original clutch and surprisingly the factory tyres (Goodyear assurance Triplemax) have lasted longer than I expected. There is still tread for around 2-3k kms at least. The front brake pads have been replaced in the 5th year service at around 43k kms. Spark plugs replaced twice (at 25k and 43k kms). Front wiper blades replaced once (Syndicate replaced with Bosch). Evaporator coil and gas replaced due to a leak. The sponge material inside the dashboard replaced. Coolant replaced twice, once due to accident and the second time because I felt the ASS had diluted the mix with water. The radiator fan was replaced under warranty due to a faulty motor. Battery replaced once. Key fob batteries replaced twice, at 2.5 years and then at 6th year mark (last month).

Due to an accident the hood, bumper, fenders, headlights, horn, radiator assembly, compressor and front crossmember were all replaced. (documented in this thread).

Total costs/ expenditure incurred till date: 20.07 lakhs (includes everything from purchase to detailing and fines)

Per Km cost: Rs. 25.17/km. (Fuel only: Rs. 7.16/km)

Average FE: 12.8kmpl. (Best: 16kmpl Worst: 9.6kmpl)



Overall it has been a pleasure journeying with the Panda. Thankfully she has not really left us stranded anywhere till now. Even on the two occasions which came close, she managed to get us home safely and then herself to the HASS.

Hoping for many more (s)miles together. A couple of parting shots.

[nkghai]

I just went for a 3600 km drive on my Nanook and still loved every moment. Here is Nanook on Road to Heaven.

[BLACNWYTE]

So last week while I was on weekly bathing duties for Panda I made a shocking discovery; RUST!.

It is on the front passenger side door, aligning with the drip holes on the rubber beading. I checked out the other doors and hatch and thankfully all of then were rust free. I don't know how I missed these earlier, maybe I wasn't thorough enough. I guess this is due to rain water and wash water seeping through and the paint had some imperfections/ cracks which has resulted in this.

Some photos of the issue:







As you can see it is just starting out it seems. However, the true extent of damage will be known only when you remove the rubber beading and check. I have to give the car for a half yearly inspection this month and I think I'll get the HASS to do something about this. However, in the back of my mind I think I'll have to replace the entire door a few years down the line. As far as I know rusting, once started, can be slowed down but cannot be stopped.

For the time being I have cleaned the spots with a toothbrush and have applied clear nail polish on then to arrest/ slow down further decay.

P.S.- The missus surely gave the nail polish but then I was also reminded that she had actual nails while our Panda didn't

[wooka]

Tons of reports of Hyundai online. Class action lawsuits in tow.
1. India

https://youtu.be/dqz_DoWA5fw?si=WK7-C1RkFH3iACaK

2. Australia

https://youtu.be/G3PSQoiM6Gc?si=8agtGaesWwLndsr2

Man, some people are a scam.

[BLACNWYTE]

Just wanted to share a quirky milestone Panda achieved. Had done the same with Blu (Activa 125) last year.



Next planning to get the whole set from 1to 0 but that is about 10k kms away.

[BLACNWYTE]

Investigating a slow leak.

So the Panda had developed a slow leak in the rear right tyre for past few weeks.

Initially it was observed when I was dusting her and took her to a nearby fuel pup for a top up. I was not concerned much because when I got it inflated, the machine started from 29psi instead of the 31 in all other tyres.

However, the a couple of weeks later, I observed that the same tyre was sitting lower than the other one on the left. Took her again to the pump and this time the machine started from around 28 psi whereas for the other tyres it started from 32 psi. The same routine repeated the next week also. So, I was sure it was a slow leak, maybe a nail or screw embedded in the tyre but not serious enough to warrant any sudden intervention. Also, I was busy and I thought I'll get it fixed if it gets too much.

There is something called tempting fate and guess what, the next morning itself it got too much and I had to make time for it. The tyre was almost flat and I had to fill it up using my kid's cycle pump to get it to some sort of operational pressure. I was reaffirmed of my hate towards cardio.

This time I took her to a puncture repair shop in the evening on my way home and told him of the slow but now fast leak. However, the tyre had held the pressure from morning till evening and I was not sure anymore as to how the leak behaved. So he removed the tyre and first inflated it to 40 psi. The machine started from 19 psi. On visual inspection of the tyre , no nail, screw or any other object was seen to be embedded in it. He started on the soap water test and covered entire tread, sidewalls, valve and rim with it but still no bubbles. Since he had other customers he went to help them and I decided to step in and paint the tyre soapy and discover the elusive bubble. I too failed spectacularly.

Now he came and dunked the whole wheel in a tub filled with water to see any escaping bubbles and guess what, no bubbles. He was now giving me a look that said 'are you wasting my time? or is there really a leak" and I was like, believe me it's there. He took the tyre out and kept it there and I was almost sure that it is some black magic is causing this. I asked him to put the tyre back since it was a waste of time to investigate it anymore and I was mentally preparing myself to dedicate 10-20 mins of my time every morning for a new cardio regime.

Before, he started the work, I tried putting the dust cap on and there it was, a small spit, the water in the nozzle squirted out when the dust cap went in. We both saw that and looked at each other. I was like, see!! and he was, 'I didn't expect that'. So the cause of the leak was the pin inside the valve hitting the dust cap when tightened. The amount of leak depended on how much you tightened the dust cap.

When I did the tyre rotation, they might have put the wrong pin in the valve or the pin might not have been tightened fully. The tip of the pin was gitting a rubber stopper inside the dust cap. May be the dust cap was not tightened much previously and the leak escaped observation as I usually topped up every two weeks. He told me that he will tighten it but I asked if he could replace it and he did. Did the pressure check and bubble check again and yay, no more bubbles, even with the dust cap on. For safety, he gave me bigger dust caps with more depth.

Paid the man Rs. 120/- for his efforts and time and brought Panda home. It has been a week since and its holding.

[BLACNWYTE]

60000 km Update.

Last week Panda achieved the milestone of going over 60K kms. This happened at the 6 year and 6 months mark of our ownership. Except for the below average fuel efficiency which is a trait of the 1.6 petrol engine, it has been a very comfortable ride so far.

Our Panda has thrown minimal tantrums (only two to be exact) and service and maintenance has been relatively easy on the pocket considering the cost/ segment of the car. The ride is super smooth and silent, with no rattles or creaks (touchwood).

There are a few scratches and dents due to my careless driving which I plan to get sorted during the next service which is due in about 1000kms.

[BLACNWYTE]

New Tyres.

Ever since Panda was nearing the 60k mark, I was contemplating getting new shoes for her. There was enough tread on a couple of tyres for another 1-2 kms but the other two had the band come across the tyre which indicated that they have reached the end of their lives. Also the tyres were nearing the 7 year mark as per their manufacturing date. I decided to keep one tyre as spare, the least used one, which is old but have lot of tread.







I began calling local tyre stores in Trivandrum for enquiring about availability and prices of my preferred brands. Initially I was thinking of getting Yoko Blu Earth AE51 or Bridgestone B390 but then I thought I'll give Continental a try as I found that many reviews had good things to say about it. My requirements were good grip, decent life and less noise. Also, I was going to keep the size stock as I'm a sucker for bone stock cars. So the size would be 205/65R16.

A couple of stores I called were brand outlets and they only had one brand of tyres. Then I called up Travancore Wheel Club, Edappazhanji (No vested interest, just a happy customer) and they gave me quotes on all brands I asked for. Sadly I lost the paper where I wrote down all the prices but I remember that Goodyear were the cheapest and Michelins were the costliest. I chose the Continental Ultra Contact UC6 tyres which set me back by Rs. 6950/- per tyre. However they didn't have it in stock but promised me that they will inform me when fresh stock arrived.

However, they never called and week later I called them up and they informed that they had received fresh stock the day before. I didn't want to miss out on fresh stock so, I took permission of my boss and left office an hour early for getting the work done. The tyres had the manufacturing code of 1524, which meant 15th week of 2024, i.e., April 2024. As fresh as it gets I guess. This is a 95V rated tyre which is capable of handling speeds up to 240 kmph which our Panda will never reach and for that matter she haven't gone beyond 120 kmph in her entire life till now. But it is always good to know that the tyre can handle speeds which the car can't reach.









Last week I got the tyres replaced at 60018 kms and also got the wheel alignment and balancing done there itself. Also, I got all the valves replaced. The tyres have 5 year warranty, 2 year unconditional and 3 year pro rata basis (based on treadwear and condition) which the store activated and I got a text on my phone indicating the same.

Tyres cost - Rs. 27800/-
WA&B cost - Rs. 1600/-.
Total expenditure - Rs. 29400/-

I have covered a little over 200 kms since and I have to say that the ride is plusher. I don't feel the potholes and bumps which I used to feel earlier. maybe it is because that the older tyres were showing their age and had become harder. I haven't done any highway runs so cant comment about noise. The grip (wet and dry) and braking seems to be good in city speeds. Once I take it on longer runs, I'll be able to comment on FE, Noise, braking and grip levels.

Current Odo reading is at around 60250 kms.