Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXI: Upgraded ICE, Tires, Lights & now Seats

ghodlur · 21st July 2010, 08:13

Shaju,

Its unbelievable that the odo was reading 5600 kms during the third service, which means you have a monthly running of less than 500 kms. No wonder you beast looks spotlessly clean from inside and outside.
I agree with you for going in for a service at such low odo readings as the warranty depends heavily at regular servicing and that too from authorized dealer.
Just one question though, how come the labour cost is almost same as the material cost.
Now that the third service is done, its time to take the car for a long drive.

shajufx · 21st July 2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghodlur

how come the labour cost is almost same as the material cost.....Now that the third service is done, its time to take the car for a long drive.

Thats what made me post previously about a serious consideration to get things done from service centers whom we know and close to home. Its not my first time to see the labour charges like this, previously reported left-door change had the same situation.

Thinking loud, how much does it cost to change oil filter and air filter and pour some engine oil ? If I watch someone do it, I would do it myself from that day, I bet, its easier than driving a car. Issue is, 99% of the time we are scared to touch things because we are made to believe things will go wrong and warranty would be void.

Remember those Ambassador days ? Our grand parents used to change everything except the engine !!

And they used to drive around places where no roads existed carrying more than 8 people without issues.

nairrk · 21st July 2010, 14:15

You are correct shaju. However in modern cars, you can see that the engine compartment is full of items/products fixed here and there (even very difficult to put a hand inside freely?). But in comparison, older Ambys engine compartment is almost empty

and you can find enough space inside the bonnet?

Anyway, my car is also due for 3rd service (ofcourse still some more time as the due is sometime in end september 2010) but the car has done only 5500 kms so far . I dont know how much I can push further before the service. Like you, I take the car out only for long drives or for some family function etc hence the poor odo running/

shajufx · 21st July 2010, 14:41

Nairji, having a lower ODO is a great gift you are giving to the people around you and the mother nature. Do you doubt it ? So, I am very clear about my usages, I take it out only when the family is with me, or I have to pick up or drop someone to the airport or stations with luggage. No more jolly rides.

What change we need is the policy of manufacturers and dealers who want to fix a date for service than the ODO reading. Infact it should be the ODO reading as long as there are no other major issues with the drive.

My next service is already scheduled by these guys for 15600 kms or 20th Jan 2010 whichever comes first. I have done 5600 kms in 1 year, how in the world I will do 10000 kms in the next 6 months ? See what I mean. So, they make sure they get their income on fixed intervals, hell with the customer. Dont you guys think it should be the other way ?

Fordmanchau · 21st July 2010, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajufx

My next service is already scheduled by these guys for 15600 kms or 20th Jan 2010 whichever comes first. I have done 5600 kms in 1 year, how in the world I will do 10000 kms in the next 6 months ? See what I mean.

You mean 2011??
hehe!! thats the same thing that happened with me. Gave my Ikon for 3rd(1-yr) service with odo reading at 4706km.

The next service due is in August 1st week now and I have driven more than 5300kms in this 6 months. A little consolation but it helps. I think normally 10k Kms in 6 months is not possible. Exceptions will be there.

Gilead · 21st July 2010, 15:21

shaju, oil starts losing its lubricating properties after a few months irrespective of how many kms you run. That's why it's best to get it changed at 6 months even if your running is low.

Same with tires. You would need to think about changing them in about 4 years even if you have done only about 25K kms. They will get hard even if they haven't run much.

shajufx · 21st July 2010, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

You mean 2011??.....I think normally 10k Kms in 6 months is not possible. Exceptions will be there.

Sorry for the typo, its definitely 2011

. Covering 10k in 6 months is not a big deal if your job is such. I know people doing more than that in 6 months. For me its just an average of 500 kms a month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilead

shaju, oil starts losing its lubricating properties after a few months irrespective of how many kms you run......Same with tires.

Thanks for that info, I sincerely have no clue about such things.

nairrk · 21st July 2010, 16:34

Shaju - correctly said, I dont like to drive the car unnecessarily to increase the ODO reading. Atleast I got this odo reading because of my long runs like one to Bangalore, then Chennai and also couple of Guruvayur trips. The latest long trip was to Calicut Airport -about 350kms two ways. It is always convenient to use 2 wheelers for shopping and short rides etc.
Anyway, couple of long drives are in the mind, after the monsoon and thereby I can take the odo of my fiesta to some more decent reading but definitely not 10000 before next servicing.!
But the fact is that the Vehicles are for supposed to Run and not to keep idle for long!

sanjayc · 21st July 2010, 17:56

Shaju, a few more like you and Ford will be out of business;-}

Also note that it is not only a question of changing oil levels...if you see the checklist there are dozens of other stuff, from minor to major, they need to check...actually all the checklist items are carried out diligently or not, is debatable.

Your friendly neighbourhood spiderman can/will only repair already damaged stuff...if they also need to carry out an exhaustive preventive checks, the labor charges will start mimicing a.s.s

Boss, you are vital clog in the entire auto economy..if you take yourself out from this chain, this entire chain will collapse.

On a side note, going by your low usage, are u carrying out some of the mfgr recommendations like occassionly driving at above 3K rpm for few secs, using the a/c at least for few mins every week etc etc??

unni.ak · 21st July 2010, 18:10

Rs2400/- including labor and parts, and we hear that Ford is expensive to maintain! I too think that the labor costs can be brought down a bit more, but then for a normal service this doesn't seem to be too high.

Its time for a another trip I guess!!

shajufx · 21st July 2010, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by nairrk

Vehicles are supposed to Run and not to keep idle for long!

Its as close as 'we are born to eat and drink' !

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjayc

are u carrying out some of the mfgr recommendations like occassionly driving at above 3K rpm for few secs, using the a/c at least for few mins every week etc etc??

That was a rocking post Sanju ! Yes I follow every rule in the books available with a Ford logo.

Please dont think the vehicle is as idle as its discussed here. Taking a daily average of the total 5600 kms, its 15kms per day, which is equal to a person who works close to home. AC is always ON whenever the engine is running regardless of the climate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unni.ak

...for a normal service this doesn't seem to be too high....Its time for a another trip I guess!!

Yes, remembering a Rs.500 cut-throat rate what Nexus charged me for a jump start within 100 meters of their service centre (wagonR), this is peanuts ! A full washing and interior vacuum costs Rs.300 these days. So, I cant complain. Yes its time to drive out of town, I am waiting for your time.

sanjayc · 21st July 2010, 20:53

Whatever happened to the Chennai trip? Sexy weather in Chennai nowadays. Or maybe you should come over to one of these MMSC PnP sessions..quite a few bangy guys turn up during these meets! Maybe we Fiestians can organize a mini PnP session! And I also think you can recover the cost of the trip by doing a pro photoshoot on your DSLR.

Thinking aloud, a trip on the track may be a good idea to recover the EW money..if something is bound to fail, it will, on the gruelling track (apart from Gilead of course, who was perfectly ok on the track but hit a bike on the road while returning)...otherwise with normal usage, as warranty goes for any stuff, it has a knack of failing the day after the warranty expires;-}
====
If not for the 4K trip to cal and another 1k to blr, I would have covered only 3K by now..my avg/day distance covered is 6-7 kms. Odo currently at 7.4K

unni.ak · 21st July 2010, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by shajufx

Yes its time to drive out of town, I am waiting for your time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjayc

Whatever happened to the Chennai trip? Sexy weather in Chennai nowadays.

Come August and I'll have more time in hand. We'll plan one for sure.

shajufx · 21st July 2010, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjayc

....with normal usage, as warranty goes for any stuff, it has a knack of failing the day after the warranty expires

Very true and it happens without fail be it an automobile or an electric/electronic gadget. Anyway, my EW is still not done from 3rd year, yet to think about it and decide.

OT: We will surely visit Chennai for a photo shoot hopefully within the next 45 days. I have more reasons to come there now.

nairrk · 22nd July 2010, 09:41

@shaju, Unni - if your next plans are for Chennai, plse let me know.
+
@shaju - EW from 3rd year - you still have plenty of time for this ( you just completed the 3rd service?). And by the end of 2nd year (original ford warranty period), you can decide whether to go for the extra mileage or stick to your neighbour mechanic??

21st July 2010, 08:13	#871
ghodlur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,230 Thanked: 4,721 Times View My Garage	Shaju, Its unbelievable that the odo was reading 5600 kms during the third service, which means you have a monthly running of less than 500 kms. No wonder you beast looks spotlessly clean from inside and outside. I agree with you for going in for a service at such low odo readings as the warranty depends heavily at regular servicing and that too from authorized dealer. Just one question though, how come the labour cost is almost same as the material cost. Now that the third service is done, its time to take the car for a long drive.
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 14:15	#873
nairrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kannur Posts: 2,446 Thanked: 687 Times View My Garage	You are correct shaju. However in modern cars, you can see that the engine compartment is full of items/products fixed here and there (even very difficult to put a hand inside freely?). But in comparison, older Ambys engine compartment is almost empty and you can find enough space inside the bonnet? Anyway, my car is also due for 3rd service (ofcourse still some more time as the due is sometime in end september 2010) but the car has done only 5500 kms so far . I dont know how much I can push further before the service. Like you, I take the car out only for long drives or for some family function etc hence the poor odo running/
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 14:41	#874
shajufx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,808 Thanked: 832 Times View My Garage	Nairji, having a lower ODO is a great gift you are giving to the people around you and the mother nature. Do you doubt it ? So, I am very clear about my usages, I take it out only when the family is with me, or I have to pick up or drop someone to the airport or stations with luggage. No more jolly rides. What change we need is the policy of manufacturers and dealers who want to fix a date for service than the ODO reading. Infact it should be the ODO reading as long as there are no other major issues with the drive. My next service is already scheduled by these guys for 15600 kms or 20th Jan 2010 whichever comes first. I have done 5600 kms in 1 year, how in the world I will do 10000 kms in the next 6 months ? See what I mean. So, they make sure they get their income on fixed intervals, hell with the customer. Dont you guys think it should be the other way ?
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 15:21	#876
Gilead Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,142 Thanked: 60 Times	shaju, oil starts losing its lubricating properties after a few months irrespective of how many kms you run. That's why it's best to get it changed at 6 months even if your running is low. Same with tires. You would need to think about changing them in about 4 years even if you have done only about 25K kms. They will get hard even if they haven't run much.
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 16:34	#878
nairrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kannur Posts: 2,446 Thanked: 687 Times View My Garage	Shaju - correctly said, I dont like to drive the car unnecessarily to increase the ODO reading. Atleast I got this odo reading because of my long runs like one to Bangalore, then Chennai and also couple of Guruvayur trips. The latest long trip was to Calicut Airport -about 350kms two ways. It is always convenient to use 2 wheelers for shopping and short rides etc. Anyway, couple of long drives are in the mind, after the monsoon and thereby I can take the odo of my fiesta to some more decent reading but definitely not 10000 before next servicing.! But the fact is that the Vehicles are for supposed to Run and not to keep idle for long!
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 17:56	#879
sanjayc BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 953 Thanked: 8 Times	Shaju, a few more like you and Ford will be out of business;-} Also note that it is not only a question of changing oil levels...if you see the checklist there are dozens of other stuff, from minor to major, they need to check...actually all the checklist items are carried out diligently or not, is debatable. Your friendly neighbourhood spiderman can/will only repair already damaged stuff...if they also need to carry out an exhaustive preventive checks, the labor charges will start mimicing a.s.s Boss, you are vital clog in the entire auto economy..if you take yourself out from this chain, this entire chain will collapse. On a side note, going by your low usage, are u carrying out some of the mfgr recommendations like occassionly driving at above 3K rpm for few secs, using the a/c at least for few mins every week etc etc??
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 18:10	#880
unni.ak BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 777 Thanked: 84 Times View My Garage	Rs2400/- including labor and parts, and we hear that Ford is expensive to maintain! I too think that the labor costs can be brought down a bit more, but then for a normal service this doesn't seem to be too high. Its time for a another trip I guess!!
	() Thanks

21st July 2010, 20:53	#882
sanjayc BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 953 Thanked: 8 Times	Whatever happened to the Chennai trip? Sexy weather in Chennai nowadays. Or maybe you should come over to one of these MMSC PnP sessions..quite a few bangy guys turn up during these meets! Maybe we Fiestians can organize a mini PnP session! And I also think you can recover the cost of the trip by doing a pro photoshoot on your DSLR. Thinking aloud, a trip on the track may be a good idea to recover the EW money..if something is bound to fail, it will, on the gruelling track (apart from Gilead of course, who was perfectly ok on the track but hit a bike on the road while returning)...otherwise with normal usage, as warranty goes for any stuff, it has a knack of failing the day after the warranty expires;-} ==== If not for the 4K trip to cal and another 1k to blr, I would have covered only 3K by now..my avg/day distance covered is 6-7 kms. Odo currently at 7.4K Last edited by sanjayc : 21st July 2010 at 20:56.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 09:41	#885
nairrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kannur Posts: 2,446 Thanked: 687 Times View My Garage	@shaju, Unni - if your next plans are for Chennai, plse let me know. + @shaju - EW from 3rd year - you still have plenty of time for this ( you just completed the 3rd service?). And by the end of 2nd year (original ford warranty period), you can decide whether to go for the extra mileage or stick to your neighbour mechanic??
	() Thanks