Kia Carens diesel AT: Initial ownership review & 1st service update

In city conditions, I invariably switch to Eco mode (Normal is default) and as most of the times only 1 - 3 passengers are in the car, I feel the pickup is just fine.

BHPian ant_vas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Got my Carens D AT 1st service done today. Its almost been a month with the car already, Phew! The odo reads only 550 KM so far. Couple of my outstation trip plans didn't materialize so went for the service as its almost a month now.

1st service is a standard affair, they do thorough checks, top up fluids if required and do dry wash for exterior and interior cleaning. I didn't have any issues to report except for some irritating sound from the IRVM. I was informed that it would take 4 hours to get the service done.

I took the available time to ask about My Convenience Plus maintenance plan. When my car was delivered, this maintenance package was not available / offered. I had bought the extended warranty then. Since the My Convenience Plus is exclusively for the Carens, I was very keen on getting this plan sans the extended warranty price that I have already paid. But unfortunately, this plan needs to be purchased within 15 days of delivery and was not available for me.

I asked for an exception as at the time of delivery last month the plan was there/not offered to me. But they couldn't help. I spoke to Kia helpline and they directed me back to the service center. Spoke to almost everyone from service advisor, customer experience manager, sales team lead (who handled my booking) to service GM but they just didn't have that option for me.

I opted for the My Convenience package for 5 years which can be purchased with in the 1st year and paid Rs. 29,199/-. This plan offers pre-paid maintenance along with one of the services like: preventive care, AC care, Fresh Care, Hygiene care. Opted for preventive care. I also get a under body coating which i will get done some other time. So after the 3 free services are over, i will have no worry of the service cost as this package covers that. I will only have to pay for cost of wheel balancing weights and windshield washer liquid charges. If i want to service my car in a different city, I will have to pay a nominal transfer fee though! This plan doesn't include RSA after the default 3 years offered by KIA, but some plans are expected to be launched in a month or so.

If anyone is interested, I can share the My Convenience package details about what all it covers (need to scan the printed document).

If anyone is getting a Carens, I suggest to opt for the My Convenience Plus Luxury package as it offers pan-India coverage for up to 50K service for 5 years and RSA for 4 years along with extended warranty.

Coming to the performance of the Carens:

As I get used to driving an AT, I am starting to enjoy driving the car. In city conditions, I invariably switch to Eco mode (Normal is default) and as most of the times only 1 - 3 passengers are in the car, I feel the pickup is just fine. The MID is an interesting one: It has an overall trip meter, current drive trip meter and since last refuel trip meter which gets automatically reset when you refuel. The TPMS will under-read in comparison to the reading of the pump. The difference is almost 4 psi.

The ventilated seats are welcome, but I am not sure the cooling is adequate. Need to compare it with another Carens to ascertain that there is no issue with my car.

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