Re: “Thunderbolt” XUV 5OO Detailed Review (Decals, Audio, LED, Mods++)
XUV 500, 50k Kms service experience-
1> Check hooter (Reverse Horn)
Hooter Replaced in warranty. The access is VERY difficult. It requires removing the Headlight, which in turn requires Front Grill, Part Bumper, Black design whisker, Wheel well tyre liner to be removed. The cost out of warranty is 2.5K.
2> Purchase new tyres . Or Align, Balance, Rotate if present ones are deemed OK by SVC.
Existing tyres found to be good. Will last other 10~15K Kms as per staff. Got them Flipped, Rotated, Aligned and Balanced. Wheel alignment is free with Certain Steering End rods or something which costs only 450. Tyre flipping charges were a bit High at 250/Tyre. Balancing Charges are 200/Tyre.
Observing other XUVs, all have a common pattern of eating outside rim of Tyre. I don't know if this is a design issue or due to certain worn parts. It happens on all 4 tyres and presumably requires flipping at every service. Experts please chime in.
3> Clean air filter, Cabin AC Filter.
Both replaced. XUV Uses 2 HVAC cabin filters. Both were reeked with dust.
4> "Khat" noise coming from suspension/ Tyre when Turning Left.
Problem solved by replacing steering Ball joint and Rod ends. They arranged the parts for me from some other branch as they were out of stocks.
5> Upgrade or replace infotainment if possible as it Restarted on present trip as well. (It restarts every 2~5 hours randomly)
The Service guys were ready to install a refurbished Silver Box again(3rd time). Which I denied and just asked them to flash latest Firmware. The Update also added new features like “BONNET IS OPEN”, “SEATBELT NOT WORN” alerts in Bold on display. The Map was upgraded to V9.0 and has become much more accurate and sensible. All the saved data is present after update. There were no charges levied for Map update or Firmware update. Its marked as “Warranty” in the job card.
Unfortunately, I met with new gen XUV W10 and Scorpio S10 owners which also suffer niggles regarding Hanging or Restarting Infotainment systems.
6> Replace wiper blades, Front and Back.
Wiper Blades replaced for the cost of about 1.5k for 3 blades. Wipes now are squeaky clean.
8> Use some Mahindra Interior Freshening coupon.
Mahindra uses some Gas canister (Like Room freshener) which is activated and placed inside the vehicle. AC is started in Full blast on re-circulation mode. This apparently sucks the gas where it should go, dis-infecting bacteria and Fungii.
9> Check oils, Suspension etc.
Checks Done. Rear Brake pads still running Factory. Front Brake pads were replaced at 35k kms and are stil good for other 5~10k Kms. Major supension parts were lubricated/Greased. Teflon Tape (White Plumber tape)Was used were slight vibration was noticed.
10> Get rat mesh install
Rat mesh installed nicely for a price of about 1.5k
11> Middle row folding seat does not lock down properly or easily.
Seat adjusted and improvements noticed.
12> Check some Anti-Rust recall Thingy
Some Varnish like spray is put between fender liners, Hood seams, Certain points around engine bay etc. Its a part of Mahindra Recall which I had to remind them.
13>Purcahse extended warranty
Warranty & RSA Purchased for cost of about 30k. Mahindra uses a weird calender system for RSA. Whereas the Warranty starts after expiry of Original warranty and continues for 2 years, the RSA starts TODAY but still expires when extended warranty expires. Which means I paid for 3 years RSA but got benefit of 2.5 Year only. No discounts or price differences were provided for 0.5 Year loss.
It appears Mahindra has officially removed coverage of Clutch/ Brake failures from extended warranty which has be dumbfounded. Feels Mahindra is going Retrograde on reliability issues which are still piling up. Met 3 XUV owners which suffered Sudden clutch failure like mine. One at 70k Kms. Other at little less than 50k Kms.
The cost of Cylinder replacement in cash is about 4.6k. Some people got charges wavied off.
14> Vehicle Rolls when handbrake applied.
Handbrake tightened but still not satisfactory. Vehicle still rolls on slope. The SA advised against making Hand brake too tight as Brake pads may start rubbing.
15> Update Software and Maps.
Software and Maps updated.
