DIYs Done On My 2017 Hyundai Creta (1.6L CRDi)

[anuraagshenoy]

It has been 5 years and 7 months since the Creta came home after selling the older car - Maruti Swift ZDi.

The Creta has clocked 1,24,800 kms so far with no major maintenance works or breakdowns (touchwood!). I along with my friend have done the following DIYs so far on the car. Listed in random order:

List of DIYs/MODS performed:

1. De-badging of 'SX' & 'CRDi' badges
2. Auto-dimming IRVM (from AliExpress)
3. Auto-dimming IRVM from Honda
4. Number plate garnish - Carbon Fibre wrapped
5. Addition of rear spoiler - Initially it was body colour but painted it to Black after a while
6. Brembo Rotors + Pads (OEM Replacement)
7. Dashcam - initially had the Viofo A119S at the front and the DDPai Mini at the rear. Recently updated the same to Viofo A229 Duo.
8. Blanking the EGR Valve
9. Noodle mats
10. Glove box felt lining
11. Footwell lighting
12. Glove box lighting
13. Hood Gas struts
14. HID Retrofit - Morimoto D2S 4.0 Stage III kit
15. Hood Insulation addition
16. Auto-folding ORVM retrofit
17. Power window switch illumination
18. Puddle lamps
19. LED Swap - Interior lights (Cabin and Boot)
20. LED Swap - Tail lights + Brake lights
21. Dual brake light MOD
22. LED Swap - Reverse Light
23. LED Swap - HMSL
24. LED Swap - Indicators
25. The rear reflector was swapped to LEDs
26. TPMS addition
27. Conversion from Drum to Disc brakes

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DIY - Debadging: It was one of the simplest DIYs done on the car so far:

'SX' & 'CRDi' badges were removed.


Colgate dental floss


Used dental floss and some muscle power

• After removing the badges, used 100% isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue of the stickers from the body.

Badges removed


Another angle

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY Retrofit - Auto Dimming IRVM (from AliExpress)

I had done this modification in my previous car, i.e., Maruti Swift ZDi, and wanted the same on my Creta, so I ordered it from AliExpress.

What I paid

The IRVM, the wire concealer trim and a user manual


Stock IRVM - Day/Night flip lever type


Stock IRVM mounted on the windshield


Using the Torx bit, remove the screw and pull the IRVM backward to free it from the windshield mount


TX-15 bit


IRVM removed, showing the mount attached to the windshield


The new Auto-dimming IRVM installed


Installed and powered using fuse tap cable


OEM vs Auto-dimming IRVM


Fuse chosen in the box for powering the IRVM using a fuse-tap cable (low-profile Mini type). Wanted the fuse to be powered ONLY when the ignition is ON

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY Retrofit - Auto Dimming IRVM (Honda IRVM)

After using the AliExpress IRVM for almost 4.5 years, I got the Honda's auto-dimming IRVM i.e. the one provided as OEM in the 6th generation of the Honda City. Feels premium with no buttons or LEDs on the unit fascia and also mimicking the frameless design of the likes of VW.

I received this as a gift from my close friend (Ashton Raymond) after he had done the exact retrofit in his 1st Gen Swift VXi.

OEM Part Number of Honda


Part Details + Price


The IRVM


Another angle


Windshield-facing light sensor


The windshield mount is similar to what Hyundai provides hence was a direct fit in my car


The coupler


Mounted on the windshield and connected to the power source


Side angle view

• I have been using this IRVM in my car for almost 1 year now and it is one of the best MODS I have done.
• To be frank, it was crazy for Honda to sell this IRVM at such a low price of just ₹422. It feels so premium and doesn't feel like it was developed for a C-segment car.
• It is functioning reliably with the auto dimming function on-the-spot.

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY - Carbon Fibre Wrap for the Number Plate Chrome Garnish strip

I prefer minimal chrome on the car so wanted to paint this black but found a cheaper alternative on Amazon India. CF wrapping sheet so bought it and did the same since it was easier and reversible (if required)

OE Chrome Garnish strip


CF Wrap sheet from Amazon


Boot cladding removed to access the screws that hold the chrome garnish strip


The chrome garnish strip removed (got the chance to clean that area which is in-accessible otherwise)


Chrome strip placed aside


Tabs that hold the camera and boot release part on the chrome strip


Screws holding the camera mounting plastic trim


The reverse camera and boot opening switch were removed from the strip for easy working during the wrapping stage


Heat gun + knife used


WIP


Wrapped and ready to be refit


Refitting done


Full car view post wrap

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY Retrofit - Rear Spoiler

Just another cosmetic addition, nothing else. While I wanted the rear spoiler, I didn't want to drill holes in the body hence went searching for something that can mount using clamps matching the body colour.

Clamps to mount the spoiler on the boot lid. Additionally, the base of the spoiler has a 3M VHB stickers strip for extra anchoring


OE Look


OE Look - Side view


Rear spoiler mounted


Another angle

• After a while, felt like I needed a change and would be great to repaint the spoiler in 'Black'. Removed it from the car and handed it over to the painter at the FNG which I visit regularly.

Repainted black and refitting done on the car


Another angle of the rear spoiler in Black

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY Retrofit - Brembo Rotors + Pads

• With not-so-great braking, I felt the car needed some better-stopping power. The issue mainly was spongy pedal-feel and improper feedback during braking.
• Found a reputed seller for Brembo brakes in India (United Motors, Chennai). Ordered the set from them and did the DIY job at the FNG.
• These are OE replacement with no ground-breaking changes done to the system but after the swap, I felt that the pedal response was better and slightly on the sharper side.
• While carrying out this modification, the odometer reading was around 18,000 km.

Rotor - 09.A532.20 = OE size for the Creta


Unpacked


Pads - P 18 025 = These were the first set that I used from Brembo's. They were slightly smaller and not covering the rotor surface fully


Pads with clips


Stanley 1/2" socket set used for the DIY


Raised the car using floor jack first then mounted the jack stands under


Car on the jack stand


OR Rotor and pads


Caliper with bleed screw ahead


OE Pad springs - These are provided by Hyundai so the wear and tear is reduced. The pads move away from the rotor as soon as the pressure is released helping the pad life to be increased


New Brembo rotors installed


With Brembo pads installed


Spanner and socket handle plus caliper grease

• During the routine pad change, the seller informed me that there is a new pad for the Creta with the correct dimensions for the rotors that are in use. I purchased the same since it was time for a new set anyway.
• I ran the OEM pads for ~18,000 kms (P 18 025) after that I bought the replacement pads (P 30 070) when the odometer was at 1,01,618 kms.

New Pads - P 30 070


Old Pads vs New


Old vs New


C-Clamp used to push the piston back during pad change


Every ~30,000 kms, I have changed the brake fluid in the car and also greased the caliper pins for longer life. I've used TVS-Girling DOT 4 brake fluid and TVS-Girling caliper grease sachets purchased from Boodmo.

• Odometer at the time of the above pad replacement was 1,01,618 kms. Pretty happy with the life 83,6xx kms for both city and highway driving cycle.

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY Retrofit - Dashcam

• I feel this is a must-have accessory in all cars running on our roads for safety reasons. I had the Viofo A119S to record what happens at the front of the car and the DDPai Mini to record what happens at the rear of the car.
• I purchased both these dashcam's from AliExpress for a great price.

Viofo A119 S - For the front


The camera unit - Classic Viofo style wedge shaped


Mounted on the windshield, just behind the IRVM


Another angle


DDPai Mini + Hardwiring kit


Package contents


The Camera unit


The power wire for the DDPai Mini dashcam


Camera installed on the HMSL cover.


Rear camera - View from outside


DDPai Bluetooth remote installed

• After selling the two dashcams, I wanted a dual-channel setup rather than having two individual camera's doing the same. It was easier to install and manage. I decided to go with the Viofo A229 Duo.
  
  
• Have a full-blown detailed thread on the DIY. Please check it out.

Viofo A229 Duo + Viofo HK4 Hardwiring Kit + Viofo CPL Filter + SanDisk Extreme Pro (128GB) SD card


The front camera unit installed and powered:


Rear camera unit installed, wiring secured and connected:

 

[anuraagshenoy]

EGR valve blanking

• Ordered the blanking plate + gasket set from eBay. It was a direct fit for the 1.6L CRDi engine.

The Kit received


One steel plate with two gaskets to be placed on either side of the metal plate for a proper seal


EGR Valve


EGR Valve coupler disconnected


W.I.P


The location where the blanking was done


Arranging the gaskets before fitting


OEM EGR valve metal gasket


Blanking done

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY - Noodle Mats

• Since delivery, I was using the fabric mats provided by Hyundai. They were smaller with lesser floor coverage and also prone to getting wet and soiled. Decided to get noodle mats from 3M but they were too costly for the Creta. Hence decided to buy it from the local stores where these are sold in bulk. I purchased a large roll for both my car as well as my DIY partner's car.

Noodle mat roll


WIP - Used the overall shape of the OEM mat. My cutting skills are crude, yes, but it has served the purpose so far.


Driver's side


Passengers side


Rear right passenger side


Rear left passenger side


Central hump area

• This a pretty easy and less time-consuming DIY this was. Makes life a lot easier when cleaning the interiors and also helps trap dirt and water during the rainy season.
• The base of this mat is thick hence doesn't let water or dust reach the actual floor carpet.

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY - Glove Box Felt Lining

• Having rattles from the glove box is a pretty common problem most users face. To arrest this either that item is to be removed or has to be wrapped so it stays silent. Watching a DIY on felt lining the glove box, I decided to repeat the same on my car's glove box.

Went to the same location where I had purchased the noodle mats for this felt lining. Purchased the whole roll at a great price so we could replicate the same in each of our cars.


The felt material - Soft and matches the colour of the glove box plus the rest of the dashboard's lower area


The whole roll spread out - 27 sqft


Glove box full of items


Glove box - Emptied


Press from outside at the marked location to remove the glove box from the top-stopper bush


Remove the two pins as highlighted to free the glove box from the dashboard


The Glove box removed


Used newspaper to trace out the shape before cutting the felt lining material


All pieces were placed on the felt lining for tracing out - All sides covered


Tracing done


The area marked with the chalk to be cut to accommodate the crease in the glove box facilitating to remove it from the top bush


Test fitting before glue is applied


Glue was applied and held down using clips overnight


After 8 hours, this is the final outcome


Fevicol gum plus the blade used for cutting the felt lining material


Roller used for even pressure application after glue was spread out

• After the glove box, the next rattling point is the cup holders. I didn't glue it but cut the shape of the cup holders and placed the felt lining inside it so I can remove the lining and clean it when required

Cup holders - Emptied and cleaned


Cut the felt lining material to the required shape as much as I could and placed the lining inside

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY - Footwell Lighting

• Another modification that was done for cosmetic purposes that were carried forward from my earlier car. I had access to commercially available footwell lighting sold commonly on Amazon or regular car accessories i.e. the ones with changing light as per music or static which was controlled using a remote.
• I used only the LED strip casing that was enclosed in a plastic housing with almost weatherproof end connections.

Commercially available footwell lighting


The highlighted part from the kit was NOT used in this modification


LED used in this modification - I did carry forward the leftover from my Swift's footwell lighting MOD


Chocolate block connector used to connect all 4 individual wires


Used the part for the LED to be stuck inside the cabin


Zip ties


Wire stripper


Cabin light (equipped with the theatre-dimming feature) - Push to open the sunglass holder to gain access to the screws holding the cabin light


Remove the screws to free it from the headliner mount


Two connectors that need to be unplugged - Bluetooth Mic and Light connector


The 'under-side' of the cabin light - Points highlighted on the image where two wires can be soldered for the footwell lighting to work in unison with the cabin light or IF required to be operated individually


Soldering the wires onto the cabin light


Soldered and used butt connectors at the other end for easy connection


A 'dual-core' wire was fished through the headliner, through the left A-pillar and down to the front passenger footwell where all the wiring would meet. Crimped the butt connectors to the new dual-core wires and connected it to the cabin light


Now solder the wiring to the individual LED strips

• After soldering all 4 wires individually, we tested them for functioning and once it was as required, we passed all 4 LED strips to the individual casings and routed all the wires to meet near the front passenger side footwell

Driver's side LED strip stuck on the crash pad


Front passenger side LED strip stuck under the glove box trim - Doesn't affect glove box operation or get obstructed


Rear left passenger LED strip stuck to the seat rails - Seat movement isn't a problem


Rear right passenger LED strip stuck to the seat rails - Seat movement isn't a problem


All 4 wires of individual footwell's meet near the passenger side footwell to get connected to the 'dual-core wire' that was dropped from the cabin light


Wiring diagram showing the way the connections have been made to accomplish this modification


Images - Lighting output

Driver's side


Front passenger side


Rear left passenger side


Rear right passenger side


All the lights ON

 

[anuraagshenoy]

DIY - Glove box Lighting

• Since the wiring was ready and routed in place thanks to the 'footwell lighting' modification done earlier, this minor modification was easy to be done. I used the same LED strip that was left over just enough for this modification.
• I wanted the illumination to work ONLY when the glove box was opened and NOT always ON type hence used a small 'Push-to-OFF' type switch inside the glove box to activate the LED.

2-pin Push to OFF switch


Wiring prepared outside and tested before connection and routing


There is a rubber grommet in place that I removed and mounted this switch. The glove box lid pushes the switch inwards to turn OFF the LED


LED in action

 

[anuraagshenoy]

Gas struts for the Hood

• This was the first modification done on the car as soon as I got it in hand. Pretty straightforward as it was a 'plug and play' type.
• Since the Creta is sold in Russian markets with the name ix25, getting accessories was easier when eBay and AliExpress were functional and shipping to India without any issues.

Ordered on eBay


The packing


The pair of Struts


Bottom clamps


Top clamps


M8 studs and fasteners


Undo the bolt (marked in the image) to mount the top clamp


Undo the bolt and black screw to mount the bottom clamp


Top clamp added


Bottom clamp added


M8 stud added to the top clamp


M8 stud added to the bottom clamps


Strut connected to the bottom clamp


Strut connected to the top clamp


Hood in service position with the help of the struts - Close up


Hood is held in the service position with the help of the struts


As highlighted in the image below, the part of the foam has to be cut since the strut body rests there when the hood is closed

 

[anuraagshenoy]

Hood Insulation

• Another cosmetic addition that serves no major purpose to the performance of the car. I wanted to address the 'bare' look when the hood was raised. Hyundai could at least provide some kind of insulation under the hood at least for cosmetic sake but Hyundai being Hyundai decided to leave it exposed. Not a deal breaker but doesn't look 'eye-pleasing' when the hood is up. Thanks to AliExpress, I got this part for a decent price.

The packaging for the hood insulation


The hood insulation


Fasteners provided in the package


The Insulation - is spread open on the engine bay


Hood side layer


Holes in the hood where the fasteners will be inserted to hold it down


Holes pre-drilled in the insulation matching the holes on the hood


Before installation


After the installation of the insulation


Fastener close up holding the insulation to the hood

• I have removed that aluminium sheet that was stuck and kept it bare and uniform.
• It has been well over 5 years and 1,00,000+ kms with this insulation installed in the engine bay. No issues or sagging problems I have encountered so far.

 

[anuraagshenoy]

ORVM - Auto Folding

• Wanted this function from the factory but Hyundai never gave it in the initial years of Creta so I decided to add it myself with the help of a plug-and-play kit.

KMH Brand - Auto folding relay kit for Creta


Drivers side door pad - Needs to be removed for relay installation


Door pad removed


Close up


Added two Scotch lock connectors as recommended in the installation manual


ORVM coupler connected to the relay box


Relay box mounting position - Should not obstruct the closing of the door pad when refitting


All wires were neatly secured and the relay box was mounted in position using 3M VHB tape