Honda Amaze VX i-DTEC Ownership Review

[ImVicky]

Hi Vichu,

This is Vicky from Chennai, I've been following your thread for quite a while now.
I must admit that it has been really informative and useful. A big thanks toyou

I've been owning the VX-MT diesel variant of Amaze for around 2 years and 10 months with a mileage of 42K km. I got my 40K service done at Trichy svc in the mid of March.
During which the service adviser had informed me that there's a slight engine oil leak from my vehicle and the root cause of which can only be identified if the engine is removed from the car and thoroughly inspected (which would take a week's time).
He told me that it's safe to drive for 5K km, after the service delivery since the leakage is minimal and had advised me to get it checked at the earliest.
I cannot see the leakage visually though (under the car), I do a regular check of the engine oil level as well now, thanks to the dip stick. I don't find the level to be dropped till now.

Now that I've done 2K km upon service, I'm planning to make a trip to Kerala by the end of May so thought of taking my vehicle for an inspection(repair if required) at the Chennai svc. Prior to the visit, I thought of educating myself thru the response from you and our fellow members!!

Thanks in advance

 

[vishnu vichu]

Hi Vichu,

This is Vicky from Chennai, I've been following your thread for quite a while now.
I must admit that it has been really informative and useful. A big thanks toyou

I've been owning the VX-MT diesel variant of Amaze for around 2 years and 10 months with a mileage of 42K km. I got my 40K service done at Trichy svc in the mid of March.
During which the service adviser had informed me that there's a slight engine oil leak from my vehicle and the root cause of which can only be identified if the engine is removed from the car and thoroughly inspected (which would take a week's time).
He told me that it's safe to drive for 5K km, after the service delivery since the leakage is minimal and had advised me to get it checked at the earliest.
I cannot see the leakage visually though (under the car), I do a regular check of the engine oil level as well now, thanks to the dip stick. I don't find the level to be dropped till now.

Now that I've done 2K km upon service, I'm planning to make a trip to Kerala by the end of May so thought of taking my vehicle for an inspection(repair if required) at the Chennai svc. Prior to the visit, I thought of educating myself thru the response from you and our fellow members!!

Thanks in advance

Thanks a lot Vicky :)

Sorry for being so late, was on bed rest after a slight fall, coming to the point.

If there is no visual leak and no oil level decrease in dip stick how the hell did the service adviser came to know about it ?

Removing the engine from the car is a tiresome and big process which needs patience , efficiency and a lot of bushes to be changed. I won't recommend to go for that at least considering the odo.

From where is the leak as per the adviser ?

 

[deville_56]

Never heard of removing engine to fix leak. Get someone competent enough to find the leak. May be some worn out packing.

 

[ImVicky]

Thanks a lot Vicky :)

Sorry for being so late, was on bed rest after a slight fall, coming to the point.

If there is no visual leak and no oil level decrease in dip stick how the hell did the service adviser came to know about it ?

Removing the engine from the car is a tiresome and big process which needs patience , efficiency and a lot of bushes to be changed. I won't recommend to go for that at least considering the odo.

From where is the leak as per the adviser ?

Thanks for responding bro!! Hope you are doing good now?!

At the time of service the oil levels had dropped than the usual level, visually the service person couldnt identify any leaks I believe that's when he suggested of this option to remove the engine and inspect. I'm clueless either, let me also get an opinion from the Honda Chennai svc in the coming week. Will keep you posted!

Thanks again bro

Never heard of removing engine to fix leak. Get someone competent enough to find the leak. May be some worn out packing.

Thanks for responding! Yeah I was not satisfied with the service person for some reason. As you said, I'll better get it checked at a different place and update you folks!

 

[Punar Singh]

Has anyone heard about/used the Rogerab car accessory?

It is a Mechanical Suspension Modulator made of polyether material which is fitted as a packing in the spring coil of the car suspension? Here is a URL

Buy Amaze Rogerab online - Roger Motors

Do you think it will be effective..?? My motive of thinking about these is only to reduce the 'thud-thud' noise when car hits small pot holes on road?

Do you think it is adequately priced?

 

[vishnu vichu]

Thanks for responding bro!! Hope you are doing good now?!

At the time of service the oil levels had dropped than the usual level, visually the service person couldnt identify any leaks I believe that's when he suggested of this option to remove the engine and inspect. I'm clueless either, let me also get an opinion from the Honda Chennai svc in the coming week. Will keep you posted!

Thanks again bro

Yes, I'm all good !!

Slight decrease in oil level is always usual. That's why it's always recommended to check oil level using dip stick.

Do get it properly inspected from another authorized Service centre .

Has anyone heard about/used the Rogerab car accessory?

It is a Mechanical Suspension Modulator made of polyether material which is fitted as a packing in the spring coil of the car suspension? Here is a URL

Buy Amaze Rogerab online - Roger Motors

Do you think it will be effective..?? My motive of thinking about these is only to reduce the 'thud-thud' noise when car hits small pot holes on road?

Do you think it is adequately priced?

Yes Have heard of the same product many times!!

A lot of member's from the Amaze Facebook group have tried it. They are saying it's good and will reduce the thud-thud noise, but a few of the recently installed customers are not happy too.

I won't personally recommend this , it's just my opinion :)

 

[ImVicky]

Yes, I'm all good !!

Slight decrease in oil level is always usual. That's why it's always recommended to check oil level using dip stick.

Do get it properly inspected from another authorized Service centre .


Yes Have heard of the same product many times!!

A lot of member's from the Amaze Facebook group have tried it. They are saying it's good and will reduce the thud-thud noise, but a few of the recently installed customers are not happy too.

I won't personally recommend this , it's just my opinion :)

Hi Vichu - Got my vehicle checked in a different service center today. Here goes the result,

From the initial observation, the service person informed me that there was slight engine oil leak observed near the gearbox side. On further inspection he confirmed me that the 'Vacuum pump O-Ring' has worn out and that is causing the leakage.

He advised me to get it replaced (cost of which is around Rs. 750/-) but the stock was not available at the service station and would take about 10-15 days to get it from Gurgaon, if i confirm for it.

Asked him if the vehicle is good to be taken out for around 1500+ kms drive next week without the replacement for which he said it should be fine since the leak is minimal.

Your thoughts please?!

 

[vishnu vichu]

Hi Vichu - Got my vehicle checked in a different service center today. Here goes the result,

From the initial observation, the service person informed me that there was slight engine oil leak observed near the gearbox side. On further inspection he confirmed me that the 'Vacuum pump O-Ring' has worn out and that is causing the leakage.

He advised me to get it replaced (cost of which is around Rs. 750/-) but the stock was not available at the service station and would take about 10-15 days to get it from Gurgaon, if i confirm for it.

Asked him if the vehicle is good to be taken out for around 1500+ kms drive next week without the replacement for which he said it should be fine since the leak is minimal.

Your thoughts please?!

Thank God, a much better reply compared to the previous inspection.

Try to get the part number of the product and inquire all nearest Service centers for the availability of the product, and if not finding one get your order placed asap.

Did you ask about how long will the process take and labor details and all ?

 

[ImVicky]

Thank God, a much better reply compared to the previous inspection.

Try to get the part number of the product and inquire all nearest Service centers for the availability of the product, and if not finding one get your order placed asap.

Did you ask about how long will the process take and labor details and all ?

Inquired at all service centers in Chennai bro, looks like none of them have it in stock, I believe it is currently unavailable at the Noida or Gurgaon center from where it usually gets dispatched across the country.

Replacement process ideally takes around 4-5 hrs minimum i guess, lot of stuffs to be removed in order to reach the vacuum pump and fix (Unlike my first post, the engine is not required to be removed from the vehicle for fixing this).

Including the labor it should cost somewhere around Rs. 1000/-

Vehicle can continue to be driven as before although a regular check of the oil level alone was advised till i get this fixed.

 

[vishnu vichu]

Inquired at all service centers in Chennai bro, looks like none of them have it in stock, I believe it is currently unavailable at the Noida or Gurgaon center from where it usually gets dispatched across the country.

Replacement process ideally takes around 4-5 hrs minimum i guess, lot of stuffs to be removed in order to reach the vacuum pump and fix (Unlike my first post, the engine is not required to be removed from the vehicle for fixing this).

Including the labor it should cost somewhere around Rs. 1000/-

Vehicle can continue to be driven as before although a regular check of the oil level alone was advised till i get this fixed.

Great, book your part and keep an eye on your oil level

Do update us with the part arrival and prior change !!

 

[Punar Singh]

Tire Change
Completing 2 Years 5 Months and 52K+ kms, it seems it is time that my Amaze IDtech needs a tire change now. Additionally, two tires developed punctures in the side wall due to which I had to use them with a tube to buy more time before I changed them.. Now I can feel the wear of the tires and planning an change sometime in the next 2 weeks.

One of my cousin works in the sales team of Michelin and is suggesting Energy XM2 185-70 R14… What are your views?

Brake Pad and Shoes
In every forum I have come across people having issues with their brake pads wearing off very soon but I seem to be facing some sort of magic… It has been 52k+ kms and I am still running stock brake pads!!! As I drive a lot on highways, I try to be extra cautious about the tires and brakes and every time I voluntarily ask the service guy to check if the pads need replacement and he says they are good. Though till now I have twice got the brake pads removed and rubbed on sand paper to remove the carbon deposit and the ASS also did the skimming of the disc once. Even during my last service at ASS (44K kms) I asked the guy to check and he said that they are good to go till the next service!!

But now I have decided that I will change the brake pads and the brake shoes(rear) whatever the ASS says. I just have a few doubts Should I get this done at the ASS or aftermarket as there is a huge difference in the cost? Which brand should I choose if I go for aftermarket?

 

[vishnu vichu]

Tire Change
Completing 2 Years 5 Months and 52K+ kms, it seems it is time that my Amaze IDtech needs a tire change now. Additionally, two tires developed punctures in the side wall due to which I had to use them with a tube to buy more time before I changed them.. Now I can feel the wear of the tires and planning an change sometime in the next 2 weeks.

One of my cousin works in the sales team of Michelin and is suggesting Energy XM2 185-70 R14… What are your views?

Stock tire size is 175-65-14 and i would suggest you to go for 185-60-14. That would be the best upsize. Michelin Xm2 are overall good tire. Less rolling resistance and increased comfort levels.

Brake Pad and Shoes
In every forum I have come across people having issues with their brake pads wearing off very soon but I seem to be facing some sort of magic… It has been 52k+ kms and I am still running stock brake pads!!! As I drive a lot on highways, I try to be extra cautious about the tires and brakes and every time I voluntarily ask the service guy to check if the pads need replacement and he says they are good. Though till now I have twice got the brake pads removed and rubbed on sand paper to remove the carbon deposit and the ASS also did the skimming of the disc once. Even during my last service at ASS (44K kms) I asked the guy to check and he said that they are good to go till the next service!!

But now I have decided that I will change the brake pads and the brake shoes(rear) whatever the ASS says. I just have a few doubts Should I get this done at the ASS or aftermarket as there is a huge difference in the cost? Which brand should I choose if I go for aftermarket?

You must be really lucky then. I've changed the brake pads twice in the mean time. If it's still life left for the brake pads, let it be . Don't change it before that. rear brake shoes just need cleaning. It will easily last around 60-70k kms.

Stick with the ASS if you're happy with them.

 

[Suryaputhra]

Hi Vichu,

This is Vicky from Chennai, I've been following your thread for quite a while now.
I must admit that it has been really informative and useful. A big thanks toyou

I've been owning the VX-MT diesel variant of Amaze for around 2 years and 10 months with a mileage of 42K km. I got my 40K service done at Trichy svc in the mid of March.
During which the service adviser had informed me that there's a slight engine oil leak from my vehicle and the root cause of which can only be identified if the engine is removed from the car and thoroughly inspected (which would take a week's time).
He told me that it's safe to drive for 5K km, after the service delivery since the leakage is minimal and had advised me to get it checked at the earliest.
I cannot see the leakage visually though (under the car), I do a regular check of the engine oil level as well now, thanks to the dip stick. I don't find the level to be dropped till now.

Now that I've done 2K km upon service, I'm planning to make a trip to Kerala by the end of May so thought of taking my vehicle for an inspection(repair if required) at the Chennai svc. Prior to the visit, I thought of educating myself thru the response from you and our fellow members!!

Thanks in advance

Read post below

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...vx-i-dtec-ownership-review-88.html#post478102

-suryaputhra

 

[pavankumar]

The right side rear view mirror had fallen off all of a sudden while driving from the mirror assembly today from my 2014 Amaze SMT(electronically adjustable mirror). Did this happen to anyone of you? Did not feel good being this a Honda. Will I have to get the whole piece replaced or can the mirror alone be fitted new. Any idea on the cost for it?

 

[Punar Singh]

New Shoes for My Ride

I finally decided to give up my 52000 Kms relationship with the stock tires and switch to new one. After going through the forum, discussion with friends and some tire dealers, I finally made the choice. Michelin XM2 185/65 R14

In the first 500 m of my drive after the tire change I noticed the difference. It’s a new car altogether… Super silent, super comfortable, amazing handling and efficient braking…

To top it all, I had always had concerns with the stiffness in ride and the ‘Thud- thud’ sound when it went over potholes, it all disappeared with the new tires.

Upsizing:
As I wrote earlier, My main concern was stiff ride of the amaze. So I desperately wanted to upsize the tire mainly in means of Sidewall height. 185/65 worked for me.. it gave me an increase in sidewall and the ground clearance and the increase in circumference was well within 3%(2.2% to be exact). I doubt that it might affect the mileage of the car a bit but I have to drive on a highway to know that.