Hyundai Grand i10 & Xcent: Technical Problems & Solutions

[aramosfet]

Lack of a proper antitheft/alarm system seems a serious omission. The other day I reached home from office and walked away without locking and waited for about 2 mins to see if it locks on its own. I also stood about 20 feet away so that its unlikely that the key is communicating with the central lock system. But it doesn't lock on its own like my Santro used to.
Also, I tried open the door using the key after locking through he remote. It unlocks all the doors with out any alarm.
I'm going to Trident Hyundai Service center tomorrow to attend a DIY vehicle maintenance session organized by them. Will try to check with the SA on enabling the alarm/safety features.

 

[roby.thomas]

The other day I reached home from office and walked away without locking and waited for about 2 mins to see if it locks on its own. I also stood about 20 feet away so that its unlikely that the key is communicating with the central lock system. But it doesn't lock on its own like my Santro used to.

Do you mean, the soon you walk away from the car without you pressing any lock / request sensor and you expect the car to auto lock ? It doesn't happen so in my Xcent as well and I would thank that it doesn't do so. Say if I have my family in my car, and I step out with the smart key in my pocket to a roadside shop to get something quickly, I would certainly not want it to lock them up inside. It's a desirable feature if this can sense that there is no one inside the car by some motion sensor, and then decide to lock it. But It's a bad idea to lock with people inside, for safety reasons. You have to have an easy escape in case of emergency.

But in Xcent there is a certain case when it automatically locks. Consider the car was locked securely to start with. Now I unlocked the door by remote / pressing request sensor but actually I didn't open any of the doors. That means no one has entered the car. But in a matter of (might be) a minute it auto locks. That's a terribly good feature. Many a times, I unlock it. But then walk back either to talk to someone or get back to do something which I forgot. I might not naturally remember to lock it again. This car does 'autolock' in that case. So that intelligence is there. After unlocking, the car doors were not opened and perhaps then nobody could be there inside - so it is safe to auto-lock. Try this out , this works for me.

Also, I tried open the door using the key after locking through the remote. It unlocks all the doors with out any alarm.

I haven't tried this yet, but if you had the key transmitter with you close enough to the sensors (though you used the mechanical key to unlock) - that's enough of an indication to the system that the legitimate guy is nearby. I don't find a reason for it to then sound alarm, though I acknowledge that the security systems like Autocop which I had in my prior cars does fire alarm (but then such systems didn't have an active smart key transmitter with proximity features).

 

[aramosfet]

Do you mean, the soon you walk away from the car without you pressing any lock / request sensor and you expect the car to auto lock ? It doesn't happen so in my Xcent as well and I would thank that it doesn't do so. Say if I have my family in my car, and I step out with the smart key in my pocket to a roadside shop to get something quickly, I would certainly not want it to lock them up inside. It's a desirable feature if this can sense that there is no one inside the car by some motion sensor, and then decide to lock it. But It's a bad idea to lock with people inside, for safety reasons. You have to have an easy escape in case of emergency.

This is exactly what Brock mentioned in the earlier post. Also, I vaguely remember this happening to me while I was in the car. The doors locked as i had not started the engine for a while. But I'm not sure now.

But in Xcent there is a certain case when it automatically locks. Consider the car was locked securely to start with. Now I unlocked the door by remote / pressing request sensor but actually I didn't open any of the doors. That means no one has entered the car. But in a matter of (might be) a minute it auto locks. That's a terribly good feature. Many a times, I unlock it. But then walk back either to talk to someone or get back to do something which I forgot. I might not naturally remember to lock it again. This car does 'autolock' in that case. So that intelligence is there. After unlocking, the car doors were not opened and perhaps then nobody could be there inside - so it is safe to auto-lock. Try this out , this works for me.

Thanks. I just ran down to the basement to check this. Yes, it does work. And I timed it with a stopwatch to exactly 30 seconds. But, if I open the door even for a couple of seconds and close it back, it doesn't autolock.

There are two other security features mentioned in the user manual
1. Engine immobilizer.
As per the feature list, all variants are equipped with this feature. the user manual states that when starting an engine, if the immobilizer can't detect the remote key, the engine will not start.
The only way to test this would be to try to start the engine with a dummy key or remove the flip key from the remote and use it.

2. Anti-theft alarm system.
This feature describes alarm system that we've been looking for. The car should also sound the chime while locking/unlocking. But I don't see this feature listed in Hyundai brochures. I'm not sure if this needs to be enabled somehow or it isn't provided in the Indian version.

 

[Brock]

I called up the service advisor today. He said that we will have to put the theft alarm kit. Asked him, if someone breaks the window and unlocks the car, opens the door to steal stuff, will the alarm goes on? The answer is NO. So, should start hunting the alarm kit and get it fixed soon.

 

[Manoj Xcent]

Hi Brock,

Thanks for the update. Pls post the pics of the freebies from the dealer

 

[aramosfet]

I called up the service advisor today. He said that we will have to put the theft alarm kit. Asked him, if someone breaks the window and unlocks the car, opens the door to steal stuff, will the alarm goes on? The answer is NO. So, should start hunting the alarm kit and get it fixed soon.

I feel there should be an OEM theft alarm kit from Hyundai since it's mentioned in the user manual. Would be better to get it through HASS to avoid warranty issues.
Did he mention how much it will cost?

 

[aramosfet]

I spoke to the Service advisor today about alarm system. He confirmed that there is no Anti-theft alarm system in Xcent SX (Not sure about SX(O)). Its not even an accessory that can be installed by the service center.
Another issue I see is if one of the doors is not closed properly and I lock with the remote. The lamps blink as usual and there is no indication that the doors are not locked properly.
I asked to the SA to check if any aftermarket alarm system can be installed.

So, in conclusion the only safety system in SX version or below is the engine immobilizer.

 

[roby.thomas]

I spoke to the Service advisor today about alarm system. He confirmed that there is no Anti-theft alarm system in Xcent SX (Not sure about SX(O)).

It's not there in SX(O) as well. But I wasn't expecting this since I knew anti-theft alarm wouldn't be there - I previously owned a Hyundai 1.2L i10 and went through the same confusion.

The problem is that the older cars which we had didn't come with a remote key central locking provision at all - We would then install after market Autocop kind of systems to do this, and that product itself is an anti-theft alarm system. Remote key central locking happened to be a required feature for anti-theft systems.

Once we moved forward from those days, and we presume all cars that have a remote locking mechanism is essentially anti-theft, sadly that's not true. I learned this when I bought i10, now it's not a surprise to me.

I think one easy way to identify if you have actual anti-theft alarm system installed in the car, is to peek through the window and see if somewhere in the dashboard ( even in the lower area) you can spot a blinking 'RED' LED light. That's usually the system which indicates that the anti-theft module is 'armed'. This logic seems to be still in effect. My relative's Maruti Ciaz does have this feature. I've seen that blinking LED, and I assume that should be the anti-theft module.

 

[aramosfet]

It's not there in SX(O) as well. But I wasn't expecting this since I knew anti-theft alarm wouldn't be there - I previously owned a Hyundai 1.2L i10 and went through the same confusion.

The problem is that the older cars which we had didn't come with a remote key central locking provision at all - We would then install after market Autocop kind of systems to do this, and that product itself is an anti-theft alarm system. Remote key central locking happened to be a required feature for anti-theft systems.

Once we moved forward from those days, and we presume all cars that have a remote locking mechanism is essentially anti-theft, sadly that's not true. I learned this when I bought i10, now it's not a surprise to me.

If the service center can provide an aftermarket alarm system like autocop without voiding the warranty, that can solve this issue.

Also, has anyone taken 4th and 5th year warranty? I got the 3rd year warranty from dealer and initially planned to take 4th and 5th year as well. I plan to keep this car for a long time, atleast 7-8 years. Is it worth taking the extended warranty?

The SA told that 4th and 5th year warranty cannot be taken combined. I can either take 4th alone or I need to take 3rd,4th and 5th year together.

 

[Manoj Xcent]

Hi arm,

The ext. Warranty slab is below

3 rd year only rs.3500 approx
3 and 4th year rs.8000 approx
3,4,5 years. Rs. 15000 approx

Worth taking it. Engine parts are covered.

Reg the alarm kit iam having idea to replace with new gen i10 kit. It works in i10.

 

[roby.thomas]

Also, has anyone taken 4th and 5th year warranty?
The SA told that 4th and 5th year warranty cannot be taken combined. I can either take 4th alone or I need to take 3rd,4th and 5th year together.

3,4,5 years. Rs. 15000 approx

I have taken up to the 4th year extended warranty. For some reason, at the time of my purchase, the dealer was not even interested in offering an extended warranty. For the 5th year, they quoted this whopping increase for the 5th year (It's approximately twice for every additional year). But sadly they were ready to reveal the 5th year cost only after chasing them for days together on getting the rate for it. I had a doubt they inflated that amount just to discourage me, but now I realize what they said might be true. But it's every penny worth going for extended warranty if you plan to keep this car for long. I learned some things the hard way with my i10. It's radiator fan blew off twice in the 4th and 5th year, and it costed approximately 5k each time.

 

[aramosfet]

I have taken up to the 4th year extended warranty. For some reason, at the time of my purchase, the dealer was not even interested in offering an extended warranty. For the 5th year, they quoted this whopping increase for the 5th year (It's approximately twice for every additional year). But sadly they were ready to reveal the 5th year cost only after chasing them for days together on getting the rate for it. I had a doubt they inflated that amount just to discourage me, but now I realize what they said might be true. But it's every penny worth going for extended warranty if you plan to keep this car for long. I learned some things the hard way with my i10. It's radiator fan blew off twice in the 4th and 5th year, and it costed approximately 5k each time.

The same happened to me. I kept asking the sales advisor for 4 & 5th year warranty but never got a straight answer. I checked that it can be taken after the purchase also and hence left it at that time. But I doubt the dealer can change the prices. Prices are set by Hyundai and you can check it at their customer care website Hyundai Service | Hyundai Customer care | Hyundai Cars Service .
You may have to register though.
I dropped a mail to Hyundai customer care asking why I can't take 4th and 5th year as a package. Will wait for the reply.

 

[akshat812]

Hi arm,

The ext. Warranty slab is below

3 rd year only rs.3500 approx
3 and 4th year rs.8000 approx
3,4,5 years. Rs. 15000 approx

Worth taking it. Engine parts are covered.

Reg the alarm kit iam having idea to replace with new gen i10 kit. It works in i10.

i purchased 3rd yr only warrant for 6000 when i gt the car!!!! :(

 

[Brock]

Hi Brock,

Thanks for the update. Pls post the pics of the freebies from the dealer

Manoj Xcent, really sorry for making you wait.. I am very lazy these days.. will do it soon.

So, regarding the anti-theft alarm, I feel its really essential to get it installed. Keeping the theft part aside, If one of the doors is not closed properly, and we lock the car without noticing it, the doors will not be locked. And we will not be aware of that.. and every-time you lock, you will have to see the cars indicators, for lock confirmation.. Sound would be very helpful in this.

I had a santro, if we don't close the doors properly, and lock the car, it would make an extra sound, telling you, "dude check the doors", but now, we will have to ensure all doors are closed. Also, for santro, I've upgraded the remote locking system with the latest one (autocop) as the old one refused to work. The latest one had two sensors, if the sensor senses any movement inside the car when the car is locked, alarm goes on. Even if the windows are not closed (by mistake) and you lock the car, it captures the outside sound and makes an alarm (it takes some 2 minutes before it starts sensing) . So if someone breaks the glass, it alarms. But there is a defect to this.. if a huge sound is made near the car, like diwali crackers or a baarath, with too loud music or drums, the car starts alarming. Apart from these, I felt the security is good.

But the new gen cars are removing the basic thing out. Feel bad for that.

I've inquired couple of shops, not in Bangalore, for the anti-theft kit, they quoted around 2500-2800 (I guess this doesn't come with sensor). I am planning to pay a visit to JC road in Bangalore. I hope it would be cheaper than the others. Need to find some time to visit JC road.

Till then I will make sure all the doors are closed properly before locking the car.

The above kit, that I've installed for my santro comes with the 2 remotes. The anti-theft alarm , that I inquired doesn't come with the remote. We can use our company given remote/keyless entry remote. Its just the anti theft module.

 

[aramosfet]

and every-time you lock, you will have to see the cars indicators, for lock confirmation.. Sound would be very helpful in this.

Even the indicators don't help here. I noticed the indicators blink as usual. One need to go around and check if each door is locked manually.

I've inquired couple of shops, not in Bangalore, for the anti-theft kit, they quoted around 2500-2800 (I guess this doesn't come with sensor). I am planning to pay a visit to JC road in Bangalore. I hope it would be cheaper than the others. Need to find some time to visit JC road.

It's also important to make sure they don't cut wires while installing. We can't risk the warranty. I had replaced the central lock and alarm system in my Santro as well and they cut the wires to install it. But then the car was already 9 years old, So went ahead with it.