I am off to a 1300km KL trip today and will have ample time to test all the installations including the cruise control.
Route: Bangalore-Cochin-Munnar-Cochin-Bangalore.
Drove upto Kolukkumalai in 4WD mode and Chetak walked up the slope and down it. For the uninitiated, here is more information about the place which has the world's highest tea gardens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolukkumalai
Fuel Efficiency: 11.6, 10.02, 12.04 kmpl respectively. The best fuel efficiency was achieved during the return journey from Cochin to Bangalore with speeds at 100kmph and some use of cruise control.
The Good: Tested all the accessories and I am indeed happy with them.
The clock looks great, has blue back lighting and while it gives battery and temperature info, I prefer to keep it in the clock mode only. My biggest grouse has been solved.
The DRLs with turn lamps are simply great. They are bright, turn off when the indicator is turned on, and there was absolutely no wire cutting needed to install them. They are connected to the ignition and come on when the ignition key is in the ON position. Also, unlike other LED bulbs which make the indicators flash faster than normal, these DRLs maintain the same speed of flashing. Critical for safety.
Cruise Control is indeed a boon on highways, especially the four laned kind during night and during long drives. It is easy to use, works great and I feel, saves some fuel since its throttle inputs are very precise and hence ensure greater efficiency.
Stock/OE air filter is back on Chetak and I have no complaints. Maybe it is because I do not drive in the city. I am also an unabashed miser when it comes to fuel efficiency you see..!!
The AC filter is also installed and is supposedly doing its job. There is no way of finding that out of course.
The Bad:
The beige interiors are literal dust magnets. With 4 adults and 2 kids, Chetak is now extremely dirty inside and I need to get Chetak to a spa asap.
I sprained my leg when I got down to inspect the damage caused due to the side steps hitting a big loose rock on the descent from Kolukkumalai. There is a small dent on the left footstep and a sprain on my left foot.
The Fun:
Everyone we asked directions to Kolukkumalai told us that it is only jeeps which make it there since the road is bad. Even after we started the ascent, a couple of jeep drivers told us to go back since the switchbacks were too acute according to them and Chetak would not make it to the top. However, we made it pretty comfortably walking up the slope in 1st gear 4LLc. Halfway up the ascent, another driver was telling his passengers "Here is one more who is trying to damage his vehicle." I was perplexed but saw the reason soon after.
At one of the bends, there was a brand new Scorpio 4WD with its front bumper dangling from one end. The owner and their family were standing there so I asked them if they needed help in removing the bumper completely.
They said, "We know the bumper is gone, but the fuel tank took a hit and is leaking diesel. We want to get home now and know that all 4WDs are not equal."
I had some duck tape and tried to tape the leak but it wasn't working. They had called the local M&M dealer for help and it was apparently on its way.
When we reached the top and were parking, an old driver came and took a close look all around Chetak with special focus on the underbody, the front bumper and the chassis. He asked me if I had any hits. When I said none so far, he said " a Bolero tried to do it but it broke its front bumper and footsteps". This is a high vehicle so it made it.
I felt good for having brought Chetak into my life and understood the impact approach, ramp break over and departure angles make in real life...!!