My New Honda City in White - The Albus

[ravib]

I really don't know about how red leds look inside red light housing because I haven't bought one. My guess is, red led illustration will be less compared to white and red coating of bulb housing makes it even low. One has to try and see the difference but I believe white led will be bright.

Hehe, I have foolishly tried the red led's inside the red housing. It was a major disaster. According to basic physics the red surface would absorb the red light instead of reflecting it so the intensity decreases. I have recently replaced the red led's with white ones and now it looks much better with higher intensity. I have used 9 smd T10 led so I feel may be more smds might improve the brightness. BTW this just came to my mind.If you remember at auditoriums white light is used with filters of various colors. I will take pictures after it gets dark and post some images.

@Mudhan sir
I will upload a pic of my jugaad soon.
Do you buy the perfumes online?

 

[HaruH]

.

PART: LXI

MY ALBUS: Blinking Brake Lights
​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITEHA0NFaM0​

@ HaruH

Please Note.

.

Looks cool Dr. and I am sure in the night it'll be more useful to draw attention if someone driving carelessly.

 

[TSIVipul]

.

MY ALBUS: TYRE UPSIZING = 195/60/15 for 6j x 15 - (OR) - 195/65/15 for 5.5j x 15 ?​

Considering the Indian road conditions, 195/60 R15 is better ignored, better is to go for 195/65 R15 tires.

We have, all most discussed in this thread so far the best & simple things that we can do for a car like ANHC at our end as an owner. The only important topic - Tyre upsizing which is left out.

Most important part it is, City has got a gem of an engine and its dynamics need to be good enough to do justice to the engine.

The visit of TSIVipul (a new intelligent friend) triggered some fresh thoughts and as usual, CRACING’s (my best well-wisher) interaction made this topic more interesting. I am really thankful to both of them for having / have been adding value to this thread by their knowledge and extra ordinary efforts and inputs.

Intelligent!!!

My understanding from TSIVipul is :

Better to change the wheel alloys to minimum 6 j x 15 for 195/60/15 to get the best out of the tyres. OR one should only go for 195/65/15 to get best out of OE alloys ( 5.5j x 15) .

Sounds like an intelligent Dr.

The choice of tyres should be either Michelin Primacy 3ST for fantastic handling , grip on any surface, silent operation and good in terms of comfort OR Bridgestone Turanza ER300 for Good handling, fantastic grip on dry and wet surfaces, fantastic ride and may be noisier @ 130-140 kph, if you drive so !)

Agreed, the correct tyre upsize has to be complimented with the correct Rim Upsize for optimal performance.

Since , I have also changed from stock steel drums to OE alloys last year, and based on my usage ( Pl. acquit me TSIVipul , I am old now and driven enough when I was young like you!) preferred to leave the idea of upsizing the alloys to 6j x15. But I would rather love to see my ALBUS with wider and bigger shoes !

I really appreciate TSIVipul for his explanation based on his experience and certainly ANHC on tyres like 195/65/15 will look brawny, safe & comfortable.

I request TSIVipul to give his thoughts over the following ‘ time old standard deviation ’ so that his explanation would help every one reader here to be more confident in making the right decision. ( Yes, of course they are ( Tyrestore ) silent about ' j' - Rim Width ).

Thanks.

You have got it right sirji.
If going without upsizing alloys, it is better to go for higher profile for optimum performance.
Shorter sidewalls do take their toll in such a case but taller sidewalls do compensate a bit for the smaller size of rim(the 'J' thing). Explaining it in detail will take a painfully long post and equal time designing the rim and tyre profile in 3D for better explanation and I am sure that neither me nor the readers have enough time for that, still willing to do it if required, after all this is what we are here for - deliver to satisfaction; of self and others.

So go for the ones with 65 section with your eyes closed. These tire sellers have nothing to do with the driving experience of owners, for them selling the tire is more important than anything else while for the owner, going for a wrong tire means a compromise on comfort, performance and safety altogether.

I do but may be first owner did not. I got my own tyre inflator (Emporis, Pune) which works great, including its built-in gauge.

That isn't enough. You need to avoid patching too.
Better is to either drive the car in short duration or simply push or move the car it its parked spot for half a feet.
Concept is simple:
"Weight distribution and hence pressure distribution is not actually uniform on a tire on which a car is resting. Result is a different force distribution throughout the tire(force = pressure/area). Now if a car is resting at a place for long time, then the lower part of tire is the one which is actually carrying the weight of the tire. So better is to move the car by a couple of inches in short durations - the funda is to change the part of tire in contact with the surface, that's it."

Tyre condition isn't so bad either. Clocked 48k on worst roads of my city and still good to do more. I appreciate it.

With your running, why you even require to replace? Better replace them when you feel that now its important.
Having cracks on the outer surface is not a very big deal - brittleness do cause the cracks and slight cracks on the outer surface of a tire isn't actually a big deal. Inner surface is softer and that keeps it safe from cracking. So you need not to really panic looking at cracks until they actually feel wide.

Do you wanna kill me paying for fuel? Such a less driving leads to more fuel consumption. I get 10 avg mileage on ANHC and I'm quite happy about it. Civic and Accord would be ~ 5 KM/L

At your running, even a V12 car won't kill you with fuel expenses.

You can see my occupation in my profile and there will be no work to go outside. Only for market and personal work I use the car. Roads were never good in my city and full of traffic which loses interest in driving.

I am unemployed and still drive 2-3000 kms a month and at times I simply drive for no reason. In fact at times I drive in search for driveable roads, why don't you try the same?

I'm thinking to go out and do long trips but time has not allowed me yet. Family members are more interested in travelling in bus and trains.

I am at ARAI in Jan for SAE SIAT(Symposium on International Automotive Technology to present a research paper there on HEV technology). I guess 21 Jan should be the date(if time and life allows), and we can plan for a good road trip; at least this will give me a car to drive on the Mum-Goa!!

Now the choice is between 3ST and ER300. I like the thread design of ER300 but I'm a big fan of Michelin.

Same thing always kills me!!

@TSIVipul. One thing I wanna know is durability and toughness of these tyres. Noise is not a issue because I always drive under 40 because of city limits (Had to pay fine once when I crossed the limit) and I hardly go on highways.

Yokohama A is the one to go for if you want toughness. These seem to be semi-soft compounds and I guess won't go very well on the parked car. There is no doubt on their durability and I guess they should go very well if properly inflated. Since these tires can easily take 200 kph; they proves that these tires are tough too.

I will buy new tyres in the first quarter of next year.

Wait and watch, maybe something more useful is introduced in the market in the meantime.

 

[Mr.Swamy]

Sometimes Enthusiasm can be misread as smugness, Knowledge as a display of Conceit and Intelligent aptitude as an Overbearing attitude. All these are thin lines, which I suppose only Time and Experience can help in discerning.

Putting those thoughts aside, the one complaint I have always felt about my car (Honda City AT March,2013) has been the rather harsh ride. It comes with the stock Michellin XM 175 tyres. The car has completed 16000 kms, tyres are in fantastic condition and gives about 8.5km/lt (peak hr city use). All the Honda City's I have seen seem to have the 175 tyres. If upgrading to 195/65 would make the ride more cushioned, without dipping into my kms/lt by more than .5, I think it would be something that i would look forward to doing. It would be difficult for me to use the car if I were getting 6.5.-7.5, cause I would then use my Corsa (which has a brilliant and smooth ride comfort) as it gives me about 9.5 kms/lt. The Corsa is a manual though.

 

[CRACING]

Hello,

Got the Bilt Hamber Autoclay today, after long wait for shipment.



Prompt service and nice packing by DetailedClean. It was my first purchase from them but I have bought on ebay since I had discount coupon.

There is no mention about aggressiveness of clay bar in the box but it is soft to touch, white colour and comes with white box.

I'm not so well at the moment so will be using after I get healthy. Clay+Polish+Wax is a tough job.

Thanks...
Best Regards

 

[CRACING]

That isn't enough. You need to avoid patching too.

What does that mean? patching?

Better is to either drive the car in short duration or simply push or move the car it its parked spot for half a feet.

I take out the car 2 - 3 times a week but will try to drive more often here-after.

With your running, why you even require to replace? Better replace them when you feel that now its important.
Having cracks on the outer surface is not a very big deal - brittleness do cause the cracks and slight cracks on the outer surface of a tire isn't actually a big deal. Inner surface is softer and that keeps it safe from cracking. So you need not to really panic looking at cracks until they actually feel wide.

I don't have guarantee on my car tyres so I try to drive less. Plan to change tyres isn't early either. I will wait for 4 - 6 months.

I am unemployed and still drive 2-3000 kms a month and at times I simply drive for no reason. In fact at times I drive in search for driveable roads, why don't you try the same?

Then how do you pay for fuel? Do you have fuel pump in your farm?

I am at ARAI in Jan for SAE SIAT(Symposium on International Automotive Technology to present a research paper there on HEV technology). I guess 21 Jan should be the date(if time and life allows), and we can plan for a good road trip; at least this will give me a car to drive on the Mum-Goa!!

Good luck bro but I'm not in, this time.

I didn't even visited to Goa, you know? Its only about 150 Km away from me. Don't find a perfect time for it but I did went to lot of places in north border and south border when I was small.

Yokohama A is the one to go for if you want toughness. These seem to be semi-soft compounds and I guess won't go very well on the parked car. There is no doubt on their durability and I guess they should go very well if properly inflated. Since these tires can easily take 200 kph; they proves that these tires are tough too.

Hmm, have to think about it.

Wait and watch, maybe something more useful is introduced in the market in the meantime.

Not in the country we live! Everything we get is outdated internationally.

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

.
@ ravib

I am waiting for your dashboard board picture eagerly to know the way you placed sunshades on AC vent (center console)) to get the best out of the AC.

@ Mr.Swamy

I checked to find out from others whom have switched over to this tyre configuration 195/65/15/5.5j on their mileage figures. Overall all those persons are very much satisfied which I could find out from other auto forums of India and abroad as well. The one convincing with a good analysis is there!

@ CRACING

Take care of your health. Don’t stress now, the process (Clay+ Polish+ Wax) will make you to have some pain even if you are normal.

@ TSIVipul

...Better is to either drive the car in short duration or simply push or move the car it its parked spot for half a feet....

Yes, you are right. I take out the car only once or twice a week now a days. But every day morning I go to the shed where ALBUS is parked and I clean it, check for rat menace by opening the bonnet and cobwebs if any under the chassis. Start the car without accelerating and once engine cool light goes, move it on the gears front and back at least 15 to 20 meters to change the tyre contacts, stop and leave for my daily walk. Thanks once again for everything.

.

 

[ravib]

@ Dr Mudhan sorry to keep you waiting.
This is the jugaad i have arranged for now. Would prefer something much more decent.
Spoils the look of the car though but why put pressure on the cars ac!

 

[SUNREX]

@ SUNREX


If possible give a clear coat spray over chrome ones before pasting to protect them from scratches and make it ever shinning!

sir, should i try both or either one ? on in which order ? pl help.

Either go for a better Android Smart Phone / Tab with good holder, continuous connections in case of online or with a good offline navigation software like Mapmyindia.

with the native HU, only apple products were supported. so howsoever smart, android phones/tablets are not recognised, moreover, there is no wired video input to smartphones / tablets, including iphone / ipad ! [except thru wifi+ app]

Pioneer MVH-X365BT – I have seen the performance of this set in Taxis. It is good, but being single Din, will spoil the look of our ANHC interior. You may go for double din pioneer set. You can see more discussion about this in this thread.[/B]

taxis. i would have bought an etios . the pioneer double din displays are not attractive to me. [for the waiting time-pass ;) ]

Wifi transmitter – Please avoid this. It is better to go for a good CCD wired camera as we discussed here earlier. Wireless , at present is not up to expectation due to interference and disturbed display.

there is no wired video input to any tablets, including ipad

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

Thanks, ravib.
You won’t believe, I thought of the same earlier, not for AC but for getting a shade for my LED display screen to avoid the ‘washed display’ under direct sun light. I preferred a custom made design for a decent look as in the following advertisement picture. But, for us it should start from dashboard where we have kept God idol so that it will take care of the AC direction and access to CD/DVD slot as well. First I will try with black Polyurethane Open-Cell Foam Medium Firmness sheet and then go for a matching fiber design.

​

@ SUNREX
1. Any one spray, KOBE brand is easily available. Or you can take to a good painter for clear acrylic lacquer spray coat.
2. I mentioned android smart phone / tab for google map / Mapmyindia navigation and to play movie clip of your choice. Yes, it won’t be compatible with OE HU.
3. Pioneer MVH-X365BT is a good set with BT provision. If you like it go for it.
4. Wifi transmitter which you have mentioned is for rear view camera only. Video connection..?
I understand, you want USB port, BT, CD play, Rear view camera display, video play and GPS navigation. Except car specific in-dash AVN units which can take care of everything in one, you need multiple gadgets and mess of connections. Gadgets like Carpad5 (no rear view camera facility) / WorldTech - 7'' LED Monitor Screen (no GPS) may reduce the number of gadgets. Even with tablet of your choice , how do you proposed to connect rear view camera input – it won’t be automatic!
If you have Pioneer MVH-X365BT, one more gadget with BT function is not required. Isn’t it?

 

[CRACING]

Hello @SUNREX

Don't go for complex connections of aftermarket electronic things. They won't be as expected or gets messed up. Also remember, our car has airbags and while it deploys, the equipments we keep on dashboard go like rockets and may injure us so better to keep dashboard clean.

Hooking tablet to dashboard won't be perfect either. Reasons:

* Uncomfortable to use while driving.
* Hooking won't be perfect unless you buy expensive one.
* Due to built-in battery, its annoying to keep watch of it and needs to charge most of times.
* China tabs are useless. They fall into issues very soon. Trust me, many of my friends bring malfunctioning devices to me and I cannot do anything for it. i.e Touch Screen won't work, Boot-up Freeze, Totally dead and etc
* I think tablet's display won't be so visible while in car because of its glossiness and full brightness setting drains more battery.
* Wifi connection drains battery.
* Built-in GPS are not perfect so you really need external module, again more battery drain.

There are plenty of cons in using tablets in cars so better to go for HUs. You won't save huge bucks either.

Map My India makes some good custom HU's for different cars, which features GPS, DVD, USB, Camera, Radio & etc, Check it out if you haven't yet.

Also check the Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD. Costs 31k. It supports GPS, Bluetooth, DVD, USB, Camera & etc. But AVIC-U220 is required for GPS and CD-BTB200 for Bluetooth, They are the modules I think. As of USB connection to Android devices for Audio/Video, need to research...

Thanks...
Best Regards

 

[ravib]

@Dr Mudhan
Oh yes sir the polyurethane thing should mostly do the job. I've tried that too but by inserting a wedding card into the gap between dashboard and the consle. It did work as expected but it was falling off frequently. As of now I plan to order this windshield decal as I've seen in taxis with a similar idea. Most commonly a green tint or some stupid quote about love.

 

[CRACING]

@Dr Mudhan
Oh yes sir the polyurethane thing should mostly do the job. I've tried that too but by inserting a wedding card into the gap between dashboard and the consle. It did work as expected but it was falling off frequently. As of now I plan to order this windshield decal as I've seen in taxis with a similar idea. Most commonly a green tint or some stupid quote about love.

Is there no factory green tint to your car windshield? Of course its not so good in protecting dashboard from sunlight but it does help for our eyes.

Vinyl decal can be done in any vinyl sticker printing shops. Just find who is expert in graphic designing and show them your favorite sample design.

Also I think reflecting sticker is not good because it harms incoming traffic.

 

[ravib]

I couldn't resist myself so tried something new today.

 

[CRACING]

Hello friends,

I have made a bulk order on Aliexpress today. Some of Rs. 2.7k of accessories for my car and mobile. i.e AC Knobs, 18x5630 Strobe T20 SMD (For brake light), 4x5050 Canbus SMD (For licence plate that was suggested by DR.), Decorative Ignition Key Ring, Pry Tools, Mobile Holder with charger that plugs into cigarette lighter socket and Door Lock Covers. Tempered Screen Guard and Aluminum case for my HTC One.

They have 11.11 shopping festive today inwhich most of items have 15% to 51% discounts.

If anybody wants to buy something, hurry up, find the things and buy it. Only 18 hours left.

Thanks...
Best Regards