SanjeevMahen

My wife's car (name sake hers but 95% driven by myself) gives me abt 8-9.5kmpl in the heavy morning and evening traffic. At certain times, when I drive with a very heavy foot, it even drops down to 6.5-8 kmpl!!! I've only been outstation once on the Passo, to Trinco during night on a calm and smooth traffic less run and it returned me close to 15kmpl but that with near zero hard acceleration and easing off the accelearator for the gear to change to the higher one... I measure mileage done by no of litres (full tank to full tank). I've replaced the plugs, done a proper tune up (water drips from exhaust at start up) and even cleaned the gearbox sump/drainage of the dirt gathered, keep tires properly inflated and alignements done. Yet no improvement in fuel efficiency due to my driving habits. Also it's a normal tranny hence poor changovers compared to a CVT. For this small engine the a/c compressor's load makes a significant difference - I switch a/c off in times demanding quick acceleration )) Sometimes, I feel like I was better off driving a gas guzzling 6 cylinder Jeep with this sort of fuel efficiency in the city but then again, it's a real city car with easy driving/parking dynamics, small turning radius and ample room for a car it's size. Considering that it's price has dropped in the market so much I guess it's going to be a 'Sada oba mage'..... )))

Really? You get that sorta stuff in our local metal crushing joints? That too in Kandy? Afaik, they usually deal in mostly useless bits n pieces and sheets (unless u r specifically looking for some bit). Mind sharing the exact location / address? I got a friend in Kandy who can have a look and tell me what they got and whether it would serve my purpose of a shelter for the car...

So I bought the 150g (small canister) CRC Contact cleaner from www.fctsl.com, albeit for LKR1,253.50(that's 1090+vat). Thanks guys for that lead. I would've bought the larger can for LKR1,800 odd but I didnt have enough cash for that and they wouldn;t accept credit cards. Followed tiv's steps, except for the fact that I was really eager and let the engine cool for only an hour after a long run. Took out the O ring and softly cleaned the MAF unit externally with some cotton wool before going in for the sensor elements. They were quite dark in colour before I started. Gave them a few close up bursts of the cleaner and let the liquid poor out. After about five rounds, the elements were looking quite clean. two more bursts to satisfy myself and I was done.Let the unit dry for an hour and put it back. Started the engine with fingers crossed and thankfully no engine check light or rough idle for me. Went for a test drive, with smoother and better acceleration. Very satisfied with the result. Been running daily as usual without any issues and very satisfied with the improved pick up and power delivery which had vanished in recent times. Thanks a ton for this again guys!!! True Rumesh. But I'm quite keen on such DIY stuff. So looking forward to getting a proper ELM or other scanner. Also interested in getting some sort of HUD unit but not before firstly getting a proper scanner tool (not too expensive though) to read in to my ECU successfully. Since mine is a South African manufactured hilux for UK, I guess it's not JDM protcol. Tried the scanner on some JDM models too without success. It's possible that the ELM unit I got is faulty. Waiting for a friend of mine to lend me his older ELM unit (which works well on JDMs) to try out. Could you please share with me any links / prices / details / source u bought from, on this unit? I tried looking it up on ebay and it returned quite a few varying results and thus I'm not sure on which would be the correct match and reliable ones. The prices seem to very between the results and thus too expensive to gamble and buy.

Wow....tks for this tiv and Rumesh... I too have a 2007 Hilux D4D 2.5 ltr with approx 170k on the odo. Sometime back, having read up on newhilux.net forums, I took out the MAF but due to the lack of illustrating pics and descriptions, mistook the temp sensor for the MAF sensor and gently cleaned it with a cotton bud. Didnt want to risk it with any cleaning agents at the time and the slight gunk on it dissapeared sufficiently anyways. So due to that mis identification, I didn't notice any difference in pulling / performance. No error/warning/check lights either. This time around I'm tempted to try what tiv has done above. Very keen to get back that performance from the initial days. Before doing so, can you please share how you do your scanning? Torque(Android app) and any OBD2 scanning gadget from ebay? After some research, I bought a OBD2 scanning tool (Mini ELM327 V2.1 OBD2 II Bluetooth Diagnostic) but it doesn't work. I've tried it on many vehicles, it connects to the Torque app but doesn't read in to the vehicle. Looks like I need a better reputed scanner. Any leads would be more than useful. Thanks again guys...

Thanks guys for your inputs. After some hectic times at work, got around to looking in to my dash cam's memory card issue. Fed up of the chinese cards, got a Kingston 32gb Micro SD Class 10 card from m*m*ry.lk with 'lifetime' warranty. Installed on last Monday evening and working like a charm so far. Hopefully it will go on. No lost clips, no crashing and the likes so far. The card cost me LKR3,600/- where as the cam cost approx LKR6,750/- Cosidering the cost, I would say the G1W and the Original memory card are a worthy investment, especially when considering all the possible nightmares on our roads.

Car: Toyota Passo Year : 2007 Engine Capacity : 1000cc Fuel : 90/92 octane petrol Transmission : Auto Fuel Economy Colombo city : 7.5 - 8.5kmpl (Heavy footed in the daily cut throat traffic) Highway : 12-14kmpl (At 100kmph, constant effort to keep RPM low) Outstation - Flat roads : Close to 15kmpl (approx 70-80kmph, minimal traffic and zero hard acceleration) Tyre pressure : 29 PSI

Thanks for the link. The total cost now comes to USD87.95(Item USD37.95+shipping USD50) Messaged the seller and tried to coax him in to offering me your price but he doesn't seem to budge. Thinking of watching the item for a while but I'm sure that my patience would eventually get run over by my greed for the accesory

Got fascinated by the 5 panel rear view mirror and checked it on youtube and then ebay but the prices seem steep for an item of that finish. The min being approx USD40 + Shipping at around USD130!!! Tried searching at length but couldn't locate one for cheaper... Do you mind sharing the price you paid and the online link? Would love to get my hands on one... Also did it arrive in proper condition via post? I've never ordered an item of such dimensions before and doubt if our postal guys would handle it proper...

Actually it's called a VN turbo. I got a normal intercooler turbo 2.5ltr hilux of my own. Once I got to drive a 2.5ltr intercooler VN turbo and the difference in power was obvious. As per wiki, the 2KD VN Turbo engines(2.5ltr intercooled) produces 142HP versus 118HP on the normal turbo (intercooled). I shall let some more well versed on the techie side to explain the technicalities of the VN turbo/sensor. From Wikipedia: 2KD-FTV[edit] Appearing in 2001, the 2KD-FTV is the 2nd generation of the KD series of engine with a smaller 2.5 L (2494 cc) displacement. The displacement of this engine is based on the previous 2L engine. Bore remains the same 92 mm but stroke is increased to 93.8 mm. It has 16 valves and is a DOHC engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. It produces 101 horsepower (75 kW) at 3400 rpm and 191.7 lb·ft (260 N·m) of torque at 1600-3600 rpm without an intercooler and 118 hp (88 kW) at 3400 rpm and 239.85 ft·lbf (325 N·m) of torque at 1600-3600 rpm for the intercooled version. Toyota Thailand, however, has updated the turbocharger to variable nozzle turbo (VNT) with intercooler. This increased the horsepower to 142 hp (106 kW) at 3400 rpm and torque to 343 N·m (253 lb·ft) at 1600-2800rpm.[1] Compression ratio is 18.5:1. Redline of this engine is 4400 RPM. This engine also uses D-4D Common Rail (Common rail direct fuel injection ) technology. The manufacturers default injection timing is 6.5 deg before TDC. The only major changes from the 1KD-FTV to the 2KD-FTV was the bore and the stroke.

Well I guess a change of fuel filter is recommended so that you do not carry forward the dirt collected from the previous diesel to be held against the new diesel which is being filtered. I changed my diesel filter yesterday and noticed that it had collected very little dirt than usual. Guess the new super diesel four star IS cleaner than its' predecessor.

You gave me a bit of a scare there cos I actually bought a pair of the Black Hella Supertones from Motorcade last Friday, after some research. Cost me LKR4,950 for the pair (+400 for a Hella relay which didn't come included). I noticed that they were Made in India, which was a bit of a dissapointment. I tested both varieties of the Supertones and preferred the louder/deeper note from the more expensive model. Haven't got around to fixing them as yet. Fingers crossed, hoping they last long without any issues.

Mind sharing with us on what went wrong on your friend's Indian made Hella horns? Which model of Hella were they? The supertones with the coloured grill/the supertones with the black vertical grooves or something else?

Mind sharing the numbers/kmpl? I hope u measure by the full tank to full tank method?

Pumped a full tank of the new super diesel four star from the Kalubowila Ceypetco shed..done close 100km by tonight. I got somewhat better pulling power and comparatively quieter engine As I said earlier mine is a 2007 2KD-FTV manual lux with 168k KMs on the odo. Mebe someone will substantiate my experience with theirs and I'm hopefully not talking from the placebo effect

From what I read on the news links and hear-say, it's LKR145/- per litre...same as the old super diesel.

Thanks guys. I see that both my regular sheds are on that list. Will pump maybe by next week and let you know how it feels on my 168k KMs run engine...

Anyone tried this new low sulphur diesel named 'Lanka Super Diesel Four Star'? Notice any difference in drive / feel / engine noise / acceleration with it when compared to super diesel? http://www.colombopage.com/archive_14B/Aug22_1408715606CH.php http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/lanka-super-diesel-four-star-enters-lankan-market-today Is the sulphur actually only 10ppm? And which petrol shed is it available at? I've run my Hilux 2KD on the long standing but not so widely available super diesel for almost 3 years (close to 50k KMs) and thus far had no issues. On the low fuel light coming up, I always pump full tank, either from CF De Mel near Cinnamon Lakeside or at the Kalubowila Lanka Filling station close to Kohuwela Junct. Sense of self assurance, I guess. On some rare occasions that I had to pump super diesel from other places, I too have noticed that there seems to be a comparatively higher number of litres being pumped than the my usual petrol sheds.

My purpose is two fold, both of which you've mentioned. Firstly, I travel around a bit. So hoping to capture some interesting/amusing scenes/actions/driving scenarios. Secondly, hoping to prove my position incase of an accident. Few years ago, a middle aged lady without license, in her husband's allion, took me out at an intersection. Touch wood I wasn't hurt. If I had a dashcam, I could've easily proved that it was her fault, since I was from her right and I was half way across the intersection, when she rammed in to me at about 60/70kmph. If I had a dashcam at that time, I could've proved my position and claimed from her/husband/their insurance. But at that time I let her go with a small compensation from her husband and claimed from my insurance.

Not sure whether these gel mounts can be found in second hand/recon places. But even if you do find them, you can never say how much mileage they've done and what sort of internal wear has taken place. It might look ok on the outside but you can never be sure. After the hassle of hunting one down, fixing it back, taking car out and have the mount go out on you again can be really annoying and waste of resources. I also got the same car. Been with me since 2010 and I've done three steering rack bush repairs already (thanks to our lovely road conditions) and one major overhaul of the front suspension / steering (shocks replaced/rack boot repaired), including engine and gearbox mounts. I didnt think too much of the damage to the mounts till the engine nd gearbox mounts were removed out for inspection. They were all seeping gel. I got the replacements from GS Auto. They got something like two grades (original, best quality and second quality). As with all other parts, they were cheaper when compared to TL. Based on advise from other more experienced guys and for peace of mind I went for the better ones from GS Auto.

Really? So my next trip that way has a growing list of attractions to cover: Gurulupotha and Padiyathalawa. But AFAIK there are only three hot water spring locations in SL; Kinniya (Close to Trinco), Maha Oya and Madunagala (close to Mahapelessa which is near Sooriyawewa) I'm quite road trip and sight seeing addict. Been around quite a bit of our small country and seen several places but it never fails to amuse me with more n more attractions at places I've already been to.....

Could you share some details about Gurulupotha? I like to check it out the next time I head that way.... I've been to Mahaoya hot wells and aren't those waters hot!! Its closer to boiling point and just too hot for me to even wet my feet, let alone bathe...

If you want to see some different places of interest on the way (time permitting), like to take in some different scenaries and game enough for bit of bad roads, take the Colombo>Kandy>Mahiyangana>Chenkaladi>Batti route. 18 vangu and the not so popular but interesting Maha Oya hot wells are on this way. If you prefer a quciker, smoother & straighter drive, take CMB>Habarana> Polonnaruwa>Oddamavadi>Batti route. The occasional elephant/s on road is pretty much the only interesting part, other than cops with speed guns I took the M'gana route when returning from Batti mid last year. On a local guy's advise, after the Mahay Oya hot wells, I took the Aralaganwila road through Maduru Oya national park. Really different topography. Stopped by the Maduru Oya dam within the park. But must say the carpeted road inside the park ends soon after the dam and rest of way to Aralaganwila and from there on to Dehiatakandiya was quite horrendous but I enjoyed the detour. Not recommended unless you want to hurt your car's suspension. May be they've done the roads up now. You can ofcourse see the Hot wells an then stick to A5 and A26 to M'gana but as NPP mentioned, it might be bad as well. Enjoy the drive and drive safe

My 1000cc three pot Passo is quite under powered for my liking. In my bid to improve its pickup/acceleration for my daily 'hurried' runs within Colombo, I replaced the sparkplugs and did a tune up. Condensation was showing up at the tail pipe but still no marked improvement in pick up or power. I kept my tyre pressure at 28PSI, regularly cleaned/replaced with original toyota air filter and did all the oil/atf changes on time. I didnt leave anything to chance but without luck. Yes it isn't supposed to be a pocket rocket but still a man can dream nah? So I've been looking for ideas without burining a hole in my pocket and the only thing I could come up with was the K&N drop-in filter which I've been contemplating for a while. After reading this thread yesterday, I looked up the K&N site, found the matching product for the Daihatsu Sirion (which is what the Passo is called in certain market regions, also called Daihatsu Boon-export version), called up M*t*rcade and they had the item in stock. I bought it and installed yesterday itself. Cost LKR10,900/- after a cash disc. Didn't buy the cleaning kit. Hope to buy after a while as I come to need it. Must say, that I feel a marked improvement in acceleration. Earlier with the OEM filter, when I pretty much floored the pedal, the engine would basically 'scream' and strainfully deliver. Even but stern pressure would result in the same. But with the K&N, it picks up with much less strain. Also the gear changes are quicker, without me modulating my pressure on th pedal. I picked up hard at the usual road stretches that I go through everyday and I felt the accelaration was better. Either it actually works or I'm just feeling the placebo effect

Understood loud and clear Shall try as you've pointed out and will get back with the results. Thanks again.

The 64gb and 32gb that I bought off aliexpress.com did say Class 10 but I doubt if they were so. The original Sandisk that i tried wasn't either. 720p is ok in day time but as the light fades and during night it returns rather unstatisfactory video quality, especially since the majority of our roads are poorly lit and the headlights are the main illumination. Still I shall try reducing to 720p today and get back to you with the results. Thanks for the quick word.