BHPian abirnale recently shared this with other enthusiasts.Is it a new thing or the same old one?Around 4pm yesterday, I got a call from Mumbai’s Mahindra Call Center. The person stated that my car is due for 70k kms service as of the July 9th morning. When am I getting it for servicing? I thought it to be impressive. Well – it must be new stuff that after software update, they know some alerts that they can remotely track and do proactive stuff. I like it. Yesterday, 6:10pm, not sure if I liked it anymore. I got a call from again similar number. The agent on the other side told that he was calling me in relation to a “prognosis alert” on my car. It stated that my car’s front brake pads are worn out. I am shocked – no they aren’t. And no, they still have 2-2.5k life left. And no, there is no such alert. While the agent was trying to tell me that the alert was indeed there, it dawned upon me that today to check the brake pad life, we had decoupled the sensor wires, possibly shorted that triggered a false alarm and registered in the system. Post the latest software update, they found it to be registered and hence called. I am now in two minds – it’s ok to have a false alarm than no alarm but then some Desi Uncle Sam is watching me and my car all the time – that sent a chilling sensation down my spine. I gather my senses, collect all courage and ask this million-dollar question to the agent: what other things you guys are tracking for me? If I speed up even a little for some reason that I feel appropriate and the law doesn’t (because simply it is illegal), would you get an alert and if so, what will you do with it? The agent luckily did not pause and started responding: sir, at Mahindra we track all kinds of prognosis alerts and hence we call and warn before a catastrophe happens. It includes some serious stuff such as DEF level dangerously low, DPF getting clogged, brake pads worn out. And some trivial but important ones too – keyfob battery to be replaced. I end the call on a positive note. Guess it’s ok to have such service and tracking but the apocalypse isn’t far away – the connected car tech can help as well as spoil your day. The manufacturer has all data with your car readily available at their fingertips. How to use it is still their prerogative. I would still like to pray to Mahindra baba to not look at me and others as a notorious kid and start gossiping/spreading rumours about how bad a kid I am. Or go tell everyone (including those who are waiting to loot me) that I need to be controlled at every step and put a leash on me – read that insurance premium to shoot up! Well, in any case, we got wheels, and we must drive. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
