Just after a few 100 kms after the 30K service, an odd message clouded the instrument cluster and it was an AIRBAG ERROR.
BHPian kaushiksudra recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
30,000 KM (1yr 9Mo update)
Hi all, so here’s an update regarding Sapphire.
I completed 30K on the car in the month of June 2024, but couldn’t drop the vehicle due to personal commitments. The yearly maintenance was due and managed to drop her off by 11 July 2024 at 30595kms.
The jobs to be carried out were as per the General Maintenance of VW and additionally had opted for Wheel Alignment, as the steering didn’t seem to be centered even after alignment at Madhu’s(not sure why, but I’ve actually heard good things about them). Other issues included the already discussed ones in my posts above and also in the Virtus Ownership threads
1. The passenger side trim just doesn’t sit flush
2. The noise from the front brakes and whilst turning.
3. Noise from the rear of the car (did show them the post of @vividhavasthi, where they worked on some suspension issue and resolved it – link
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic…ml#post5627105)
4. AC compressor jerks and noise and overall ineffective cooling.
5. Hood Insulation
6. Wiper Blade change.
The issue from 1-4 were noted down as usual just to say everything is fine and convince me, and in the same fashion I had no option but to nod. However, they recharged the AC stating the Gas level had dropped and have topped them up at a cost. Hood Insulation is still not available and wiper blades were changed in SVP.
The overall cost came up to 2437 incl. TAX. below is the invoice for reference.
So all in all pretty uneventful I would say, and before the service had a chance to take Sapphire to my Native in Gujarat and did an overall 3700+kms drive, was truly remarkable with the comfort this car offers and the way it can munch miles. returned with an overall fuel consumption of 16+kmpl(this was when we entered Bangalore) with controlled speeds upto 100-120kmph and fueling XP 95 wherever possible. attached below screenshot of total trip data.
Had a chance to try out the DG Sea connect ferry from Surat to Bhavnagar and here’s a screenshot of Sapphire’s location in the Mid sea
She’s aboard the Ferry with other companions
Few snaps from the trip.
Warming up before the start from Bhavnagar
The Lonely native roads.
Mighty Samruddhi Mahamarg
Mandatory Wash after trip
With this I was craving to do some updates and was itching to go the route of Coding, but refrained somehow and little did i know about this devilish act Sapphire was ready to throw at me.
Just after a few 100 kms of 30K service, and ODD message clouded the instrument cluster and it was an AIRBAG ERROR. I was shocked and surprised to see this light and my immediate worry was Rodents. But initial checks revealed no signs of them, and i did give a brief stop and turned off the car for a few mins thinking it could be due to some malfunction and would go, but it didn’t budge. The scary part was the error popped up whilst driving so I’m really not sure of what went wrong.
Dropped off the car at VW and they said they would clear the error and give it back the next day. However, thiings weren’t so easy and I had to do a planned trip to Hospet in my Ecosport as they wouldn’y give eh car back until this was fixed, citing WARRANTY!.
it took them 5 odd days to identify the issue – a faulty Airbag unit. and another 10 days to delver the car after changing the part. Luckily it was covered under and warranty and I am glad I’ve taken warranty for 6 years considering the price of the unit @ 29K +GST and labour.
With this episode, I’ve decided not to mess with the car and keep it as is for the upcoming years and do cosmetic updates that don’t really give VW an option to deny warranty.
Finally, narrowed down to an accessory which is provided standard in the cars updated model, ambient/foor lighting. I’ve had these on all my cars and it does look nice. So I scouted the internet and made up my mind to but these Atmosphere lights from GO Mechanig @₹249 a piece. The only issue was it would work with power from a 12V socket and we all know, it constantly stays on. So the search began to see if it can be attached to USB somehow and came across this product from Robocraze that converts the 5V to 12V dc and has a DC connector, and guess what it works like a charm.
So one fine day took out some time and wired the lights under the dash in the front, on the rear i decided to put them parallel to the seat guides(thoug this configuration does make it seem less powerful especially at the rear, but it’s ok). It also has a remote of its own and can change up to 8 colors and some added functions which makes it cool.
Overall quite happy with the purchase, only thing left to see it how long it would last.
Few snaps of the Lights.
I hope this was helpful and shall be back with more updates soon.
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