EcoSport’s Alternator Replaced

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The alternator of our 2017 MT EcoSport failed at 122,000 km, after 7 years of daily driving. It happened without warning, as you would expect with failing alternators. Considering the age of our vehicle and the total road distance travelled, this problem was expected to happen. When the alternator fails, it will stop providing the car with electrical power. With the engine running, the car’s system voltage will drop from the normal 13 to 14 volts to about 12 volts or lower, indicating that the engine now relies on the remaining battery power to keep functioning. With the battery not recharging, the voltage will continue to rapidly drop to about 10 volts. The car will then alert you with errors on the dashboard (such as the ABS error light, Airbag error light, and many others) since not enough power is being sent to the various modules. If you do not have a voltmeter display module installed, it may be difficult to instantly recognize an alternator failure. With a failed alternator, you may still be able to start the car 3 to 5 times if you have a good battery, but the voltage will drop rapidly within minutes. As soon as it drops to 10 or 9 volts, the engine will shut down. It is unsafe to drive a car with a faulty alternator since the engine can shut down any moment. In the case of our EcoSport, we were able to start the car four times and drive the car to a safe location for about 10 minutes before shutting down completely.

Replacement alternator (left) and the faulty stock alternator (right) for our EcoSport

Using some basic tools, we were able to remove the three screws that hold the alternator in place. The drive belt will need to be removed. We’ve decided to just cut the belt and replace it with a new one since it has been in use for about 40,000 km already. In the interest of completing the repair in the shortest time possible, we simply ordered a replacement alternator from a local supplier and have it delivered the same day. The next day, we installed the replacement alternator and the repair was complete within a few hours.

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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

EcoSport’s Hood Insulator Removed

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I have removed the hood insulator of our EcoSport, 7 years after its purchase (at 115 000 km). I noticed that the foam started to lose its rigidity and began sagging towards the engine components. If not removed or fixed, its weight and considering the hood vibrations when driving, could cause damage to the wires and hoses in the engine bay. The foam serves as a noise dampener as it absorbs some engine noise, but primarily, it prevents the hood from resonating too much and becoming a soundboard. I think it serves more as a noise deadener rather than a heat insulator since the only component it could be protecting from heat would be the windshield sprinkler system, and perhaps the hood’s paint.

The foam is secured with plastic clips. To remove the foam insulator, just pull it until it detaches.

I was informed by fellow EcoSport owners that their Ambiente variants do not have a noise dampener installed. This means that there should be no issues if this part were removed and not replaced. There is however, a slight increase in engine noise as heard from the cabin, but still not loud enough to cause discomfort or issues. This EcoSport hood insulation foam can be purchased in local stores for 1800 pesos (about 35 USD in 2023) and it comes with supplied plastic clips for easy installation. I have yet to determine if I would be bothered with the increased noise as I prefer hearing the engine a bit more, particularly, since our EcoSport is a manual transmission.

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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Celebrating 111,111th Kilometer

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After about 6 years and 5 months, our daily-driven 2017 EcoSport Trend MT has reached a kilometer-age of 111,111. We replaced the timing belt at 80,000 km, and installed new set of tires at its 5th year. We will soon need to perform maintenance procedure (cleaning) with its air-conditioning system. We’ve also noticed wear and tear in its shock absorbers, particularly, the front left shock. Our vehicle is still being used daily without issues, at an average of 70 km per day.

111,111 km as of May 2023

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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Shifter Knob replaced after 6 Years

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After about 6 years, we have replaced the shifter knob of our 2017 EcoSport Trend MT. The rubber started to peel off and while it is still usable, we’ve decided to replace it with a new one. The knob was not easy to remove and you may need to use some very good pliers to pry out the plastic components holding the knob (and the boot cover) in place.

Related links:
Shifter Knob Button
Replacing the Shifter Cover

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Celebrating 100000th Kilometer

Eteny2 Comments

After about 5 years and 6 months, our daily-driven 2017 EcoSport Trend MT has reached a kilometer-age of 100000. We have not encountered any issue with our unit since its purchase in December 2016. Thank you for keeping us safe on the road!

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

DIN60 Battery Installed in EcoSport

Eteny6 Comments

Our EcoSport’s first battery was a stock DIN44 battery, which after 2.5 years, replaced by a DIN55 battery. After another 2.5 years, we are replacing the battery with a DIN60. Apparently, the battery compartment of EcoSport can fit DIN44, DIN55, and DIN60 batteries.

DIN60 battery fits in EcoSport’s battery compartment

Replace the battery at regular intervals to minimize the chance of a failed engine start due to a battery that is unable to hold enough charge. In the case of our EcoSport, we prefer to replace the battery every 2.5 years.

Related link: When to Replace Your Car’s Battey (EcoSport)

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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Chocobo at Camp John Hay

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We went on a recent Baguio trip with Chocobo. Baguio has started to open their tourism to visitors that comply with their health and safety protocols (such as requirement for complete vaccination and registering to their visitor database). One of the places we’ve visited is Camp John Hay, which Chocobo enjoyed.

Chocobo at Camp John Hay
Baguio 2022


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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Tires Replacement After 5 Years | 93,000 km

Eteny3 Comments

We’ve replaced our EcoSport’s tires after five years of use, at about 93,000 km distance traveled. Tires degrade with age and suffer from the usual wear and tear. The tire’s thread wear indicator and manufacturing date are indicated on the tire (consult with the dealer). For safety reasons and as a matter of preference, we’ve decided to replace all four tires at once (every five years).

The stock tire size of 2014-2018 EcoSport Trend variant is 205/60R16. We had a road emergency once and had to use a 215/60R16 with the stock rim, which also fits perfectly.

Tire shops may offer (1) free installation in which the old tires are removed and replaced with the new tires and (2) free wheel balancing to ensure that the tire which has been mounted on the rim, has a balanced spin without wobble. The tire valves may also need replacement which you need to purchase separately, and also pay for the wheel weights used in balancing. Shops may also offer additional service such as wheel alignment (not needed in the case of our EcoSport, as reported by the wheel alignment machine).

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Spare Wheel Upgrade for Our EcoSport

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Our 2017 Trend MT EcoSport was supplied with a standard spare wheel with smaller diameter. Since the spare wheel is smaller than the stock wheels, driving at speeds above 80 km/h will result to vibrations due to the tire size difference (one being smaller than all the others). In January 2022, we purchased a stock mags with tire from a fellow EcoSport owner, upgrading our spare wheel to one that is identical to the other four wheels. A stock wheel with tire size 205/60/R16 still fits in the spare wheel compartment.

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
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ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

Celebrating 90000th Kilometer

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After about 5 years, our daily-driven 2017 EcoSport Trend MT has reached a kilometer-age of 90000. We have not encountered any issue with our unit since its purchase in December 2016. Thank you for keeping us safe on the road!

To view our EcoSport’s road adventures, click here.
To view all EcoSport tutorial videos, click here.
To subscribe and receive posts about our beloved EcoSport, click here.

ECOSPORT DIY SERIES
Isa na namang kaalaman sa ating minamahal na EcoSport
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)