PROTON PREVE CFE CVT
REVIEW on 1st SERVICE - 1,000KM
June 2012


My friend once told me that a CAR has feelings too. If we try to think positive and don't worry too much, then we are creating a chance for ourselves to be in the group where everybody wants - the Lucky Group.  I guess it's easier said than done.  Each time we encounter something not working correctly, we tend to relate it to the issues we heard about in LYN. This place is like a Virtual Preve Pre-Service Centre that opens 24 hours everyday where we can gain more knowledge on our car so that we can be better prepared when face with problems. Most important of all, we get to seek comfort among the members here knowing that we are not the only ones facing such problems and we would know if a solution has already been found. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the members here for making this place a wonderful HOME.

Any information that I am sharing with you is merely my own genuine experiences and should not be misconstrued as criticism for the purpose of sabotaging.
Thank you for your understanding.

Let's start the review on:
1st Service - 1,000km

It's been 11 days since I brought my Preve home. I am happy that there wasn't any issues that requires immediate attention. The first 4 days were fabulous. All the initial problems from the first batch seems fixed. Whatever mechanical, electronics and fittings seems perfectly installed and functioning properly. I even made an outstation trip with a proper engine run-in on the second day since delivery. Except for the noise intrusion from the engine and wind, there was not a fault in the car. Of course there is vibration noise at the dashboard and below the gear console if you rev the engine hard from 0-80 kmh.

Slowly, the problems creep in one at a time starting from Day 5.
1. Aircond auto temperature never worked since Day 1 but all of a sudden it works on Day 4.

2. Aircond vents, glove box and center console area start to have rattling noises.

3. Gluk gluk gluk sound when the car rolls in D mode.

4. Extremely HIGH Fuel Consumption which can only be confirmed after first refueling.

5. Very strange starting engine sound on Day 9 during late evening.

The funny part is, despite having the abovementioned problems, I am still enjoying driving my Preve very much and my love for it never changed at all.

My Preve has just done 750km within 11 days. Wheel alignment is free so long as you have not exceeded 1,000km when you send for first service. I have compiled a list of problems I encountered on my particular unit and as requested, I will share with you for the sole purpose of enlightenment and caring.

On Day 11, I unexpectedly received a call from PE SC to bring my car in for 1k Service and I was very surprised why they will call us instead of us calling them for an appointment.  I keep my doubts to myself and just appreciate the generous service offered by them.  Luckily I have my Problems Listing prepared in advance and I was actually on my way to their SC to present my issues and enquire how many days is required to get my problems fixed so that I can plan ahead when I want to bring my car in for servicing.  Just a day earlier, I called Proton i-Care to to find out which SC in Ipoh has the best equipments and expertise to service a Preve.  The answer is not surprising, given the fact that this is the newest SC in Ipoh (4th June), and the mechanics have all along been the experts in handling any issues from all Proton models before they were transferred to this new building as claimed by my SA.  I met up with an Admin Exec who called me for the appointment and presented my issues to her and we set the appointment tomorrow, which is Day 12 and she acknowledges a copy of my letter which is for the attention of the Service Manager.  I was advised to come earliest, which is 8am hoping that I can get my car back the same evening.

On Day 12, I arrived SC at 7:55am and I was the 2nd customer but there were no Service Advisor at desk.  I went to the lounge window and glance at the service bay area and saw an assembly amongst the Service Advisors, Mechanics, etc together with the Head of Department. The mood was good and their spirits are high and jovial. It's nice to see their great team spirit which is always lacking in my own office.

At 8:10am, I was called upon by a Service Advisor (Blue Uniform) and when I inform him I have already given my list of problems, a lady standing behind him (White Uniform just like the Admin Execs) immediately bring out my copy of the letter and was actually looking forward to my presence. Even the neighboring Service Advisor greeted me by my surname too while offering me a seat to wait. That is very sweet of them. Five minutes later, we were joined by a Mechanic (Orange Uniform) to attend to my car.  I gave a briefing of my prohblems to all three of them and they were very attentive. Later I was asked to drive the car to let them identify and confirm the noise existence.  The Service Advisor did not follow as he has another customer to attend to.  Both of them were very patient to allow me to demonstrate what causes the noise but unfortunately, for the first time, a few noises does not seem present at all.  Like my friend said, Cars have feelings, so maybe the car is afraid of the mechanic.  I fail to make the gluk gluk sound when car rolling in D mode because I rev the engine too much as I was driving to SC that morning as a result, the idling rpm is higher than normal and the car rolling is faster than usual although it's still below 5kmh but the sound is gone. The front passenger right knee area also did not vibrate when I sprint the car above 2,500 rpm for 10 times until I got bored but I hope the Admin Exec behind did not feel nausea. At 9am I finished my demonstration and nature was calling me so I decided to check out their facilities. Here's some photos to save me a thousand words.

Yup the car that is being wubbed by a Pooh Bear is mine 
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The lady and the guy on the extreme left served me.
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Waiting Lounge with nice room temperature.  Wifi not ready yet.  Although there is a coffee machine but the tea lady self-made nescafe taste so much better.  I don't think it's practical to place carpet in that area because it's not easy to hold a papercup hot coffee for a sip and put back on the table without accidentally spilling.  Looks like they do not have a vacuum cleaner yet.
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Look at the Magazine Section. I wasn't aware Preve has it's own Magazine. Putting the Brochure there to entice customers who are waiting for their car to be serviced to consider upgrading to a Preve. Smart! No wonder can hit 11,000 units from launch date.
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Looking out from the Lounge Area, you will see the Servicing Bays on your left and there were no Preves on sight.
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Cars waiting to be delivered where the Blue Chassis is 4XXX and the Silver Chassis is 5XXX and both are Automatic.
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Check out the tinting on the White Preve Premium which is not just darker than the Blue Exec model but it's also much more darker than mine. Shi+, the white chassis is 69XX and they must have acted on our complain about nose-picking. How I wish my tinting is as dark as that. Sigh
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At 8am the basket was full, at 9am this is what is left and I am eager to know how it taste because I love nasi lemak but I already had my breakfast. Don't ask me how did that guy's face get onto the wrapper of the nasi lemak on the right.  I don't think he is the Nasi Lemak Ambassador. 
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I believe you can visualise how clean is the washroom by looking at the basins. Everything here is brand new just like my Preve. 
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Here's the List:
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No. 1 - Service Advisor said already performed "Total Body Operation" but could not explain in detail maybe he feels I may not understand the technical part of it. Anyway, he confirms that my engine no. 77XX is not the batch with OWV problem. I have checked the bill and there was no parts replaced for this "Total Body Operation".

No.2 & 3 - Did not measure APS for me but did a 'Reset' on the ECU & TCU because they do not have the unofficial remap data. Anyway, the sluggishness is still the same, 1500rpm start moving and 1800rpm generates power.

No. 4 - Lubricated Brake Pedal, no more squeaking noise.

No. 5 - Adjusted the Steering Alignment but not the Tyre Alignment - It's good now.

No. 6 - Car Microphone issue already reported to COSE - pending solution.

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No. 7 - It's standard on all Preves - I can live with that and I think the cause of it is they overlook the driver's door because they forgot the driver's window uses a larger motor which can power up & down automatically and it has a sensor safety feature.

No. 8 & 9 - All paint defects already reported to Tg Malim Factory awaiting further instructions.
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No. 10 - Reported to COSE, awaiting further action.

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No. 11 & 12 - Tightened and adjusted all clips and cables.  Definitely there is no more rattling noises except glove box area. The vibration still exist around gear console and dashboard but much much milder.  I am not sure if I can bear with it so I need to test this out for a week hopefully I can adapt to it.

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No. 13 - The gluk gluk sound still there because when they tested, it wasn't there. I will report on this again during my next visit. But I sense there could be no fix on this issue.

No. 14 - The broken screw comes from Right-Rear Right Side Trim Pillar and they have ordered the replacement part.

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No. 15 & 16 - Ordered Quarter Glass Panel Moulding for both sides. Nothing was done for the wind noise coming from the A Pillar. Ordered Window Strips for the center of both sides doors which divides the front and back door. It is the strip where the windows glide and rubbing on it.

No. 17 - Easy Job - Amended
Day 12 - I called the Service Advisor in the evening and he confirms have to stay overnight to check on the rattling noises and wind noise.  They have already completed servicing the car.

Day 13 - Call the Service Advisor at 5pm and he confirms car can be collected tomorrow because they are still checking other issues I highlighted. They have also ordered some parts which I need to make another appointment to get it fixed when the parts arrives.

Day 14 - I collected my car at 11am and was given a brief explanation on what has been rectified. Afterthat, they gave me the bill and fill up a survey form and I was surprised to receive a GIFT from them.

I immediately make full use of the Gift on the spot, so I guess you know what it is.



Armed with it, I managed to spot some minor injuries done to my Preve while it was at the newly opened Hotel for 3 Days 2 nights stay. Check this out:

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Those are screwdriver marks used to pry open the casings and sadly the above fittings is not well aligned after dismantling. 

Let's take a look at the engine area:

Car Battery Before Service
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Car Battery After Service and replaced a handle which I could not notice anything different except the trip meter has been reset and Head Unit needs to enter pin number again. The side mirrors do not close in sync anymore. The right side mirror closes slower than the left side mirror.
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Coolant Cap replaced because wasn't able to tightly secure it with a 'click' sound.
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Markings have been placed everywhere and I noticed the Bonnet Cover has been raised higher when you pull the trigger for the Bonnet Cover to Pop-Up.

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Did you notice the red round light on the left meter is brighter than the right meter? They have reported to COSE and awaiting feedback.
To reduce the vibration and rattling noises, I notice they have adjusted the following areas:

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They have tilted the D ring for the car boot latch to secure, to an even greater degree and placed a black tick mark there.
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I complained about the brake dust and they say the brake pad is asbestos-free which causes all the dust. So they wash the rims free for me and not the car. How Sweet. 
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These are the documents:

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They asked me to answer all the questions before checking my car. No way. I inspected my car generally before completing the survey form.
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The next service is 5,000km which I myself prefer.
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I can only provide the final outcome after my subsequent visit where they have to replace some parts.  In the meantime, this is what they have rectified during the 3 days 2 nights stay at the newly opened Proton Edar Service Centre in Ipoh.  The only setback is every day I have to call and ask the Service Advisor on the progress of my car because I am concerned whether they are spending time on it or just leaving it there for attention only when they are free.  If I am kept updated on what work has been carried out everyday, then I feel comfortable that my car is still in the workshop and there is someone attending to it every minute. I am also slightly disappointed that they pry open covers without using cloth to cover up the screwdriver head which causes scratches here and there but I have seen worse in other Service Centres.

Overall, I am very satisfied with their service and the environment.  And surprisingly, this is the first time I experience a car service and repair where my car was returned to me absolutely "Clean" without grease or marks anywhere in the interior.  I must praise them on this kind of quality service where I couldn't find in other workshop and of different yet more prominent makes.

I have decided to only send my Preve for servicing in this Service Centre for they have given me a very good first impression and also every staff there are so friendly and helpful which you feel that you are part of their family too. 
Cheers,
Rick Federer
CFE CVT
Solid White
CN 40XX
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