Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: I Tried Overhauling My 2014 Daihatsu Mira COCOA - Things We Take for Granted

This is a story about how I overhauled my 2014 Daihatsu Mira COCOA and found that its driving performance and quietness improved dramatically, to the point of being like a new car (or even better).

In a world facing soaring global resource prices and semiconductor shortages, when you consider the resources and energy used to build a car, it makes sense to think about the environmental impact.

Reduce

It is only logical to use things for as long as possible, right? Moreover, since it was made in 2014 (which I consider a new car in our household), it is already equipped with idling stop and regenerative braking via the alternator (generator). In other words, instead of using the brakes to convert the car's kinetic energy into friction and heat to stop, it uses the generator to convert that kinetic energy into electricity, which is then stored back in the battery. This is a technology that has been widely put to practical use in hybrid cars and trains.

As it was entering its eighth year, I asked the Toyota dealership in Isezaki-cho, where I always get my maintenance done, to perform a full maintenance service.

The initial trigger was that the rebuilt alternator (a refurbished part where an old alternator is serviced and made reusable) I was recommended unfortunately had a slightly low power output, so I had to ask for a free replacement. I decided to have an overhaul done at the same time. By the way, I have always been quite careful with maintenance. Please take a look at the following as well.

Full maintenance begins.

I saved money by using Toyota Mobility's Pro-Care (lol).

On top of that, 1. Engine oil and filter (both air and oil) replacement. I also added Toyota's pride and joy, the MT10 additive. Since it is a kei car, it is designed to be used at higher RPMs than a standard car, so just like with motorcycles and scooters, reducing friction loss is extremely effective for improving engine feel (revving up lightly) and fuel efficiency.

By the way, I have applied Microlon to all the cars and motorcycles I own. This is also incredibly effective.

2. CVT fluid replacement. I change the CVT fluid frequently. Just like with AT (automatic transmission) fluid, if you neglect to change it, the new fluid can cause slipping, requiring the replacement of the CVT itself, or the old, hardened fluid can flake off and cause clogs. I also had a transmission additive added. This is also effective because the drivetrain is used at high RPMs.

3. Tire replacement and balance adjustment. I requested Bridgestone REGNO GR-XI tires. These are products with the best quietness performance, born from joint research with the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo's Applied Acoustic Engineering Laboratory.

However, the Toyota dealership only handles Yokohama tires, so I installed ADVAN dB V552 as an alternative.

Since the car doesn't have the absolute quietness of an American Lincoln Town Car, which I love and use Bridgestone REGNO GR-XI tires on, I honestly couldn't feel the difference between the REGNO GR-XI and the ADVAN dB V552. Simply put, road noise was dramatically reduced. Of course, it's unfair to compare it to a Lincoln.

4. Battery replacement. Because the rebuilt alternator was defective (insufficient power generation), which was a harsh situation for an idling stop car's battery, I replaced the battery even though it had only been in use for half a year. Of course, I replaced it with the same Toyota genuine product for idling stop cars as the one that was installed.

5. Other adjustments and replacements. I replaced the entire headlight assembly, which had become cloudy due to UV rays, and also replaced the headlight bulbs (from genuine to high-brightness bulbs that are just within the legal limit for vehicle inspections). I did this because I was stopped at a night checkpoint and told that my headlights were dim. I think the police officer felt it was a maintenance issue because the headlights were dim due to the alternator defect causing insufficient power generation at idle, and also because of the resin clouding caused by UV rays. In any case, I didn't want to be pointed out by a police officer for that again, so I decided to replace them. It was the right decision, and night driving has become much easier.

I also had the front brake disc rotors and pads replaced, the front hub bearings replaced, and other fine adjustments and replacements made by the mechanic for anything that felt even slightly off.

After doing all this, the change was so dramatic that I was stunned by the condition it was in before. Since the car was well-maintained inside and out and wasn't worn out to begin with, it doesn't smell like a new car, but I think its driving performance and quietness are better than a new car. I believe the reason it achieved quietness exceeding that of a new car is the use of premium, top-tier quiet tires instead of OEM tires, and the reduction of engine and CVT noise through additives.

I am very satisfied.

The total cost came to about 250,000 yen.

Perhaps it's about the amount of consumption tax and miscellaneous expenses at the time of purchasing a new car.

Again. Very satisfied.

Side note:
By the way, regarding the cars in our household, the ones we are still using are,
in order of age:
Honda VF750F, about 40 years (20 km/l)
Lincoln Town Car, about 30 years (7-10 km/l*)
Honda Lead 100, about 25 years (30-40 km/l)
So,

the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, 8 years (15-20 km/l),
is the newest, and it's an eco-car.

*This is an ambitious model from Ford that showed the pride of American cars, having completely reverse-engineered the 1990 Toyota Lexus LS400 and redesigned the engine. Despite its 5.5m x 2.0m, 2-ton body, it gets over 10 km/l on the highway.

Extra side note:
By the way,
Me, about 60 years
(Fuel efficiency unknown; runs happily if you give it beer or sake)
lol