Lada Largus 1.6 (102 hp), M5
The vehicle is a 2012 AVTOVAZ Lada Largus with a 1.6 liter engine producing 102 horsepower. It has been on the road since August 2012 and carried a mileage of about 146,000 kilometers at the time of the report. The author’s experience comes from regular daily use, with a focus on reliability and thermal management over several seasons.
A thermostat upgrade made a noticeable difference. The previous thermostat was set to trigger at 89 degrees Celsius, but it tended to open much earlier, around 81 degrees. This caused significant temperature swings in hot weather and inconsistent heating in winter, making cabin comfort unpredictable and the engine warm-up slower during cold starts.
After installing an original Renault thermostat, the cooling system stabilized. In hot conditions, the engine temperature stayed within a narrow band, generally not rising above 89 to 99 degrees, with occasional higher spikes only during lengthy stationary traffic jams. The climate inside the cabin improved as a result, and the interior heat remained steady even on hot days.
During the winter season, temperature readings stayed between 89 and 91 degrees, and the cabin temperature rose noticeably. The heater performance increased by a few degrees when the control was set to the same level, making the cabin noticeably more comfortable in cold weather. Engine temperature tracking was done via the on board computer through an OBD-II connection, allowing for real time monitoring without additional gauges.
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- A complete overview of the Largus subheading outlining typical issues can be found in the main article dedicated to Largus diagnostics and common failures.
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