General Service and Other Things

Currently reading:
General Service and Other Things

RachelJ

New member
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Messages
23
Points
6
Hello, sorry for starting another service thread but there are a few issues I want to ask about, and also a lot of the information on servicing is quite out of date now.

So for the servicing, I just want straight answers to some questions because I'm a bit confused! I have looked in the handbook and online but everything is a bit vague/contradictory.
- Do I need a service now? I have had my 63 plate 500 for a year now and have done 9000 miles.
- If I need a service, which one do I need to get?
- Does it need to be at the Fiat dealer? Or if I go independent how much will it really affect things?
- I now live between Simonstone (Bristol) and Chippenham dealers, can anyone recommend one over the other or any independents in the area?

Also, I have had a couple of little issues with the car - the dreaded squeaky fan, and the tracking is out. Will these be covered by the service/warrantee?

Sorry for all the questions! Thanks :)
 
Hello, sorry for starting another service thread but there are a few issues I want to ask about, and also a lot of the information on servicing is quite out of date now.

So for the servicing, I just want straight answers to some questions because I'm a bit confused! I have looked in the handbook and online but everything is a bit vague/contradictory.
- Do I need a service now? I have had my 63 plate 500 for a year now and have done 9000 miles.

What maximum service interval is indicated in your Warranty/Maintenance Handbook? I think it's 18,000 miles. The car needs to be serviced at that point or every 12 months, whichever comes first. By that criterion your car is due for a service now.

- If I need a service, which one do I need to get?

The items listed under the 18,000 mile service in your handbook.

- Does it need to be at the Fiat dealer? Or if I go independent how much will it really affect things?

Provided an independent is competent, properly equipped and, above all, trustworthy there is no reason not to go that route. If the service is done 'by the book' there should be no issues. Bear in mind that warranty issues need to be addressed by a Fiat dealer.

- I now live between Simonstone (Bristol) and Chippenham dealers, can anyone recommend one over the other or any independents in the area?

Also, I have had a couple of little issues with the car - the dreaded squeaky fan, and the tracking is out. Will these be covered by the service/warrantee?

Might depend on just how intrusive the squeak is, e.g. can you hear it above the engine? Try the dealer and see what they say. Personally, if it's audible above the (idling) engine I'd insist it be fixed.

If by tracking you mean wheel alignment, then no, that's generally not covered under warranty as it could have been caused by hitting something, perhaps a kerb or similar.


Sorry for all the questions! Thanks :)

Don't be, that's how we learn.
 
It's also worth pointing out that for the warranty to be valid the servicing independent MUST be VAT registered, and use genuine FIAT parts (ie. oil/air filter, spark plugs) and oil of the correct grade meeting the required specifications. You will also need them to give an itemised invoice (as a VAT reg'd one would 99% of the time anyway).
 
Service intervals are 18,000 miles or 24 months, unless you do less than 6,000 miles per annum, then it is recommended an annual service.
That is what is states in my service book.
You will no doubt get loads of opinions on this matter, however, that is what my book states and that is what I did. Had loads of warranty work done in year 2, before it had its service. So it must have met my dealerships criteria for still being under warranty.
 
Service intervals are 18,000 miles or 24 months, unless you do less than 6,000 miles per annum, then it is recommended an annual service.
That is what is states in my service book.
You will no doubt get loads of opinions on this matter, however, that is what my book states and that is what I did. Had loads of warranty work done in year 2, before it had its service. So it must have met my dealerships criteria for still being under warranty.

My advice is to read YOUR handbook and do exactly what YOUR book says. I think the schedule may have changed since the launch of the current 500 so some people may quote what their car needs which may or may not be the same as your car.

Mine doesn't mention anything about the 24 months requirements, just 30000km as the first service (unless you do less than 10000km per annum when you need just an annual oil and oil filter change).

Having said that, annual oil and oil filter changes will help prolong the life of your engine if you intend on keeping it for a while. Don't spend silly money though, I got a genuine filter for my 1.2 for less than £5 and correct specification Castrol Edge oil for less than £25 (with some spare for topping up), and I paid £36 labour from a VAT-registered independent, who also did basic checks on levels, pressures and lights etc. and found an issue with my exhaust that was repaired under warranty.
 
My advice is to read YOUR handbook and do exactly what YOUR book says. I think the schedule may have changed since the launch of the current 500 so some people may quote what their car needs which may or may not be the same as your car.

Mine doesn't mention anything about the 24 months requirements, just 30000km as the first service (unless you do less than 10000km per annum when you need just an annual oil and oil filter change).

Having said that, annual oil and oil filter changes will help prolong the life of your engine if you intend on keeping it for a while. Don't spend silly money though, I got a genuine filter for my 1.2 for less than £5 and correct specification Castrol Edge oil for less than £25 (with some spare for topping up), and I paid £36 labour from a VAT-registered independent, who also did basic checks on levels, pressures and lights etc. and found an issue with my exhaust that was repaired under warranty.

Why not just be a nice person and open up your service manual and tell the OP what it says in there even if it's completely irrelevant for their car?

/s
 
Why not just be a nice person and open up your service manual and tell the OP what it says in there even if it's completely irrelevant for their car?

/s

I detect a hint of sarcasm against me.

Why is it irrelevant, their manual might say exactly the same as mine? The two cars are of a similar age. So the information may be 100% correct.

I have advised the OP to read the manual to check, which is something you often do, whilst also highlighting there is a difference. I seem to recall you have previously given service interval advice, which, for my car at least, is incorrect.

If you're having a go at me for an irrelevant post, in my opinion your post isn't very helpful for anybody neither. So go on, what is your advice?
 
No no, I was saying you'd done the right thing ;) The service requirements have changed many times and people should always refer to what theirs says.
 
No no, I was saying you'd done the right thing ;) The service requirements have changed many times and people should always refer to what theirs says.

Ahhhh, please accept my apology. Sorry.

Yes, it is a very difficult as it isn't a 'one rule fits all'

Once again, sorry I misunderstood.
 
Service intervals are 18,000 miles or 24 months, unless you do less than 6,000 miles per annum, then it is recommended an annual service.
"That is what is states in my service book".


Just repeating part of my post. MY SERVICE BOOK. Cannot be any clearer. Okay.
 
Wow you guys have long service intervals in terms of kms. Mine here in Australia is either 15,000kms or 12 months, whichever comes first.

I did the 15k service a month ago and next one says 30,000kms.

Maybe it's due to harsher climate here?
 
Wow you guys have long service intervals in terms of kms. Mine here in Australia is either 15,000kms or 12 months, whichever comes first.

I did the 15k service a month ago and next one says 30,000kms.

Maybe it's due to harsher climate here?

Actually service intervals in Australia 'by the book' (or, at least, my book) are 30,000km or 12 months. The dealer recommends 15,000km (well, they would wouldn't they?). It's all academic for me as I'll never cover even 15k in a year.
 
I do about 15k a year so 1 year interval is just right for me.
 
In Aus they want to make sure they never have a warranty claim on an engine so they make us service them earlier... To be fair the TA 500 in I think 2012-13 was listed as 30000km or 2 years. Wish I bought one at that time.
 
Our 500S has just had its first birthday too. Serviced by local fiat dealer for £153.77 that includes free roadside and homestart for a year included. Ask for a Myfiat card which gives a 10% discount.
 
I had a letter from my dealer advising my first year service was due, so I booked it in (its tomorrow actually).

I've only done just over 6.6k so its the low mileage service. My brother advised I put a mark on all of my filters etc. to see if they actually change them! (I've only been driving just over a year and am a bit of a car noob, so far too trusting apparently).
 
I had a letter from my dealer advising my first year service was due, so I booked it in (its tomorrow actually).

I've only done just over 6.6k so its the low mileage service. My brother advised I put a mark on all of my filters etc. to see if they actually change them! (I've only been driving just over a year and am a bit of a car noob, so far too trusting apparently).

If you've been driving it for a year, you'll be able to tell if they've changed the oil filter just by looking at it (though you'll have to get under the car to check).

There's no point marking anything else, because on a low mileage service, it's not going to get changed.
 
If you've been driving it for a year, you'll be able to tell if they've changed the oil filter just by looking at it (though you'll have to get under the car to check).

There's no point marking anything else, because on a low mileage service, it's not going to get changed.

Ah ok thanks, then I am being hideously overcharged for it then! You live and learn...
 
then I am being hideously overcharged for it then! You live and learn...

Possibly.

A friend bought her own oil (£24 from Costco), & took it to a Fiat franchised dealer, who supplied an OEM filter & changed the oil for £44, so basically £68 all in.

If you're paying >£80, then IMO you're being overcharged, though some folks here have paid twice that for a low mileage service.

I do my own; with a genuine filter, it works out about £30 a time.

Edit: Those prices are for the 1.2. Thanks to Fiat's parts pricing policy*, you can add another £20 or so for a TA.

* The 1.2 uses an environmentally-unfriendly throwaway filter unit, which costs about a fiver. The replacement element in the environmentally-friendly reusable filter on the TA costs about five times that. Go figure.
 
Last edited:
I had a letter from my dealer advising my first year service was due, so I booked it in (its tomorrow actually).

I've only done just over 6.6k so its the low mileage service. My brother advised I put a mark on all of my filters etc. to see if they actually change them! (I've only been driving just over a year and am a bit of a car noob, so far too trusting apparently).

You can get an oil and filter change done on a 1.2 on a low mileage service from a Fiat dealer for less than £90, I know, because I've done it. It very much depends on how good your negotiating skills are I'm afraid. I actually paid just under £85 when I had the first service done on our old POP.

Whilst £90ish is still a lot of money for first low mileage service, we need to remember that the dealer should check for any recall work and it is an opportunity to sort out any warranty stuff too. Yes, we all know any VAT garage can do the service, but I'd still be inclined to have a first dealer service anyway. If anything, you'll have a genuine Fiat stamp in the service log.

I wouldn't bother putting any marks on your oil filter, it would be a very poor franchise dealership that doesn't change the filter and to be honest if they got caught doing that, the shame and humiliation of being outed would be damaging.
 
Back
Top