StevenRB45 said:

Reading the pieces that have been posted up this doesn't just affect 1.2s but covers all petrol 500s. I'm very surprised they have an 18k oil interval on the TA. It has a turbo, timing chain and a tiny capacity so will be highly stressed. I do wonder how long it may be before premature turbo failure and timing chain stretch threads start popping up here. They may not but when your engine oil lubricates your timing gear and your turbo bearings it would probably be prudent to change it more regularly than the old style fire units.

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Why though? I really dont think modern oil deteriorates as quickly as it used to. I'd be more worried about keeping the oil level topped up through periodic checks.

StevenRB45 said:

I'm very surprised they have an 18k oil interval on the TA. It has a turbo, timing chain and a tiny capacity so will be highly stressed. I do wonder how long it may be before premature turbo failure and timing chain stretch threads start popping up here.

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Why all this fear? The TA is 5 years on the market. Did you hear about any serious problems? I didn't.

Besides, the sump of the tiny TA contains more oil than the sump of the much larger 1.4. More oil also helps to extend the change interval.

zanes said:

Cynic inside me suspects franchised dealers have been bemoaning the lack of servicing income, but FIAT haven't wanted to cut the "headline" servicing intervals so have gone for a sort of halfway house.

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Cynic? This seems a perfectly logical explanation!

Just to add my penny worth my 1.2 is just one year old I had a letter from my dealer saying I should book in for its yearly check I arange the apointment ,
When I booked him in the receptionist told me it would cost £175.00 I said I dont think so as I had paid for 2 years servicing ,she went and found the manager and he agreed it was already paid for any way getting back to the point they had stamped my service record which included oil and filter change
oh by the way impressed with them ,the are K A P eastbourne

AGH1965 said:

Why all this fear? The TA is 5 years on the market. Did you hear about any serious problems? I didn't.

Besides, the sump of the tiny TA contains more oil than the sump of the much larger 1.4. More oil also helps to extend the change interval.

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Mainly that there seems to be a distinct correlation between timing chain problems and long service intervals in other manufacturers (looking at you Citroen and BMW/MINI). While Japanese manufacturers with there shorter intervals seem to experience very little trouble with them.

It may be fiat's are of better quality than the ones fitted BMW but the whole of life cost of changing the oil yearly compared to replacing a chain that if looked correctly should last the life of the engine is negligible. The issues some have with timing chains/tensioners on Fiat diesels would suggest caution may be wise. If they are going to make you take it in every year as well you're already paying labour, so just add a bottle of oil and filter and be done.

Personal opinion obviously you wouldn't notice the difference in 3-4 years but I keep my cars for 6 plus if they hang together so play the long game.

StevenRB45 said:

Mainly that there seems to be a distinct correlation between timing chain problems and long service intervals in other manufacturers (looking at you Citroen and BMW/MINI). While Japanese manufacturers with there shorter intervals seem to experience very little trouble with them.

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Is this just an assumption? How did PSA/BMW/MINI solve the problem? Did they reduce oil change interval or did they change the chain?

AGH1965 said:

Is this just an assumption? How did PSA/BMW/MINI solve the problem? Did they reduce oil change interval or did they change the chain?

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Well the BMW N47 was recalled the chains and tensioners were redesigned. But there have been reports of it happening with the redesigned bits as well.

Edit: actually they have recalled it again January of this year.

Could be coincidence indeed as I said it's a personal opinion, if I had an engine that had both a timing chain and a turbo, the life expectancy of which is related to the quality of the oil they get I would be changing my oil more often than every 2 years.

I'm not saying we're all doomed or anything of the sort it was an observation.

as long as it makes it out of the warranty period, Fiat will be happy enough.

VW also has had significant chain problems with its 1.4 TSI petrol, I believe. I believe they have changed back to timing belts on 1.4 petrol ones too.

BMW's N47 2.0 diesels are well known for chain failures. More freguent oil changes are at least a cheap insurance attempt, if not vital for prevention.

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/429755-oil-usage.html

Note the last few posts on this thread. A fellow poster with a Panda has just had one of these first year service/inspections done and it basically cost £50 + the cost of 2l of oil. Not outrageous IMO.

Worth bearing in mind as a benchmark price for others with 500s on this new revised service schedule who are due to have this new first service soon

I checked through this thread and didn't see it mentioned that you could change the service interval yourself (Mick F came close to mentioning it)...

...so I thought I'd point out that with MultiECUScan software, a yellow adapter, and an ELM327 cable (all obtainable from Gendan.co.uk and also suitable for almost every other FIAT/Alfa), you can not only reset the service interval but also change the service interval distance if you prefer a shorter or longer interval.

On our 500, I have halved the interval to 15,000km as the original 30,000km interval makes no sense for a six-year-old car used in mainly short trip conditions.

Thereafter, the service due indication will appear after 15,000km and of course it is possible to check how far/how long before the next service, which I find useful. It gives a nice warm feeling to stay ahead of these things

-Alex

...so I thought I'd point out that with MultiECUScan software, a yellow adapter, and an ELM327 cable (all obtainable from Gendan.co.uk and also suitable for almost every other FIAT/Alfa), you can not only reset the service interval but also change the service interval distance if you prefer a shorter or longer interval.



https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_OBDLINKSX.html
and
https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FESYELLOW.html


Is this all I need for a Punto Mk2?

ralphnz said:

https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_OBDLINKSX.html
and
https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FESYELLOW.html

Is this all I need for a Punto Mk2?

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Wrong forum - I was talking about the 500
As far as I remember, the 2000-2003 Punto doesn't use the CAN bus for diagnostics, so you'd need https://m.gendan.co.uk/product_FESNOCAN.html

-Alex

I've just had a call from my dealer telling me that my 500 is due for its annual service.

First I knew of this as the service indicator is set to 18k miles. Yes I know all the stuff about extended service periods so I'm not getting into that.

The real joke is that they want £199 for a Mickey mouse "inspection".

Don't think they'll be getting any of my money. If I really have to comply to ensure warranty compliance I'll hand over a few quid to my friendly independent to stamp the book while I do the inspection.

Not impressed.

RussH said:

The real joke is that they want £199 for a Mickey mouse "inspection".

Don't think they'll be getting any of my money. If I really have to comply to ensure warranty compliance I'll hand over a few quid to my friendly independent to stamp the book while I do the inspection.

Not impressed.

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Oof!

I won't make a comparison to Suzuki dealer service pricing as that figure is self evidently ridiculous

I've got to believe that the woman I spoke to quoted me for a full service.

It's still academic though, they won't be getting any money out of me

I really resent being taken for a fool.

So as I suspected the service interval for our 2014 500's according to the owners manual and the service indicator is 2 years or 18 thousand miles.

In other words my dealer has just tried to con me out of £199.

The debate about whether this is a good idea from longevity point of view is a different issue.

I'll sort out oil changes etc. and as for the inspection stuff, well I do that every day / every week. If they think I'm dumb enough to pay someone maybe £70 to 80 / hr to check the wear on my tyres they're sadly mistaken