ben said:

Smart fuel? What's that?

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It's a name sometimes given to the type of filler used on the 500L. (and some other cars, then name for it varies)

There is no screw on cap, just a rubber shroud that covers the filler fitted to the inside of the filler flap. There is a spring loaded cap on the filler that opens when you insert the nozzle and closes when you with draw it.

The filler is unable to accept a nozzle from a normal sized diesel pump, hence it's theoretically not possible to mis-fuel the car with diesel.

looks like a made to break after warranty part

dave said:

looks like a made to break after warranty part

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Not sure what you mean TBH. There isn't anything to break really, perhaps the spring on the spring loaded cap maybe???

Other than that it's just a normal petrol flap with a bit of rubber stuck to it.

Lots of cars have very similar now including my daughters Ford Ka along with several other Ford models.

I watched 1/2 an episode on recommendation & wish I'd spent my time pulling out my nostril hairs with tweezers. He really has lost it now.

The white plastic funnel in the video isn't on the actual cars in case anyone was thinking it was. Or at least I've never seen one on any 500L or Panda's I've looked at.

Does the system only prevent you putting diesel into a petrol, not vice versa?

If so I might've found how they mis-fuelled - the 500L in the series is a Dualogic, which is the 1.3 Multijet, so could they put unleaded into a diesel, even with Smart Fuel?

The series was a bit tedious for the first couple of episodes, but it does get going. I really enjoyed it. The last episode especially.

JTD_Liam said:

The white plastic funnel in the video isn't on the actual cars in case anyone was thinking it was. Or at least I've never seen one on any 500L or Panda's I've looked at.

Does the system only prevent you putting diesel into a petrol, not vice versa?

If so I might've found how they mis-fuelled - the 500L in the series is a Dualogic, which is the 1.3 Multijet, so could they put unleaded into a diesel, even with Smart Fuel?

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I'm afraid that is incorrect, at least in our case, our UK supplied 500L came with a plastic emergency refuelling funnel. It is exactly like the one in the video I linked to. It sits with the jack and the wheel brace in the holder that fits in the centre of the space saver spare wheel under the boot floor. I can't see why other 500L's wouldn't come with one.

As for mis-fuelling a diesel, the manual refers to 'smart fuel' preventing misfuelling by way of being provided with an 'inhibitor' which prevents refuelling with incorrect fuel. I am not sure how it works in the case of a diesel but certainly the manual doesn't differentiate between fuel types.

MJG said:

I'm afraid that is incorrect,

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I think he meant not permanently fitted

dave said:

I think he meant not permanently fitted

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Perhaps, however the video clearly shows it is not a permanent fixture though, and it looks obvious to me that the filler flap wouldn't close with it fitted.

The only need for using the funnel is if not filling up at the petrol station.


Cannot comment on the filler cap closing if the funnel was left in place or not as have not tried it.

dave said:

I think he meant not permanently fitted

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I did indeed! Cheers dave

MJG said:

Perhaps, however the video clearly shows it is not a permanent fixture though, and it looks obvious to me that the filler flap wouldn't close with it fitted.

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I was referring to earlier comments regarding the funnel looking like it might break, and just saying it's not always there in case people were looking out for it. If anything the video is a bit misleading having that funnel included because you wouldn't routinely use it and it's not needed to prevent mis-fueling.

JTD_Liam said:

I did indeed! Cheers dave



I was referring to earlier comments regarding the funnel looking like it might break, and just saying it's not 'always there'. If anything the video is a bit misleading having that funnel included because you wouldn't routinely use it and it's not needed to prevent mis-fueling.

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But he explains in the video what it's purpose is ie if you need to re fuel away from a filling station so I'm not sure why it's misleading.

The guy is only explaining the use of it in the video, you would not routinely need to use it as he does mention that as Martin has pointed out.


I have also checked and you cannot shut the flap with the funnel inserted.

i dont need smart fuel or a funnel as my car is fitted with "smart driver™" it makes sure you put right fuel in and don't run out so no need for a funnel.

dave said:

i dont need smart fuel or a funnel as my car is fitted with "smart driver™" it makes sure you put right fuel in and don't run out so no need for a funnel.

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I don't think most people do either. However some do and that is what FIAT and other manufacturers are catering for here.