hi got my new too me 2009 dynamic 1.2 eco very low miles traded my 2006 dynamic 1.2 in on the deal now the thing is the 2009 seems not to be as good at pulling up hills as the 2006 is this right as its the eco version or should they be the same on the flat they seen the same its just just hills

Don't think there should be much difference between the Eco and non-eco 1.2. As I remember it, the changes were pretty much only tyres and oil type - gear ratios were the same, as was power. However, I guess the engine mapping was changed a bit.
I don't remember much difference between them, but I didn't drive them back-to-back, and I live in Norfolk, so big hills were never an issue.
Maybe the new one is still a bit tight?

it could just be me but it feels less power on hills not 100% sure yet the tyres are the same as the 2006 155x80x13

I think the tyres were the same size, but with less rolling resistance, to beat the emissions target and get in a lower car tax band.
Still, looking on the bright side, at least they changed something... they could have done a VW and just fiddled the figures.
Seriously, though, how low mileage are we looking at?
Under 20,000 or so it could just be a bit tight.
Otherwise, it could be a bit bunged up from low-speed short run driving, and in need of some harder work to get the best out of it.
My 1.2 had probably never been above 50mph before I got it, and it was pretty sluggish. Just keeps getting better now it has a more varied driving style.

hi 15000 miles just had a cambelt and water pump fitted as it was over 5 years 1 owner from new it goes great bit just feels a bit slower on hills

I was under the impression that 5th gear was quite a bit higher on the eco version, more of an overdrive, bringing the revs down for any given speed but meaning you had to wind her up a lot more in 4th.

you might be right looks like a different driving style then

martroy said:

I was under the impression that 5th gear was quite a bit higher on the eco version, more of an overdrive, bringing the revs down for any given speed but meaning you had to wind her up a lot more in 4th.

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You could be right.
I remember asking that very question, and the Fiat Dealer told me that there was no change in the gearbox ratios.
I had assumed there would be, and a high top gear in Norfolk is pretty pointless (no motorways, only a few feet of dual carriageway!), so I asked the question. But it's possible he was wrong.
Might be able to get a definitive answer on one of the car data sites (Parkers, Car-Data etc.) if you're keen enough.

looking at everything i can find on the net they all say the gear ratios are the same as the no eco so maybe the engine is still a bit tight as you first said

It was my understanding that for some Pandas (and maybe other models) they did mess around with the gearing, so that there was a bigger jump from 2nd to 3rd (or something like that), just so that when it was running at 30mph (or something) the revs gave better emissions so they could get a lower CO2 valuation. Basically they fiddled it at the expense of drivability.

I'm sure there are Panda experts on the forum who are clearer on the details and which cars were affected. It's not the sort of thing Fiat would publicise.

It's not out of the question that it might feel a bit different to drive if it's the ECO model, the 1.2 500 has a very long fifth gear which is great for keeping the revs down past 25-30mph, but if you start climbing a steep hill on a motorway for example and you aren't doing more than 60mph, you quickly have to get back down to 4th (or possibly 3rd!).

With such low mileage, as suggested below it may well be in need of a bit of an Italian tune-up My personal experience is that all of the 1.2 8v cars we have had like a good ragging every now and then (subject to your engine being properly warmed up with the right oil level etc, before anyone tries to sue me, haha!)

I'm pretty sure there is ratio difference between the 2 cars, if you're feeling a bit of an anorak look on a website called automobile catalog.com. Full of useful/useless information.

gave it an Italian tune-up last night see how it fairs up now

triballofts said:

gave it an Italian tune-up last night see how it fairs up now

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My 2007 Panda Dynamic 1.2 has just 35K miles on the clock. It drives (or did) like it was only ever used to go shopping. Above 3,500 revs there's well not much.

Driving it firmly for a couple of hundred miles did a lot of good. I suspect it was doddered everywhere causing the pistons to bed in tight. A good old thrash with no worries about fuel usage should sort it out. Even then it will probably beat 10 miles to the litre (45mpg). But it should easily beat that when it's free'd up.

Some 500s had a high top gear. I hired one a couple of years ago and TBH it spoiled an otherwise nice car. Even the slightest hill would slow it down so it spent a lot more time in 4th (with knock on -ve effect on mpg) than it should have done.

this eco could have been the same 15000 miles in 7 years shopping car around a city ive given it one blast so far other wise its in good nick sprayed the rear axle and it was like new so should last i hope also had new cambelt and water pump fitted in the deal and full service plus 12 months mot

A few Italian tune-ups will soon have it sorted.

i hope so as was a bit disappointed with it really as the 2006 was alot better on the hill climbing and you wondered if it was because it was the eco version