Sorry mate if I came across as being a little unhelpful (that's what it looks like to me this morning!) I didn't realise how grumpy and tired I was last night!
I just didn't want to go repeating a lot of stuff I've already posted. Loveshandbags has obviously, helpfully, chucked in a couple of links and I appreciate you've now probably read the stuff.
It's interesting though just reading through other forum members posts concerning servicing. They can be quite extreme, from changing the oil in the first few hundred miles, to waiting anything up to two years before a first service because the service manual or the dealer says 18k. I'm not sure that even Fiat would argue that a vehicle should be serviced at least once a year, whether that be on a low mileage service plan or a main service. Clearly, many owners will achieve 18k in the first year, hence the mileage that Fiat have set their own recommendations at.
As vehicles are physically unable to care for themselves, it is incumbent on the owner to look after it to the best of their ability. Safety is personally my own main priority. If I get the car serviced every 12 months, then I can be confident (as much as I can be) that it has been checked for safety (brakes, steering, tyres etc). That just makes me feel better especially if I'm carrying passengers because their safety whilst traveling in my vehicle is my responsibility. I couldn't personally use the argument that just because a car is 'brand new' from the showroom, that there's no need to ensure basic safety checks are carried out at least yearly. Clearly some new cars do have problems from new, some safety related too, hence occasional recalls by some manufacturers.
Obviously owners will all have their own little quirks about what they believe should or shouldn't be done. I have my own. Engine flush as an example. Always used it at oil changes on my previous cars. Forum advice is don't use it, not recommended by Fiat. Local Fiat/Alfa indy near me, uses it because they tell me they do. I had our POP serviced at the main dealer and they didn't use it because it isn't recommended. I accept from both forum users and Fiat that using engine flush is definitely not in the best interest of the engine. Still won't stop me from using engine flush in my Dodge Neon still sat quietly in the garage though!
I think if owners are serious about looking after their vehicle (after all, they cost a lot of wedge) then a yearly service routine (obviously sooner if you happen to be popping more than 18k per annum!) is probably, best practice.
