Hi all, (new here)

Just a couple of questions in regards to my newly purchased Fiat 500 0.9L twin air (amazing car btw!) Sadly dualogic version but still ok given I do a lot of peak hour driving... (Tip for dualogic owners: raise your foot of accelerator when changing up gear!). Def buy the manual if that is an option for you anyone looking into this car!

1. Seems to sometimes increase acceleration when reversing, foot not even on accelerator but feels like it is? normal? Not often this happens though.

2. Coming up to the first major service at 30k cheapest quote I have got is $480AU? is this an ok price? Tried The Italian Job and they said just stick with Fiat till after warranty (Really nice guys, were honest and said they hadn't done enough of the 500 TA). Another Fiat dealer quoted $680... I presume not worth the risk of taking it to another mechanic to save maybe $100-150? I have read oil needs to be the legit type and I am sure 99% sure most mechanics would prob just throw anything in? But recommendations welcome!

3. Having a bit of trouble trying to work out oil levels on the dipstick, it is the white plastic version and really doesn't seem to have a clear marker in terms of max and min (or I am just reading it wrong?). There was a link I saw but it was a metal dipstick.

So far loving this car, for those who are looking into it and the main question for aussies would be how does it perform on the freeways and long drives? fantastic! I work in the city and it is great, really at home in the city, but I have also done some long drives in the country and through the mountains. Never really felt like there has not been enough power. Driver seat is a bit high though which is good for viewing in traffic but feels a little awkward when on a clear twisting mountain road.
Also a lot of complaints about mileage... real world is never equal to the quoted stats... but still very very good on fuel, Don't buy a 500 TA to put it in ECO and start stop mode.

I would have loved the manual Abarth, but twin air for 17k compared to 30k+ didn't really seem worth it.
Any advice/answers to questions would be appreciated.

danwhelanau said:

...Don't buy a 500 TA to put it in ECO and start stop mode..

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Welcome Dan. I agree and have and stopped using ECO and only use S/S for the novelty value sometimes. Also have the white placky dipstick. Last 20mm or so is about half the diameter of the rest of the stick before it returns to full width at the very bottom again. This I assume is the Add<->Full range.

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logger said:

Welcome Dan. I agree and have and stopped using ECO and only use S/S for the novelty value sometimes. Also have the white placky dipstick. Last 20mm or so is about half the diameter of the rest of the stick before it returns to full width at the very bottom again. This I assume is the Add<->Full range.

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That's correct. My plastic dipstick is now a uniform tan colour which makes it harder to see the actual oil level. The metal 'spring' in the partners Pop 1.2 is much easier to use.

As we've discussed previously, I use ECO about 90-95% of the time now that my engine's loosened up and I leave S/S on for most of the time. I'm not sure how much the latter saves me in fuel however but my MPG has continued to improve too. Some of this might be due to using 98 RON.

As I said before I'll be interested in how you feel about these things when your car's 12 months old.

danwhelanau said:

Hi all, (new here)

Def buy the manual if that is an option for anyone looking into this car!

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Our experience is somewhat different
Our TwinAir Plus is about 18 months young and coming up on 30K kms
We were a little concerned when we got the Dualogic but after 30K kms there is no question that we made the right decision.

Car is driven by wife and self, maybe 60/40.
She drives with Eco off whist I drive with it on and only switch off if about to overtake or occasionally feeling "sporty".
I find the earlier gear changes in Eco are about right (for me)

When occasionally in a bit of traffic the "auto" is great

But then the paddles - for me ANY negative on the Dualogic is far outweighed by the paddles - never had so much FUN in about 50 years of driving.
Am hoping to get an Abarth mid next year and it will be MTA for the same reason. No MTA - no Abarth

The Dualogic is very different but IMHO it only enhances the character of the car.
I have driven both manual and "auto" and yes the manual is a very slick gearbox but the car is more FUN with the Dualogic
all round

In passing, the stop/start was turned off the second day we owned it and has never been on since - although we are retired and don't drive in peak traffic conditions.

As usual just IMHO

I see the 105 TA is not available with DL. Odd as the 1.4 was. Maybe it's because it has a close ratio box?

Mercky said:

I see the 105 TA is not available with DL. Odd as the 1.4 was. Maybe it's because it has a close ratio box?

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i think because the system would break like mine = )

Mercky said:

I see the 105 TA is not available with DL. Odd as the 1.4 was. Maybe it's because it has a close ratio box?

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It isn't? Then again, I can't even find the 105 TA on the Aussie FIAT website:
http://www.fiat.com.au/compare-models-fiat500

Is the 105 available in Australia yet?

Aussie500nut said:

But then the paddles - for me ANY negative on the Dualogic is far outweighed by the paddles - never had so much FUN in about 50 years of driving.
Am hoping to get an Abarth mid next year and it will be MTA for the same reason. No MTA - no Abarth

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Agreed on the paddles, I can't live without them

44sunsets said:

Is the 105 available in Australia yet?

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Not unless you chip your 85

There's a strong chance Fiat will drop the 1.4S and just bring in the 105 in S trim, IMO, since they just can't stop messing with the line up. I imagine the Lounge will keep it's 85hp.

UFI said:

Not unless you chip your 85

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How do aftermarket tunes reside on ECUs that are already have dynamic switching between programs?
Would be great if the ECO tune could be swapped with a 105hp performance tune, allowing switch between 85hp and 105hp.

IRC, the Fiat/ Marelli Tuning box gives you ECO, 85 and 105hp modes

The ECU will have two separate maps on it and you can change the one you want. In theory you could copy the 85hp map over the ECO map and change the other one.

Because the TA maps also control lift/timing/duration of the cam on a TA, I'd be careful with who I took the car to for such mods. Theoretically, the gains could be significant though.

The plug in box is cheaper, easier and safer though.

Thanks for reminding me, I just ordered the Marelli box It actually gives you ECO, Normal, MAP1 and MAP2.

I’m not sure about the legislation around warranty’s in Australia but certainly in the UK you don’t need to have a car serviced by a manufacturer/main dealer whilst it’s under warranty.

It just needs to be a VAT registered garage(which means they pay tax and are therefore considered legit) and that they complete the work to the manufacturer’s spec.

So if it’s just a basic service (oil/filters and an inspection) I would buy my own oil (I use Opie Oil’s in the UK, dead cheap and top quality oil’s) and either get the filters from a Fiat dealer or make sure the garage does and you will no doubt save loads. Probably get a better job done as well, especially if you know them or if they come recommended.

Only down side is if something fails out of warranty. Fiat and their dealers won’t honour any sort of “good will”. Same for any manufacturer though.

Hi it is great to know Dual logic is ok compared to the Manual, my wife driving sometimes was the main reason for going auto also.
The paddles I find impossible to use, I hold the wheel very much 10-2 oclock position and find the paddles far to low at their 9-3oclock... but that is just me.
I don't use the ECO, I would if I did any serious drives (in which I have a Melbourne to Sydney drive coming up) but to save a few dollars isn't worth the drop in fun factor to me.
The stop start again not worth it for me and found when I was using it that the wait would be enough for some impatient idiot behind me to give me a toot to move along (not a car/stop start system issue, a people issue. It isn't slow to respond people are just impatient).

Hi yes checked it and makes sense now, and my stick is a oil tan colour now also but makes sense where the levels are now!

danwhelanau said:

Hi it is great to know Dual logic is ok compared to the Manual, my wife driving sometimes was the main reason for going auto also.
The paddles I find impossible to use, I hold the wheel very much 10-2 oclock position and find the paddles far to low at their 9-3oclock... but that is just me.
I don't use the ECO, I would if I did any serious drives (in which I have a Melbourne to Sydney drive coming up) but to save a few dollars isn't worth the drop in fun factor to me.
The stop start again not worth it for me and found when I was using it that the wait would be enough for some impatient idiot behind me to give me a toot to move along (not a car/stop start system issue, a people issue. It isn't slow to respond people are just impatient).

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haha save a few dollars. i guess you dont have petrol at USD 2 a liter over there!

Forgot to answer the OP!

danwhelanau said:

Hi all, (new here)
1. Seems to sometimes increase acceleration when reversing, foot not even on accelerator but feels like it is? normal? Not often this happens though.

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Weird, this has never happened to me. Are you sure you weren't just on a slope and the car was rolling when you were reversing?

I once had to parallel reverse-park my 500 on a slope, it was absolute hell

44sunsets said:

Forgot to answer the OP!



Weird, this has never happened to me. Are you sure you weren't just on a slope and the car was rolling when you were reversing?

I once had to parallel reverse-park my 500 on a slope, it was absolute hell

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I'm just going out to swap our cars around for the morning. Our drive's just 10 metres long with a slight uphill grade and the cars have to be carefully positioned so the auto gates don't clip 'em. It's not my favourite job - my manual's fine but the Pop auto is a bugger; not enough pedal and it doesn't move, a fraction more and you risk thumping bumpers, or the garage door.

I pay about $1.50L premium 98, about $40-50 a week. 1 hour driving a day, seems pretty good to me, and I don't drive to save fuel. It is a great car on fuel even though not near the controlled testing figures

Nope no hill flat, maybe a 1-2 degree slope but nothing that should make it reverse more, kinda makes you have to brake harder to slow down but nothing stupid, always feel in control.

Hi Dan, I guess you got the Lounge? What was the best price you managed to track down?