I purchased my beloved Fiat 500 Lounge in April 2016 and it still hasn’t reached the 5k mileage ?

Now the weather has turned colder, I’ve noticed a problem with the heater. In the mornings I put the heater on full, while I scrape the windscreen or to remove the misting from inside to make it safe to drive.

The heater doesn’t seem to get warm anymore until the car is actually driven & this morning I had been driving 5 mins before the first bit of warmth crept in.

I’ve got the service cover for my car, so is this a big issue and do you think it will be part of wear & tear for me to pay? If it is, that’s fine but I don’t want to be charged if it’s a fault.

Any advise would be very much appreciated. Thank you

Check the coolant level. Can you hear water rushing when you put your foot on the accelerator? A rad may seem full until the heater is in full and accelerator pushes the water round. Take the little screw out under the bonnet on the pipe. Run the engine and top up the rad until coolant starts to come out.

Thanks typecast boy, I’ll have a look and top up of necessary ��

Be extremely careful with the bleed screw, and remember it will take longer to heat up now it's winter? You can place a torch against the expansion tank that may help you see the level unless the designs changed ours you can't see through

How was the coolant level at the last few weekly checks? Have you been losing any? Even a small amount each week?

D

Uhhmm, last few weekly checks? �� The only thing I check is my petrol gauge & I do so few miles I only have to fill up every 6weeks!

I’ve decided to leave it to an expert & have booked it into the garage on Saturday. Appreciate all the help though ��

Mandrose said:

The only thing I check is my petrol gauge

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Slap! Best get some expert advice? do your DRL's( Day running lights ) still work?

You need to drive a car regularly and carry out a weekly lights and levels check.

get into the habit of doing it and you notice things before the become potentially very expensive.

D

I also have a 2016 Lounge and yes, the heater/engine takes an age to get warm on tickover but when you drive off it gets warm after a mile or so. Just one of them things I guess.