Hi guys!

I'm looking for advice on changing engine oil. I've recently had a notification come up on my Fiat Tipo 1.6 Diesel Multijet, 17 plate. It's telling me to change my engine oil.

I'm wondering how essential this is as I'm reading all over the place that newer cars don't need to be getting the oil changed as regularly as they used to by considerable mileage?

I've only owned the car since late January, which is also when it was last serviced and, according to the paperwork the oil and filter were checked and replaced. Since then I've just ticked over 3000 miles in it (from 38000 to 41000) and what with lockdown and a month-long trip away in Feb, haven't used the car nearly as much as I would generally do for work etc.

Any advice? I'm happy to book in for a change in the oil, but I'm suspicious it's a little soon to be having it done and will be wasting money?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Hi Mike and welcome

The changes are supposedly 'adaptive'
(Based on use.. driving style.. short journeys..etc)

However..

At oil change they are supposed to reset the 'oil degradation counter'

It may be that this wasnt reset..and its counting previous miles + your 3,000

I dont own a modern tipo.. but this is a common problem on here..
garages often dont have the kit to reset these DPF related items tucked away in the background

Charlie

Thanks, Charlie

That's pretty interesting info! I'll have a call around some local garages and see if they can look into it.

Mike

This is for sure.
The machine have independent oil counter from service counter. Even you reset the service counter the oil counter remain the same, so when you change oil you need also to reset the oil counter.

I wouldn't bother my 2017 Tipo is in Halfords auto centre for a service when they changed the oil all lights come on dashboard and car won't start no one knows how to get it started?

Chris0506 said:

I wouldn't bother my 2017 Tipo is in Halfords auto centre for a service when they changed the oil all lights come on dashboard and car won't start no one knows how to get it started?

Click to expand...

Halfords?

Do they even have the correct kit??

No idea had it since Saturday and still can't get it started

Which branch..?

Somebody might be able to hire them the correct kit..

Halfords autocentre Rochdale
What kit do you need?

MultiECUScan software.. many of us on here use it

Will diagnose whats wrong now..
And clear ..reset all of the oil quality info
Plus reset the service data too

Worth speaking to them to see why it wont run.. could be unrelated.. ( sods law..)

Tell us more about the vehicle..

Why was it there.. what work was carried out?

(Proper garage software is VERY expensive.. so many garages just have 'the basics' .. then run into problems)

We have a steady stream of DPF related oil change issues on here..cars 'serviced' by garages who cannot reset the crucial stuff

If they dont figure it out..

find an independant Alfa Romeo specialist.. the control equipment is all compatible.. and a much better bet than FIAT service centres

It's was there just for a full service even they haven't a clue why it won't run they put it on a diagnostic machine which come back with no faults they changed the battery which didn't work and now there trying to figure out why he won't start

Probably damaged something in the service like crank sensor



Did they say what's it's doing e.g
Turning over but no signs of life/ignition

They just said it's not starting and there still trying to get it started

chris3234 said:

Probably damaged something in the service like crank sensor



Did they say what's it's doing e.g
Turning over but no signs of life/ignition

Click to expand...

Cranking is just that..

It needs a lot of things to be in spec to inject fuel..

Them changing the battery does smack of desperation..

What kind of loan car did they give you?

They haven't?

FiatTipo said:

... It's telling me to change my engine oil.

I'm wondering how essential this is

I've only owned the car since late January, which is also when it was last serviced and, according to the paperwork the oil and filter were checked and replaced.

Click to expand...

Ask the seller if they reset the oil degradation counter. If they did, their responce will be quick and clear. If they have no idea what you're asking, then they did not, and it could be reset now.

If you ignore it, the car will eventually shut down, initially going into limp mode, then will stop and refuse to start. This is to protect the engine from excess oil dilution by fuel. Fuel is not a good lubricant.

The DPF (a particulate filter in the exhaust) collects soot. It needs to incinerate this soot regularly, otherwise you'd need a filter the size of the car. To do this, it injects diesel fuel into the cylinder on the exhaust stroke, so that it passes into the DPF to use as the incinerator fuel. Some excess fuel will get into the engine oil, and this is 'guessed' at by the oil degradation counter, based on usage as described by Charlie.

With such a low mileage, I would not expect the degradation counter to have reached its limit, as the opportunities to run the DPF have been limited. It is therefore more likely that this was not reset when you bought the car. With a low mileage, it is more likely to get upset about the DPF not being able to regenerate, and demand a forced regen.