General TA servicing advice

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General TA servicing advice

fujoo

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Hello,

I bought my TA at 16K and have had it serviced by various independent
garages for things like oil, brake/brake fluid. Plugs, air filter and pollen filter I've done myself. The car has now done 41K and I'm thinking of taking it to:

A Fiat dealer
Halfords
Or just carry on as I have

The only reason I have for taking it to a Fiat dealer is in case it needs a software update, but is that really essential? The local Fiat dealer is not that great: Sturgess but I could drive a couple of hours to Pentacon.

Any suggestions would be welcome—thank you :)
 
You don't say the age of your 4x4, which could determine whether or not it needs a software update. Mine is 13-reg and I seem to remember it had one update a couple of years ago. The dealer service would also reset the service indicator.
 
It's a 2012 TA—just a front wheel drive not the 4x4.
 
Im assuming all of your services have managed to reset the ecu parameters ok.

Like my TA. IT's well out of warranty..so as long as you have faith..and good service.. why pay more at a main dealer?

Mine last wentb to an Ex.FIAT site..as they've done my warranty work before..and at least have done the TA training....

Charlie 2012 punto. oxford
 
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All this nonsense about software upgrades perturbs me. I have driven over 1.5 million miles in a variety of cars and I can say that without doubt none has ever needed a software update. The ones I could tune by ear always ran the best.

+If you let someone loose updating what was properly supposed to be an adequate car you run risks of them upsetting it. You cannot know what any update will effect and unless there is a know issue I would NEVER allow this.

Euro emission control equipment is THE only thing that is likely to stop your car. Its fact that Fiat software turns this nonsense off after 23 minutes of running. The emissions test takes 21 minutes, so it seems utterly pointless playing about with something that patently and illegally does not work for you all the time you are driving.

For this reason I will not have any changes made unless a problem requires it.

These computer units run and manage your engine and are not really adjustable at all so 'service@ work really is only required to lubrication, fluids and filters and a good look round to check the car is undamaged and that all the bulbs etc work.

At 100K miles I relented and took our Seat for a full diagnostic and printout of everything they can see and it was still running at 100% on every front. Its well maintained but does seem to indicate the truth of my argument.

A company astra I inherited at 70000 miles went for a main dealer service as it had never ever been done before..... Result was a variety of issues and problems that were not there before.

I generally have the cars serviced by main dealers, but this because they are trained to work on them and properly equipped with special tools etc. It is a VERY costly luxury especially as I generally give an intermediate oil and filter change in addition.

If you are happy with a good local garage I would stick with it.
 
Thank you Charlie and Panda Nut.

I'm going to take it to a good local garage—as you say it requires lub, fluids, filters and a thorough check. The software stuff is not important unless there is a specific reason that it's needed.

Much appreciated :)
 
My Cross hasn't had a software update since new, but it's about to have one, as part of its 27k mile inspection at a main dealer (I need some rattles sorted under warranty). If they b*gger it up, there'll be hell to pay.
 
All this nonsense about software upgrades perturbs me. I have driven over 1.5 million miles in a variety of cars and I can say that without doubt none has ever needed a software update. The ones I could tune by ear always ran the best.



I generally have the cars serviced by main dealers, but this because they are trained to work on them and properly equipped with special tools etc. It is a VERY costly luxury especially as I generally give an intermediate oil and filter change in addition.

If you are happy with a good local garage I would stick with it.

Paying £100 for something that you throw away and then redo yourself....
As you say VERY costly.

While I was fit and able.. oil changing was the 1 thing I Always did myself.
(And properly..unlike many garages)
 
My Cross hasn't had a software update since new, but it's about to have one, as part of its 27k mile inspection at a main dealer (I need some rattles sorted under warranty). If they b*gger it up, there'll be hell to pay.

Do ask them what changes the software update affects and what the benefits are?! I'd love to hear what the office line is on these updates. I also take the view that if it isn't broken.....
 
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