My TA 4x4 has only done 1400 miles from new, but feels reasonably free, certainly not too tight to pull 6th. I don't use Eco (after just checking it out for function) and have done few long runs, unfortunately. I get between 38 and 40 mpg, and I don't let it labour whatever the system tells me to change up. Stop/start is used, but I can't wait to get it fully freed up and give it a bit of "wellie". Still can't see/decide where oil appears on the colour matched dip stick. Whatever the NCAP rating I think it is a cracking little car, and I love it.Prior to the Panda I bought a new top of the range 500X 2ltr diesel 9 speed auto 4x4 ( the dealer kept knocking down the price till it seemedtoo good to be true) but I really didn't like it, and only kept it for the year I took to sell it. If it seems too good to be true then it is!! It was pre-registered by the dealer so they clearly couldn't shift it, the PDI must have been done by a blind ex-butcher and it came out of the showroom with a few bits such as the radio aerial missing. The dealer was #~"^**+=! I bought/ordered the Panda at a different dealer who was OK

Eco is grand around town and a bit smoother, my TA 500 wouldn’t pull you out of bed in Eco until after about 20k, now with 45k up I use it quite a bit and it pulls fine, not any more economical though unless you drive it softly. As Charlie said below, the TA is very tight and doesn’t free up for a good while, it’ll keep getting better and better right up to 20k - that was my experience anyway. Enjoy your new car!

Eco should be 100% fine for town driving. On the dual-carriageway, with the full family onboard, I might have to shift from 6th-5th to get any meaningful go to accelerate uphill, but by and large it’s fine. To NEED Eco off around town, you’re driving way too heavy-footed to get any meaningful mpg. You’ll note that those that complain about fuel economy are also the same people that say the car is ‘undrivable/sluggish’ with Eco switched on - it doesn’t take a genius to work out the connection.
Frankly our TwinAir 4x4 is more than capable of keeping up with the flow with Eco on and I rarely drop below high-30s mpg (37-40 typically) even in town driving, with 50+mpg on motorway/dual-carriageway runs.
Drive with the instantaneous economy on the trip and you’ll quickly learn how it responds best (and also how little throttle is needed to maintain a decent pace)

only had my panda for just over 3 weeks now and the computer is saying 38mpg, i do tend to do as i am told regarding gear shift indicator and it quickly wants you to be in 6th gear, my husband drove it yesterday and didn't get it out of 5th gear saying the engine is too small to be in 6th gear when only doing 50mph ish, as this would cause the engine to labour, he's a truck mechanic and a motorbike nut, but not sure he's right about the panda's driving style?? whats people's thoughts??

Fionam said:

only had my panda for just over 3 weeks now and the computer is saying 38mpg, i do tend to do as i am told regarding gear shift indicator and it quickly wants you to be in 6th gear, my husband drove it yesterday and didn't get it out of 5th gear saying the engine is too small to be in 6th gear when only doing 50mph ish, as this would cause the engine to labour, he's a truck mechanic and a motorbike nut, but not sure he's right about the panda's driving style?? whats people's thoughts??

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Look at the rev counter..

Really wants to be ABOVE 2200 rpm in any higher gear..as its new and tight..

Will happily 'lug' down past 1800 once freed off though.

(Get the O.H. to read the threads about
'Seating the rings')

That ... and oil changes.. will soon be on the horizon.



How are YOU finding the panda ??

Charlie

lovin it, really nice and fun to drive..... quick question.... if its got heated door mirrors should there be a sign to put it on to heat or are they on all the time, mine has a right door and left door sign and a dot in the middle.. i ordered the safety pack so they should be fitted???

Fionam said:

lovin it, really nice and fun to drive..... quick question.... if its got heated door mirrors should there be a sign to put it on to heat or are they on all the time, mine has a right door and left door sign and a dot in the middle.. i ordered the safety pack so they should be fitted???

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Err. Umm.

Generally they are triggered by the heated rear screen..

But yours could be diffèrent..

Southerners havent seen much cold yet..

Where are you based?

Charlie

hmm was lookin for a heat symbol, had one in my last car so thought it had been missed off, i'm on the north east coast 20 miles up from whitby so am expecting bad weather at some point

Fionam said:

hmm was lookin for a heat symbol, had one in my last car so thought it had been missed off, i'm on the north east coast 20 miles up from whitby so am expecting bad weather at some point

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The mirror-heaters come on with the heated front/rear screen switch or, if you have climate, everything comes on with the demist button. Handy.

Course, you still need to scrape your side windows like everyone else...

Frost cleared by mirrors in about 5 mins. Same for heated screens. If raining mirrors will clear the drops in about 10 minutes. Assume like heated seats it will cut off eventually. Heated seat have on permanently at mo. And it stays on even when come back to following day. Haven't checked if can leave heated screens on. Suspect not. Never adjusted any of my heated mirrors. Guess previous owners had similar driving position. Main perk of it being works car is you'll never be stranded. Will be taken away and you'll get something else in meantime. As you're near 600 miles from new it should get quicker soon. Mine definitely does it post oil change. Absolutely flies. Trust me. Done about 2200 miles since last one, due another in April. Though drive fairly hard.

Al D said:

F...Assume like heated seats it will cut off eventually

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Yes, to heat the mirrors, turn on the heated rear screen, and if you have the winter pack, this will heat front window too. And yes, they do turn off after a preset time, which is 20 minutes.
All this is described in the car's instruction book... you dont' need to read very far in - see pages 16 and 22

Fionam said:

only had my panda for just over 3 weeks now and the computer is saying 38mpg, i do tend to do as i am told regarding gear shift indicator and it quickly wants you to be in 6th gear, my husband drove it yesterday and didn't get it out of 5th gear saying the engine is too small to be in 6th gear when only doing 50mph ish, as this would cause the engine to labour, he's a truck mechanic and a motorbike nut, but not sure he's right about the panda's driving style?? whats people's thoughts??

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Maximum torque (lugging power) of the TA engine is at 1900 rpm. So it should be happy to 'pull' at that engine speed. - I don't know what revs you'd be doing at 50mph in sixth. But it should not be asked to pull at revs lower than that... apart from being bad for the engine, it can also damage the dual mass flywheel (part of the clutch system) as discussed here https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/441429-flywheel-broken-3-year-old-4x4-5.html?p=4363202

You be careful. I used to do this sort of stuff.... I have learned the hard way its too expensive. Great fun untill you break something.. my experience at least half a dozen gearboxes a couple of drive shafts, a prop shaft and a diff! Don't say I didn't warn you!

It took me 40 years to work it out and a lot more £'s. Now I try to get from a to b with no wheels spin and as little fuss as possible. I do find that its nearly as much fun getting into a rhythm keeping the flow going and actually getting there even quicker.

I had a fantastic run back from Manchester with the caravan a few weeks back in such a manner and boy were we quick, without actually being fast.

Try it some time.

agree completely, and still find it hard to believe how much better the car is now run in. I do now really like the it and on a run the economy is just bad rather than awful! It can manage 45 with a degree of care but a lot less in town.

varesecrazy said:

Lugging at LOW rpm..
Before everything has bedded in.. may just accellerate wear.

OR

Just keep revs between 2000 and 2500 for the initial 1000 miles.

Mine was still freeing off at 6000..!!

But is oil tight and returns good MPG

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Yes mine too given this sort of treatment and does not use oil, but does have a degree of yellow sludge in the filler neck. Dealer says twin airs have a tendency to this, does anyone else have the issue??

varesecrazy said:

7mpg from mine when new..
Now in the low 50's

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Familiar to mine but I still see 10 -11 when going up hill. My Bravo uses half the fuel and betters the Panda when towing a caravan. It is clearly the best tow car I have ever had. I cannot help loving the Panda though.

Fionam said:

so far its done 176 miles and averaging 32.7mpg is that ok?

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It should improve, but you need to experiment with driving styles. I find Eco off and drive with a modicum of care is best though I do use eco in town.

I am sure you will love hte car especially if it snows! They are AMAZING.

The Panda Nut said:

Yes mine does have a degree of yellow sludge in the filler neck. Dealer says twin airs have a tendency to this, does anyone else have the issue??

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Never seen any sludge on mine..

Is this the 'mayo emulsion' from not getting HOT..?


Mpg rise after service.. I used to see this until recently.. I am putting it down to the recent services done with oil topped to a higher level.. not great.

i'm getting used to all this engine stuff and am mindful that it is above 2000 revs for high gear, always knock it down if it goes below that, thanks for your advice, seems to be settling in now, its done about 500 miles to date, so i'm still being gentle

Dont get me wrong.. my car has been 'babied'

Only car I have bought new.. as it was exactly what I needed.. and no used ones ..as a new variant.

Used for a 13 mile mixed commute..
Did low 50's mpg
As occasional road trip car mid 50's

Now I do a 2hr fast road commute.. again low/mid 50's
AIR TEMPERATURE..makes a BIG difference.. Hotter the better.

I tend to trundle around at lower end of usable end of Rev range in ECO.. Locally ( flat roads)
But trips now are generally 3000 in ECO.

But where the need arises I drive HARD at full power.. it is pretty nippy

I DO make a point of regular oil changes..
But have seen No evidence of using oil at all.

VERY pleased with my TA.
its in a 2012 punto.. as I needed a car with Cruise.. but didnt need a 3.0 auto..
Charlie