Howdy everyone,

It's about to snow here in the Alps, and just couldn't repeat the endless struggle with snow tires that miserably fail to grip in fresh snow… Needed a small 4x4, and for the first time in my life pulled the trigger and bought a new car!

The model is a 2020 Panda Cross 4x4 with the Winter Pack (heated seats), toscana color. (My last Fiat was twenty years ago, 1982 Spider.)

Would some of you be willing to share some tips about:
- cool accessories for the Panda
- any other cool thing you wish you'd know when you first bought your vehicle?

Big thanks,

-ts

4x4 door sill protectors very useful.

Al D said:

4x4 door sill protectors very useful.

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Thank you for the tip, didn't know those existed and it would never have crossed my mind.

Please educate me: in what situations are the sills prone to scratching / when do they need protecting?
And is there a model that you like for use with the Cross 4x4?

Check out the tyres it came with if you need it for the snow. Most of the newer models come with summer tyres (UK) I replaced mine with Michelin Latitude Cross - which are 60/40 on road /off-road and mud and snow certified. Not true winter tyres - but significantly better than summer tyres

Almonmd said:

Check out the tyres it came with if you need it for the snow. Most of the newer models come with summer tyres (UK) I replaced mine with Michelin Latitude Cross - which are 60/40 on road /off-road and mud and snow certified. Not true winter tyres - but significantly better than summer tyres

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Awesome. Yes, tyres high on my list, planning to spend the Winter here in the Alps, that's what drove the 4x4 decision.

I was eyeing the Nokian WRD4 (a snow tyre) but I appreciate the nudge in the direction of the four-season tyre, that might be perfect.

Not taking delivery for another couple of weeks, love having the time to ask these questions.

Welcome to the forums Toscana.

I owned a SAAB and was very involved with the SAAB forums a lot of good discussion on there about the Nokian tyres.

Here's a useful link for a roundup of four season offerings from 2020...

https://youtu.be/gHph1mDtCbQ?t=14

MaxHeadroom said:

Welcome to the forums Toscana.

I owned a SAAB and was very involved with the SAAB forums a lot of good discussion on there about the Nokian tyres.

Here's a useful link for a roundup of four season offerings from 2020...

https://youtu.be/gHph1mDtCbQ?t=14

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That video looks like a terrific resource… Thank you so much, late here but will definitely watch tomorrow… Takes the stress out of buying a tyre without knowing if it will actually perform.

If you don't have a spare tyre I'd advise you try and get one.
Here is my sill protectors and spare tyre. Internal LEDs are brighter than the filament ones as well.

murphyv310 said:

If you don't have a spare tyre I'd advise you try and get one.
Here is my sill protectors and spare tyre. Internal LEDs are brighter than the filament ones as well.

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They included a spare tyre instead of what they call the "cargo box" that includes an inflation kit.
Like the idea of switching out the bulbs!
Sounds like several of you are in favor of sill protectors, will have to research a model to suit this model.
Thank you for all these ideas.

toscana said:

That video looks like a terrific resource… Thank you so much, late here but will definitely watch tomorrow… Takes the stress out of buying a tyre without knowing if it will actually perform.

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Toscana, if its of any help, I have good experience of the GoodYear Vector 4 Seasons - but the Gen2 version (They're Gen3 in video) and can say that on my wifes little Vauxhall Agila they've been excellent.

The original Continentals on my Panda were/are getting to the end of their life and I have replaced two of them with the GoodYear V 4 Seasons as well.

(Always put your best tyres on the rear - even if its front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all-wheel drive.)

murphyv310 said:

Internal LEDs are brighter than the filament ones as well.

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Perhaps I can utilise the ones intended for the numberplate but which repeatedly throw up a Can-bus error

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with all-season tyres, when you've already got a brand new set of summer tyres on the car. I'd buy a second-hand set of steel rims (cheaper than alloys) and fit some proper winter tyres on them.

All that info about all-season tyres is excellent. May come in handy down the track — or for anyone lurking.

gar074 said:

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with all-season tyres, when you've already got a brand new set of summer tyres on the car. I'd buy a second-hand set of steel rims (cheaper than alloys) and fit some proper winter tyres on them.

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Thank you, that's way I'll probably go. As part of the negotiation, the dealer has agreed to mount Winter tyres on the car and throw the Summer tyres in the boot. Specified "Nokian WRD4 or equivalent if not available".

With all the snow this region get, I'll feel safer that way. Will need to mount the Summer tyres, hadn't thought of getting secondhand rims, thank you for the idea.

toscana pic of mine. Sill scuffed by farmer's boots (first owner). Good idea.

Al D said:

@toscana pic of mine. Sill scuffed by farmer's boots (first owner). Good idea.

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Looks sharp! Where did you get it?
On ebay I see lots of options under "panda sill" but haven't come across that one.

Also noticed they sell some transparent tape to protect from scratch, do some of you protect some parts of that car that way, or is it ridiculous?
I've never done that, but on my first Fiat, an old Spider twenty years ago, I had a company decal that covered most of the car, and I suppose it kept it in good shape. Indeed, that may have been the only part of that car that stayed in good shape during that time.

toscana this for 2wd Panda. Some people claim fits 4x4. Wouldn't risk. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Door-Sill-Protectors-for-a-Fiat-Panda-2012-/202332316065

toscana said:

Also noticed they sell some transparent tape to protect from scratch, do some of you protect some parts of that car that way, or is it ridiculous?

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No! This is known as 'blade-tape' or 'heli-tape'.

Its a thick clear tape that is used to protect the leading-edges of helicopter rotor blades from errosion through dirt and dust in the atmosphere. Cyclists also use it to protect bicycle frames; I used it on my son's bike and when he came to sell it the bike was literally like new - in fact we got slightly more than we'd paid for it when it was new!
Back in the day I used it on ski's to prevent the tops getting scratched from other people skii'd over them by accident! However that was when I worked on helicopters and we had rolls of the stuff. It's not too cheap to buy but it is effective.

All I'll say is that it needs to be applied thoughtfully and slowly, otherwise you can end up with lots of unsightly bubbles trapped under the tape. Better to use many smaller pieces rather than try to get one big bit to cover the area you're trying to protect

MaxHeadroom said:

No! This is known as 'blade-tape' or 'heli-tape'.

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Wow, sounds like you have loads of experience with it, that's quite an endorsement. That makes sense, totally relate to that bicycle story — for helicopters, you're in a whole different class.

Are there parts of your car(s) you actually use that tape on? Bumpers, lower parts of the doors? Or would the seam be too conspicuous? For a large piece, unless you cover the whole thing, wondering if after a couple of years the paint might show a "reverse tan line" from fading where there was no tape.

Al D said:

toscana this for 2wd Panda. Some people claim fits 4x4. Wouldn't risk. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Door-Sill-Protectors-for-a-Fiat-Panda-2012-/202332316065

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Yes they fit. Thy are identical to the ones sold under a different part number for the 2WD. I know this because the helpful parts man Barry at Mangoletsi Fiat Knutsford had both and kindly compared them. Take care to place the trims and mark the correct position with masking tape before using the sticky tape that holds them. This tape will not allow a second try!

Tailgate bumper protection are available on the net if you hunt for c£20 from the same supplier Fiat get them from. Fiat Charge over £60. The cross trim is different to the original / standard 4x4. I have fitted these on 3 cars and twice found them cheap on the net. If you search and wait and watch these things do surface every now and again at low prices. I also have the red mirror covers and roof bars and paid 30% of dealer prices after the wait and ponce exercise.

DOnt forget too that Fiat supply floor amts as part of the cost of the 4x4 and dealers should fit these when doing the PDI and thats a quote from FCS Milan! I have now had both my sets after asking FCS whom I have found helpful.

murphyv310 said:

If you don't have a spare tyre I'd advise you try and get one.
Here is my sill protectors and spare tyre. Internal LEDs are brighter than the filament ones as well.

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Wholly agree. The space save from the Panda 100HP is the correct specand does fir the 4x4 if you can get one. I have used it once in all that time - on the newest 4x4. As mine is now 11 years old I enquired about a new tyre. My tyre man was adamant its still in A1 condition and that there are no regs applicable to space savers and convinced me it is still OK. I hope I can find a significantly newer one in due course. Date of Manufacture is on the side wall.