General 12v socket cover - should I have one on brand new car?

[frodo]

On Thursday I picked up my brand new 500 twinair lounge. It is BNW with ivory interior and the 16 sports alloys.

I have a query regarding the 12v socket (aka the cigarette lighter socket). It is placed down on the floor beside the Blue & Me sockets but it has no cover. I queried the salesman about this and his reply was that they used to come with covers but don't anymore. I know this is the smallest of details but is this correct because it not only looks untidy without a cover but also I think a safety issue of stuff falling into the open socket and shorting?

Also does anyone have any reccomendation on what to use to clean the ivory lether steering wheel as it is getting dirty already?

Regards

 

[RobinPJ]

On Thursday I picked up my brand new 500 twinair lounge. It is BNW with ivory interior and the 16 sports alloys.

I have a query regarding the 12v socket (aka the cigarette lighter socket). It is placed down on the floor beside the Blue & Me sockets but it has no cover. I queried the salesman about this and his reply was that they used to come with covers but don't anymore. I know this is the smallest of details but is this correct because it not only looks untidy without a cover but also I think a safety issue of stuff falling into the open socket and shorting?

Also does anyone have any reccomendation on what to use to clean the ivory lether steering wheel as it is getting dirty already?

Regards

I cannot believe they have stopped supplying covers - more like salesman bull to get rid of you.

As to the steering wheel - are you a chimney sweep? Mine is a year old and is completely unblemished. I'd recommend you wash your hands and use the disposable gloves at the filling station.

 

[arorat]

We picked our car recently and to confirm we did not get a cover either. I have taken a cig lighter from our 2nd car and put that in the hole to stop bits falling in.

Could buy a cig lighter light of ebay!!http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b67b4036

 

[RobinPJ]

Crackers, completely crackers.

If you are trying to sell a small car as a premium product (priced accordingly) you don't cut corners and save a few pence by not supplying a plastic cover for a socket, surely?

 

[306maxi]

Crackers, completely crackers.

If you are trying to sell a small car as a premium product (priced accordingly) you don't cut corners and save a few pence by not supplying a plastic cover for a socket, surely?

Fiat are desperate.

 

[Super Uwe]

What a bizarre thing for Fiat to do.

Still, guess that's the world we are living in - budgets need to be cut, belts need to be tightened and cigarette lighters need to be uncovered

 

[nicks500]

Also does anyone have any reccomendation on what to use to clean the ivory lether steering wheel as it is getting dirty already?

Regards

check out http://www.detailingworld.co.uk for the best tips on cleaning wheels, lots of ideas, I like Meguiars stuff cos its cheap, very good and you can get it easily from Halfords

 

[allen_b]

Picked up my brand new 500 on Monday and it came with a cover.

Ask for one!

 

[arorat]

Fiat are desperate.

agreed.

how are you getting 47 from your 1.2, our TA is hovering at 37-39

 

[306maxi]

agreed.

how are you getting 47 from your 1.2, our TA is hovering at 37-39

By not letting the wife drive

 

[zanes]

AFAIK on new build 500s the "smoking kit" (see configurator- has been on there for a good while now) contains the cigarette lighter and the ash tray/change pot. Tbh, the lighter isn't a FIAT peculiar part so a local motor factors should be able to do you one for a couple of quid.

 

[grimwau]

I thought that the 12V power supply was a slightly different depth to the cigarette lighter holder. Still OK for SatNavs and charging phones etc. but not suitable for a lighter. If it does accept the lighter then it is a far cheaper way of getting round the smoking kit extra cost if you feel it is essential.

 

[BRU5IIS]

I thought that the 12V power supply was a slightly different depth to the cigarette lighter holder. Still OK for SatNavs and charging phones etc. but not suitable for a lighter. If it does accept the lighter then it is a far cheaper way of getting round the smoking kit extra cost if you feel it is essential.

I can't quantify the details, but I snaffled the lighter out of my Punto before I let it go.

Not only does it fit, but looks very Retro, and works too.

Plus - although I don't smoke, I really like that Fumar symbol on the top - very 60's!!! - So ..............."On days like these".

 

[zanes]

Ah, I don't know about that; my 500 was built early enough that the lighter/pot was standard.

 

[grimwau]

Just found the post that highlights the differences between the two fitments.

Cig lighter barrels are flat at the bottom with the supply terminal in the middle. Power sockets are different in that they have a series of raised blocks around the centre terminal which helps to hold chargers in place more securely and makes shorting less likely.

The problem is, a cig lighter socket can be used for both purposes. A power socket can only be used for chargers and the like- the raised blocks prevent a lighter from working.

As long as the ignition is off when inserting and removing chargers, and it isn't rattling around in there- you should be ok.

 

[loveshandbags]

Just found the post that highlights the differences between the two fitments.

Very usefull posting Grimwau.
I have struggled on getting 'chargers' to stay in my 'Smoking kit' optioned 500. The charger for the Garmin sat nav stays although a bit wobbly.

But the iphone charger...

Griffin PowerJolt SE 6134-PJLTSECLB Car Charger for: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
has be jammed with a small piece of cardboard to stay put.

I wonder if the 'smoking kit' was not optioned does the 'standard' 12V socket have a smaller circumference which would allow this particular charger to stay in unaided. I did at one stage come across an adapter to reduce the size of the 'opening' but for the life of me I have not be able to locate where it can be bought. (I remember it was bought with 'something else').

On the smoking kit @ £20 / €20 it is worth getting just for the 'cup' to put a few little bits into unless of course the 'standard' 12V is a better 'fit'. It's a shame the cup container wasn't a bit bigger and had a stronger lid (3 casualties to-date ).

 

[FloJo]

If mine doesn't come with a cover I won't be leaving the dealers showroom!!

 

[ffxmy]

If mine doesn't come with a cover I won't be leaving the dealers showroom!!

Agreed - I don't fancy my 4 year old daughter sticking her fingers in there. Given half a chance she will particularly if there's no cover.

 

[loveshandbags]

Agreed - I don't fancy my 4 year old daughter sticking her fingers in there. Given half a chance she will particularly if there's no cover.

At least when the car is off the socket has no power unlike some of the older cars.

 

[Lloyd71]

Count yourself lucky, my brother's Panda didn't even come with the socket. Even my old poverty spec Astra had a socket!