Technical A Quick Update

[Alanw47]

Just had the 3rd service on the trusty 4x4, a little out of sync and early, but no matter. The good news was that every single check item was green, nothing needed doing except oil and filter changes.

Interestingly, the mileage is, near as damn it, 26,500 and the rear tyres are still the original ones. They have 1mm more tread than the fronts that I changed 10-12,000 miles ago.

The front brake pads must be made of titanium. Original pads, 10% worn with 9-12mm of 'meat' left on them.

Top up the screenwash and that was all.

Finally, yesterday saw me get caught out in the snow. Thinking I had taken advantage of a lull I found myself in a blizzard with approx 2" on even the trunk roads. Flick to Traction Mode, watch the pretty little gauge showing front-rear drive ratios and off we went. While better cars were left stranded at the roadside the trusty 500X didn't miss a beat and got me home with no dramas at all.

With up to 12" more snow forecast for tomorrow I'm glad I chose the 4x4 option.

 

[Garree001]

Driving in snow is so much fun!

I remember back in about 2010 when we had a shed load of snow down in London. Where I lived, there was a train bridge that you had to cross to get anywhere. It was a sea of expensive BMWs, Mercedes and various other rear wheel drive cars. As I knew how to drive in the snow, I happily glided past in my 2.2 Astra I could feel the hatred being directed at me :devil:

 

[s130]

I'm waiting for some snow down south so I can check that my Traction Plus (two wheel drive) system is working correctly.

See: https://www.fiatforum.com/tech-talk/439319-fiats-4x2-traction-plus-500l-500x.html?p=4175196

 

[s130]

Regarding two specific items:

1) Tyre Wear - Front - I'll be due for new front tyres soon coming up to 13K miles. Not the best of wear experiences

2) Disc - Pads. Yesterday I had to take the front O/S wheel off to investigate a rattling front fog light. Break pad were looking almost new, thick and chunky and the discs were not obviously "lipped" due to wear.

All in all pretty much what you have experienced.

 

[TrevC]

Alan, I don't know if you've already got them but all-season tyres such as Michelin Cross-Climates should make your car even better, assuming they are available in your size. 4WD gives a traction advantage, but is no better than a 2WD car under braking.
Not had much snow here in the south for a few years, but I did have a memorable journey home in it about 8 years ago in my (BMW) Mini Cooper. The main problem wasn't the hills themselves, but the fact that they were festooned with stuck RWD posh stuff!