Panda 2012+ Hi, new here

[Redwheels]

Panda Cross 4x4

Hello, new Panda Cross 4x4 owner, loving the car, but not my first fiat. Started with MK2 Uno Turbo, many years ago, and had so much fun with that and my other car is Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo. The Panda has taken the commuting strain off my Coupe, she really doesn't like traffic jams!
Does anyone have any advice for running in mileage for the Panda? So tempting to redline the 2 cylinder engine all the time but know I shouldn't.
Thanks.
Paul

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Paul.

Ive got a 2012 ta in a punto.

There were stories of BAD oil consumption..

So I used a 'hard break in ' method.

Full operating temps.. then go a gear too low into corners.. watch the needle fly around like a 2-stroke

Not needed much.. but it helps bed in the rings.

Will take THOUSANDS of miles to free off..as it is TEALLY tight when new.

Mine is now approaching 48k.. no signs of oil use..and good on fuel.

Oil changes :
6k build gunk and break in debris
15k 1st proper service
Then annually..

The spark plugs have a hard time.. so every 20k

I have had zero running issues

Stop.start tails off as battery ages.. thats it.

Total expenditure

4 plugs and 2 recent tyres.

 

[Redwheels]

Thanks for the advice, coupe rules are check oil .... then check oil , traditionally they like a bit of the black stuff although ( touch wood ) mines not too bad on oil consumption. Been running the Panda in eco mode mostly, well, only owned her for a week filled the petrol tank up today, thought something was up when stopped at £41... used to hand aching until £70 mark )

 

[DaveMcT]

I've had Fiats that were treated too gently when new and they were sluggish and gave poor fuel consumption. The fix was a lot of hard motorway miles. New engines don't like being treated with kid gloves.

VW say for the first 1000 miles avoid slogging the engine at low revs and don't redline it, but otherwise drive it hard. After that just use it and watch it free off. It worked well for my Audi A4.

 

[Redwheels]

Kinda have the same view, work the engine in sensible way.... Just feel your engine

 

[gar074]

And the burning question... What colour's your Cross?

From your user-name, I'd take a punt on red, but who knows, you may have joined the yellow persuasion!

 

[Redwheels]

Not red or yellow, went for darkwave black ,looks good

 

[KPat]

I've had Fiats that were treated too gently when new and they were sluggish and gave poor fuel consumption. The fix was a lot of hard motorway miles. New engines don't like being treated with kid gloves.

We should ignore the gear shift indicator then. It seems to put the limit at 1800rpm.

 

[varesecrazy]

I've had Fiats that were treated too gently when new and they were sluggish and gave poor fuel consumption. The fix was a lot of hard motorway miles. New engines don't like being treated with kid gloves.

We should ignore the gear shift indicator then. It seems to put the limit at 1800rpm.

Not on the downshift

 

[murphyv310]

Hi.
I think that is quite correct. Two things come to mind possibly with any engine. A friend of mine bought a new Skoda 120LS in 1980, he thought all foreign engines were pre run in and drove the car two days after purchase from Greenock to Bournemouth and a week later home at 90+Mph. I drove the car some months later and it was the quickest 120LS I ever drove. My latest City cross at 10,900 miles seemed sluggish when I got it but it is really quick (1.2) now after doing 400 miles to Newcastle and home, it was a dealer demo so no doubt driven hard. My lounge although it was getting better would be seen off by the city cross.

 

[varesecrazy]

True enough..

BUT:-
An old FIAT breaker in Berks bought the parts stock from a Dealer that had shut that branch.
It included a 1.6 mk1 punto cab. Engine..
Had 14 miles on it.

Not much good though. Seized solid @90 mph on its nearest stretch of M4.
Was a warranty replacement..!!

 

[murphyv310]

True enough..

BUT:-
An old FIAT breaker in Berks bought the parts stock from a Dealer that had shut that branch.
It included a 1.6 mk1 punto cab. Engine..
Had 14 miles on it.

Not much good though. Seized solid @90 mph on its nearest stretch of M4.
Was a warranty replacement..!!

Quite possible! If driven with foot to the floor on a brand new engine there could have been excess heat in the bores and the oil film would have been depleted thus the seizure. The 120LS at 90 would be still under the red line and I doubt that it would have been foot to the floor. I think Fiat units are tight when out of the factory so full pelt and throttle at 14 miles is asking for disaster. Rev them yes but not continually on full throttle.

 

[KPat]

This is the only thing I ever seized up through over revving. No prizes for naming the make.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

...We should ignore the gear shift indicator then. It seems to put the limit at 1800rpm.

The gear shift indicator changes the revs it shows to change at, depending on how you are driving. If you are still accelerating it will not invite you to change gear until maybe 2500rpm. but if you are taking it gently, it tends to encourage a change at about the point of max torque - which is 1500 in the diesel and about 1900 in the TwinAir. If, instead of changing gear, you press the accelerator harder, the gear shift light will go out and come on at higher revs (when you ease back slightly)

 

[KPat]

The gear shift indicator changes the revs it shows to change at, depending on how you are driving. If you are still accelerating it will not invite you to change gear until maybe 2500rpm. but if you are taking it gently, it tends to encourage a change at about the point of max torque - which is 1500 in the diesel and about 1900 in the TwinAir. If, instead of changing gear, you press the accelerator harder, the gear shift light will go out and come on at higher revs (when you ease back slightly)

Just tried it and it works just as you said. I think I prefer the spirited driving option.

 

[Motorcyclist Colin]

this is the only thing i ever seized up through over revving. No prizes for naming the make.

rumi?

 

[KPat]

rumi?

Correct. Rumi

Formachino. "Little Ant". 125cc two stroke twin.
​

 

[Motorcyclist Colin]

Have you still got it? They are quite desirable little beasts now.

 

[Motorcyclist Colin]

It is not too difficult to seize an air cooled two stroke motorcycle without over revving it. Not enough oil in the petrol, the wrong grade of oil in the petrol, or in the case of injected oil, the pump set wrong.
In my ignorant youth I had a 197cc Villiers engine bike, and one day with the current girlfriend on the back, I found the bike was really flying, and without having to use full throttle. Knowing nothing, and enjoying the performance, we howled along (all of 58mph!) for a few miles,until the engine seized.
Tail wind, small throttle opening, high (ish-it's all relative), revs, PETROIL lubrication, seizure is almost inevitable.
However the great thing about the very simple and reliable Villiers, was that after waiting 20 minutes or so the engine cooled a bit, freed up and started again, and I continued to run it for ages. Only some considerable time later when I knew a bit more, removal of the barrel showed the only sign of ANY piston rings was about 1 inch welded to the piston crown. The rest had apparently exited via the exhaust port!
I still have a 1952 Villiers engine bike in my workshop, same model, nothing like nostalger to keep you young (and stupid!)

 

[KPat]

Have you still got it? They are quite desirable little beasts now.

No. I owned it back in 1967!. After it seized my father tried to repair it with no success. Something to do with it having chrome plated cylinders. So I traded it in for a Lambretta.