General New and needing help!

[Flibertigibit]

I bought a 2012 Qubo two weeks ago. I had been looking for a small MPV as I have a dog and various walking aids that didn't really fit easily into my small Suzuki. As the Qubo had only done 16,000 miles and was an automatic and even the colour I wanted I went for a test drive. That felt really good and I liked the high driving position and put a deposit down on the spot.

Since the day I got it I have hated it. It really isn't suitable for an elderly weak woman of 4'9", but that hadn't occurred to me! My dog also has short legs and couldn't jump onto the back seat - even I could only access it via a little stool! Then I wanted to put a cover on the back seat - could I lift those headrests, h*ll no - a neighbour had to help me! I wanted to leave one of my walking aids permanently up in the luggage space, which works fine, and now the dog goes in there too, but as I close the tailgate I can't see where he is and hope he out of the way! The "dualogic" gearbox is not quite an automatic and I'm not sure if "climate control" is the same as "air conditioning"?

I really am trying to like it and have been getting to grips with opening the tailgate, though it's a full workout to lift it! So what do I like - things I hadn't had before like the temperature and various other info it chooses to give me, the way it locks the doors when you're driving and I still like the driving position and all the other reasons I bought it for! For what it's worth it has been very much admired by my neighbours and I seem to get more respect on the road.

But yesterday I had to fill up the fuel tank for the first time, frantically trying to remember to get diesel! I had read the instructions in the book but I could not get that damned cap off and in the end asked a man who was filling up his car (not a Fiat!) who by some miracle managed to open and lock it again immediately!! I got him to show me a few times and then did it with him still there (what a nice man) but by the time I reached home I must have forgotten something because though I eventually got it unlocked, I couldn't lock it again. I have tried and tried and am now just driving around with it unlocked!

And today's calamity! Went to adjust the rear view mirror and it just fell off! So now I know the car has ESP and knows I hate it and is just going to keep on playing tricks on me. I swear my heart sinks every time I have to go anywhere and I'm always amazed when I get back in one piece.

Please Qubo lovers (if you exist) say nice things to me and tell what to do about the fuel cap and rear view mirror? I wish you could make me taller and stronger but hey, maybe that would be asking too much!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Mad one]

Fuel cap....... If currently unlocked, hold the cap still and just turn the key clockwise, it should just turn 180 degrees and you can the take the key out.

To unlock the fuel cap, again hold the cap still, insert key and turn the key 180 degrees anti-clockwise, you can then just unscrew the cap.

Once you have done e this a couple of times, it becomes second nature.....honest!

Yep air conditioning is what you have got, no such nicety as climate control......

Welcome to the wacky world of Qubo!

Ken

 

[Mad one]

As for the rear view mirror, I suspect that the windscreen has been replaced in the past, if I was you rather them mess around with the likes of adhesive pads, special glue etc, look up a local branch of a national windscreen company and see if they can refit the mirror as they do it all the time, and have the correct stuff to fit it with.

Ken

 

[g8rpi]

Climate Control is better than air conditioning.
The difference is the "control" bit. With climate control you select a temperature and the system maintains it automatically switching from cooling to heating s required. Air conditioning needs you to adjust the knobs to get the temperture you want.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[Flibertigibit]

Hi all. Re the fuel cap thing I found this video clip which is as g8rpi describes except it's for a Fiat 500 but apparently I am not allowed to give you the URL for it until I have done 5 posts on the forum! Oh it were that easy! But I don't seem able to even get the cap in enough to even keep it still to turn the key! I shall persevere.

With regards to the air con thing the car I bought is a Fiat Qubo 1.3 Multijet MyLife 5dr Dualogic [Start Stop] diesel estate, so yes, it does, apparently, have climate control. I'll worry about that when the weather warms up!

Ken, I will take you advice re the rear view mirror and not break out the superglue!

I'll keep you guys informed on how things go.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi all. Re the fuel cap thing I found this video clip which is as g8rpi describes except it's for a Fiat 500 but apparently I am not allowed to give you the URL for it until I have done 5 posts on the forum! Oh it were that easy! But I don't seem able to even get the cap in enough to even keep it still to turn the key! I shall persevere.

With regards to the air con thing the car I bought is a Fiat Qubo 1.3 Multijet MyLife 5dr Dualogic [Start Stop] diesel estate, so yes, it does, apparently, have climate control. I'll worry about that when the weather warms up!

Ken, I will take you advice re the rear view mirror and not break out the superglue!

I'll keep you guys informed on how things go.

Hi, and welcome,
the air-con side of the heating / cooling is useful all year round, as it's helps DRY the air in the vehicle, especially important if you want to see out of the windows - when sat steaming in wet dog walking kit

generally speaking - if you set a NUMBER in degrees C then it's climate

because the CLIMATE CONTROL will aim to keep to that temp- similar to a Central heating room 'stat

the filler cap.. just a knack..my wife got a car on saturday..the seller commented on the cap..
I checked it , and it works 100% .. just "one of those things.."

oh yes - my wife is your stature,
fitting a luggage strap to the tailgate will make reaching to close it a LOT simpler,

:idea: does the vehicle not have a "drop- tailgate" like the fiat estates.??


Charlie - Oxford

 

[Flibertigibit]

I have had air con in previous cars so know how advantageous it can be, especially in winter for deminsting the windows quickly. Just haven't had time to explore the "climate control" stuff yet.

Also been struggling with the dualogic or whatever it's called but today that suddenly dropped into place. I had taken it somewhere to have the mirror fixed and the guy said he knew how to use the gears, but when I got it back and drove away it made a roaring noise and just said 1 not auto 1 and it did just sound like a manual that wanted to go onto second gear, so I looked down, saw this thing saying A/M and pushed the stick over to it and it went back to automatic - very proud of myself!

Re the strap - I could just about reach it but found it hard to see! Anyway, I have now looped a reflective velcro cyclists armband onto it and it's much easier.

Re the fuel cap - a friend came today and she tried. After a while she got the knack ok but what we both decided is that my problems are more about poor hand strength due to arthritis - not sure what to do about that.

Have no idea what a "drop tailgate" is so no idea if I have one unless it's like something I thought was good on the Berlingo which I had also considered - in effect the top part (window) lifts separately without opening the whole thing. But even if I had it it wouldn't help because I want to be able to put my walker in the back without having to fold it, which is one reason I bought the car in the first place. The dog has had to go in there too which he doesn't like as he can't see out!

 

[g8rpi]

I have had air con in previous cars so know how advantageous it can be, especially in winter for deminsting the windows quickly. Just haven't had time to explore the "climate control" stuff yet.
<SNIP>

Just press the "Auto" button and select the teperature you want, 21 deg C is a good start. For demisting press the demist (windscreen shape) button on the climate control panel (not the rear demister) This will set the system up for best demisting (dry warm air) and put on the rear de-mist ( and wing mirror de-mist if fitted) automatically.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[Quboffin]

The dog has had to go in there too which he doesn't like as he can't see out!

Hi Flibertigibit and welcome to the forum.

I have two dogs and they love it in the back of my Qubo as I've removed the rear seats

If you never carry rear passengers like me, then it may be an advantage for you, but you'll need someone to help as the seats are very heavy. The single, double or both can be removed quite simply and access to the rear is then easier through the side sliding doors

You'll get better fuel economy too as the Qubo is much lighter. I'm sure you'll come to love your little Qubo once you're used to it

 

[varesecrazy]

Have no idea what a "drop tailgate" is so no idea if I have one unless it's like something I thought was good on the Berlingo which I had also considered - in effect the top part (window) lifts separately without opening the whole thing. But even if I had it it wouldn't help because I want to be able to put my walker in the back without having to fold it, which is one reason I bought the car in the first place

drop tailgate's feature on all the FIAT estate cars,

https://www.fiatforum.com/classifieds/data/33/large/IMG_2365.jpg

Push the button and the rear bumper / tailgate DROPS for a flat floor, handy for sitting on - to take off muddy boots, as well as loading dogs:worship:

Charlie

 

[Flibertigibit]

Folks I am a disgrace and should be thrown off the forum! With all the problems with it and my decreasing strength and mobility issues I have decided the Qubo is not, after all, the right car for me. I began dreading having to go out in it. I still love its looks and colour but it is going back to the dealer on Wednesday and the only car they had for sale that was an automatic with air con was a 2012 Ford Fiesta which has only done 11,000 miles! I like my cars to have character and a Fiesta hasn't any IMO. Everybody is telling me how good they are and easy to drive. One think I did check was the fuel cap - Fiestas don't have a fuel cap of any kind! All they have is a sort of opening which only an unleaded petrol hose can get into. I feel a failure and a flop but things were getting worse not better, so it's goodbye from me but many thanks for all your help along the way.

 

[g8rpi]

You are not a disgrace and am sure you will still be welcome here. If the Qubo does not suit you and your needs then you need to find something different. You have the added constaint of what the dealer has in stock. I've not driven the modern Fiesta (used to have one as a works van many years ago) but I'm sure it's very good if a little soulless. The Wife has an Escort automatic and it's fine. First time I went to fill it I thought someone had stolen the fuel cap as it also has the capless option.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[leroya500]

Have looked a 2012+ panda, all the benefits of the qubo in miniature!

 

[varesecrazy]

Have looked a 2012+ panda, all the benefits of the qubo in miniature!

Who..?

The OP is swapping a car at a used car seller. Limited options.