General Qubo column

[scorps02]

Hi everyone!
I've just ordered my new motobility car, a 1.3 75bhp dualogic, can someone tell me what functions are on the sticks either side please? And also has there been any problems reported with the stop/start on the dualogic?

Any advice appreciated

 

[Stu DemonD]

Check out the download section to get the handbook

https://www.fiatforum.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=25

 

[s44gtw]

Welcome to the forum and Qubo ownership when it arrives.

george

 

[Qube O]

Hi Scorps02, Just read your post, I have the same car as you have ordered, am disabled, though I own mine its not a motorbility car. I find it fantastic to get in to and out of, great to load the back with shopping, and fantastic on fuel economy, all in all one of the best cars I have owned, and I've had a few. Re your question as to functions.....what 'stick', do you mean the gear selector ?. As to durologic problems, no problems, Fiat use this system across the range, its well tested and good, so fear not in that respect.
Cheers Qube O

 

[scorps02]

Thx everyone, I meant the indicator sticks, I currently have a kia venga and was having problems getting in and out and was only getting 24 mpg lol, I did have a remote hand control but couldn't afford one this time, I can only use my right hand with limited left hand use, hence why I was asking what the controls were

Mick

 

[Qube O]

Hi again Scorps02....The left stalk controls the indicators, up for right, down for left, and turn it on the end for side/headlights, to dip you pull back towards you and release, and to to return to main beam again pull back toward you and release.
The right stalk is the wipers, turn on the end, 1st is delay wipe, 2nd turn 1st speed, 3rd turn high speed. The small inner ring, towards the steering wheel, turn that for the rear wiper, this comes on automatically when the wipers are turned on and you select reverse gear. Lift the stalk for flick wipe, and push down for washers.
The important bit on this stalk is the button on the end, each press of this takes you 1 step through the on-board computer readings, i.e., you average mpg, your current mpg, total mileage left in the tank, mileage covered, e.t.c.
That may sound a bit scary, but you will soon master it, it is really quite straightforward, sit in the car for half a hour and play with it, all sorted.
Any other questions please ask, however I'm away now until later in the week, so you may have to wait for my reply, though no doubt another Qubo member may reply before I do.
Enjoy the car, I never drop below 50mpg, even on the silly shopping trips, and have down well into the 60s on a run. If its a new car it will need 10.000 mile on it before it starts to perform efficiently, both in respect of pulling and mpg, so bear that in mind.
Qube O.

 

[scorps02]

Thx everyone and thx for the download link, another quick question lol, the 'E' button, for short journeys or keep for long journeys? I'll keep in touch, car could arrive anytime

 

[Qube O]

Scorps02, The 'economy' button. When doing local runs, on fairly levelish ground I always use economy setting, when going on the motorway, or fully laden (4 adults + baggage), or in very hilly/mountain areas I disengage the economy setting and get the increase in power which helps in these situations. In economy the gears will change up approx 10 mph sooner than in none economy mode, great for m.p.g.
Just come back from a few days away, mix of 70+ mph on motorways and 40 mph on windy mountain roads, fully laden most of the time, 2 adults + 2 teenage daughters and all the luggage with goes with the wife and daughters, the car returned 62.3 MPG, by the computer, and by my working out 63.5......but hey! either is great.
Cheers Qube O.

 

[scorps02]

Thx for the info how many miles does urs have on? We travel to Cumbria alot and I was hoping it was gonna be more economical than wot I've got.

 

[Qube O]

Hi Scorps02, Mine has just 11500 miles on it. It has only started to show what it can do over the past couple of thousand mile. If your up and down the M6 to Cumbria, I suggest that you disengage the E mode, as I find on the motorway its better to have the ability to pull as needed. Though its only natural that you try both modes and decide what suits you best. On long motorway climbs, its normal to have to nudge the gear selector forward to drop from 6th to 5th, do that before the revs drop below 2000, and I find mine still pulls strongly. If you wait for the gears to change down themselves, it will be too late, because the change down setting allows for the revs to fall off too much. Then you will need 4th gear to build them up again. The Turbo is only really coming into play at about 2000 rpm and above.
Have fun, and let us know how you get on.
I also changed from Kia, a Carens which was terrible on fuel economy, the Fiat is miles and miles better.
Cheers Oube O.

 

[scorps02]

Thx, ill bear that in mind . Another quick question, I read somewhere that supermarket chains diesel was not much good compared with the likes of BP and TOTAL? Does anyone know anything about this, and Oube O when u first got ur qubo how many MPG were u getting?
Thx in advance again

 

[Qube O]

Hiya Scorps02, I'm getting used to your 'handle' now, don't need to keep checking I'm spelling it right....O.K., when I first got the car probably about 5-10 m.p.g. less than I get now, part of that is the engine needing to run in, and part me getting used to how to drive it. It was quite a change going from a full automatic to the Fiat Durolaogic Gearbox.
As per Diesel, Supermarket Diesel is claimed to not have all the additives that the main fuel suppliers include in their product. Also if you leave supermarket Diesel standing in your tank/fuel system for too long, without these additives a type of mould have been proven to start growing.
Me I play safe, I normally use Shell, and if the supermarkets offer a great 8p off a litre deal I fill up with theirs, then as soon as I can afterwards go back to the Shell.
Cheers Qube O.