General Response from Fiat on the 18000 or 2 Years first service question

[flashyphotos]

I know there was a thread and discussion here on the issue of servicing being compulsury at 1 year even though the new handbook says 2 years. (Although I have searched and cannot find it now)

As my car was purchased recently and my dealer said it needed a service every year yet the handbook said every 18000 or 2 years (09 1.2 Lounge) I took this up with FIat in a recent text chat

The response was that the compulsory service is at 2 Years or 18000 miles (There items they recommend to be checked evey year which are the ones with a read circle and cross in the handbook), but if this is not done it would NOT compromise the warrarty as they are only "Recommended"

These are : Check fromt Pads, Visual Inspection of Car, Check Locks and Links, Check and top up fluids, Replace Pollen Filter, Check Air filter.

As such I am happy to get these checks done at a local VAT reg garage and not pay Fiat a massive fee for this. Then getting the full service each 2 years from Fiat.

A Copy of the Text Chat below, Fiat have also advised they will send a letter of confirmation that can be provided if the dealer still insists it should have been to them every 12 months.

Vicky : Many Thanks, can you also confirm the Service Shedule on this vehicle. Handbook says 18000 miles or every 2 years but dealer is saying if it is not serviced every year the warranty will be invalid. its a 1.2 Lounge

****: They're both right. A full service should be completed within 18000 miles. There are certain checks we would recommend are carried out on an annual basis to make the habitation of the vehicle more pleasant and ensure safety. These are indicated in the service booklet by a red circle with a white cross inside.

Vicky : OK, Many thanks but basically for warranty as long as the car has a major service every 2 yrs or 18000 miles (Whichever is soonest) the warranty is still in effect.

****: The minor service should be completed on an annual basis but it is a suggestion more than a requirement. You are correct, 18000 miles or 2 years is the interval to complete service & guarantee your warranty.

Vicky: Could you arrange for that to be sent in writing along with the pack already discussed so I have proof should the dealer require it.

****: I will arrange for a letter to be sent to you, it may well be sent seperate from the welcome pack but should be with you within 10 days.

Vicky: Many Thanks for your help today. Much appreciated

 

[stu0710]

I know there was a thread and discussion here on the issue of servicing being compulsury at 1 year even though the new handbook says 2 years. (Although I have searched and cannot find it now)

As my car was purchased recently and my dealer said it needed a service every year yet the handbook said every 18000 or 2 years (09 1.2 Lounge) I took this up with FIat in a recent text chat

The response was that the compulsory service is at 2 Years or 18000 miles (There items they recommend to be checked evey year which are the ones with a read circle and cross in the handbook), but if this is not done it would NOT compromise the warrarty as they are only "Recommended"

These are : Check fromt Pads, Visual Inspection of Car, Check Locks and Links, Check and top up fluids, Replace Pollen Filter, Check Air filter.

As such I am happy to get these checks done at a local VAT reg garage and not pay Fiat a massive fee for this. Then getting the full service each 2 years from Fiat.

A Copy of the Text Chat below, Fiat have also advised they will send a letter of confirmation that can be provided if the dealer still insists it should have been to them every 12 months.

Vicky : Many Thanks, can you also confirm the Service Shedule on this vehicle. Handbook says 18000 miles or every 2 years but dealer is saying if it is not serviced every year the warranty will be invalid. its a 1.2 Lounge

****: They're both right. A full service should be completed within 18000 miles. There are certain checks we would recommend are carried out on an annual basis to make the habitation of the vehicle more pleasant and ensure safety. These are indicated in the service booklet by a red circle with a white cross inside.

Vicky : OK, Many thanks but basically for warranty as long as the car has a major service every 2 yrs or 18000 miles (Whichever is soonest) the warranty is still in effect.

****: The minor service should be completed on an annual basis but it is a suggestion more than a requirement. You are correct, 18000 miles or 2 years is the interval to complete service & guarantee your warranty.

Vicky: Could you arrange for that to be sent in writing along with the pack already discussed so I have proof should the dealer require it.

****: I will arrange for a letter to be sent to you, it may well be sent seperate from the welcome pack but should be with you within 10 days.

Vicky: Many Thanks for your help today. Much appreciated

Thanks Vicki - this is in agreement with what my dealer told me!

Although i think I'd be tempted to have an oil & filter change at 1 year as well, although it looks like this could be done by a local independent dealer whilst still validating the warranty!

 

[Jake_in_notts]

Good use of the forum this.

Thanks for posting the thread.

BTW you can and always have been able to use an independant garage to service and maintain the warranty - they just have to fit the Fiat recommended parts and follow the service schedule (thats more difficult than it sounds :bang.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Is it worth making this a Sticky

 

[grimwau]

This has answered the original question but opens a new query, ie. if you have had a service already can you now wait for 2 years or 18000 miles until the next service?

In effect you are having a service at the required intervals but in years 1, 3 & 5 instead of years 2, 4 & 6 subject to the car travelling less than 18000 miles pa.

 

[flashyphotos]

This has answered the original question but opens a new query, ie. if you have had a service already can you now wait for 2 years or 18000 miles until the next service?

In effect you are having a service at the required intervals but in years 1, 3 & 5 instead of years 2, 4 & 6 subject to the car travelling less than 18000 miles pa.

Should not really affect any owners yet though should it as I though the 18000/2 Years rule only applied to cars "Built" after Sept 2008, so technically none of these cars are ready for even a 1st year service yet?. And anyone having a first service done already would be in a pre sept 2008 car hence still needing a service ever 12 months as per the handbook.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[grimwau]

Should not really affect any owners yet though should it as I though the 18000/2 Years rule only applied to cars "Built" after Sept 2008, so technically none of these cars are ready for even a 1st year service yet?. And anyone having a first service done already would be in a pre sept 2008 car hence still needing a service ever 12 months as per the handbook.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Based on the "built after Sept 2008" assumption then you are almost certainly correct as any cars would probably not have reached this country until December 2008.

I couldn't however see any reference to this build date in the "chat" you had with Fiat CS. Have you got anything "in hard print" that confirms this?

I'm wondering what has changed on the cars to make this date so special as the handbook for my 2008 car also says 18000 miles or two years for the first service

 

[flashyphotos]

Based on the "built after Sept 2008" assumption then you are almost certainly correct as any cars would probably not have reached this country until December 2008.

I couldn't however see any reference to this build date in the "chat" you had with Fiat CS. Have you got anything "in hard print" that confirms this?

I'm wondering what has changed on the cars to make this date so special as the handbook for my 2008 car also says 18000 miles or two years for the first service

I may be wrong but there were several things that led to this

1: I am sure I read it on here.
2: The Front page of the service book I have reads "VALID FROM SEPT 2008"

So taking the 2 together I assumed that was correct and there had been a change of Policy from Sept 2008 when the new books were issued, as I thought the service books from before Sept 2008 had the bit of text in them that mentioned there was a service 18k/1year

Again I may be wrong, I was just using the info gleaned from this board along with what is printed on the service book, the "Valid from Sept 2008" Seemed to confirm some change had taken place to policy or vehicles from that date.

 

[grimwau]

I may be wrong but there were several things that led to this

1: I am sure I read it on here.
2: The Front page of the service book I have reads "VALID FROM SEPT 2008"

So taking the 2 together I assumed that was correct and there had been a change of Policy from Sept 2008 when the new books were issued, as I thought the service books from before Sept 2008 had the bit of text in them that mentioned there was a service 18k/1year

Again I may be wrong, I was just using the info gleaned from this board along with what is printed on the service book, the "Valid from Sept 2008" Seemed to confirm some change had taken place to policy or vehicles from that date.

Vicky, I see where you are coming from and obviously, having a June 08 reg car that would be missing from my copy.

 

[Lloyd71]

Thanks for the info, very useful post!
However could a mod please delete the quote in the 2nd post, it makes the page huge? I've never understood why people quote the entire first post in the first reply.

 

[flashyphotos]

Here are the relevent pages from the POST Sept 2008 Book, can someone with a PRE Sept 2008 Book confirm if there has / has not been any change to the wording which would indicate a change in policy or validity depending on which service book you have!?

 

[stu0710]

I may be wrong but there were several things that led to this

1: I am sure I read it on here.
2: The Front page of the service book I have reads "VALID FROM SEPT 2008"

So taking the 2 together I assumed that was correct and there had been a change of Policy from Sept 2008 when the new books were issued, as I thought the service books from before Sept 2008 had the bit of text in them that mentioned there was a service 18k/1year

Again I may be wrong, I was just using the info gleaned from this board along with what is printed on the service book, the "Valid from Sept 2008" Seemed to confirm some change had taken place to policy or vehicles from that date.

Hi - the post regarding September 2008 info probably came from my earlier thread as this is what I was told by my dealer when we recently collected our car (a July 2009 1.2 Lounge). Interestingly, however I may have a pre- Sep 2008 version of the service record as the dealer has added 'service due at 18K or two years' in biro in the 1st service section of the book!

Thanks for the info, very useful post!
However could a mod please delete the quote in the 2nd post, it makes the page huge? I've never understood why people quote the entire first post in the first reply.

Sorry LLoyd, I only mean't to quote a small part of the first post! As a relative newbie l still haven't mastered the intricacies of this forum malarkey yet! But look at this - my first multiquote!

 

[Biggles500]

Is it worth making this a Sticky

Yep Sticky please mr or mrs mod:worship::worship::worship:

and a BIG THANK YOU :slayer::slayer:to Flashyphotos for this valuable post (literally valuable = saving us money) and posting the scans of the pages too.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

However could a mod please delete the quote in the 2nd post, it makes the page huge? I've never understood why people quote the entire first post in the first reply.

Because thats the post they were refering to maybe

Bit off, just scroll down to pass it

 

[nebrog23]

I have a pre sept 2008 i.e valid from Jan 2008
It says your car should be serviced atleast once a year. If less than 10K you can do the low mileage service if not the 18k.

What I don't understand is I had a low mileage done at one year so do I have the full 18K at 2years or jump to the 36K service?

I am thinking if you do less than 10k a year it as follows.
Yr1 low mileage
Yr2 18K (also replace brake fluid because 2 years)
Yr 3 low mileage
Yr 4 36K and so on

P.s checked my book and it compares to the above pictures except a couple of items have been removed on the new version
One been visual inspection on conditon of bodywork,hoses,underbody etc
and another check and top up fluids

 

[Lloyd71]

Because thats the post they were refering to maybe

Well yeah...there were no other posts to refer to.

 

[lfc958]

Why is the servicing so complicated on the 500, my previous brand was simple.

1- Fixed servicing 12k / 1 yr (or when the service light came on to say your oil was a bit weak)
2- Variable servicing - when the service light comes on.

I have just hit 13.5k miles and my change oil indicator has come on, I was told 18k or 1yr, and just to confuse the issue even more, i was told that when oil change comes on , then the car gets an oil change , then at its 18k / time the remainder of the service is done, BUT if at service the oil check indicates that the oil is getting filthy then another oil change will be done. So you get stung for a 2nd oil change.

I am going to have a service done to save any confusion, even if it is too early.

 

[pearce_jj]

I have just hit 13.5k miles and my change oil indicator has come on

I'd actually love to know if anyone, particularly with a diesel, has had got anywhere near 18k between services. My gut feel is that it is pretty much misrepresentation to make the cars cost of ownership look on paper.

 

[Alfatwo]

I'd actually love to know if anyone, particularly with a diesel, has had got anywhere near 18k between services. My gut feel is that it is pretty much misrepresentation to make the cars cost of ownership look on paper.

18k is far too long without oil, filter and spark plug changes, plus a check over the brakes, suspension etc.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Well yeah...there were no other posts to refer to.

Ah, but what it someone had submitted a reply when they were writing their reply

Wouldn't then possibly have been clear who they were refering to Had it happen to me before so will often quote even if I'm 2nd poster