Technical Service

[500Singh]

Hi all,
So last year I had a major service done from Fiat on our 2018 500 1.2 currently on about 10k miles. The dealer recently rang to say that our service is due soon and that it will be a minor service, which I think still costs abit much just for a "Visual" check of things from what I remember when they showed me the prices last year.
They had also noted the front brakes as being an "amber" warning and have advised this to be addressed for this years service.

Now, Im not going to take it back to them for any work as I think dealers are just a waste of money compared to what a private specialist will charge. I wanted to ask if anyone who doesnt take their car to the dealer for service do you still get a "visual check service" done from a private garage?
I'm thinking to atleast get the oil changed and maybe the air and pollen filter even if its a minor service and then next year do another major service including brake fluid, which was done on the last major service.

Whats everyones opinion on this and what do you guys usually do?

 

[John202020]

Leave the air filter, change the oil and filter( about £35 to buy yourself) change pollen filter, brakes? At only 10k pads should be fine however rusting of the discs could be the reason for warning simply removing the wheel should reveal what's required if you know what to look for. Cheap and simple to replace yourself about £50, garage £200

 

[500Singh]

Leave the air filter, change the oil and filter( about £35 to buy yourself) change pollen filter, brakes? At only 10k pads should be fine however rusting of the discs could be the reason for warning simply removing the wheel should reveal what's required if you know what to look for. Cheap and simple to replace yourself about £50, garage £200

Great! Thanks for the reply. So only change the air filter on major service?

I did look at the brakes through the wheel and the pads look to have plenty of meat still. Also the face of the discs look to be fine where the pad touches. So should I be looking at the edges of the discs for rusting?

Thanks

 

[The Panda Nut]

Brake pads at 10K?? No way Jose !I have heard that before and it almost certainly garbage. If you get less than 30K from teh front pads the car or you have a problem!!

Ask yourself when do you check tyres /wheels for inside damage or underbody damage otherwise. You do need a visual of the car regularly, and 100% you need the front brakes stripping and cleaning annually on this model. (20 mins Max!) Visual check must be done, and for insurance resons its a sound economic investment.

Sometimes I take the car for some investigation (something rattling is a good one) if nothing else, and get the free multi point dealer check and the paper to prove it if nothing else! They then do the proper servicing when needed.

 

[500Singh]

Brake pads at 10K?? No way Jose !I have heard that before and it almost certainly garbage. If you get less than 30K from teh front pads the car or you have a problem!!

Ask yourself when do you check tyres /wheels for inside damage or underbody damage otherwise. You do need a visual of the car regularly, and 100% you need the front brakes stripping and cleaning annually on this model. (20 mins Max!) Visual check must be done, and for insurance resons its a sound economic investment.

Sometimes I take the car for some investigation (something rattling is a good one) if nothing else, and get the free multi point dealer check and the paper to prove it if nothing else! They then do the proper servicing when needed.

Yea I'm not avoiding having the visual inspection. Just rather not pay the fiat dealer to do it when I can take it to a good private garage to do the same job at a more reasonable cost.


With the discs, are they a common issue on the 500 for rusting? Even at 10k miles?


Thanks guys

 

[Ralf S.]

All brakes rust because they're made from cast iron. The main thing is that when you use the car, the area that the pads sweep should quickly become shiny metal again.

There's a lot of trade-sponsored nonsense/scare-mongering about "rusty brakes" when all they mean is the central part that attaches to the hub (i.e. surface rust) or the outer edge on the rim of the disc... i.e. so what?

If your discs are warped, or have a huge lip on the outer edge (outboard of the area the pads sweep) then they could be due a change... otherwise, just drive them round the block and they (the swept area) should be shiny again.

Your pads only need changing when they get down to around 3mm. Dealers are great at suggesting when your pads are "getting low" too... usually when they're around half worn. What they mean is, you have another 10,000 miles in them, if not more.


Ralf S.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have a Mk3 Panda and rusting of brake disc is a substantial issue. There are plenty of posts that suggest regular removal of pads / cleaning will largely prevent this. Its only worth dealer service prices if you have a new enough car for a full main dealer service history to be good for resale value.

 

[John202020]

Your pads only need changing when they get down to around 3mm. Dealers are great at suggesting when your pads are "getting low" too... usually when they're around half worn. What they mean is, you have another 10,000 miles in them, if not more.

My front Mazda pads lasted 70k and 10 years old.
Wouldn't worry re the discs, if they ever need replacing use "coated" discs, painted by another name these resist rusting from the edges inwards ours for our 09 car cost £30