Just had the car serviced (24 month) as per manufacturer's schedule but it still appears that some dealers still are none the wiser as to what parts should be replaced, seemingly unable to understand the difference between time based and mileage based scenarios.
I considered that my service would be straight forward enough but as I had had problems with the service department at this dealership previously I made sure that I confirmed what parts would be replaced when I called to book it in.
I explained that although the car had only covered 10,300 miles it was approaching two years old and so asked them for a breakdown of what would be done. The guy called up the service menu on the VDU and said, "Oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Pollen Filter and Spark Plugs".
I explained to him that spark plugs were replaced on a mileage basis and that they weren't due to be changed until 18,000 miles and at my annual mileage that would be next year, at 36 months. However, he wasn't able to grasp the concept and as I had already decided to get them changed I gave up trying to explain it to him. As he hadn't mentioned a brake fluid change I asked him if this service included this but he wasn't able to tell me as it didn't show on the screen. I told him that the brake fluid should be changed (according to Fiat?Abarth) at 36000, 72000 and 108000 miles or 24 months and as I was booking the car for the 24 month service to make a note that this should be carried out. I also suggested that he get the IT department to update the screen details to reflect this and also re the spark plugs.
When I took the car in I also gave the receptionist a note specifying what I wanted doing, which included the brake fluid, plus a couple of warranty items I wanted replaced/checked and the set off for a trip to Dorchester in a 61 Reg TA Lounge, secure in the knowledge that all boxes had been ticked. After a not so pleasant drive in the TA which reminded me why I sold mine after just a few weeks I returned to pick up the A500 and pay the bill minus my 10% rewards discount using the "myFIAT" card and also using the £100 voucher given to me so generously by Fiat CS as a gesture of goodwill for when the TA lost all of it's oil on day one.
Everything seemed hunky dory until the lady receptionist mentioned that there was one advisory; they recommended that I should book the car in to have a brake fluid change as the car was approaching two years old. :doh:
I won't cause the swear filter to overload telling you what I said, lol.
I considered that my service would be straight forward enough but as I had had problems with the service department at this dealership previously I made sure that I confirmed what parts would be replaced when I called to book it in.
I explained that although the car had only covered 10,300 miles it was approaching two years old and so asked them for a breakdown of what would be done. The guy called up the service menu on the VDU and said, "Oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Pollen Filter and Spark Plugs".
I explained to him that spark plugs were replaced on a mileage basis and that they weren't due to be changed until 18,000 miles and at my annual mileage that would be next year, at 36 months. However, he wasn't able to grasp the concept and as I had already decided to get them changed I gave up trying to explain it to him. As he hadn't mentioned a brake fluid change I asked him if this service included this but he wasn't able to tell me as it didn't show on the screen. I told him that the brake fluid should be changed (according to Fiat?Abarth) at 36000, 72000 and 108000 miles or 24 months and as I was booking the car for the 24 month service to make a note that this should be carried out. I also suggested that he get the IT department to update the screen details to reflect this and also re the spark plugs.
When I took the car in I also gave the receptionist a note specifying what I wanted doing, which included the brake fluid, plus a couple of warranty items I wanted replaced/checked and the set off for a trip to Dorchester in a 61 Reg TA Lounge, secure in the knowledge that all boxes had been ticked. After a not so pleasant drive in the TA which reminded me why I sold mine after just a few weeks I returned to pick up the A500 and pay the bill minus my 10% rewards discount using the "myFIAT" card and also using the £100 voucher given to me so generously by Fiat CS as a gesture of goodwill for when the TA lost all of it's oil on day one.
Everything seemed hunky dory until the lady receptionist mentioned that there was one advisory; they recommended that I should book the car in to have a brake fluid change as the car was approaching two years old. :doh:
I won't cause the swear filter to overload telling you what I said, lol.