General Servicing (again)

[rkt2003]

I also do things early i service the car yearly or every 10,000, change the brake fluid at 18months plus the coolant ,timing belt and tensioners etc 10,000 miles before they should be done etc etc and i have never had a fiat let me down once and i have had 10 plus i look after my cars they look after me

 

[T14086]

Even if the brake fluid doesn't need to be changed every two years I really don't see the harm in doing it early.

There was talk (ford I believe) of brake fluid being changed every year but customers wouldn't like the extra cost so it remained at 2 years.

What people have to remember is, unlike a lot of forum members, many owners have spent thousands on their car and servicing is just an expense they would rather do without.

 

[306maxi]

There was talk (ford I believe) of brake fluid being changed every year but customers wouldn't like the extra cost so it remained at 2 years.

What people have to remember is, unlike a lot of forum members, many owners have spent thousands on their car and servicing is just an expense they would rather do without.

It really is a sad state. People will spend 10k+ on a car but don't want to spend perhaps ~£200 extra a year to keep it ticking over that bit better for a bit longer.

 

[frupi]

Yup, one word sums up people like that - pathetic:spin:

 

[T14086]

It really is a sad state. People will spend 10k+ on a car but don't want to spend perhaps ~£200 extra a year to keep it ticking over that bit better for a bit longer.

mate I have done cheap £69 services on 2 year old mercs, BM's & audi's etc...as long as the service book is stamped they don't seem worried. Personally i'd buy a car for a few grand less and keep that money in the bank for the cars proper upkeep.

 

[RUI]

All booked in for oil and filter he is also giving the engine a flush, air filter, polen filter, plugs, tappets, break fluid.

I am also getting him to fit my new Abarth steering wheel if I have not done it my self before hand.

 

[RobW]

Why on earth do tappets need setting on a fire engine?

 

[306maxi]

Why on earth do tappets need setting on a fire engine?

Because they do? The 1.4's have hydraulic tappets but the 1.2 doesn't

 

[RobW]

Because they do? The 1.4's have hydraulic tappets but the 1.2 doesn't

I know they are not hydraulic they are bucket and shim, but I have done over 100k on fire engines and never had to adjust. Anyway the are not 'tappets' you only get tappets on ohv engines

 

[Turtle]

On previous cars (all petrol), I've always done a "big" service once a year;

* Engine oil + filter
* Gearbox oil
* Spark plugs
* Air filter
* Fuel filter
* Brake fluid

For a relatively small amount of money (<£200) it keeps the car running sweet, and gives peace of mind. I plan to have the 500 serviced shortly (minus the spark plugs as it's a diesel). Is there anything else worth doing on the diesel engines that I've missed?

 

[RobW]

On previous cars (all petrol), I've always done a "big" service once a year;

* Engine oil + filter
* Gearbox oil
* Spark plugs
* Air filter
* Fuel filter
* Brake fluid

For a relatively small amount of money (<£200) it keeps the car running sweet, and gives peace of mind. I plan to have the 500 serviced shortly (minus the spark plugs as it's a diesel). Is there anything else worth doing on the diesel engines that I've missed?

Servicing is more than replacing parts, ensure the inspections are carefully done and on a diesel due to the vibration check nothing is fatigues or falling oFf

 

[Engineered]

Servicing is more than replacing parts, ensure the inspections are carefully done and on a diesel due to the vibration check nothing is fatigues or falling oFf

When you consider how much you'll lose at trade-in time, when the buyer asks about the "Full Fiat Service History", and offers you peanuts when he discovers the car is tainted, all this penny pinching on servicing - regardless of your mechanical skill - could cost you dear.

 

[T14086]

There are many things to consider;

A service is also (as RobW rightly mentions) an inspection which a knowledgeable technician knows exactly where (and when) to look/check a particular component.

However, many dealer technicians are not happy with dealer standards and set up on their own or join independent garages where they are not restricted by time limitations and can there for carry out a more thorough job and do those little extra jobs that the customer appreciates so much.

You service book could be full of dealer stamps but the service operations were poorly or not carried out. An independent stamp does not mean it has recieved poor servicing....but how do you tell, you can't!

 

[Engineered]

There are many things to consider;

A service is also (as RobW rightly mentions) an inspection which a knowledgeable technician knows exactly where (and when) to look/check a particular component.

However, many dealer technicians are not happy with dealer standards and set up on their own or join independent garages where they are not restricted by time limitations and can there for carry out a more thorough job and do those little extra jobs that the customer appreciates so much.

You service book could be full of dealer stamps but the service operations were poorly or not carried out. An independent stamp does not mean it has recieved poor servicing....but how do you tell, you can't!

Agreed, but at trade-in time (for a reasonably new car) they do expect to see a FIAT full service history - and will considerably down value your car if it hasn't got one of these.
Independent dealers - no problem, but a franchised Fiat dealer won't be allowed to sell on a used Fiat without a full Fiat service history - they couldn't give it a Fiat warranty (and who would buy it anyway?). They would have to send your trade-in directly to the auction - hence the low value.

 

[T14086]

a franchised Fiat dealer won't be allowed to sell on a used Fiat without a full Fiat service history.

Absolutely not true mate, I see many with no history at all.

 

[bgunn]

Indeed. Search 'block exemption' rules if you want to learn about what dealers CANNOT do, these days.

 

[Engineered]

Well I've bought a lot of nearly new cars from various marques' franchised dealers and considered dozens more. I have never seen one with either missing or "non-franchised" stamps in the service book.

 

[pearce_jj]

You service book could be full of dealer stamps but the service operations were poorly or not carried out. An independent stamp does not mean it has recieved poor servicing....but how do you tell, you can't!

I bought a Citroen with a single stamp in the book and that from main dealer, 12k on the clock. Sadly they had filled it with the wrong oil...18 months later it was dead. That dealer stamp cost me £2.5k.

 

[Venters]

Absolutely not true mate, I see many with no history at all.

Yeah that.
I used to sell for a Fiat franchise dealer, and it was never an issue.

 

[306maxi]

I bought a Citroen with a single stamp in the book and that from main dealer, 12k on the clock. Sadly they had filled it with the wrong oil...18 months later it was dead. That dealer stamp cost me £2.5k.

Hence why my car goes into the dealer with 3 litres of the oil that the manufacturer specifies.