Fiat 500

Routine Maintenance Introduction:

In the posts that follow I have described in detail the routine servicing that should be done on your car.

1. This work has two important functions. First is that of doing adjustments and lubrication to ensure the least wear and most efficient function. But the second gain from maintenance, could almost be more important. By looking your car over, on top and underneath, you have the opportunity to check that all is in order.
2. Every component should be looked at, your gaze working systematically over the whole car. Dirt cracking near a nut or a flange can indicate something loose. Leaks will show. Electric cables rubbing, rust appearing though the paint underneath, will also be found before they bring on a failure on the road, or a more expensive repair if not tackled quickly. Even a little FIAT 500 is lethal if unsafe.
3. The tasks to be done on the car in general those recommended by the maker. We have also put in some additional ones. For someone getting his servicing done at a garage it may be more cost effective to accept component replacement after a somewhat short life in order to avoid maintenance costs. For the home mechanic this is not so. The manufacturers must detail the work to be done as a careful balance of such factors. Leaving it too long gives risk of defects occurring between service checks. Making intervals too frequent tempts owners into disrespect of their advice, to leave work undone disastrously long.
4. Always road test after a repair, and inspect the work after it, and check nuts etc.. for tightness. check again after about 150miles