Hey everyone!
So picked myself up a 3.5 year old Fiat 500 (non-Abarth and not turbocharged) for quite a steal. 2012 w/57k miles and manual trans.
As you may or may not be aware the Multi-Air valvetrain is an engineering feat and has not been around long after 10+ years of development. Basically the intake cam drives a small hydraulic chamber which then hydraulically opens/closes the intake valves through an electronic solenoid. Infinitely adjustable intake valve events, its ingenious since the electrical architecture of cars won't be allowing electric valve operation for some time still. Otherwise far more complicated than cam operated valves.
So I got a killer deal, however the maintenance history is questionable. Based on CarFax it was serviced at Fiat dealerships. 1st owner drove from 0-4,877 miles over the course of 1.5 years and it appears it was not serviced at all during that time. Oil was changed at trade in at 4,877, then by the 2nd owner @ 11,933, 18,807, 33,370 and just now before I bought it at 57,177. Of course I know this may not include any dealerships/shops that don't report to CarFax however the 18.8 to 33.3 to 57.1 stretches concern me. Luckily the dealership left all the paperwork of the prior 2 owners in the owners manual booklet and the 1st owner was an older dr. in Florida and the 2nd was a 65+ musician here in Atlanta so I am convinced the car was cared for.
I managed a cool 44 MPG on a 31 mile drive from the dealership to my job and this was at speeds ranging from 65-75 MPH with some stop and go mixed in on a 90/10 hwy/city mix. I am averaging the EPA estimates of 30 MPG city with my 100% city commute which is a 15 minute 3 mile commute on all surface streets.
I am not too terribly concerned about the engine about to sludge itself to death based on the above but I want to do what I can to clean it up as this car needs to last me a bit, especially because of the complicated Multi-Air valvetrain.
Any recommendations?
So picked myself up a 3.5 year old Fiat 500 (non-Abarth and not turbocharged) for quite a steal. 2012 w/57k miles and manual trans.
As you may or may not be aware the Multi-Air valvetrain is an engineering feat and has not been around long after 10+ years of development. Basically the intake cam drives a small hydraulic chamber which then hydraulically opens/closes the intake valves through an electronic solenoid. Infinitely adjustable intake valve events, its ingenious since the electrical architecture of cars won't be allowing electric valve operation for some time still. Otherwise far more complicated than cam operated valves.
So I got a killer deal, however the maintenance history is questionable. Based on CarFax it was serviced at Fiat dealerships. 1st owner drove from 0-4,877 miles over the course of 1.5 years and it appears it was not serviced at all during that time. Oil was changed at trade in at 4,877, then by the 2nd owner @ 11,933, 18,807, 33,370 and just now before I bought it at 57,177. Of course I know this may not include any dealerships/shops that don't report to CarFax however the 18.8 to 33.3 to 57.1 stretches concern me. Luckily the dealership left all the paperwork of the prior 2 owners in the owners manual booklet and the 1st owner was an older dr. in Florida and the 2nd was a 65+ musician here in Atlanta so I am convinced the car was cared for.
I managed a cool 44 MPG on a 31 mile drive from the dealership to my job and this was at speeds ranging from 65-75 MPH with some stop and go mixed in on a 90/10 hwy/city mix. I am averaging the EPA estimates of 30 MPG city with my 100% city commute which is a 15 minute 3 mile commute on all surface streets.
I am not too terribly concerned about the engine about to sludge itself to death based on the above but I want to do what I can to clean it up as this car needs to last me a bit, especially because of the complicated Multi-Air valvetrain.
Any recommendations?