Mileage Marks from FIAT USA

We know how much you love your FIAT 500^®, which is why you take such good care of it. You have your tires rotated every 5,000 miles, and you get an oil change every 3,000. But before you cross off the last item on your checklist, whether you’re tuning up your FIAT 500 Abarth or 500c, we want to help you make sure you’re really doing everything you can to ensure a smooth ride.

There are simple things FIAT vehicle owners can do on a regular basis in order to keep their vehicle in top condition. Check out this mileage check-up guide to see how you can improve the lifespan of your FIAT 500!

Every 20,000 – 30,000 miles

Engine Air Filter: The exact timeframe on when to replace the internal combustion air filters in your vehicle depends on where you spend most of your time driving. If you often drive through areas where the air is filled with larger dust and dirt particles, these air filters might need to be replaced more often.

Automatic Transmission Fluid: The automatic transmission fluid works to keep parts of the transmission cool and running smoothly. It’s recommended you change your transmission fluid at least once every 20,000 to 30,000 miles to prevent any damage.

Cabin Air Filters: The cabin air filter affects the vehicle’s heating and cooling systems while preventing particles from entering the cabin. It is recommended the cabin air filter be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. It may be changed up to twice each year for maximum benefits.

Every 30,000+ miles

Crankcase Filter: The crankcase filter, also known as the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) filter, ensures that the fumes used by the engine are pollutant-free. If the filter is not working properly, the fumes in the engine can become contaminated, causing the vehicle to run inefficiently. The filter should be changed at least every 30,000 miles, but it can be changed once each year as a precautionary measure.

Fuel Filter: The fuel filter prevents contaminants from entering the fuel system. If the fuel filter is not working properly, fuel flow may become restricted. This may cause your vehicle to stall or start hard. The fuel filter should be checked at least every 30,000 miles or once each year.

Spark Plugs: The spark plugs, as the name implies, provide your vehicle with the spark that gets your engine started. Because spark plugs are such a vital component in your vehicle, it is recommended they be replaced every 30,000 miles.

Spark Plug Wires: Like the spark plugs, the spark plug wires undergo a lot of use. The wires carry the charge from your vehicle’s distributor to the spark plugs. It is recommended the spark plug wires be tested before being replaced. They should be checked regularly with the spark plugs every 30,000 miles and replaced as necessary.

Extra Checks to Keep in Mind

Distributor Cap: The distributor cap is the component that directs high voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. You should keep an eye on your vehicle’s distributor cap for signs of damage, particularly as your vehicle ages. It should be replaced immediately if you notice signs of excess dirt, fire damage, or cracks and breakage.

Brakes: It is recommended that your brakes be checked every 20,000 miles and repaired as necessary. If the brakes are making unusual sounds or are not responding as normal, this could be a sign they need a tune-up. If the brake pads are less than ¼ inch thick, it is time to replace them.

As you take your FIAT 500 in for its regular tune-ups, be sure to remember these necessary checks to keep your car running as smooth as the day you first bought it. And as always, please consult your owner’s manual for vehicle-specific recommendations or contact your local Studio to speak with our certified technicians.

What other checks or replacements do you do to make sure your FIAT 500 is always ready to hit the road? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Mileage Marks from FIAT USA appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/vehicles/mileage-marks-from-fiat-usa/

FIAT USA Celebrates Karaoke Week

There are few examples of personality as powerful as one’s taste in music and few venues more perfect for enjoyment of music than a great ride. If that ride happens to be a FIAT^® 500, even the simplest trip can be a perfect storm of self-expression, especially if you plan to honor National Karaoke Week.

Of course, at the center of any successful karaoke adventure is a killer sound system, which in the 500 range means the Beats Audio™ System.

The FIAT 500 Beats Audio™ System includes six premium speakers, a dual-voice coil subwoofer and an 8-channel amplifier all operating on the strength of the Beats Audio™ Digital Sound Processing algorithm.

But even if you aspire to someday mount a larger stage, your rendition of [insert favorite ’80s power ballad here] will be just as powerful, say, in the FIAT 500 Abarth. Not only does the Abarth offer premium Beats™ sound, but it was designed with a serious commitment to both auditory comfort and convenience. In fact, it was only after 10,000 hours of testing that engineers declared that its mix of acoustical tuning and insulation was perfect enough to keep awesome power balladeering in and intrusive road noise out. Beats Audio also comes with our Abarth Cabrio, for those drivers who want to rock beats that can’t be contained under a roof.

The available BLUE&ME™ Hands-Free Communications System also makes it easy to manage your track list so you can focus on giving your best performance, whether it’s to your passengers or yourself. With steering wheel-mounted and voice controls, flipping between available SiriusXM Satellite radio, MP3 or CD sound is a snap — which comes in handy when your passengers ask you to turn up the music to drown out your epic performance.

So with all of the above, you might say we’ve given you the tools of the karaoke trade. The rest, naturally, is up to you. Which songs will you be belting in the car today? Or if you prefer to leave the belting to professionals, which concerts or festivals will you be driving to this spring and summer?

Let us know in the comments.

The post FIAT USA Celebrates Karaoke Week appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/lifestyle/fiat-usa-celebrates-karaoke-week/

April Showers Are No Match for the FIAT 500

Everyone knows that age-old saying “April showers bring May flowers,” but that’s no reason to sit inside and wait for the grass to grow.

While you’re waiting for those “May flowers” to arrive, don’t let the stormy weather ruin your day on the road. When it comes to taking on wet and hazardous conditions, the FIAT 500^® has you covered. With a wide variety of control features, you’re able to take a drive in your favorite FIAT 500 model regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way.

The FIAT 500 lineup is known for its excellent response on the road, especially when it comes to the brake systems. The FIAT 500 Turbo and the FIAT 500 Sport include the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) feature as part of the Anti-lock Brake System. This feature has the ability to detect loss of tire traction through a number of sensors placed around the vehicle. If ESC determines the vehicle has lost traction or drifted off its intended course, it will automatically apply individual or all brakes to help the driver get back on the right course. These FIAT vehicles also include a feature called the All-Speed Traction Control System, which is used for emergency braking. This feature helps to stop the vehicle in the shortest possible distance and control wheel spin when necessary.

 

Of course, we can’t talk about top-of-the-line safety and control features without mentioning the FIAT 500 vehicle’s superior suspension. The FIAT 500 Abarth uses a 0.6-inch-lower-sitting front MacPherson suspension to help give FIAT fans precise control of the vehicle in any type of conditions, whether the driver is accelerating or hitting the brakes. The FIAT 500 Abarth design also proudly features a negative camber of -1.5 degrees. All of that, along with a rear 0.87-inch stabilizer bar, helps to ensure a smooth ride for all FIAT fans.

 

One more handling feature our drivers absolutely love is the Torque Transfer Control (TTC) system available on the FIAT 500 Abarth. This system allows drivers to maintain stability when they need it most. The TTC system helps to maximize traction of the vehicle through automatic distribution of engine torque between the two front wheels. The FIAT 500 Abarth also features an enhanced steering gear ratio of 15:5:1; this boosts the vehicle’s responsiveness on the road by 10 percent.

With all the performance-enhancing features the FIAT 500 has to offer, we take pride in knowing our fans can enjoy a smooth, worry-free ride in their 500, rain or shine.

For even more performance enhancements for your FIAT 500, click over to the official Mopar^® site to discover the wide array of parts available!

The post April Showers Are No Match for the FIAT 500 appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/vehicles/april-showers-are-no-match-for-the-fiat-500/

April is car care month and with the arrival of spring, there are several important items you should take care of with your vehicle before taking a drive to enjoy the spring weather and these tips will also save you money.

1. Get an oil change. Changing your oil every 3,000 miles will increase the life of your vehicle and it will also perform better. After a long, hard winter, your vehicle will appreciate it. Remember that if your vehicle is over 100,000 miles to look into high mileage oil. Also, do your homework on various places to do oil changes. Some places might tell you that you need a lot of unnecessary work. On most vehicles, an oil change can be done by you. But, check with a trained professional and your vehicle manual before blindly attempting an oil change.

2. Check all your fluid levels. You might not have wanted to stand in the cold weather to check your fluid levels as often as you should. You might be low on oil, antifreeze or windshield wiper fluid.

3. Use a high quality gas treatment. I recommend Lucas fuel treatment. It will clean injectors or carburetors and keep your fuel system running the way it should. Again, this will save you money in the long run. You should do these treatments every couple of months.

4. Replace your gas filter. If you replace your gas filter, you will get better gas mileage and with the price of gas, this is a very good thing to do. In turn this will save you money when you take spring road trips and leave you a little extra spending cash.

5. Check the belts. Replace them if they are cracked or dry-rotted. If they break, they could cause significant damage to your motor. A new motor is not a cheap fix.

6. Get your tires rotated and balanced. Make sure the tires are inflated to the appropriate PSI (pounds per square inch). The wear and tear of the winter roads can play havoc with your tires and wear them down. The side of the tires tells the appropriate PSI. When in doubt, go to the local car store and ask. You can even pick up a tire gage. Properly inflated and balanced tires will also improve gas mileage and save you money in the long run.

7. Do a thorough outside wash of your truck and make it sparkly clean. Make sure you pay extra care to wash the under carriage. Some states use salt and this can rust out vehicles a lot faster. Grime in general is not good for your vehicle and will shorten the life span of your vehicle. It could also end up costing you unnecessary money to fix when it begins to rust.

8. Don't just clean the outside. Spring clean the inside as well. As much as you attempted to kick the snow and mud off your feet before entry, doesn't mean you got it all off. Chances are you have muddied up the floor and other areas of your vehicle as well. When cleaning the inside, don't forget to clean the windows as well. Often, times the windshield gets very dirty.

9. Check your wipers. Again, winter can be rough on your windshield wipers and with the April showers; you will want good wipers on your vehicle.

10. Buy your vehicle a gift after the harsh weather. I suggest a new air freshner. The packages of airfreshners are often cheaper and you have a couple when the other one wears out. Also, if you leave the bad half way on, it will make the life of the airfreshner go longer. That way your car will look good and smell good also. Perhaps even some new car mats if your worn from winter use.

This blog was originally posted here: http://voices.yahoo.com/top-10-car-care-tips-springtime-savings-will-5589443.html

YOUR FIAT STORY – COLLECTION 12

Italy has inspired some of the greatest stories ever told.

With your help, we’re merely adding to the collection.

We love to hear your fondest FIAT memories, and we’ve gathered a few of our favorites. Don’t forget, you can share your FIAT story with us over in the FIAT Story Booth. Who knows? Maybe your story will be featured in our next batch of favorites.

You can see some of our previous favorites click here!

Donna Marsh

The car in my garage no longer fit my life when I first received the brochure from FIAT with all the little stickers. My boys are grown and no longer need rides to and from football practice. I rented one on a vacation to Florida as a prolonged test drive and fell in absolute LOVE! I tooled around the ocean strip and took to the highways with the little beast, enjoying every moment. When I got home I went to the dealership and the only questions I had were what color and what would I name it?

 

Meet my Oliva Verde baby named Nando! For me, it started in Fort Lauderdale. Nando is a sweet FIAT 500 Lounge, and I keep him in tip-top shape. Best car EVER!

Debbie Martin

My dad reminded me often of how much he loved driving a FIAT when he was stationed with the air force in Naples, Italy, during the 1950s while he was still a teenager. When he saw the new FIAT return to the United States, he hoped to have the chance to take a test drive and relive some of his wonderful memories of his time in Italy.

Unfortunately, he passed away in October of 2012 before he had the chance to make this a reality. He mentioned on several occasions that, when I went car shopping again, I must check out the FIAT. I wish I had done that before he passed away. It has been on my mind lately, and my husband and I plan to drive and hopefully own a FIAT of our own soon. I know this would honor my dad’s memory and I would think of him every time I get behind the wheel!

Siobahn Eaton

I loved the new FIAT 500. Every time I saw one drive by I would yell “FIAT!” and my boyfriend would laugh. Then, during the Big Game in 2012, where the Abarth commercial was shown, I WAS IN LOVE. Being the practical person I am, I would dream about getting one but was hesitant because at the time I viewed it as more for fun not practicality.

My boyfriend was all for it and encouraged me. I put it out to the universe to give me a sign on whether I should or not. We went to a restaurant the next day only to find the whole wall was covered in old FIAT advertisements from the ’50s! While that should have been enough, I was still not convinced. Then I got a fortune cookie: “Something on 4 wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!” Okay that’s a sign! I custom ordered mine and had to learn to drive stick! I LOVE every day with my Abarth.

Do you have a FIAT story of your own? Share it with us!

The post YOUR FIAT STORY – COLLECTION 12 appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/you/your-fiat-story-collection-12/

Get Crafty: National Poetry Month with FIAT

April is National Poetry Month in the United States – 30 days dedicated to celebrating the ongoing contribution of American poets while introducing new audiences to one of the oldest forms of self-expression. Being pretty good at self-expression ourselves, we decided to “Get Crafty” by capturing our feelings for the FIAT 500 in a sonnet and, naturally, want you to craft along with us.

Sonnets are 14-line poems typically focused on love. While popularized by William Shakespeare, sonnets originated in Italy, where they have been linked to 13th-century Sicilian poet Giacomo da Lentini. The word “sonnet” is actually an English translation of the Italian word sonetto, which means “little song.”

Traditionally, sonnets follow a strict rhyming structure across three 4-line stanzas, concluding with a two-line rhyming “couplet” for the full 14 lines. Think A-B-A-B; C-D-C-D; E-F-E-F; G-G. Each A rhymes with each B, each C rhymes with each D, etc., with the result looking something like this:

Oh FIAT 500, my car for all seasons

Whether winter, spring, summer or fall

Behind its wheel, I climb for all reasons

Off to the movies, the gym or the mall

 

It’s true that 500 is compact and nimble

With doors that number but two

Yet within is room for my bass drum and cymbal

And not much exhaust does it spew

 

No we must not judge a book by its cover

Though my 500 has style in spades

Such that passersby stop to admire and hover

While some ask if I’m willing to trade

Oh no I cannot give up on this ride, as my affections do daily grow

And though sad it makes these fine folks be, my 500 they must forgo

Now it’s your turn! Think about which features contribute to the great love you feel for your 500 and Get Crafty.

Be sure to share your work in the comments below for a chance to have your literary masterpiece featured by FIAT USA on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Get Crafty: National Poetry Month with FIAT appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/lifestyle/get-crafty-national-poetry-month-with-fiat/

This blog comes with a warning.

A warning that there are no pictures of a 500 taking a hairpin turn with precision, and there are no pictures of the latest celebrity event we sponsored. Nor are there any high-rez screen grabs of our new ‘Topless’ commercial. Instead, what you’ll find is an in-depth look at exactly what makes the FIAT 500 Abarth give you shivers as you feel the pull of the 1.4L MultiAir® Turbo engine.

Decades of sporting heritage may give the FIAT 500 Abarth its soul, but its heart is most definitely its 1.4L MultiAir® Turbo engine. Rated at 160 horsepower with 170 ft-lb of torque, the small engine produces big power efficiently partly through turbocharging, an increasingly mainstream performance technology.

But how does a turbocharger help produce so much more horsepower, exactly? We sat down with our engineering team who designed the North American Abarth with a larger turbo and unique engine tuning for the US market.

An engine’s performance is limited by the amount of air it can pull into the combustion chamber. A turbocharger forces extra air into the combustion chamber which allows the engine to work more efficiently and produce more power.

Put simply, a turbocharger works like two fans, connected at opposite ends of the same shaft. A Turbo utilizes the normally wasted energy in an engine’s exhaust to spin a fan on one end of the shaft. As the exhaust fan spins, the fan on the other end of the shaft spins to pull in and compress large volumes of fresh air (much more air than the engine could without a turbo). This compression process is called “Boost”. Compressing air in a turbo does create a problem, when air is compressed it heats up and hot air is not good for engine efficiency. To maximize the turbocharger’s efficiency in the Abarth, the compressed air is routed through dual intercoolers, cooling the air before it enters the engine, allowing a cooler, denser air charge, which provides even more efficiency and more power. In the Abarth, the turbocharger is capable of more than doubling the amount of air the 1.4 liter engine could pull in on its own.

The benefit to a performance car such as the Abarth is clear – on the track, turbocharging boosts both its power and torque safely and efficiently, allowing it to take on the world’s foremost race cars in stock form.

The Abarth did just that at the 2012 Targa Newfoundland rally, placing second overall, taking top honors in the Next Generation Challenge (a separate contest for small performance cars) and winning the President’s Manufacturers Cup.

Even on civilian duty, a turbocharged engine makes a difference – the 2,500-pound Abarth is capable of up to 34MPG in average highway driving.

FIAT use the same efficient turbo technology in other models such as the FIAT 500 Turbo and FIAT 500L(available summer 2013) spooling up to meet the needs of practically every lifestyle.

This blog was originally posted here: http://blog.fiatusa.com/vehicles/the-fiat-500-turbo-the-devil-in-the-details/

Smart, Modern Security: Standard on Every FIAT 500

When it comes to designing a car, one of the most important things to consider is keeping the driver and passengers secure and comfortable while riding.

Today we’re taking a special look into the safety and security of the FIAT 500.

Let’s start at ground level and work our way up. When you look at the wheels of a FIAT 500, you see the exterior of polished aluminum alloy, but behind that style is something that helps drivers every day on the road: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) & All-Speed Traction Control. Now what do these fancy-sounding systems have to do with keeping you on the road? Using strategically placed sensors throughout the car, ESC determines which direction you intend to drive and compares that with which way the car is actually going. If it senses the two don’t match, it applies individual or all brakes to correct the direction and bring the car back under control.

When it comes to inclement weather, the All-Speed Traction Control’s abilities are felt as the system works in tandem with the braking system and torque limitation to prevent wheel slip.

The stability of the FIAT 500 doesn’t stop at road level. FIAT has spent countless hours crafting, designing, and testing the best-suited frame for the 500. What we came up with is a computer-designed steel cage that channels the energy away from the driver and passengers by absorbing it in defined front and rear crumple zones. How does that transfer into terms you can appreciate? Well, being awarded a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an accolade we can definitely appreciate.

Now that you know some of the facts behind what helped the 2013 FIAT 500 receive a 4-Star Overall Crash Test Rating by the NHTSA, why not experience some of the fun? Find your nearest FIAT Studio or click here to schedule a test drive!

The post Smart, Modern Security: Standard on Every FIAT 500 appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/vehicles/smart-modern-security-standard-on-every-fiat-500/

YOUR FIAT STORY – COLLECTION 11

Italy has inspired some of the greatest stories ever told.

With your help, we’re merely adding to the collection.

We love to hear your fondest FIAT memories, and we’ve gathered a few of our favorites. Don’t forget, you can share your FIAT story with us over in the FIAT Story Booth. Who knows? Maybe your story will be featured in our next batch of favorites.

You can see some of our previous favorites click here!

Amado Rodriguez

The moment I saw my 2012 verde chiaro FIAT 500 Pop I heard classic Spanish & Italian pop songs playing…and those sounds weren’t coming over speakers, the tunes were playing on my heart strings!

The Cinquecento is my first new-car purchase. After a lifetime of insisting new-car purchases were an absolute waste of money. Well, any new car I could have chosen in lieu of picking the Cinquecento would have been an absolute waste of money.

I’m not a “car guy”, which is a good thing. See, my pretty green Cinquecento isn’t merely a car, it’s a companion.

Viva FIAT!

Ken McAdams

Back in 1959 I bought a FIAT 850 coupe that was the Europe version with a header and no environmental stuff. The most fun car I have ever owned. So when the 500 came out, I had to have one and I love it. Mine is the Sport model with most of the accessory equipment available and a blast to drive!

Rob Grant

This is a picture of my 1975 FIAT X1/9, one of the best-designed sports cars ever produced. This mid-engine marvel handled better than anything on the road at the time. It had 4 wheel disc brakes and fully independent suspension and ate up curves as if they were straights.

I knew I wanted one the first time I saw a picture in a magazine, and I never regretted owning it for a moment. All this and a list price of only $5995.00.

Do you have a FIAT story of your own? Share it with us!

The post YOUR FIAT STORY – COLLECTION 11 appeared first on FIAT Backstage.

Source: http://blog.fiatusa.com/you/your-fiat-story-collection-11/