Val’s 2014 Fiat 500 Lounge

Vehicle Details

  • Make – Fiat
  • Model – 500 Lounge
  • Model Year – 2014
  • Trim – 2 Door Hatchback
  • Options – 1957 Edition Option Package 21F
  • Engine – 1.4 liter (101 bhp)
  • Transmission – 5 Speed Manual
  • Tire Size: Continental ContiProContact 195/45-R16 84H M&S
  • VIN – 3C3CFFCR7ET269054 (VIN Decoder here)
  • Purchase Date –
  • License Plate – (California) (SMOG Lookup here)
  • Exterior Color – Celeste (Light Blue)

Additional Specs online here and an extensive recap of the second generation Fiat 500 over at Wikipedia here

MyCarFax Records here (logged in as Stefano)

Service History

Date: August 11, 2015
Mileage: 5,690
Performed by: Neillo Fiat

Services Performed: 1 year service. Oil and Filter Change

Date: August 26, 2016
Mileage: 10,890
Performed by: Neillo Fiat

Services Performed: 2 year service. Oil and Filter Change

Date: August 18, 2017
Mileage: 14,590
Performed by: AutoNation Alfa Romeo and FIAT Roseville

Services Performed: 3 year service. Battery/charging system checked, Four wheel alignment performed, Oil and filter changed, Tires rotated, Brake fluid flushed/changed, Tire condition and pressure checked, Brakes checked

Date: October 15, 2018
Mileage:
Performed by:

Services Performed: Battery Replaced.

Date: November 10, 2018
Mileage:
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: 4 year service.

  • Oil and filter changed (Mobil 1 5W-30).
  • Cabin filter changed with ATP Activated Carbon filter.
  • Tires rotated.
  • Brake fluid is darker than I would expect. At 5 year service should do a full flush.
  • Discovered that the Right inner CV joint was covered with oil, as well as the axle. Looks like oil from something else misting onto it. All I could see was the potential that the Oil Pan Gasket adjacent to it was potentially weeping. Wiped down. Need to monitor

Date: August 14, 2019
Mileage: 21,400
Performed by: Niello Maserati

Services Performed: 5 year service. Oil and filter changed.

Date: Sept. 1, 2020
Mileage: 24,719
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: 6 year service.

  • Oil and filter change.
    • Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic and OEM Mopar filter.
  • Changed Cabin filter with ATP Activated Charcoal unit from parts page.
  • Changed Engine Air Filter.
  • Inspected engine/suspension.
    • Noted the same right hand inner CV joint was covered in light oil/grime. No sign of engine oil leaking on it. About the same as my notes from the 4 year service. Took pics. Wiped down. Will monitor.
Right Inner CV Joint Boot Before/After Cleanup

 

  • Engine looked pristine otherwise.
  • Topped up washer fluid.
  • Coolant OK.
  • Flushed brake fluid with Prestone DOT4 synthetic and topped to max.
    • Left hand front caliper bleed nipple was partly rounded off by previous dealer monkeys – super tight. Recommend ordering a replacement nipple for next years service and changing it over.
  • Inspected brakes, all good, tons of life left on pads, rotors pristine.
  • Suspension all good.
  • Lights all good.
  • Inspected tires
    • About 30% life left.
    • Rotated fronts to rears.
    • Set tire pressures to 35F and 30R.
  • Service due indicator wasn’t showing on Dash, but its been 1 year so it was due. Reset service due using Autel anyways hoping it will reset the counter.
  • Added service performed to Carfax report.
  • She’s in great shape and good for another year!

Date: October 3, 2020
Mileage: 24891 mi
Performed by: Rob

Services Performed:

Replaced left side brake lamp with NAPA BP17916LL-N

Left rear light assembly

 

7 years old but with only 26K miles. Looking like new!

Date: July 17, 2021
Mileage: 26,844
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: 7 year service. Minor Service routine and Inspections this year. Included:

  • Oil and filter change. Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic and K&N Oil filter.
  • Inspected engine/suspension.
    • Noted the same right hand inner CV joint was covered in light oil/grime. No sign of engine oil leaking on it. About the same as my notes from the 4 year service. Wiped down. Will continue to monitor.
    • Engine looked pristine otherwise.
    • Suspension all good
  • Inspected Brakes
    • Like new. At this rate will last forever.
  • Checked Fluid Levels
    • Topped up washer fluid with water
    • Coolant OK
    • Brake Fluid OK
  • Inspected Exterior Lights – all good
  • Inspected Wipers – all good
  • Inspected Undercarriage and Exhaust – all good.
  • Inspected Tires
    • Rotated Tires fronts to rears.
    • Set tire pressures to 35psi Front and 30psi Rear
    • Tires are getting close to replacement, and aging out potentially.
    • Slight curb rash on the now front right rim (Shhhh, don’t tell owner)
  • Service due indicator reset using manual process
  • Connected Autel OBDII and scanned car.
    • 3 codes in various modules. Nothing important, looks like a comm issue to the CTM that passed by.
    • Reset, none remaining now.
  • Added service performed to Carfax report.

She’s in great shape and good for another year!

Recommendations to be included with next Service:

  • Ordering a replacement left front brake caliper nipple and changing it over during Brake Fluid flush.
  • Clean the negative battery terminal
  • All four tires should be replaced (aging out). Balance at the same time
  • Four wheel alignment while there are new tires
  • Probably time for coolant flush. OAT coolant.
  • Lubricate door hinges and locks
Scuffed Rim

 

Date: September 3, 2022
Mileage: ?
Performed by: Angus and Stefano

Services Performed: Exterior Clean. Got treated to a Snow Foam pressure wash. Initial pressure wash rinse, snow foamed, hand washed with Micro fiber mitt and then pressure wash rinse. All with soft water. Hand dry with microfiber drying towels.

Snow Foam Bath!

Date: September 18, 2022
Mileage: 30,455
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: 8 year service routine this year and inspections included:

  • Pressure washed engine bay to remove 8 years of dust. Covered the ECU while doing it.
  • Oil and filter change
    • Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic (4 liters)
    • Mopar OEM Oil filter.
  • Inspected Engine and Transmission for leaks
    • Noted the same right hand inner CV joint was covered in light oil/grime. No sign of engine oil leaking on it. About the same as my notes from the 4 year service. Wiped down. Will continue to monitor.
    • Engine looked pristine otherwise.
  • Inspected Suspension
    • LF and RF top strut mounts are making a really loud ‘creaking‘ should when rotating the steering. Took video of the noise, see below. Need to research the design a bit, but I think the top bearings might be seized and this is the sound of the strut shaft and rubber isolators turning in the frame.
    • LF lower spring saddle rubber isolator is twisted out of position around the lower spring bar. I think its something related to the other problem. When the top bearing plate is replaced (and strut is disassembled) it can be reseated and positioned.
  • Inspected Undercarriage and Exhaust System -all good
  • Inspected Brakes
    • Inspected Lines and calipers – no leaks
    • Front and Rear Pads still like new (about 9mm of pad left all around).
    • Front and Rear Rotors still like new.
      • 21.8mm thick fronts (20.2mm min thick stamped on rotor)
      • 10.9mm thick rears (couldn’t read the min thick on rotor)
    • Flushed brake fluid with new Prestone DOT4
      • Replaced LF caliper bleed nipple during the process with OEM supplied. Was noted in previous service that it was slightly rounded off, etc.
  • Cooling System
    • Checked hoses and serpentine belt
    • Flushed Coolant now that it is 8 years old
      • Drained radiator (looked decent condition, a little darker than new)
      • Refilled with OEM Mopar OAT coolant using my Airlift II vacuum filler
      • Topped off coolant reservoir
      • Took just under 4 liters
  • Checked Fluid Levels
    • Topped up washer fluid with water
  • Inspected Exterior Lights – all good
  • Inspected Wipers – all good
  • Lubricated Hood Latch with white lithium grease
  • Lubricated L and R Door hinges and retainer with white lithium grease
  • Inspected Tires
    • Fronts and Rears found to be 5/32″ remaining
    • Rotated Tires fronts to rears.
    • Set tire pressures to 35psi Front and 30psi Rear
    • No spare tire
    • Tires are due for replacement. Date codes are 1614 (April 2014) so over 8 year old and looking dry.
  • Replaced rear hatch FIAT logo badge. Old one was starting to discolor and fade. Val likes her car to be perfect.
  • Vacuumed Front Carpets and Floor mats
  • Service due indicator reset using manual process (even though it wasn’t showing)
  • Connected Autel OBDII and scanned car. No DTC’s of consequence.
  • Added service performed to Carfax report.

She’s in great shape and good for another year!

Recommendations to be included with next Service:

  • Replace the front top bearing plates and fix LF spring seat rubber isolator
  • All four tires should be replaced (aging out). Balance at the same time
  • Four wheel alignment while there are new tires
  • Missing one optional ‘Fiat’ tire valve caps. Stocking stuffer idea.
  • Could probably use a detailing paint correction and ceramic coat to keep the exterior in top condition!
New and Old Rear Emblems
LF Top Strut Mount Creaking

Date: October 29, 2022
Mileage: 30,939
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: Changed the front strut top mounts (both left and right) that were noted as making noises during the September 2022 annual service. Sourced new aftermarket mounts from Parts Geek, KYB brand I think. On the LF, also tried to reorient the deteriorated lower spring seat which was really this oddball wrapper of about the last 8″ of the springs wire. After the new parts were installed the hideous creak/squeak from the September service video noted above is gone.

Also did a basic fluids check (all good other than I topped off washer fluid) and checked/set the tire pressures.

She’s due for a new set of Tires and a Four Wheel Alignment.

LF Strut Assembly with old Top Bearing Mount
LF Strut Lower Spring Seat Manky Isolator

Date: November 11, 2022
Mileage: 31,611
Performed by: Les Schwab Tires

Services Performed: 4 new Pirelli Cinturato P7 195/45R-16 XL tires installed and spin balanced. 4 wheel alignment performed.

Alignment report.

Date: January 1, 2023
Mileage: 31,???
Performed by: Stefano

Services Performed: Replaced the sun damaged and deteriorated drivers side ‘Mirror Flag’. Purchased OEM part online from Mopar direct. This is a gloss black exterior trim piece that sits just forward of the drivers window and mirror. Old one had the very common rubber failure along the top edge. Car is 8 years old and still looks good as new!

Date: June 25, 2023
Mileage: 33,485
Performed by: Stefano and Rob

Services Performed: Left brake light bulb was intermittently not working, with error message showing up on instrument cluster when it wasn’t working.

Removed old bulb, cleaned all contacts with electrical contact cleaner and installed new bulb.

Date: August 26, 2023
Mileage: 34,484
Performed by: Rob

Services Performed: Replaced five year old NAPA Legend battery with new Duralast Platinum battery from Autozone.

Date: September 4, 2023
Mileage: 34,556
Performed by: Stefano, Roberto and Valerina

Services Performed: Owner wanted to polish up the paint back as close to new now that the little Fiat is nearly 9 years old.

  • Snow foam washed and let dry overnight
  • Claybared the surface with Mothers Claybar and Quick Detailer and lubricant
  • Used Meguairs DA polisher with medium orange hex polishing pad and Chemical Guys 36 polish.
  • Used white hex polishing pad with Chemincal Guys 38 optical polish
  • Used Alcohol and water solution and wiped down
  • Used Avalon King ceramic coat
  • Dressed the tires

The car looked fantastic after the treatment. She sparkles and shines.

A few things to note:

  • There are some slightly deeper scratches on the 12″ of non-PPF protected paint on the hood nearest windshield. Likely the cat claws did a little damage. Just needs a more aggressive polish out.
  • Observed a few tiny little chips in the paint, tracking down some touch up paint to match the blue might be helpful.
  • The ~8 year old PPF is starting to show its age and looks a bit yellow hue now. Suggest that the PPF be removed, and new PPF be applied over entire front clip. When this is done they could polish out those scratches noted above. Also do the wing mirrors. For the front clip request they overlap and roll the edges for an invisible PPF look.
  • Black border on the windshield glass is delaminating a bit at the very edges. Nothing to do about it, just a visual thing. If the windshield is ever replaced it will be fixed.
  • The Right Front TPMS sensor is dead. Likely dead battery after 9 years. Recommend replacing with 4 new TPMS sensors. The Autel MX Sensors would work. The valve stems would be black rubber style.
  • Owner says the car is due for the annual service. All the recommended items from the previous service have been completed, and with so few miles on the car this is shaping up to be a simple oil/filter service, plus a cabin filter that we didn’t do last time.

Date: September 13, 2023
Mileage: 34,663
Performed by: Les Schwab Tire

Install 4 new 9398 Dodge Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors, including tire dismount and mount and TPMS relearn.

Date: November 24, 2023
Mileage: 35,100
Performed by: Stefano

Service Performed – 9 year service routine this year and inspections included:

  • Oil and filter change
    • Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic (~4 liters)
    • Wix Oil filter
  • Inspected Engine and Transmission for leaks
    • Noted the same right hand inner CV joint was covered in light oil/grime. No sign of engine oil leaking on it. About the same as my notes from the several previous years. Wiped down. Will continue to monitor.
    • Engine looked pristine otherwise.
  • Inspected Suspension – All good with one noted exception from last time:
    • LF lower spring saddle rubber isolator is twisted out of position around the lower spring bar. During the top mount replacement last fall it was found to be damaged, but not doing much so made the best of it and left as-is.   Continue to monitor.
  • Inspected Brakes
    • Brake fluid level at Max
    • Inspected Lines and calipers – no leaks
    • Front and Rear Pads still like new. Doubt I’ll ever be doing a brake job on this car.
    • Front and Rear Rotors still like new
  • Cooling System
    • Checked hoses and serpentine belt
    • Topped off coolant reservoir with a few ounces of Mopar branded OAT coolant.
  • Checked Fluid Levels
    • Topped up washer fluid with water
  • Changed Cabin filter with ATP Activated Charcoal unit from parts page
  • Inspected Undercarriage and Exhaust System -all good
  • Inspected Exterior Lights – all good
  • Inspected Tires
    • Recently new Fronts and Rears found to be 9/32″ remaining
    • Rotated Tires fronts to rears.
    • Set tire pressures to 35psi Front and 30psi Rear
    • No spare tire
  • Service due indicator reset using manual process (even though it wasn’t showing)
  • Connected Autel OBDII and scanned car.
    • B10AA “PROXI configuration control, Configuration failed, Intermittent”
      • From a little googling this might imply that one of the control modules was having trouble communicating with another, but there weren’t any real specific hits of knowledge. Kinda a generic one. Will continue to monitor to see if it returns.
    • Cleared the DTC and rescanned. No codes.
  • Added service performed to Carfax report.
Stefano at work

In great shape and all set for another year!

Date: July 25, 2024
Mileage: 36,844
Performed by: Roberto

Replaced hatchback struts with aftermarket Tuff Support struts from Amazon.

Date: Jan 13, 2025
Mileage: 37,818
Performed by: Roberto

Left headlamp burned out. Replaced both headlamps with Sylvania Silverstar Ultra 9012 bulbs.

https://youtu.be/f1_jgBS6Swo?si=Geld6aQu-lKYOd04

Date: January 18, 2025
Mileage: 37,876
Performed by: Stefano and Roberto

Service Performed – 10 year service routine this year and inspections included:

  • Oil and filter change
    • Old oil was about 1/2 liter low, and looked decent
    • Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic (~4 liters)
    • Wix Oil filter and o-ring
    • Repaired a damaged portion of wiring harness covering where the oil filter housing is dragged out each time. The corrugated plastic had broken up exposing the two wires to a nearby sensor. Dismounted sensor and harness mounting plastic clip, used harness fabric tape to re-wrap the remaining area, installed new clip and remounted sensor. Good as new.
  • Inspected Engine and Transmission for leaks
    • Noted the same right hand inner CV joint was covered in light oil/grime. No sign of engine oil leaking on it. About the same as my notes from the several previous years (no worse or better). Wiped down. Will continue to monitor.
    • Engine looked pristine otherwise.
    • Found two rouge plastic clips sitting on the top of the engine from the factory days. Hadn’t noticed them in 10 years. Removed.
  • Inspected Suspension – all good
  • Inspected Undercarriage and Exhaust System -all good
    • Noted that some metal foil tape sealing the undercarriage floor about where a spare tire might sit are releasing. Could allow exhaust fumes into the cabin. Recommend replacing.
  • Inspected Brakes – all good
    • Inspected Lines and calipers – no leaks
    • Front and Rear Pads still like new. Doubt I’ll ever be doing a brake job on this car.
      • Left Front ~8mm
      • Right Front ~8mm
      • Left Rear ~8mm
      • Right Rear ~8mm
    • Front and Rear Rotors still like new
      • Left Front 21.9mm
      • Right Front 21.9mm
      • Left Rear 10.9mm
      • Right Rear 10.9mm
    • Flushed Brake Fluid (on schedule). Used Prestone DOT4
  • Inspected Tires – all good.
    • Left Front ~8/32″
    • Right Front ~8/32″
    • Left Rear ~9/32″
    • Right Rear ~8.5/32″
    • Rotated tires front to back, same sides.
    • Set tire pressures to 35psi Front and 30psi Rear
    • No spare tire
  • Cooling System – all good
    • Checked hoses and serpentine belt
    • Topped off coolant reservoir with a few ounces of Mopar branded OAT coolant.
  • Checked Fluid Levels
    • Topped up washer fluid with blue 32°F fluid
  • Inspected Wipers – all good
  • Inspected Exterior Lights – all good
  • Interior Vacuum
    • Vacuumed carpets and mats
    • Used Bissell carpet cleaner on floor mats. Ended up spot cleaning with Chemical Guys rotary brush on drill and 8:1 oxy clean solution. The cleaned up nice!
  • Performed Road Test
    • Park brake needs adjusted. Fully engaged at ~10 clicks (near limit of stroke).
  • Service due indicator reset using manual process (even though it wasn’t showing)
  • Connected Autel OBDII and scanned car.
    • No codes!
  • Added service performed to Carfax report.
  • Recommendations:
    • Re-apply foil tape on undercarrige
    • Adjust park brake
    • Emergency key lock lube