Maintaining your Classic Fiat

Tyre pressure

Not properly filled tires downgrade the road handling of your car, decrease the braking efficiency and increase the tire wastage.

Oil level

• Oil level should only be checked after the engine has been switched of by at least 15 min.
• Remove dipstick from the engine.
• Wipe dipstick clean with a clean dry cloth.
• Place the dipstick back in the engine again and remove it again.
• Check if the level is between the indicated maximum and minimum level.
• If the level is too low add oil to the engine.
• Always use a good quality oil and never mix two types of oils.

Brake fluid

• The brake fluid is kept in a small container in the front of the car.
• Check if the level is high enough.
• If the level is too low, add brake fluid.

Lights

• Check all lights, if necessary with the help of a 2nd person.
• Replace broken bulbs straight away.
• Lights that don't work is not always caused by a broken bulb. It can also be caused by a broken cable, a faulty earth connection or a blown fuse. The fuse box is located in the front trunk on the right side of the fuel tank. If the fuse blows again immediately after replacement, the car will probably create a short circuit somewhere. First find out the cause and remedy this before fitting a new fuse.

Monthly check or every 2500 km

• All above mentioned points.
• Check battery 
• Check wiper fluid level. With many classic Fiats the wiper fluid is kept in a small bag in the front of the car.

Every 5000 km

* All above mentioned points

* Check underneath the car:

• Check if all rubber plugs are still in place. These are often mount on the left and right side of the car, so you can easily see if one is missing.
• Check all (rubber) brake hoses for cracks or irregularities. These hoses need to be a bit flexible. If there is any doubt about the brakes hoses you need to replace them. Good brakes are vital.
• Check for any oil leaks. A classic engine is know to almost always “sweat” a little, but this should not be excessive. If there are any oil leaks try to find the cause of the leak via the trail that the oil runs. It could only be a loose bolt or nut. If the issue cannot be solved quickly contact a garage to solve the problem.
• Check for any signs of rust. If any rust is found take immediate action to prevent it from spreading.

* Check underneath the floor and trunk mats for any signs of water:

• If any water is found, remove it immediately and re-trace where it came from.

* Check fan belt:

• Check for any signs of wear on the belt.
• Check if it is flexible enough. It should be able to go up and down 2cm without much force
• When in doubt replace the fan belt.

* Greasing stub axle

• Stub axles are vital for a good handling car. They need to be greased frequently to keep them in good condition.

* Tyre change:

• Pull the handbrake firmly.
• Remove the jack, wheel spanner and spare tyre from the car.
• Remove the wheel hub.
• Loosen the four wheel bolts ½ a rotation.
• Lift the car with the jack placed on a firm and level surface.
• Loosen the wheel bolts completely.
• Replace the wheel.
• Turn the wheel bolts back in, but not too tight.
• Lower the jack and tighten the wheel bolts firmly.
• Replace the wheel cover and put the tools and flat wheel away again.

* Chrome:

• The chrome on a classic car should be maintained to prevent rust. In summertime you can polish the chrome with our chrome polish.
• During the wintertime we advise using a silicone-containing wax or acid-free Vaseline.

* Hinges and locks

• Lubricate things like door hinges and locks with silicone spray regularly to ensure proper functioning.

* Oil

• We recommend using 20W50 oil, our MO1101. The oil is slightly thicker and with a large tolerance, which is more suitable for a classic car engine.
• It is advisable not to continue driving until the oil level has reached its lowest point, but to try to keep the oil level at least around average.

* Changing the oil:

• To drain the old oil from the engine, first pull out the dipstick a little from the engine. This allows air coming into the oil sump and will allow the oil to come out more easily.
• The oil drain bolt is the large bolt at the bottom of the oil sump. Remove this bolt. Bear in mind that approximately two and a half litres of oil run out of the crankcase. Have a sufficiently large drain pan handy.
• After the oil has had at least ten minutes to drain completely from the engine, the drain bolt can be replaced.
• Now fill the engine with about two and a half litres of new oil. Use only top quality.
• Check the oil level and top up if necessary.