Lebowski

@Toy4ever, can you tell us the software version of your beta? (see here for details). Do this beta finally solve the name of rds stations? (i.e., they're no longer limited to 3-4 characters). Does it solve the rest of the problems I reported in the first post? TIA.

This is what my 4.3 system shows: PREV | System Information | NEXT HW PART# 0091102AG SERIAL# TQN12411QLVA BUILD NEC: 7.1.6 H FLASH LOADER 4.5.1.0 BUILD BF: 7.1.6 H CD FIRMWARE C23 SDAR HW Version SDAR FW Version SDAR ESW Edit: thanks to google now I know that SDAR is "Satellite Digital Auto Radio", which I don't have so the fields are empty. I still don't know what "NEC" and "BF" mean. And the next screen PREV | HVAC | NEXT Screen not defined

Wow, that's exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Do you know any other hidden menu? In the European version it gives you the serial number, and the version of the firmware loader for the cd and the radio. There's also a second screen with information about the climate control, but it just says "Screen not defined". The messages are localized, but the layout is screwed up unless you set the main language as English.

Hello, currently there's no fix for the recirculation, it works as (stupidly) designed. In fact there's no fix for any of the problems, they're all still there in spite of two software upgrades. Even if they were fixed, I doubt that the cd would be available unless somebody on the inside leaks it.

I saw this trick here: Ok, the above is not so secret since it's in the owner manual, but I wonder if is there a combination of keypresses to show the various software versions (radio, bluetooth, engine, etc.) on the screen.

With the 2011 models the dimmer only works with the headlights on, you can change the brightness via settings, but I'm not sure the dimmer works if you do that Maybe they broadcast the audio on FM?

You can try "settings" -> "display", there should be an option (or various, with headlights on, headlights off, etc.) to set the brightness, however I don't know if it's just for the screen or also for the rest of the lights. IIRC the setting only works if you manually select DAY/NIGHT (in auto it doesn't work).

If the windows have the one-touch auto-close feature (mine do, only the front ones though), they also have the anti-pinch, so they could have easily implemented the feature via the remote. This implies that's non a matter of liability...

This is one of my many pet peeves with this car: why o why they couldn't do also the reverse? (i.e., close the windows with the remote in case you forgot to close them before leaving the car). Designed by morons?

I just took the car back from the dealer. They just cleaned up some of the rust (not all of it) and made a report to Fiat, not only about this but about the problems I've been complaining to them for the last 7 months (as if they couldn't check these software issues with any other car). I've no complaints about the dealer (they tried their best but they don't write the software after all), but I'm appalled by how FIAT managed the issue: first they told me to leave the car for an update and to call them back if the problems persisted, then when I called (since the update solved nothing) they said the dealer had to solve the problems. Let's see how the next installment of this soap opera pans out.

No, sorry, I've had no time

The radio with nav has a different part #, maybe the difference is just the software but they won't sell you just that. Besides there's the antenna, the fitting and the reprogramming. Recently there was a thread here on upgrading the 4.3 to an 8.4 with nav, the cost of the kit is $1799, and that includes the radio, the screen and the bezel, so maybe the radio alone is cheaper (you won't need neither the screen nor the bezel). Another option is to install a multimedia interface like this one: http://www.eglober.com/ProductShow.asp?ID=2049 which allows you to connect an external navigator, though I don't know the price and the quality.

Active headrests will move forward in case of impact, so they've an electrical connection, and if you remove them the airbag light will turn on to indicate a fault. I don't know if it will turn itself off when you connect the headrests again, however the owner manual says that they should only be removed by an authorized service center. The second row headrests aren't active so in theory they can be removed without provoking any fault (though, again, the manual say they should be manipulated only by the dealer).

It's too big to put it above the mirror. I plan to make a plug-socket attachment so I can easily remove it to hide it from view when not in use. For the cables I'm going to use the holes under the rubber mat in the storage compartment.

This is just a proof-of-concept to test the placement, I have something better in mind but it'll have to wait (the camera is on its way and I have no time )

Read this

The average in 7051km has been 8.3l/100km (28.3mpg). Mostly short trips (home-work and vice-versa), on longer trips the mileage is better. Note that this is the real mileage, the EVIC is too optimistic.

OK, this is the unit I ordered, it arrived yesterday in good conditions. I'm pretty busy with work so I don't have time to fit it properly and to take pictures, but I will do as soon as I can. It's working properly, though I only tested navigation and blutooth (the latter I don't need since the uconnect already provides for that), I couldn't test the video input since I'm waiting for a backup camera that I ordered from another supplier.

B is model year 2011, C is model year 2012.

The production plant just puts together pieces made somewhere else. If the problem is a missing anti-rust treatment (perhaps only needed for vehicles that are to be sent overseas) it won't be detected by Q.C. at the factory but only after shipment. Maybe that's what's happened: they only discovered after the first batch arrived in Europe. Now, while this is an acceptable explanation, I'll see what solution FIAT will give me.

According to the user manual H1 for the low beam and HB3/9005 for the high beam. Edit: BTW, if the light pattern is really different, then it should be because of different optics, not because of different bulbs.

I just realized that to see the images in the post I linked to you need to be registered. Here they are for your viewing pleasure. Keep in mind that this is not my car, but these images prompted me to check mine.

It seems that in newer cars there's no trace of rust, so it was probably a bad batch (that should be fixed). @2late4u, I didn't have to tear the car apart, it's visible even without removing anything. I'm sure that if I really tear it apart I'll find a lot more rusty pieces.

I beg to differ (maybe because it's my car ), maybe it's not structurally serious, but it's like a big stain in the upholstery, I wouldn't accept it in a brand new car.

The EU regulations require separate DRL (i.e. no piggybacking on another lamp) but only for vehicles type approved after February 2011. Since the Journey (now Freemont) was type approved well before that date it has no DRLs, not even as an option (at least according to the online configurator), so I don't think they're really different.