Fiat 500 Abarth requires 5W-40

[Finklejag]

I been entertaining the thought of trading in my GTI for an Abarth. I been checking out the different 500 forums. It looks like the regular NA 1.4L requires 5W-30. I'm surprised Fiat/Chrysler didn't require 5W-20 in this small engine.

Now slap a turbocharger on this little 1.4L, and now Fiat requires a 5W-40 to help with the heat they say. The oil should meet the Chrysler spec MS-10896. It looks to be a spec for only the Abarth's 1.4T? Chrysler does have a new oil spec for their SRT cars, it's MS-12633. Seeing that Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40 will be the new FF and dealer oil for these cars. I wonder if the Ultra 0W-40 will also be the dealer oil for the Abarth? I have read that this oil will be available at Fiat dealers also.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
I'm surprised Fiat/Chrysler didn't require 5W-20 in this small engine.


Why? They obviously feel 5w20 is not good enough to do the job it needs to do.
Lets get ready to rumble.

 

[artificialist]

Interesting. Back when the Chrysler Crossfire was being sold, it called for M1 0w40, and then certain Hemi engines got it as well.

I always imagined that they would just put M1 0w40 in everything.

Given the nature of some people I worked for, someone is going to try to sneak regular oil in those engines if they think they can get away with it.

 

[dave1251]

Given Shell's and Fiat's history of working together. It would not suprise me at all that PU was the factory fill. But if it where I suspect that it would be filled with PU 5W-40 Euro.

 

[Finklejag]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
I'm surprised Fiat/Chrysler didn't require 5W-20 in this small engine.


Why? They obviously feel 5w20 is not good enough to do the job it needs to do.
Lets get ready to rumble.

Chrysler uses 5W-20 in most of their cars, including the RAM Hemi engines.

 

[HerrStig]

Putting aside anything ELSE about the 500, that is probably not a 200,000 mile engine. Now, when they bring in the rebadged Alfa.....in fact why call it a Chrysler when Alfa has such a interesting reputation. Could you buy one from the local Chrysler dealer and order Alfa badges for it?

 

[Trav]

Sure but not this one. That's why i said they don't think its up to the job.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Great post! Didn't realize Shell 0W-40 was coming here. Looks like I might switch from M1 after all.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: vinu_neuro
Great post! Didn't realize Shell 0W-40 was coming here. Looks like I might switch from M1 after all.

I would imagine that it will come to the USA, but only in Fiat dealers and specialty oil shops.

I think this way, because I think of all the oils that get sold in VW dealers that aren't found in many auto part store shelves. For example, there is Castrol SLX at some VW dealers, but everywhere else only has Castrol GTX, Edge, Syntec, HM, but NO SLX.

If I encountered a Fiat 500 Abarth at work, I would try to get M1 0w40 due to convienience.... Too bad I end up with so many dishonest people who will order me to put in generic oil!

 

[simple_gifts]

Is it not a European engine? Which other Euro mfgs specify a 20 weight? I guess I am missing something; no one said 20 weights should work in engines when the mfg doesn't recommend it.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

I would imagine that it will come to the USA, but only in Fiat dealers and specialty oil shops.

I think this way, because I think of all the oils that get sold in VW dealers that aren't found in many auto part store shelves. For example, there is Castrol SLX at some VW dealers, but everywhere else only has Castrol GTX, Edge, Syntec, HM, but NO SLX.

If I encountered a Fiat 500 Abarth at work, I would try to get M1 0w40 due to convienience.... Too bad I end up with so many dishonest people who will order me to put in generic oil!


The local Dodge dealer already has drums and is expecting quart bottles by the end of the week. I won't pay the 7.99/qt the dealer wants. Local Shell dealer sells PU 5W-40 for $36.30 for 6qt case, maybe this will be the same price. If I can't get it cheaply, I'll stick with M1 and not lose any sleep. Shell (and Castrol) oils tend to run quieter in my experience, that's really the only motivation. M1 0W-40 has a good deal more calcium and moly compared to PU 5W-40 which is attractive, so I might not switch at all either.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: vinu_neuro
Great post! Didn't realize Shell 0W-40 was coming here. Looks like I might switch from M1 after all.

I would imagine that it will come to the USA, but only in Fiat dealers and specialty oil shops.

You can buy it from Pennzoil's website, but it ain't cheap:
http://www.specialtylubes.com/catalog/product/view/id/4/s/pennzoil-ultra-0w-40/

Add shipping on top of it.

 

[NVJ157G]

Just to chime in here. May mean nothing after all, but in Europe w20 oils are still pretty uncommon. I can't imagine there are many differences between the engine for the US and the engine for Europe if any.

 

[yannis]

and abarth SS requires this:

merely €18,00/liter

 

[Scum_Frog]

Originally Posted By: Finklejag
I been entertaining the thought of trading in my GTI for an Abarth.


Just wondering what your thought process is for going from a GTI to a 500 Abarth?

 

[Finklejag]

Originally Posted By: Scum_Frog
Originally Posted By: Finklejag
I been entertaining the thought of trading in my GTI for an Abarth.


Just wondering what your thought process is for going from a GTI to a 500 Abarth?



One hot hatch or another.

yannis. In the US, the Abarth requires 5W-40. About half the Abarth owners will probably be putting in Pennzoil dino at their local Jiffy Lube.

 

[ammolab]

What is the life span/reliability of a Modern Fiat? I had one once, a 1972 124 Sport Coupe. A fine car but worn out at 80,000miles.

Can an Italian design built in Mexico and sold by Chrysler be any better today?

My 2002 BMW M Coupe is a fine "Hot Hatch" and worth about what a new Fiat Abarth would cost me so....I'm keep'n the M!

 

[CBR.worm]

This engine will also be an option in the new Dart. It will be interesting to see what owners of the new Neon think of expensive oil changes.

My dad has an Abarth 500, one of the first things I noticed under the hood was the 5-40 sticker.

Also, I thought the specs of the US Abarth were the same as the Euro Essess.

 

[MI_Roger]

Could the 5W/40 requirement be tied to that oil weight being marketed primarily to diesel engine owners, and it therefore being exempt from the maximum ZDDP limits on gasoline engine motor oils?

I run 5W/40 in my Saab 2.3 litre engine just because it does contain more ant-wear additives, and withstands the turbo temperatures.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: CBR.worm
This engine will also be an option in the new Dart. It will be interesting to see what owners of the new Neon think of expensive oil changes.

My dad has an Abarth 500, one of the first things I noticed under the hood was the 5-40 sticker.

Also, I thought the specs of the US Abarth were the same as the Euro Essess.

I think you'd find most SRT-4 Neon owners are not afraid of maintaining their cars properly. Even the lowly R/T models seem to have their fair share of folks who take very good care of them, I see lots of them for sale that seem well cared for.