Appalling design

What we have to resort to, to overcome some incompetent design engineers idea of common sense. 

You think it was designed? I thought ‘thrown together’ a more apt expression. 😀

Another negative for Fiat. As the vehicle is not 3 years old until the end of October, I thought for what it's worth, I would get the software update, that relates to turning on the dash backlighting on, for daylight use, done while still under warranty.

To my disappointment, I discover that unlike most other manufacturers, who provide a 3 year warranty, Fiat only have enough confidence in their vehicle, to warranty it for 2 years.

In this case not a big problem, as from what I read, the update provides little improvement.

Although I have a 3 year warranty on the vehicle from Marquis, the poor visibility of the Speedo, is not a fault condition,  but a design issue .

So, it's now down to enginuity, and d.i.y.

P.S. I did come across one suggested solution, which is to stick some sticky backed mirror faced vinyl on the underside of the cowl, to reflect light onto the Speedo. A quick try with a piece of cooking foil, should give an indication of how effective, or not, it would be.

http://uk.farnell.com/automotive-windscreen-heads-up-displays? loads more on google.

Sorry but I thought all vehicles sold in Britain automatically come with a 3 year warranty by law.

I’ve no idea about law, LL, but MH base vehicles which are commercial vehicles have much less by way of warranty than cars.

It’s my understanding that Fiat and Peugeot vans, for instance, have a standard 1yr warranty but it’s extended to 2yrs in the UK. That is why MHs converted abroad often only have 1yr and a buyer in this country needs to check and get it extended to 2yrs if necessary.

 It is one of the options on my list, but I have a solution in mind, and if successful, I will post the details here.

We had a problem whilst towing in Spain with our V.W Caravelle and had to pay for the repair and claim it back from V.W Uk as our vehicle is over the two years warranty that is given in Spain even though it was under the three year U.K warranty and it was fixed at a Spanish V.W dealership! Thank goodness for plastic money! We have received the money in full from V.W since.It would seem 2year warranty is fairy normal in Spain.

I agree the binnacle is set at the wrong angle....not such an issue for shorter drivers....it's just a tad too low for me but with the lights in its far better...ill have the backlight mod done at service time.

i generally have a Satnav (Tomtom) in front of me to help with speeds...

I too prefer to use my Garmin 6" sat nav which is mounted on the dash and much closer to my line of sight than the speedo anyway, so your eyes are averted from the road less, and for less time than looking at the speedo.........

It's fairly up to date so apart from telling me my speed, it tells me the actual speed limit as well, warns me if I go over it, warns of fixed speed cameras, mobile camera sites, and lets me see the forthcoming road layout, bends, junctions etc.....

It makes a simple speedometer virtually redundant anyway......