Understand and fair comment however Fiat handbooks say always keep toppped
up to MAX level so unless one rigorously notes actual mils topped up and
when, epsecially as a garage will never record this info, you never know how
much or little fluid is being used or lossed over x k miles.

Personally I always top-up to the reference levels and note when and how
much fluid (radiator or brake or pwr steering) went in.  This data sets the
normal usage/consumption rate so when extra top-ups are required I know that
something is not quite right.  Allows me to catch problems early on.

I actually used this sort of info to highlight a very small cooling fluid
loss on my Stilo Abarth.  No obvious visible loss or stains.  At my 3 year
/warranty service asked the garage to fully check the system.  No fault
found.  Then, 6 months later, out of warranty, after the dealer changed
hands, I noticed a small whisp of vapour on a cold evening in the headlight
beam.

Dealer didn't want to know, despite me pointing out I'd asked them to check.
Not their problem, new ownership etc. etc.

Had to replace the radiator myself.  This was no fun at all.  Major
surgery/parts removal required and when you get it all back you can't bleed
it as the bleed nipple is hidden.  Basically the battery, battery box, fuse
distribution unit, air box and airflow system have to be removed!  I spotted
this before reassembly and pressure bled the system, however with no pumped
water air locks still gathered in the heater matrix etc.

If people with Stilo Abarths are still reading and not fallen to sleep the
solution is easy but the root problem causes radiator failure!!!!!!!

I was/am, to my knowledge the first and only UK customer of ANY 5 cylinder
engine Fiat to have an engine completely replaced under warranty at less
than 3K miles / 1 month old where oil starvation etc were not involved.  All
credit to Fiat a full engine replacement was authorised.  No strip down and
inspect etc.  Ford would have had the engine in a 1000s pices over the
workshop floor looking for the rattle/noise that had developed.  NO THANK
YOU.

Anyway I suspect my radiator failure was due to the problem with bleeding
after the engine was replaced.  Had notcied a probable cooling problem and a
new thermostat was diagnosed, replaced and no doubt bleeding was again and
unspotted problem.

With the Stilo Abart (an possibly other Stilos) the top rad hose is some 3
inches below the top of the rad.  This cause the rad to have a very high
temperature differential at the water to air boundary and this eventually
results in stress fractures that leak very small amounts of water.  None of
this stressed arai is visible and you can pressure test till the cows come
home and not find the problem!

Nick /////