http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/ Here you will find tips on vehicle operation, advanced use of specific features, and information on maintenance and related issues.SPONSORED BY en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:04:06 GMT vBulletin 60 http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/20k-service-cost-27744/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:39:20 GMT I've found plenty of stuff on the 10k service cost, but not much on the 20k, so I decided to start a thread on it. I'm currently waiting for my car to have this service done at Smart of San Francisco, and the price quoted was over $400. I know there is more to be done than in the 10k, but that still seems a bit steep to me. Not sure if the price has changed since they merged their service center with the Mercedes service center. At least I got a shuttle ride home to the other side of the city! :D

I'll post another update with the price paid and what they did once I get my car back.

]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance Carl242 http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/20k-service-cost-27744/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/500-mile-oil-filter-change-27740/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:35 GMT i changed my oil and filter yesterday at 500 miles. the oil was a dark caramel color with a slight metallic sheen that smelled distinctly like fuel.... i changed my oil and filter yesterday at 500 miles. the oil was a dark caramel color with a slight metallic sheen that smelled distinctly like fuel. i dumped the filter oil into a clean white cup for inspection. there were numerous small pieces of metal visible, like chunks of metallic grit. i'm glad i did my oil change early to get that stuff out of the crankcase.

i filled up with AMSOIL 5w-40 european spec, the same oil i use in my other car. had i known the car was delivered with synthetic i would have changed to dino oil on delivery for the 500 mike break in period.

thanks to old smart and to this forum for all the helpful knowledge regarding break in. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance powerbookguy http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/500-mile-oil-filter-change-27740/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/brake-rotor-27723/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:10:02 GMT I have one of the front rotors getting a groove in it. it is about 1/2 inch in from the outer edge. What could be causing this and can it be... I have one of the front rotors getting a groove in it. it is about 1/2 inch in from the outer edge. What could be causing this and can it be stopped? Like a rock or something. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance SmartDigger http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/brake-rotor-27723/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/wth-headlight-burned-out-after-only-5-months-27714/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:48:00 GMT So I bought Betty back at the end of May and last night I thought I had an headlight out, which someone mentioned it looked like this morning. Now... So I bought Betty back at the end of May and last night I thought I had an headlight out, which someone mentioned it looked like this morning.

Now I'm not getting the fast turn signal thing that I've seen posted here, and the car is only 5 months old. Is this normal, because my old Saturn was 10 years old and never had to have the headlights replaced? Or could a connector have just come loose. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance Monalis http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/wth-headlight-burned-out-after-only-5-months-27714/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/car-beeps-incessantly-when-gear-27710/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:25:36 GMT i am having an intermittent problem with my car. it starts up and seems to run fine but when i put it in gear (D or R) there is an incessant... i am having an intermittent problem with my car. it starts up and seems to run fine but when i put it in gear (D or R) there is an incessant beeping. the beeping stops when in N or P. seat belt is in use and there are no idiot lights on. the door locks do not engage automatically. the blinkers do not work properly (they light up but i do not hear the normal relay sound). otherwise car seems to drive normally.

this has happened three times now. the first time i corrected it (or so i thought) by disconnecting the battery. it happened again when i first started the car this am. an hour later, starting the car for a second time the beeping was gone. 15 minutes later starting the car for a third time the beeping has come back.

could this be a bad ecu? ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance powerbookguy http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/car-beeps-incessantly-when-gear-27710/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/do-i-need-new-shocks-27656/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:56:51 GMT 54k on the car... I upgraded to HR springs about a month ago... I understand that the ride will be a bit more lively but it's a bit over the top... Could the shocks be the problem? ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance Wdhitch http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/do-i-need-new-shocks-27656/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/cabrio-top-slap-27550/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:08:21 GMT At highway speeds, and especially on windy days, the wind seems to get under the top at the sides (behind the doors) and the top slaps back against... At highway speeds, and especially on windy days, the wind seems to get under the top at the sides (behind the doors) and the top slaps back against the sides. It's quite loud. Has anyone else encountered this phenomenon? ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance NoRo13 http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/cabrio-top-slap-27550/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/front-marker-light-removal-right-27547/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:23:11 GMT I understand the process of how to remove the right marker light stalk, thanks to Evilution's and another site. But, in reality, the actual process seems impossible. You have to contort and bend your wrist so that you hand is reaching backward giving you no leverage at all to turn the light stalk counter-clockwise. Anybody have any tips on how to proceed, outside of removing body panels? Maybe a smaller set of hands or more time in the gym? ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance pabille http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/front-marker-light-removal-right-27547/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/selves-england-450-leaking-coolant-27540/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:50 GMT Hello Everyone - just joined recently. I have a 2003 reg. MCC Smartcar Pure, which I've had for 3 years now. Having a few problems with the coolant level having to be topped-up regularly. Any ideas on cause of this, will be much appreciated. Thanks to All. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance selves http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/selves-england-450-leaking-coolant-27540/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rev-limit-gear-mph-27518/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:47:11 GMT hi all, i am enjoying my new smart and have just turned over 300 miles. I do not have a tachometer installed and have been mostly driving gently... hi all,

i am enjoying my new smart and have just turned over 300 miles. I do not have a tachometer installed and have been mostly driving gently as prescribed in the manual.

since i plan to drive it like i stole it after the break in period i want to start pushing the motor harder without hitting the rev limiter/forced shift point.

can anyone approximate what the rev limit is in each gear in MPH? right now with spirited driving i have been shooting for:

1st gear limit 20mph
2nd gear limit 35mph
3rd gear limit 50mph
4th gear gear limit 65mph
5th gear limit 90mph

appreciate any help. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance powerbookguy http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rev-limit-gear-mph-27518/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/evap-temp-sensor-right-pass-footwell-27516/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:22:14 GMT Have seen several references to this, and unplugging it to see if it improves A/C performance (after plugging it back in.) Where exactly is it... Have seen several references to this, and unplugging it to see if it improves A/C performance (after plugging it back in.) Where exactly is it located and how do you identify it (don't want to unplug the wrong item.) Thanks! :) ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance jwight http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/evap-temp-sensor-right-pass-footwell-27516/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rear-tailgate-release-levers-27505/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:23:32 GMT The right (passenger) side tailgate release lever has broken with the tailgate in the closed position. I can not open the tailgate. Has others had... The right (passenger) side tailgate release lever has broken with the tailgate in the closed position. I can not open the tailgate. Has others had this problem? Parts are ordered and we"ll see...:( ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance Nicholas http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rear-tailgate-release-levers-27505/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rear-window-unlatched-when-driving-27490/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:12:52 GMT Now that the weather has cooled off i like driving with the windows down.seems went i do the wind comes in the car and it acts like a drag shoot. So... Now that the weather has cooled off i like driving with the windows down.seems went i do the wind comes in the car and it acts like a drag shoot. So i unlatched the rear window and it seems to make the air flow better for the car.just alittle tidbit! ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance maxtraxduffy http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/rear-window-unlatched-when-driving-27490/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/major-problems-w-smart-w-1st-yr-help-27489/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:20:04 GMT I need some help to restore my faith in my smart. I am 11 months in as this cars first owner. There are only 16k miles on the little guy and 85% of... I need some help to restore my faith in my smart. I am 11 months in as this cars first owner. There are only 16k miles on the little guy and 85% of those miles have been highway. I have officially taken this car in to the shop more times than I have taken our 5yr old dodge neon....DODGE NEON!!!

4 times for the same A/C problem- electrical issue shorting out the temp. gauge/regulator. Which is still currently broke because they are opening a TIPS request which means they record a diagnostic of the car and send it to germany to see what the manufacture thinks is the cause) So A\C still broken in TEXAS!! I am very glad winter is starting to arrive.

1 time to replace/update the clutch assembly because it decided to stop working at about 11k miles.

1 time to reset the gas guage

and last but not least I am taking it in this wed. to see why the rotors are warped and why there is a slow but steady fluid leak in the engine compartment leaving a nice greenish yellow puddle on my garage floor every morning.

Has anyone else had this sort of bad string of events? Or am I cursed with a lemon???

If these problems persist my wife has threatened to sell my smart and despite these problems I still love my smart and would be very bummed to send it packing. :( ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance short93106 http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/major-problems-w-smart-w-1st-yr-help-27489/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/water-intrusion-27451/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:45:26 GMT I had to access my battery 2 days ago to charge it after leaving the ignition on overnight (DUMB). When I pulled up the carpeting I discovered that... I had to access my battery 2 days ago to charge it after leaving the ignition on overnight (DUMB). When I pulled up the carpeting I discovered that there was about 4-5 inches of water in the battery well and the entire rubber backing on the floor mat on passenger side was soaked. I pulled the battery vent line out of the hole it goes through and all the water drained out. I am really puzzled on this one. Last week we had lots of rain in my area and I drove a fair amount in that rain. I figured the water had to either have gotten into the car from above or below the car so I first took a hose and sprayed the roof, windshield, and service flap thinking that the water might have entered through the drain holes at the bottom of the windshield and there was a clogged drain below the service area. After about 4-5 minutes of hosing down the front of the car there was not a drop of water inside. I can't imagine that so much water could have accumulated in the battery well if the water was coming from rain on the road. Dealer will check it tomorrow and we'll see what they find. Water intrusion is usually a tough problem to solve. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this much water in the car in this same area and, if so, what was found to be the problem. ]]> Smart Car Operation and Maintenance Ron F http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/water-intrusion-27451/