We purchased our Smart Car Passion 2 about 4 months ago and have been very happy with it. However, about 1 month ago, after not having driven the car in about 1 week, we found it would not start. We had to get roadside assistance to jump start the car. It was brought to the dealer who re-charged the battery and indicated there was nothing wrong with the battery and no discharge.
This has since happend 2 more times. Needless to say, we've since purchased a battery charger, but I'm curious to know if anyone else has experienced this. According to the dealer, this is normal. Personally, I've never had a problem such as this before -- it's not unusual to leave a car for a week and then restart it just fine.
Please let me know if this is a common problem with the Smart Car Passion model and, if so, what you've done about it.
Yes, there has been an issue with batteries. I do not think they are really good batteries anyway but that is just my opinion. The 09's have an issue with the software fix that is draining the batteries-temp workaround is to turn off auto wipers and auto headlights when not in use. I think this has also helped cause a shortage of batteries. Best bet is to get your battery load tested.
the battery in the smart is not all that large - and the entire car is electrical and it does draw a charge when off - alarm can also contribute and there has been speculation here that if you leave the auto on lamps and wipers in the auto-on position, they draw a slight charge when the vehicle is off as well.
it's a good idea to run it at least once a week if you can. if you're going to store it for longer than a week, put it on a battery tender.
I hate to join this club but I just did! I last used the car Christmas day and today, Jan 2, went to start it up only to get the "click of death." After figuring out how to access the battery (what a hassle that is), I hooked up my charger and got it started. The car is kept in a garage, but locked, so I wonder if the alarm helped to drain it. It wasn't all that cold inside the garage, but, colder than it has been.
Rather than having to take the car apart, is there a more convenient method to jump/recharge the ca in the futurer? I've seen devices that plug into the power jack, do they work?
Rather than having to take the car apart, is there a more convenient method to jump/recharge the ca in the futurer? I've seen devices that plug into the power jack, do they work?
They might work but just be careful as the whole car is more or less computer controlled and a surge or too much current on the wrong circuit could cause a lot of issues.
I have a system that plugs into the cigarette lighter/power outlet. I have yet to use it. When I do, I will let you know. I will ask Smart USA or the center where I bought mine if it will damage anything if I use it. It is suppose to be safer than connecting it to ones battery directly.
They might work but just be careful as the whole car is more or less computer controlled and a surge or too much current on the wrong circuit could cause a lot of issues.
Thanks! Yes, that's the reason for my question. I don't want to fry anything but also, don't want to have to dismantle the car every time I have a dead battery. It would have been hell for me had it occured on the road somewhere in sub freezing temperatures. I carry AAA but suspect they'd have been lost as to how to access the battery as well, plus, I'm certain I could have expected some damage to that foam floor board in the process.
It would have been nice if smart had located remote connection terminals somewhere under the "hood" to provide convenient access.
Thanks! Yes, that's the reason for my question. I don't want to fry anything but also, don't want to have to dismantle the car every time I have a dead battery. It would have been hell for me had it occured on the road somewhere in sub freezing temperatures. I carry AAA but suspect they'd have been lost as to how to access the battery as well, plus, I'm certain I could have expected some damage to that foam floor board in the process.
It would have been nice if smart had located remote connection terminals somewhere under the "hood" to provide convenient access.
I think that is an excellent idea. I think it would be worth mentioning it to them.
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2008 Smart Passion
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