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mstxbeeotch · 03-12-2010, 03:07 PM

I'm new and looking at the Smart Car. I will have to commute 120 miles a day with it. What do you all think of that many miles on the Smart?

Suze · 03-12-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstxbeeotch

I'm new and looking at the Smart Car. I will have to commute 120 miles a day with it. What do you all think of that many miles on the Smart?

It sounds like fun. Be sure to add the after market cruise control.

And Welcome to SCOA!

Carlarm · 03-12-2010, 10:19 PM

I commute 80 miles each day in my 2009 smart, almost all freeway miles. In the past year I've put 22,000 miles on it. I've kept track of all tank fills and averaged over total miles I've gotten 41 mpg. As traffic permits, I do 75-80 mph. I've been very happy with this car.
The only warning I'd give is if your commute route includes rough roads you might re-consider. The smart suspension bottoms out easily and rough roads can knock your fillings out. Happily, the roads are smooth on my commute route. See if you can find some poorly maintained roads near you smart dealer, take another test drive and see for yourself.

smart seeker · 03-12-2010, 10:46 PM

new bie here . how are the tune ups on Smart cars and the oil changes ( i hear they use special oil) and filters oil, fuel and air on these smart engines. can you do them your self if you are mech inclined easily ?? also can you help out the suspenion with heavier shocks and such?? good questions !!

fredthe · 03-13-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smart seeker

new bie here . how are the tune ups on Smart cars and the oil changes ( i hear they use special oil) and filters oil, fuel and air on these smart engines. can you do them your self if you are mech inclined easily ??

The "special" oil is just Mobil 1... available almost anywhere, and has been for years. Plenty of oil and sir filter choices too, not sure about fuel filter, through.

Easy to do your own basic work, smart even provides instructions:smart USA Owners Portal - Do It Yourself
The maintenance schedules are there, also.

**rfernatt** · 03-13-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstxbeeotch

I'm new and looking at the Smart Car. I will have to commute 120 miles a day with it. What do you all think of that many miles on the Smart?

I commute about 75 miles a day with no issues. I've done some long road trips in the car as well - 1,200 to nearly 2,000 miles, multiple times. Cruise control is one upgrade to seriously consider and I'd also suggest wider wheels/tires up front. These two items make the smart a more conducive long distance car. I installed the Area 451 cruise myself, a pretty straightforward job even if you're not mechanically gifted. I ordered a new set of wider rims/tires from Tire Rack and put those on myself as well. I'm a techie and not a mechanic, so that tells you it's not too hard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smart seeker

how are the tune ups on Smart cars and the oil changes ( i hear they use special oil) and filters oil, fuel and air on these smart engines. can you do them your self if you are mech inclined easily ?? also can you help out the suspenion with heavier shocks and such??

I've done most of my own smart oil/filter changes and just picked up what I needed at a local auto place: Mobil1 0W-40 oil and a standard Mobil1 filter, nothing special. It's definitely the easiest car in which to change the oil/filter since the plug and filter are right beside each other and you couldn't have any better access - just reach under the car and you touch both the drain plug and filter.

I quit changing my own oil years ago, but I've been doing it myself on the smart just because I don't trust anyone else with the car and it's an easy DIY project.

See the above comment about wider wheels/tires, especially up front, to improve the handling, looks, and ride of the car.