Smart Impulse Buy

[Vincent]

Hi, all,

We've owned our Smart Car for about a month now. Our Kia needed a new engine, and we were deciding whether or not to fix it or buy a new car. We ended up doing both. While the Kia was in the shop, we went out shopping for new cars. As we passed the local Mercedes dealership, my wife, Susan, convinced me to stop and take a look at the Smart Car parked out front. The salesman pounced, of course, as good salesmen will do. He convinced us to take a test drive, and we were hooked. We got a deal. It was a 2009 Passion with 1800 miles on it that someone had traded in.

The only problem so far is that the dealership can't find us an owner's manual. They told me to go online and order one, and they'd reimburse me. I've done a bit of hunting, but no luck yet. Anyone out there know where I can get one?

Also, in the process of hunting for a manual, I found one on a 2005 model, and browsed a bit. I noticed something potentially annoying, if it also applies to 2009 models. It said in the 2005 manual that if the battery dies in your key and you don't replace it, you can't start the car. Does anyone know if that's still true? If so, is there a way to disable that "helpful" feature?

[fredthe]

I don't know about buying a manual, but you can download all of them here:
Model Year 2009

My understanding is that if the battery in the key dies, you can still start the car. It's recommended to replace it every two years anyway, which should be well before it dies.

From the owner's manual, P. 167:

The remote control’s transmitter battery is
almost spent when the turn signals flash
rapidly nine times in a row when locking
the vehicle.

i If you do not replace the transmitter
battery, after about 100 more times you
will no longer be able to lock or unlock
the vehicle using the remote control.

No mention of not starting the car. It's also a common battery (CR 2016), and easy to replace.

You might check with the smart dealer in Atlanta about ordering a manual.

Oh, and welcome! Feel free to ask more questions.

[mvaldes]

Congratulations on your new smart. I like your impulses and hope you are as happy with yours as I've been with mine. And, welcome to the forum.

[rfernatt]

Welcome to the forum and enjoy the new ride!

If you're interested in tracking and sharing your fuel mileage, we can always use a few more smart owners on Fuelly.com.

[WhiteNBlack08]

The key "talks" to the car. It's part of the anti-theft deterent system. So yes, if the key dies, you're SOL. I put a lot of miles on my smart, my key battery became weak enough after about 18 months that it wouldn't unlock the doors, but it allowed the car to start, I stopped by the local hardware store and picked up a battery. No issues since.

[forestacademy]

You will not be able to use the key to remotely open the door if the battery dies.

They do recommend changing the battery at 20K just so this doesn't happen. Its a battery you can buy at any Walgreens or most auto parts stores. So its not hard to find and replace.

Welcome to the forum, Plenty of manuals available from e-bay
fortwo manual, buy and sell Parts Accessories on eBay Motors But they ain't cheep

[Vincent]

Wow! You guys are quick. Thanks for all the tips. I'll check out those online manuals.

[Kermit]

Go test drive another smart. Take the manual when you are done.

Just make them get you a manual....if not put out a want for someone who kept theirs after they got a 2.0 update on their 2008. A new owner's manual was part of the deal, if you told them you wanted to keep the old manual you got to keep it. (I did at least, I hope to sell it on eBay in 20 years for a healthy profit - it's a hoarder characteristic)

[fredthe]

Be sure to check out the D-I-Y section of the smartusa website!

[sharkdog1986]

And don't forget the National Smart car event in Kansas city this year in June!