Check Engine Light

[DeInNC]

We got our first check engine light after a few fill-ups and 720 miles. We always tighten the fuel cap, but checked it again after reading these posts. It was fine. We re-filled the tank, tightened the cap again and waited another day, while driving it around for errand running. The light stayed on so we ran it over to the dealer.

Results - 733 gas cap loose short test performed, code P0455 & P0457 stored in ME control unit. Check gas cap (found loose) tighten gas cap, clear codes, and perform self test of evap. system (passed)**-*gas cap must be tightened until it clicks***-

So the light has been reset. I take a little exception to the part where they say the cap was found loose since I know we tighten it carefully. Can the cap be loosening itself during the drive? Not likely. I am skeptical - maybe it was just easier to reset the light and send us along. I won't be surprised to see the light reappear. Jamie, the rep, told us that it takes about 100 miles after a fill up and tightening of the cap for the light to reset itself.

And our dealer also has no loaners so this it really getting to be a pain - and we know we are fortunate to live 15 minutes from our dealer. If the car continues to have issues like this, I would hope they can start providing a loaner car since they have no weekend shop hours. Then again if this continues, they couldn't keep enough loaners to cover all the smarties in the shop!!

[Djinn]

Boo hiss.

Our check engine light just went on. Checked the gas cap - was tight. no recent fillup and we always use premium grade gas. Car is riding fine.

Big problem for us is that we are over 2 hours away from the dealership. Anyway know if Smart I supposed to pick it up and flatbed it under these circumstances?

Also, I was very curious about the previous post that if its the gas cover it should reset itseld, BUT it takes 100 miles of driving?? and a fillup?? Anyone know more about this?? (wouldn' that be crappy - take a day off from work to drive the thing down to the dealershp, and on the way the light goes off!!!)

Djinn

[spdickey]

Call 800-SMART-USA for roadside assistance with your check engine light.

[MPrice2984]

Cars are very sensitive to vacumn leaks caused by the gas cap. I rented a US grey market 450 for a week to decide if I wanted to order a 451 when they were imported. The first tank refill the check engine light came on because I had not turned the cap until I heard 3 clicks, this thing has to be tight! Most new cars state right on the gas cap how many turns or how tight to do the fuel cap.

If might behoove smart owners to purchase a code scanner so if the OBD light does come on you can at least check the basic code. All scanners will give you some basic information as to what is going on, then you can do a web search for more information. All of the basic codes are universal worldwide so the smart is not unique, although it may have codes beyond the basic ones that only the dealer can access. For those of us who are a distance to a dealer this might make the difference between a lost day of work or a phone call to the dealer. Most scanners have an erase function to cancel codes also, so if a code resurfaces you know there is a problem.

[robotbill]

Are code scanners specific to smartcars? Where can I get one?

[BandSofC]

Originally Posted by robotbill

Are code scanners specific to smartcars? Where can I get one?

No - ScanGauge II - many retailers.

[Djinn]

MPRICE2984 and others - I checked out the code scanners - they seem to hook up by something called a "OBD II 16-pin connector cable" - anyone know where the corresponding 16 pin hookup is in the smartcar ... also anyone have experience using a code reader?

I am reminded of a great quote by Groucho Marx ..... "This is so easy a child of five could do it. Fetch me a child of 5".

Djinn

[Djinn]

one other code scanner question. Apparently, the current standard is OBD II, however some 2008 cars have started using the latest standard called "CAN". See this quote from a review on Amazon ...

"NOTE: Starting in 2008, a new standard called "CAN" will become mandatory for all vehicles, and some auto manufacturers are already producing CAN-compliant vehicles. OBD II code readers may or may not work with CAN vehicles ** check the product detail page to check if the scanner works with OBD II, CAN, or both"

Of course, scanners that can read both are more expensive. Anyone know whihc standard the smart passion uses - OBDII or CAN?

Djinn

[wahi]

djinn,

check this faq

Where is the OBD 2 connector on the 451?

[jwight]

Apparently CAN is a new protocol for OBD, which started in 2008 as mentioned above. Several forum folks have bought the Scangauge II scanner which is compliant with the CAN protocol.

From the Scangauge website:

Works On All OBDII Protocols Including CAN, required on all vehicles starting in 2008.