Engine questtions...

[racer]

I have yet to get to the dealer... and didn't see any readily on the Smart website...

I want to see some pics of the engine.. from the top/bottom etc. I know the basics of the motor.. just curious what they actually look like? How easy are they to access? (the engine on my old Boxster didn't require frequent attention, as I imagine the Smart doesn't either, but it was a bit of a production to access it.)

How much "maintenance" is done from the top of the motor? From the bottom?

While I am at it, is there anything in the front of the car? Just crumple zone? Hidden compartment to hold a kilo or two ;)

TIA!

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by racer

I have yet to get to the dealer... and didn't see any readily on the Smart website...

I want to see some pics of the engine.. from the top/bottom etc. I know the basics of the motor.. just curious what they actually look like? How easy are they to access? (the engine on my old Boxster didn't require frequent attention, as I imagine the Smart doesn't either, but it was a bit of a production to access it.)

How much "maintenance" is done from the top of the motor? From the bottom?

While I am at it, is there anything in the front of the car? Just crumple zone? Hidden compartment to hold a kilo or two ;)

TIA!

A lot of photos of the front and rear are posted on this board (search is your friend) and at evolution http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=184 and http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=198

Oil is added from the top, drained from the bottom.

In the front are bottles for washer fluid, not much else.

HowStuffWorks Videos "How the Smart Car Works"

[wrumbarger]

Howdy
drop on by anytime to look at the engine (and the rest of the car?)?

We will even let you test drive one?

M-F 9-7
Sat 9-6

8545 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182

(Route 7 "Auto Mile" next to Mercedes Dealer near the Dulles Toll Road)

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by spdickey

In the front are bottles for washer fluid, not much else.

Radiator?

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Radiator?

Its in front, but just below the top front removable panel. The radiator cap is visible, though. Electric fan, too.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Radiator?

Yup...

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

Radiator?

..is that the big black bottle?

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

..is that the big black bottle?

If you mean the big black thingy on the passenger side, I think its part of the defrost fan.

The fluid bottles can be seen on the driver's side on the picture above, with another one on the left.

And before you ask me where the battery is, its inside the car, under the passenger's feet.

[racer]

From the pic it looks like I see:

1) Coolant tank
2) Brake Fluid
3) Washer fluid
4) Radiator
5) horn
6) Is that a battery left of center? maybe not.. where is the battery?

Does your car have to look like that to access all that stuff or is there a smaller panel to access it.

wrumbarger - thought about it... we'll see.. I saw one out near the median all done up in a "flame job", or at least I thought that's what it was...

[mvaldes]

Battery is under the passenger side floor covered by a foam insert that makes up the far end of the footwell. (The foam also contains the tire repair slime and the air compressor.) The other stuff, excepting the horn is accessible thru the front "hood". Opinions vary on the best way to reach the horn.(This thread and others have that info: Tutorial: Replacing the factory horn