Why is it needed to change the oil within the 1st 100 miles vs 3K

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Recently, smartUSA has been changing to full-synthetic (Mobil 1 0W-40) at the U.S. vehicle reception centers before sending them to the dealers. {They now don't want the cars going until the first 12mo./10,000mi. service for their first dose of synthetic.}

About when did SmartUSA start putting non-synthetic at the vehicle reception centers?

The last sentence in brackets seems to contradict the previous sentence. Why would SmartUSA recently start putting synthetic in the Smart if they recommend the first dose of synthetic at 10,000 miles?

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Brabus

About when did SmartUSA start putting non-synthetic at the vehicle reception centers?

The last sentence in brackets seems to contradict the previous sentence. Why would SmartUSA recently start putting synthetic in the Smart if they recommend the first dose of synthetic at 10,000 miles?

smartUSA told me they started the VPC oil change experiment "a few months ago," perhaps with the arrival of the '09s. When I questioned them further as to the why?s they ceased to communicate.

It is interesting that smartUSA is experimenting with two sites to do the oil changes - at the U.S. VPCs or at the Mizushima engine plant. Not at Hambach and not by the dealers. I had a number of questions posed, but nothing back.

I'll edit the brackets for clarity.

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by Old smart

smartUSA told me they started the VPC oil change experiment "a few months ago," perhaps with the arrival of the '09s. When I questioned them further as to the why?s they ceased to communicate.
.

LMAO, that sounds exactly like my experience anytime you ask questions with SmartUSA.

[Brabus]

So what would you do if you had a Smart with 200 miles on it without an oil change?

Would you do a synthetic oil change or non-synthetic?

I need to do an oil change because the oil is old, but I'm not sure which one I should choose. =}

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Brabus

So what would you do if you had a Smart with 200 miles on it without an oil change?

Would you do a synthetic oil change or non-synthetic?

I need to do an oil change because the oil is old, but I'm not sure which one I should choose. =}

I'd be inclined to go non-synthetic to about 600 miles and do the best you can. I originally thought I was dumping original synthetic at 65 miles but that turned out to not be the case. I was happy, however, to get the engine building detritus out early.

[sato7]

all smart have an oil change at the Mercedes processing facility as they are prepped for delivery TO THE DEALERS.... I saw it done, I was there as they washed every car and then took out the old oil and replaced it with synthetic mobil1 oil. they also put on the sticker that states their recommendation to use mobil1 full synthetic oil. so why would you dump that out when you buy the car new? anyway don't our cars have something called an OIL FILTER??? does this filter not FILTER particles suspended in it?

[Brabus]

Originally Posted by Old smart

I'd be inclined to go non-synthetic to about 600 miles.

Okay, thanks!

BTW, what does BR451.331 stand for?

I know what the 451 means but what's the 331 and BR?

Originally Posted by sato7

they also put on the sticker that states their recommendation to use mobil1 full synthetic oil.

Yeh, both my 08 and 09 Smarts have this sticker.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Brabus

Okay, thanks!

BTW, what does BR451.331 stand for?

I know what the 451 means but what's the 331 and BR?



Yeh, both my 08 and 09 Smarts have this sticker.

"BR" (which I don't know the translation of) designates "platform," just as "W" ("Wagen") does for full-size M-Bs. And "M" in an engine designation means a gasser (a "Motor") while "OM" ("Ölmotor") is a diesel. M-B refers to our Mitsu 3B21 engine as an M132; the M-B/Suprex diesel is an OM660.

".331" designates the coupe variant of the 451 smart (a cab would be BR451.431).

[powerbookguy]

found this thread last night. i really wish i found it two weeks ago. i was wondering why the smart did not come with dino oil for the initial engine break in and now i know why -- it was a marketing decision!

i have 450 miles on my smart and plan to change the oil and filter today. i been breaking in the the engine carefully with varied rpms in the low to middle range with a few quick runs up to 4500-5000 as the miles have added up.

question: should i add dino oil today for another 500 miles or so, or should i fill up with my chosen full synthetic and don't worry/be happy?

appreciate any feedback.

[jimvw57]

You can most certainly go with synthetic but it will take a bit longer to see thr increase in MPG. I chose to stick with synthetic and it was around 5k miles before I saw a difference in MPG. I like the synthetic as it handles the varying temps (better starting at -20 degrees) better than dino oil.