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

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Old smart

"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).

Not to be confused with BR549:

YouTube - BR549-Baby are you getting tired of me

YouTube - BR549-Baby are you getting tired of me

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Old smart

"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).

Just a guess, is it stands for "Bau reihe" or build series
karl

[powerbookguy]

Originally Posted by 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.

thanks, where i live it is 50-80 degrees F almost all year round.

[Old smart]

The engines come from the factory pre-filled with a non-synthetic engine oil (probably an ENEOS product from Nippon Refining, a Mitsubishi company). smartUSA wanted to get synthetic in their cars before they went for their first 1yr/10k mile service for their own costly and un-stated reasons (I asked; they wouldn't talk.) Before they started the VPC oil change project about the time the '09s started arriving, the '08s were allowed to go 10K on a fossil oil - maybe not so good, unless that was Mitsu's unpublished intention. The smart 450s, 452s and 454s were specified to run a certain number of KMs on a break-in oil. Penske has compelling reasons to single out one particular brand and viscosity of oil, although well over 80 are approved by M-B.

I too wish I knew about the oil situation when I accepted my '08. Upon arrival home from the dealer with 65 miles on the car I dumped the delivery oil and filter and replaced it with a best quality SAE "SM" fossil oil until 485 miles. Had I known, I might have not done the initial change. At the 485 mile point, I changed the oil and filter again and went then to full-synthetic (M1 5W-30).

The initial O&FC was not a total waste of effort. While the drained delivery oil was cooling it developed an odd waxy surface sheen I had never seen before. Glad it was out. And there was some manufacturing detritus in the filter when I cut it open.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by 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.

You will probobly be just as happy if you follow the recomondations of the manufacturer. They are after all the people that made the decision of what goes in and where it comes from. Based on oil sample testing rather than "gut" feelings you will be perfectly OK to follow the advice they give.

Relax enjoy be passionatly Happy
karl