2009 Automatic lights and Windshield issues email - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

2009blue · 12-31-2008, 06:07 AM

Dear smart fortwo Owner,
We have had reports of batteries being drained within an 8 to 12 hour period in Model Year 2009 smart fortwos which are equipped with the comfort package option. This appears to happen when both the rain sensing windshield wipers and auto-headlamps are left in automatic mode when the car is not running.
To help avoid a dead battery, please always turn your wipers and headlamps to the full off position when parking your car for any period of time. The safety of your vehicle will not be affected and your headlamps and wipers will operate normally in any position when driving. Note -- For full off positions, the headlamp switch should be rotated fully clockwise to the off (O) position – the wiper stalk should be one click up from the bottom position.
Your smart center dealership will advise you as soon as possible of the availability of the upgrade which they will install at your convenience.
We apologize for the inconvenience in needing to return your car to the dealership for this work.
Sincerely,
The smart USA Team

SCF Ian · 01-03-2009, 12:45 PM

Yup, luckly smart now has a new unit to put in and most dealership service centers should have or can get the new parts. Call and ask your service center or smart center.

forestacademy · 01-03-2009, 02:45 PM

Does this mean all 09's sold from here on should not have this issue? (fixed before delivery)
Hopefully this will only become a blip on smarts record.

SCF Ian · 01-15-2009, 08:25 AM

From my under standing, they fixed the problem. on new coming cars, but don't quote me on that..

LittleDeuceCoupe · 01-16-2009, 11:48 AM

Good to know that Smart has a fix for the '09 Smart. I had a similar experience with my '08 coupe, so the problem may affect more than the '09 cars. A couple of weeks ago, I went to start the little one after 8 days non-use and found that my battery was dead. I had left the headlights and wipers set to automatic (as I generally do), so this may have been the cause of the dead battery. I now turn the auto features off when the car will be parked for more that a couple of days. I plan to check with my dealer to find out whether the '08s are included in the fix.

LDC

mdfortwoguy · 01-16-2009, 01:28 PM

'08s were not affected by this problem.

They did have their fair share of bad batteries, however.

On 2 occasions, mine has sat for 2 weeks with the headlamps in auto (but not the wipers... as the manual states, they should not be left in auto...) no issues there.

Padawan · 01-16-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

'08s were not affected by this problem.

Correct. Ironically, I believe the "fix" for the '09 problem was to revert back to the '08 setup.

LittleDeuceCoupe · 01-24-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdfortwoguy

'08s were not affected by this problem.

They did have their fair share of bad batteries, however.

On 2 occasions, mine has sat for 2 weeks with the headlamps in auto (but not the wipers... as the manual states, they should not be left in auto...) no issues there.

You may be correct. I just completed an 8 day test - this time with the auto wipers and auto headlights off and the car started right up. This result indicates (to me at least) that the battery is okay.