Battery

[mirando]

What kind of battery that the smart car uses? Is it a sealed maintenance-free battery? Does it need to be charge every now and then like the motorcycle? How long will it last? (Maybe the oversea members could give a comment on the last question)

[jwight]

The battery should be inspected and tested every 2 years or 20,000 miles -- whichever comes first.
If you are planning to store your vehicle longer than 3 weeks, the battery should be disconnected and placed on a trickle charger to preserve the life of the battery.

The battery is NOT sealed - has a vent tube to the outside of the cabin. Too new for us to know how long the factory battery will last; my guess is 2 to 3 years like most of them.

[sunnyokanagan]

I suggest you (everyone with a new smart car) check the battery fluid level. A notable percentage of smarts delivered to Canada had low electrolyte and a number of dealers did not check at PDI.

Checked mine 10 months after delivery and it was WAY low. Topped properly with distilled water, the OEM battery is still AOK after 4 years.

[fortow]

A battery that's maintained properly could last a decade in daily use.

Just never discharge it beyond 50% - preferably just the discharge from starting, recharge immediately - as does the car's alternator, Keep the fluid topped up.

If you store the car then disconnect the battery.

[jwight]

"Could" being the operative word. That would make it a 120 month battery and very unique.

[donnyonee]

i went ahead and changed it with a 34/78 battery. much much more battery. i use it for my camping adventures, shower, dvd, cpap, fan..

[fortow]

Originally Posted by jwight

"Could" being the operative word. That would make it a 120 month battery and very unique.

On the contrary. Most of the batteries in my vehicles last 7-10 years. My wife is now driving a sedan that has a battery that's 7 years old and good, I'm also driving a car that has a battery that's now 9 years old and good, and that has been the situation with all vehicles.

The pro-rated warranty on batteries is not a gauge to indicate how long they should or will last.

Take proper care of them and they are good for at least a decade - you could get many more years than that as well.

[JohnnyM]

I agree, a battery can last many years if properly maintained. I just changed the original battery in our 1999 car this year (2009) and it was an interior mounted, under the rear seat, vent tube type battery.

[RussBarnes]

The original in my smart lasted about one year. However, mine was one of the cars that needed the 2.0 upgrade which includes a battery. I don't drive mine a lot and last winter after sitting maybe 2 months it had gone real weak so I recharged it with a very good charger. Then about three months later it was totally dead after sitting a month. Since my car will be loaded crossways on a truck bed at a 30 degree fore/aft angle I chose not to have smart install a slightly larger battery - I installed a Optima unit and expect it should last as long as I need the car.

BTW, most of my batteries are in my vehicles for 5-6 years and by then the vehicles have at least 150,000 miles so whatever happens I figure they have earned a replacement. Obviously those vehicles are driven daily.

[SuperGeek]

After several dead batteries in recent years, I now watch voltage closely first thing in the morning. If it's below 11.6 with minimal draw, I know the battery's not doing so well. I'd rather maintain/swap it early than be stuck in holiday traffic like I've done once. $60 for a planned battery swap is better than $300 for an emergency tow, replacement, etc. Not to mention time and frustration.

When I took my Smart in for the 2.0 upgrade, the OEM battery was reading 11.3, down from 11.8 new. It started, but it took an extra second compared to new. Now 4 months later the new battery reads 11.9 and cranks up just like new every time. Bad battery, low water, whatever the cause, watch that battery. It's especially important in a car with computer control and electric shift mechanisms.