Who's completed break-in yet? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Westfield 11 · 02-03-2008, 10:53 AM

Have any 451 owners racked up 1000 miles yet? And has anyone been able to keep the rpm's below 4000 when shifting manually? I have been driving around in auto mode since it will short shift to keep MPG up. The 1-2 shift in manual mode just revs the n#tz off the thing!

I sure will be glad to set my engine free and drive normally. It seems so wrong to lug the engine this way, esp. so early in it's life, but I have noticed that the small autobox European rental cars I have driven do the same thing. Get it into top gear ASAP and rely upon the torque to propel the car not the HP. I suspect this is the wave of the future for economy cars.

eqwalker · 02-04-2008, 05:30 AM

I'm close. I'm at 930 miles. I should be there this week. Then I will change the oil and proceed as I normally would. I, too, have been driving in auto.

Karl Roth · 02-04-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eqwalker

I'm close. I'm at 930 miles. I should be there this week. Then I will change the oil and proceed as I normally would. I, too, have been driving in auto.

Hello eqwalker. What oil have you decided to use. DIY or taking it to the dealer. Would like to do my own unsure of supplies at this point. Thanks karl

eqwalker · 02-04-2008, 11:09 AM

Hi Karl, I will be doing it myself. I'm too far away from the dealer (320 miles) to take it to them. I have submitted an email to my dealer to see what type of oil they recommend. I had seen on this forum where someone has mentioned M1 5W40. I will be using a synthetic, but not sure yet what weight, etc. I checked the oil just yesterday (boy, you must be careful pulling the back carpet up and take care not to flex your foam too much) and it still looked very clean and was still full (which I would expect), but I'm going to change it anyway along with the filter. I am ordering a filter from the dealer (forgot to get one when I was there). I am hoping I will be able to find one locally for the next change, or cross it to one that will work. Once you have the rear deck lid up, it shouldn't be an issue adding oil. I think I'm going to come up with something that will hold the foam back carpeting up in a way as not to bend it so much. I seen a pic on here a while back where the foam had cracked.

Karl Roth · 02-04-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eqwalker

Hi Karl, I will be doing it myself. I'm too far away from the dealer (320 miles) to take it to them. I have submitted an email to my dealer to see what type of oil they recommend. I had seen on this forum where someone has mentioned M1 5W40. I will be using a synthetic, but not sure yet what weight, etc. I checked the oil just yesterday (boy, you must be careful pulling the back carpet up and take care not to flex your foam too much) and it still looked very clean and was still full (which I would expect), but I'm going to change it anyway along with the filter. I am ordering a filter from the dealer (forgot to get one when I was there). I am hoping I will be able to find one locally for the next change, or cross it to one that will work. Once you have the rear deck lid up, it shouldn't be an issue adding oil. I think I'm going to come up with something that will hold the foam back carpeting up in a way as not to bend it so much. I seen a pic on here a while back where the foam had cracked.

Had the lid off a few times now it is a bit fussy the oil at 550 or so is hard to see on that long stick. have heard about 0-40wt synth would like to get some answers and a shop manual so far let me get back to you... Would love to know what you find out will post anything I find as well.
karl