So, for me its now 20 years since have A SMART, but of course only a little over 10 years now with this red fortwo passion in the USA. With only 58K miles on it, you can see it doesn’t see a ton of annual driving, but shes driven pretty hard on a 70mile RT commute up and back to the city 1-3 days a week. Lots of around town and local driving.
The last service I did was at 42K (2.5 years ago), it was technically a 30K service I think, which included plugs, new pads, rotors in the front turned, and oil/filter/lube inspection.
Now, I know I have to have SOME services done, but I don’t know if the 60K service fits into the best option or a combination service should be done? I’m looking for insight from the community about what works best (adds the most value for mostly maintenance and extending life). vs. any performance benefit. Frankly, this is the only car I have ever had that I haven’t stayed current with more regular service. Thankfully, it’s been rather problem free and performed well for solid highway speeds (80+) and predictable around town driving. I MIGHT keep in another few years as it is really great for parking up in the city (San Francisco) and around town. And it stills get about 38-40 mpg for highway driving.
So, WHAT service should be done? I have a quite good local service depot that works on mercedes, smart, porsche, etc, so I’m comfortable taking it to them for services. Or, is it a MUST to have something more involved done by a dealer?
I know it has a never had the transmission fluid flushed. Or at least it wasn’t done in the 30K service (at 42K) and I don’t think it was done prior. Should this just be done as a best practice? lately, I have been hearing a small whine at constant speed around 35-40 mph.
It had plugs in the recent service, so maybe not that?
There is this rather open question about checking the VALVES, which seems to involve significant shop effort and maybe has been removed from the recommended list by smart? Is that something required or REALLY encouraged?
And then there is a belt that might be replaced? Is it just REPLACE it regardless or inspect and replace if needed?
What about the four corners? Car still handles fine, I don’t find any softness at any one corner over another? I don’t see this update on really ANY of the scheduled services, other than inspection?
At 10 yrs. now, what have others seen that has gone south on the chassis, support struts, suspension, or other areas?
I’m really most interested in transmission, valves and belts? I wonder if I can bundle this with OIL/FILTER/INSPECTION and bang out enough stuff to get me confidently 2yr/15k down the road?
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback! I think as more and more of us approach the 10 years milestones on these original cars this should be a good thread to reference for others.
The last service I did was at 42K (2.5 years ago), it was technically a 30K service I think, which included plugs, new pads, rotors in the front turned, and oil/filter/lube inspection.
Now, I know I have to have SOME services done, but I don’t know if the 60K service fits into the best option or a combination service should be done? I’m looking for insight from the community about what works best (adds the most value for mostly maintenance and extending life). vs. any performance benefit. Frankly, this is the only car I have ever had that I haven’t stayed current with more regular service. Thankfully, it’s been rather problem free and performed well for solid highway speeds (80+) and predictable around town driving. I MIGHT keep in another few years as it is really great for parking up in the city (San Francisco) and around town. And it stills get about 38-40 mpg for highway driving.
So, WHAT service should be done? I have a quite good local service depot that works on mercedes, smart, porsche, etc, so I’m comfortable taking it to them for services. Or, is it a MUST to have something more involved done by a dealer?
I know it has a never had the transmission fluid flushed. Or at least it wasn’t done in the 30K service (at 42K) and I don’t think it was done prior. Should this just be done as a best practice? lately, I have been hearing a small whine at constant speed around 35-40 mph.
It had plugs in the recent service, so maybe not that?
There is this rather open question about checking the VALVES, which seems to involve significant shop effort and maybe has been removed from the recommended list by smart? Is that something required or REALLY encouraged?
And then there is a belt that might be replaced? Is it just REPLACE it regardless or inspect and replace if needed?
What about the four corners? Car still handles fine, I don’t find any softness at any one corner over another? I don’t see this update on really ANY of the scheduled services, other than inspection?
At 10 yrs. now, what have others seen that has gone south on the chassis, support struts, suspension, or other areas?
I’m really most interested in transmission, valves and belts? I wonder if I can bundle this with OIL/FILTER/INSPECTION and bang out enough stuff to get me confidently 2yr/15k down the road?
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback! I think as more and more of us approach the 10 years milestones on these original cars this should be a good thread to reference for others.
