[doctorona]

Hello group,
My 74 year old Mom bought a used 2008 Smart car 451 a couple years ago
It has 58,000 miles on it.
She's rarely drives it.. maybe 200 miles a year for short trips.

I want to do the tune up oil change for her.

I bought at the Mercedes dealership the following:
4 quarts of Mobil One 5/40 full synthetic oil
Oil filter
Oil drain plug washer
3 NGK LKR78 spark plugs
Engine air filter
Cabin filter

My questions..
How much oil does it take for the change?
What is the spark plug gap suppose to be?
Do you recommend anything else at this mileage?

Thanks Gang!
Rob

 

[jwight]

3.7 quarts of engine oil.

There's DIY info on the smart USA website: https://www.smartusa.com/resources/downloads/howto/SMART_HOW-TO_OIL&FILTER.pdf

 

[doctorona]

3.7 quarts of engine oil.

There's DIY info on the smart USA website: https://www.smartusa.com/resources/downloads/howto/SMART_HOW-TO_OIL&FILTER.pdf

Thank you sir!
I also just read that the plug gap should be .35
Sound right?

 

[sokoloff]

Rob - suggest next time you drive right past the dealership to Walmart to buy your oil and one of the McParts stores for filters, etc. Dealer prices are pretty outrageous unless they sell to you at wholesale and even then they are pretty proud of their stuff.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 14,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 3,000 miles

 

[doctorona]

Rob - suggest next time you drive right past the dealership to Walmart to buy your oil and one of the McParts stores for filters, etc. Dealer prices are pretty outrageous unless they sell to you at wholesale and even then they are pretty proud of their stuff.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 14,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 3,000 miles

Ha!
I hear you Len..
I happen to be there to get a rear wiper gasket due to a leak.
It didn't seem like the prices were too bad, but I know what you mean

Rob

 

[doctorona]

Oh...
And the dealership wanted $300 to do the oil change and $200 to change the plugs..
So $500 for everything which includes parts...
Um, no thank you.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Oh...
And the dealership wanted $300 to do the oil change and $200 to change the plugs..
So $500 for everything which includes parts...
Um, no thank you.

Sadly, that sounds about right.
I just read on another post, a member was quoted $225 a hour labor rate at their MB dealer.
When you figure parts and MB dealer labor, that's in the ballpark.
Members may say it isn't a Mercedes it's a smart. Tell that to your wallet.

 

[stevenjb]

Oil w/ filter about $40. Spark plugs around $10 x 3 = $30. Take the car to an independent or do it yourself and treat your mother to dinner with the 'savings'.

Posted from Android using Tapatalk

 

[Miss Mercedes]

It’s a smart, by Mercedes.

Everyone else hit the nail on the head. The car takes 3.75 qts, plug gap .35, getting those parts from Wally World, and so on.

My personal suggestions are some modifications. For interior air filter, I take a dirt cheap home furnace filter, cut it to shape, then shove it into the cabin filter hole. The Owner’s Manual says that if the lever in that hole isn’t depressed then the HVAC system doesn’t work, but at least for my car that is a lie (I took the filter out entirely to test).

For some flair, hang an air freshener on the filter for invisible good smells.

The engine air filter doesn’t have to be the lame paper filter. Get a reusable filter (one of the ones not covered in oil) and all you’ll basically have to do is vacuum out the dirt on each oil change.

Don’t use that oil drain plug washer until you need it. I’ve been using the one that came with the car and it works just fine. It’s nice to keep the spare around just in case.

And finally, since the car is only getting 200 miles a year on it, check the condition of the belts. A snapped alternator belt can warp the engine before you even get the chance to react.

 

[MB DNA]

And the dealership wanted $300 to do the oil change and $200 to change the plugs..
So $500 for everything which includes parts...

Yes, you were quoted one of their "Gold Packages" that wrap up everything recommended by the milestone years/miles - includes stuff like key fob batteries and of course that FREE car wash!

As mentioned, M-B labor can often ramp up the cost but then again it is a German designed/French built rear engine exotic! You will soon note that there is not much room under that engine flap for hands and tools!

The car is beyond warranty, ask for and pay for only what you want and the car needs. You may want to check the battery as it is often overlooked until Murphy's Law sets in . . .

 

[smark]

Have fun with the 2008 airfilter cover. The plastic inlet pipe is very rigid. Use a hair dryer to heat it up. Then it will be easy to muscle off.
I bought a 24mm socket to remove the oil plug bolt. Put a breaker bar, on the end of a ratchet. To loosen the oil plug Bolt. Then later on got smarter. Jacked up right rear end. Easier access to the plug. Bought a long handled Craftmans ratchet wrench to break loose the Bolt. Oil filters you can buy at any auto supply. Even Walmart. I have several oil filter removal caps. The size cap, is slightly different size. On use with OEM filter, and some aftermarket ones. I just continued to use Mobil 1 filter. It is a little longer the OEM.

I highly recommend replacing the cabin airfilter. You can buy Fabreeze ones at Walmart. I used WIX. exact same as the OEM. Made in Israel too. Any Auto supply store carries them too. Bought my wiper replacement blade for smart. Comes a pack of 3. Even has installation pictures.
Seem to have a longer blade life.

I replaced the spark plugs myself. There a bugger to get to. 2 time, removed the rear tail gate, for easier access. Use anti seize lub, on plug treads before reinstalling.

There nothing exotic about working on a smart. Everything is just in tighter spaces. Pretty simple.

Have fun.

 

[doctorona]

Thank you all again!
I did find that Fabreeze cabin filter on Amazon.. got it ordered along with 3 wiper blades.
I might have a friend who owns a shop do the work since he has a car lift.. but I'm feeling I could do all this easily myself, like you mentioned, just tighter work area.

I did install the Yellow Top Optima battery last year.. I cant believe how under powered the stock one is! I would have to go out and start her car once a week or else it would die.
Since the Optima install, I can go a month or so.

Rob

 

[doctorona]

Oh and here's my game plan if I end up doing it..

1) Change cabin filter.

2) Change spark plugs out while engine is cold.

3) Start up and make sure no misfires, if not, go for short drive around neighborhood and double check while getting the engine oil nice and warm.

4) Come home and change engine air filter while letting oil cool a little bit. Hopefully warmer engine will make it easier to get inlet pipe off.

5) Change oil and filter. Start engine and check for leaks.

6) Have a beer and celebrate a good days work!

 

[Miss Mercedes]

You should be able to do all basic smart maintenance with only a set of ramps. If you live close to Chicago or Milwaukee I’ll drive out to you and do it for you/show you how! :3

 

[primostoy]

Plug gap: .035

 

[doctorona]

Update:
Competed everything today EXCEPT I couldn't get the 3rd sparkplug coil off!
All three of the coil bolts were very rusty and difficult to remove.. in fact, the third one ( furthest right ) the bolt had been already rounded off by previous owner.. I couldn't get it off.
The first two spark plugs looked great so I'm not too concern.
Also changed the oil and both air filters.. and all three wipers.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[mattwithcats]

Oil and filter...

Make sure that is Mobil 1 Euro, and not Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel oil.
Oil should meet MB 229.5 specifications

Castrol Edge and Pennzoil Euro can be found a Maul-Mart for around $25...
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-Platinum-Euro-0W-40-Motor-Oil-5-qt/163165881

I used the longer oil filter, a Fram 7317 or Purolator 14610...
Amount of oil then becomes exactly four quarts.

Cabin air filter can be found at Advanced Auto for $8.49, Carquest # 90223C.
Usually its in the back, check online for stores with inventory...
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/carquest-premium-cabin-air-filter-90223c/10708925-P?

Air filter and oil filter, (and cabin) can be found on Rock Auto for cheap.