[Nikosmart]

Does anyone know which direction to turn the lug bolts to remove the wheels on a 2015 smart fortwo passion? I can't budge ANY of them with a 15mm deep socket and 1/2 inch drive. Could a tire dealer take them off for me? They are incredibly tight. Never owned a car ever that had such tight lug bolts/nuts. If I knew which way they turned to remove them, I wouldn't be so worried about breaking the head off. The owners manual doesn't even tell you this little tidbit of valuable information! If I can get these off, I am going to replace them with 17mm. I can understand them not providing a jack, but no lug wrench or directions to remove the wheel in case of a flat or tire replacement? Shameful...

 

[Smart Bob]

Counter clockwise.

 

[stevenjb]

Lefty loosey, Righty tighty.

Sent from Tapatalk on Android

 

[Niteshooter]

As others have mentioned, I usually use a torque wrench as many shops seem to want to use an impact gun and torque the nuts on so tight it's very difficult to loosen them. Good to ask though, just in case.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I use a breaker bar, though I may have to step on it for it to work, it always works every time.

 

[sokoloff]

Tighten them to the proper torque once you get them loose - breaker bar is the ticket. I always ask a tire shop to hand torque the lug nuts. And even then, when I get home I recheck the torque. I'm just guessing here based on other Mercedes, but a torque of about 110nm ought to be about right.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 12,500 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 1,500 miles

 

[Blaine]

I use a traditional long handled torque wrench and it gives enough leverage that the bolts will loosen / tighten. I also use my electric drill to do most of the bolt spinning, but do set the drill's clutch to a low value and finish tightening with the torque wrench.

And if your wrench is an antiquated imperial version: 110 Nm is 81 ft lbs

 

[vadsoom]

If you can't get the lug nuts off, someone put them on WAY too tight. This can cause lots of problems. If the brakes get really hot and you hit a puddle, the thermal shock alone can warp your rotors causing a shaking sensation when applying the brakes. Additionally, not being able to get the tire off on the side of a busy highway can be deadly - frustrated people sometimes do dumb things.

If I catch a mechanic torquing lugs on with an air wrench not equipped with a torque limiting bar, I tell them they are now responsible for replacing my warped brake rotors.

That bring said, any time anyone but me looks at my cars, I loosen and retorque using my wrench.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Does anyone know which direction to turn the lug bolts to remove the wheels on a 2015 smart fortwo passion? I can't budge ANY of them with a 15mm deep socket and 1/2 inch drive. Could a tire dealer take them off for me? They are incredibly tight. Never owned a car ever that had such tight lug bolts/nuts. If I knew which way they turned to remove them, I wouldn't be so worried about breaking the head off. The owners manual doesn't even tell you this little tidbit of valuable information! If I can get these off, I am going to replace them with 17mm. I can understand them not providing a jack, but no lug wrench or directions to remove the wheel in case of a flat or tire replacement? Shameful...

It is counter clockwise to loosen the lug bolts. Always good to ask though.
Some 70's Chrysler's and GM's had clockwise loosen lug nuts on the drivers side only and standard counter clockwise loosen on the passenger side. Lefty loosey, Righty tighty isn't always true.

 

[jzchen]

It is counter clockwise to loosen the lug bolts. Always good to ask though.
Some 70's Chrysler's and GM's had clockwise loosen lug nuts on the drivers side only and standard counter clockwise loosen on the passenger side. Lefty loosey, Righty tighty isn't always true.

I've heard of this, but I guess am too young to have seen one.

I vote counter clockwise.

 

[Nikosmart]

Len,
The owner's manual says 80 foot pounds. I finally located a torque wrench and a quality 15 mm deep socket and was able to remove ALL of the lug bolts. I replaced each with some 17mm chrome ones, and added the McGard wheel locks, also 17mm. Now the wheels look really spiffy. I have the Brabus wheels, and the chrome lug bolts really set them off. Now I am trying to find a DOME LIGHT that is bright enough to see by and that DIMS. I bought one at Auto Zone and it was too long for the dome light housing. Anybody have any ideas about this? TIA for any info. Nick

 

[Smart Bob]

Smartmadness has a real bright domelight bulb replacement that consists of a number of LED's. Cost is around $50.00 plus s/h. Go to their website to check it out. This is the only solution that I have found to satisfactorily improve the brightness of the factory dome light.

 

[Nikosmart]

Vadsoom,


I was using a borrowed 15mm socket that had seen a few better years. I purchased a quality deep socket 15mm and borrowed a friends torque wrench with extension 1/2 inch drive. The lug bolts came off fairly easily when I had the proper tools for the job. I have since changed those itty bitty lug bolts with 17mm in chrome and a set of McGard wheel locks, also chromed. They are somewhat larger, and now much easier to remove. Only one gave me a bit of resistance, but it was getting rusty so had to gently break it loose. All of the others came out no problem. The new bolts are beefier and really look sharp on the Brabus wheels. I set the torque for 80 foot pounds, per the owner's manual.

 

[Nikosmart]

Hey Bob,
Does this light actually DIM also? I have read where some of these LED lights "glow" even when off. Not good. Maybe the one you have doesn't do this? I found a Cree lamp by Sylvania that looks really bright, but don't know about the glow issue with it.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

Hey Bob,
Does this light actually DIM also? I have read where some of these LED lights "glow" even when off. Not good. Maybe the one you have doesn't do this? I found a Cree lamp by Sylvania that looks really bright, but don't know about the glow issue with it.

What didn't like about the glowing?

 

[jzchen]

The issue with the LEDs glowing after the car has been turned off....

 

[Smart Bob]

I have two of these light in each in both our 08 & 09 smart cars. They do not dim. They come on when the doors or tailgate are open or with the dome light switch. They do not glow when the lamp is supposed to be off.

 

[sokoloff]

Len,
The owner's manual says 80 foot pounds.
Nick

80 foot pounds is 110 newton meters. Glad you got it sorted out.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 12,500 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 1,600 miles

 

[jimvw57]

You can pick up a inexpensive torque wrench and a socket at Harbor freight for less than $15, not the best quality but it will do the job, and leave it in the car. I picked one up during one of their sale for about 6 bucks. cheaper than a breaker bar!

 

[OliverB]

And for those new to torque wrenches, don’t forget to adjust them back to their low end after each use so they remain accurate.