[Stoked]

I got a long overdue oil change today. I'm familiar with the oil change countdown numbers that are on the speedometer display screen. And I successfully reset that myself after my oil change.

But a few days ago, before the oil change, I got a solid double wrench symbol, with the words "Service Required". Nothing was blinking, no other symbols displayed. But when I moved my car out of Park, the D, the N, and the R would continuously flash, depending on what one I was using. This "Service Required" text stays on the main screen with the two solid wrenches. I thought it would be fixed once I got an oil change, but it wasn't.

My car seems to be running fine. No problems whatsoever. knock on wood, so I'm not sure what this is.
I did the whole "reteach the gear thing", and the gear indicator still flashed with the "Service Required" text up. I tried to do the service indicator light reset again, to get ride of the wrenches, but no budge.

I referred to the manual, and it stated to perform listed service, but it doesn't say what that is.

I'm at 35,000 miles on my 2013 Smart, and in the last month I've replaced my spark plugs, changed my oil, replaced my air filter, and changed my break pads.

Anyone know what the problem could be? I don't own one of those code readers. Would my local auto zone do it for me free of charge?

I'm hoping its just a service milestone reminder, and maybe a dealership has to reset it for me using a program or special computer?

 

[jwight]

AutoZone should scan it for free. I think the owners manual references the flashing gear letters....

 

[colin555]

You can do a service reset yourself, on the 451 it is a bit of a horror as you must time the press of buttons exactly, or it does not work. Used to take me about three attempts to reset LOL

Service reset video

 

[Bob Ricewasser]

If you are referring to the double wrench symbols, it mean a major service is like changing your spark plugs and the air & cabin filters, etc. You can just reset the service reminder as demonstrated in the video. This should erase the wrench symbols. Remember to turn the key back on to Pos. #1 before releasing the cluster knob.

 

[Stoked]

I picked up one of those code readers today, and luckily no codes popped up, so I'm guessing the "service required" and blinking gear shift symbols are because It was time for a major service milestone procedure?
Which I've already done myself.
I still can't seem to get that pesky "Service Required" warning off tho.
It just keeps resetting my odometer to the 10,000 countdown for my new oil change, so I know that I'm doing the reset steps right, but it just won't make the thing I want to disappear, disappear!
Do I have to go to a MB dealership to have them reset it through the computer?
The service required text doesn't bother me, its the flashing gear shifts D symbol that drives my crazy while I'm driving haha.

 

[gtdump]

I picked up one of those code readers today, and luckily no codes popped up, so I'm guessing the "service required" and blinking gear shift symbols are because It was time for a major service milestone procedure?

Unfortunately not all scanners can read the same data. Most of the cheaper scanners can read and clear OBDII codes, but in most newer cars (last decade or so) have extended diagnostics and error reporting above and beyond basic OBDII. The 451 Smart fortwo uses canbus for communications between various subsystems and you will need a reader capable of reading and clearing canbus to see many of the reported errors and to do additional diagnostics.

 

[Shalmaneser64]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scanner that will read and clear codes on the 451?

 

[jwight]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scanner that will read and clear codes on the 451?

I just bought this one: MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER OBD II DIAGNOSTIC MULTI SYSTEMS SRS MBII iCARSOFT i980 | eBay

Haven't checked it out yet, but the seller says "It will enable you to read and clear diagnostic faults from main systems within your Mercedes such as SRS airbags, ABS Antilock Brakes, engine & transmission modules. It will also allow you to read live data in real time format." Will know more once I've tested it.

 

[gtdump]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scanner that will read and clear codes on the 451?

I bought the iCarsoft MB v2.0 (not the MBII). It is functional and, for the price, effective. My only regret is not buying a more advanced and general tool which can deal with the other cars that I deal with from time to time. If this is the only car you're working on and you don't want to spend a lot, the iCarsoft works well enough. If you work on other cars or want more features then you might be better served looking at other scanners.

 

[Stoked]

I actually bought a pretty expensive code reader that can read and clear the codes you were talking about.
Heres a picture of my dash with the symbol pop up.
It's a solid 2 wrenches. The only thing that is flashing is the gear shift symbols while in use (except for P symbol)
2013 Smart Fortwo, 35,000 miles.

 

[colin555]

That double spanner symbol (major service instead of minor service) should reset with the reset method above, no idea why its still there. I bought a cheap OBII code reader and reset off ebay for $10, the reason its cheap is it only gives the code number and you have to go on the internet webpages to find what the code means. I have found it very useful on my 451 and also my 453 to sort faults and reset engine management light. I bought it on UK ebay but being made in China, like everything LOL, it will likely be on usa ebay or elsewhere. It a maxiscan ms309...

 

[gtdump]

I actually bought a pretty expensive code reader that can read and clear the codes you were talking about.
Heres a picture of my dash with the symbol pop up.
It's a solid 2 wrenches. The only thing that is flashing is the gear shift symbols while in use (except for P symbol)
2013 Smart Fortwo, 35,000 miles.

Does it return any error codes when you scan the canbus? On mine the double wrenches go away when I fix the issue and clear the codes from the affected subsystem(s)

 

[AztroRover]

I had to disconnect my battery for 15. Then do the reset procedure before mine would go away after servicing. I couldn’t figure out the reset method, but read that it would work after and it did.

 

[colin555]

Yes, as said above the service reset on the 451 is awful as its time dependent, as in timing the button presses, and if your out slightly it does not work. At least with the 453 it is a lot simpler, go to the service message display, hold the Ok button to reset, keep holding it down till it stops flashing and resets, very simple, which it should be.

 

[sokoloff]

Door open, door closed, disconnect/reconnect battery, close one eye, wear a red shirt, etc. - none of those things work. If you happened to do one of those things and the thing reset, it's just because you had the timing right and nothing else. It can be really frustrating even if you have done it many times. Here is what works for me and frankly not always the first time.

1. Turn key to position 1

2. While the cluster is still saying "Smart," double click the button
to bring up the maintenance indicator.

3. Release the button and turn the key off.

4. Quickly press and hold the button and turn the key back to position
1. This is while the cluster still has the maintenance reminder on.

5. Hold the button in until it resets to 10K.

6. Worked for me!!

Good luck. Damn that was frustrating.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 20,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 18,000 miles

 

[WhiteNBlack08]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good scanner that will read and clear codes on the 451?

I bought a Bluedriver OBDII reader for my android phone. It reads most of the smart's systems. I had a similar issue with my '08 a month ago. But I lost 1st and 3rd gear. Would not reset with the reteach. I went home, got out my Bluedriver, reset a generic drivetrain code, then did the reteach, and it's been perfect ever since.

The flashing PRND symbol means it had a drivetrain fault. Like was mentioned above, most generic scanners can't read them. The Bluedriver not only reads and clears them, but you can monitor a bunch of live data on the smart while you drive!

 

[WhiteNBlack08]

https://www.amazon.com/BlueDriver-LSB2-Bluetooth-iPhone-Android/dp/B00652G4TS/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=oQkq-qplOu0auhDlQ3z4Sg&hsa_cr_id=9483858770101&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle

This is the one I have...