abbyfireguy

Amazingly the honking horn while activating the downshift paddle worked! We will see how long that lasts.

My paddle downshift has decided to take a vacation from normal operation. I will try the horn honking reset today,but, am anticipating switch/ contact cleaning. This would involve battery disconnect and steering wheel removal. Any suggestions to make the process smoother would be appreciated. And yes, I will wait for 10 minutes after battery disconnect before steering wheel removal. That's my 36 years as a firefighter coming out,don't want an airbag going off in my face! I think my steering wheel takes a T40 bolt removal to get the wheel off??

Still looking for a Star Machne member.Stickman,when are you coming through here?

The car already has a block heater,but that drain plug looks like just the ticket. Will try and source a weld in plug. My friend is an accomplished TIG welder..

I am looking to possibly change out the oil pan on my 2005 CDI to one that actually has a drain plug. Not thrilled with sucking out the oil and leaving a bit of the crappy oil in there.Poor design for proper and thorough maintenance in my humble opinion. Is there a replacement pan with a plug available? Thanks, Steve

Howdy all, I have a new spare key on the way, was wondering if there are any other options for getting it programmed at somewhere else than the dealership. Didn't like only having one key... I live in Abbotsford ..

I thought with plastic parts silicone grease was what was used. Petroleum based grease can be hard on plastic parts. So, take it out or not,, so far it's been interesting tinkering on this little beast. Would like to get all the checks and service items done before letting my daughter loose with it..

Howdy folks, Still tinkering on the new Smarty. Thought to lube the clutch actuator properly. Is it best to remove the actuator to clean and lube it. Seems odd to just pull back the rubber boot and spray silicone grease into the unit randomly..Also would this also allow the shift fork end to be propery lubed with a bit of the acceptable lube? Got another month or so to cover all the usual points of concern before my daughter needs the car. Thanks, Steve

Yup that's the one.. Reasonably priced and easy to find.

It went out this morning.

Soaked with penetrating oil for two days. Started up the car and ran it till operating temps were reached . Plugs came out slick, didn't look too bad. Only very light soot. New ones slipped in smooth . Light goes out shortly after starting and stays out. Will try and reset the check engine light tomorrow when I get my OBD code reader back from my kid. Had dreams of snapping one off in the block. Thank goodness that didn't happen..

First post, I have recently become a new Smart Car owner. The smallest diesel in the fleet. A 97 Dodge Ram cummins,a VW Golf TDI and now a 2005 Smart diesel. Do all my own wrenching and modifications. I have a glow plug light that stays on and a P0380 code. Bought 3 new glow plugs(NGK ones). The ohms on the new ones are all 1.2 . Is that in the normal range for new items? Thanks for input. There are some good threads about replacing these little buggers. I will be very careful. Don't want any broken plugs!.,

Just bought 2005 Smart cdi diesel. Got some issues,hopefully minor. Worked out a few already. Got the car for my daughter and her hubby to buzz around town and get to college . I will have some fun with the car till July when they need it. Should have all the little issues worked out by then. Looking forward to learning more about the Smarty here. Steve