JohnOneVerseOneThroughFour

$4500.00, Fergus, Ontario, Grandstyle, beautiful shape, dark green body panels, power glass sunroof, beige heated leather seats, automatic shifting, paddle shifters, new tires, extra set of wheels, O.E.M. bike carrier (missing some hardware), A/C (condenser needs replacement), (struts holding back window up need replacement). Fuel average Dec. 2017 to present 4 L/100 km., diesel engine not consuming oil between oil changes (change every 5000 km) using O.E.M. Mercedes 5W40 oil. Service papers from previous owners. Will safety. Ontario car throughout its service life. Contact: Matthew Ottaway, email: 71mmmottaway@gmail.com.

Victoria Star Motors confirmed that the turbo was overboosting the engine and advised that I replace the turbocharger! $$$ Upon speaking with the mechanic, I asked him why he didn't check the wastegate to see if it was seized. He agreed to try and work it free, (if I signed a form not holding him responsible if bits of carbon accidentally blew into the turbo). To make the story shorter, the turbo works beautifully. I've got full power back all the time! Now that I understand how simple the procedure is, I'll lubricate the wastegate every year or two with black graphite as preventative maintenance. Thanks Mr. Olsen, for saving me a pile of money.

To err on the safe side I run Shell Premium Diesel in my Smart. That fuel is winter ready, higher cetane, injector cleaner, and lubricant to keep the expensive fuel pump lasting longer. On a round trip from Fergus to Toronto and back I am seeing fuel mileage of 4.5 to 3.8 Litres per 100 km, or 62 to 74 mpg. The other bonus with this fuel is I can start the car at minus 7 Celsius without waiting on the glow plugs-- so you can add to the life of the glow plugs with higher cetane.

The 2006 Smart C.D.I. comes with the block heater as standard equipment. The manual specifies plugging in the car 2 hours in advance for temperatures just below 0 degrees Celsius. For temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, plug the car in 3 hours in advance. An electrical timer is handy. Having a battery heating blanket is an excellent idea, about 80 watts. When the battery is warm it can throw out full current as it would in the summer time. When the battery is warm, it is able to accept a rapid charge right away from the alternator. If a battery is very cold, it can resist being charged by the alternator for half an hour, if I recall correctly. Everything is working against a battery in the cold. Heating the battery and engine means everything to longevity and sure starts. In fact, when the car is plugged in (block heater & battery warmer) for the prescribed time, I can twist the key straight to start without waiting for the glow-plugs and the engine fires right up. That saves your glow plugs life! Once a month I plug a trickle charger onto my battery and plug in the battery warmer at the same time just to make sure it is 'topped up.'

Thank you, Mr. T. Olsen, for your prompt reply. I'll check into those areas mentioned.

I have experienced turbo boost cut-out in temperatures around minus 19 degrees Celsius on three occasions. Can the intercooler ice up? Boost cuts out abruptly, and will not come back on until the car is town-driven (stop and go). Prolonged driving on the 400 series highway (Guelph to London) or (Guelph to Toronto) does not bring turbo back on line. On January 7th, minus 19 Celsius, turbo cut out on steep hill on hwy 25 running at 85 km/h in 5th gear. Turbo stayed off all the way into Toronto. Car sat (engine off) for 2 hours. Plenty of boost getting onto 401 westbound at Weston Road (300 metre entrance lane) (rising from 35 km/h to 100 km/h in about the given distance) outdoor temperature now up to minus 9, fair headwind all the way back to Guelph, sixth gear, fair amount of boost required to maintain 100 km/h and no cut out of boost. Anyone else who has lack of boost that seems to be severe temperature related?