I realized this morning that the novelty (or more likely, my own lack of knowledge) of the Smart's rear-mounted 996cc three-cylinder engine was keeping me from checking the oil. So this morning, I went around the back of the car and ripped up the carpet, determined to engage in this gratifyingly simple act of basic car maintenance.
First order of business was to unscrew the metal panel over the engine compartment (shown above). There's only one screw, and there's a handy plastic tab on it, so no screwdriver needed.
Then, I moved the panel out of the way, but still had to hold up the carpet and padding, which seems to be fairly permanently attached. Seeing the three-cylinder engine for the first time was a pretty unceremonious occasion. However, the engine looks exactly as I expected it to -- based on how it sounds and feels under hard acceleration.
Getting the dipstick in and out is easy, because it's right up front and the tube is nice and straight. The dipstick is completely made of plastic, meaning a Smart hater could have snatched it from my hand and snapped it in two. Thankfully, none of you were in the area at the time.
After replacing the engine cover, I came to what's probably the most annoying step in the process: having to stuff the carpet piece back under the cheap plastic trim pieces.
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor @ 8,327 miles
crowb says:
12:18 PM, 08/21/08
I think its been said before, but Erin, you have very nice hands.
canadaphant says:
12:22 PM, 08/21/08
Well, that's not creepy at all. The 'carpet tucking' is a little unimpressive there, but after wrestling with the different tops, fasteners and plugs in my brother's wrangler, it doesn't seem like a huge deal.
dougtheeng says:
12:40 PM, 08/21/08
online-hand stalking?
crowb says:
01:10 PM, 08/21/08
Awww man, you guys are going to break my balls like that? :)
eidolways says:
01:34 PM, 08/21/08
Yes. Yes, we are.
7driver says:
01:40 PM, 08/21/08
You sure that's a screw holding the cover down and not something like a Dzus fastener? If it's really the former and not the latter, then that's mega-chintzy.
cruiserhead1 says:
02:08 PM, 08/21/08
Oh boy, all-plastic dipstick is great. Once the heat breaks it down some, you will have nice pieces of plastic in your oil.
I like these posts that show the "real world" items, it gives some insight that people forget about until several months/years into ownership
the "nice hands" comments are creepy. This is Edmunds, not eHarmony
subytrojan says:
02:09 PM, 08/21/08
No, crowb. Your wife will do that for us.
tantan73 says:
02:22 PM, 08/21/08
"Oh boy, all-plastic dipstick is great. Once the heat breaks it down some, you will have nice pieces of plastic in your oil."
Yet another example as to why this car is destined to the Automotive Hall of Shame.
Isn't this a Mercedes Product?
stingray454 says:
02:26 PM, 08/21/08
You would be surprised how much plastic is inside today's engines, exposed to massive amounts of heat and oil. I'm talking about valvetrain components (guides and keepers), intake manifolds, seals, even radiator components which are under heat and pressure.
As long as the right type of plastic is used and quality materials are used, it's not a problem.
Albert Austria says:
02:36 PM, 08/21/08
I told Erin to get some Mechanix gloves so we can stop this nonsense.
edubya says:
03:04 PM, 08/21/08
"The dipstick is completely made of plastic, meaning a Smart hater could have snatched it from my hand and snapped it in two."
Ha! Good line.
I imagine the car will shimmy itself to pieces in a few years without any help from any of us haters.
cruiserhead1 says:
04:19 PM, 08/21/08
Erin,
is it possible to do basic maintenance on the Smart? air filter, plugs, belts, oil, trans fluids, etc
I think I see the air filter on the left of the first pic with what looks like two big resonators to keep the crappy engine noise from making a crappy sucking sound as well...
crowb says:
06:17 AM, 08/22/08
Subytrojan - "No, crowb. Your wife will do that for us."
You must know her...
Eidolways - "Yes. Yes, we are."
I hate you guys. Screw you guys, I'm going home.
:)
cjasis says:
10:30 AM, 08/22/08
I want to like the Smart but the more I read about it (esp. here on IL), the more I am realizing how silly the car actually is.
I simply can't imagine buying Smart over a Fit.
carfreak8394 says:
12:48 PM, 08/23/08
"I simply can't imagine buying Smart over a Fit."
cjasis,
you're very right, and I agree. However, have you seen the 2009 Fit? Almost 19,000 dollars for a fully loaded one! Yes, I realize it comes with navigation and stability control, and all of that kind of stuff, but 19,000?! I'll take a Fit Sport without navigation for 17,000, please.
Tim.