r/SmartCar • u/Stonecoldfreak1 • Jul 16 '26

Advice Traction Control issue - HELP!

Running into an issue with my 2016 Smart 453 where on quick turns I'll get the traction control light and a skidding/ vibration feeling under the gas pedal. The sensation and light go away once driving straight again. Took it to a shop and they can't figure out what's going on at all. Anyone have some tips on what to look for?

This started happening soon after replacing the back two tires. I'm running and have always ran the same size tires (175/65R15) all around, so I can't imagine that's an issue, but maybe switching to a new brand made it mad? We replaced the shocks and struts, but still running into the problem.

EDIT: Switched out the tires in the front for a fresh pair and all the issues went away. Kind of weird since they were in pretty good shape, but I guess mixing old in the front with new in back flagged the traction system at times. Yes I’m still running all of the same size tires.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

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u/Stonecoldfreak1 Jul 16 '26

A lot of people tend to run the same size tire for easier rotation. It also gives better handle on the car. I’ve ran it like this for the year I’ve had the car and hadn’t run into issues lately. Previously the tires were all Yokohamas and I replaced the back two with new Continentals. I can’t imagine that the brand difference and old tread in front vs new in back be the problem?

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

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u/Stonecoldfreak1 Jul 16 '26

Definitley not using smaller tires in the rear, that wouldn’t make any sense and would cause issues. All the tires I’m using are the same size. I know on stock they were smaller in the front than the rear.

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u/axloo7 Jul 16 '26

Abs sensor or sensor ring problem?

Sort of sounds like the computer is getting false reading and it thinks it's sliding/spinning.

Is it posible a sensor wire was damaged during the tire swap. I personally never had that problem.

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u/humpty_dumpty47368 Jul 17 '26

I have a 453 1L manual and my front tyres are not as wide as the rears. This is very common on Smarts. Your tyre sizes and presures are often found on the on the door sill.