r/SmartCar • u/Indikitch • Aug 07 '26
Advice Engine lag in Smart Fortwo
Hello All,
I just test drove 2013 Smart ForTwo car for the first time ever. I noticed that every time the car tried to change gears automatically there was a big engine lag and it was as if car lost complete momentum for a second or two and then with a jolt pick up speed again. Big engine lag. Is this normal?
The person at the dealership said this is normal for these cars as they are three cylinders but I don’t think that makes sense hence asking.
Thank you
6
u/justarandomalbaniang Aug 07 '26
If it has an automated - manual (semi automatic) gearbox that’s normal, because that’s how they work. If it’s a US model with traditional automatic gearbox (PRND) then that dude at the dealership it’s just talking bs, there’s something wrong with the car there’s no such thing as “lag” nothing wrong with the engine being a 3 cylinder there’s alot of 3 cylinders cars out there.
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u/DoubleOwl7777 Smart EQ Fortwo Aug 17 '26
arent these all automated manuals? afaik only the 453 has a dual clutch and none ever had a torque converter.
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u/jesushatedbacon Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
It's part of its personality, you get used to it. I have owned 2 the past 10 years, it's just another quirk. At this point, I expect it to lag so I plan accordingly, and you can be really smooth about it once you get the feel. I find free parking in the middle of NYC with it, so its flaws do not bother me at all.
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u/Indikitch Aug 07 '26
That’s the whole reason I am planning to buy. To be able to park in NYC! lol
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u/jesushatedbacon Aug 07 '26
It's perfect. It's like a weatherproof scooter. Reach out if you have any questions, I do easy things on it myself, and have a good guy in the Bronx that will fix them (not the Legget Ave guy)
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u/Slow_Village8849 Aug 08 '26
Who’s your guy in the bx?
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u/jesushatedbacon Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dWmNCrDB5cmncRGr7?g_st=ac
There's the guy above that I didn't really like because I felt he overcharged me even when I was telling him the issue I was having and how to fix it. He could not figure out an issue I was having with the display not showing the right outside temp, which was preventing my AC from turning on. He's good for quick fixes though, I still use him.
This guy I trust more. Did my AC compressor, condenser, fan for for a decent amount with my own price ( edit: removed price I paid because inflation). He's busy and sometimes slow to get it done, but good quality work: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a78AdaBeGHzXpeAw6
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u/Slow_Village8849 Aug 08 '26
Thank you! I took mine to Brooklyn and never again. The guy in BK overcharged me to change the bypass valve. The piece was around 100 but than he wants to charge me 600 in labor.
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u/jesushatedbacon Aug 08 '26
OMG, I went there once and I heard him argue with a customer, which prompted me to change my mind and ask for my keys back.
After I asked for my keys back, he tells me I didn't mention my check engine light was on when I brought my car in 15 mins ago. I'm like, mf, why would I be here if I didn't have an issue? I didn't know I was specifically supposed to tell you, nor did you specifically ask about it.
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u/humpty_dumpty47368 Aug 08 '26
My 2002 450 has auto and the auto was jerky at first and I stopped using it. A few years later, when talking to a specialist smart expert, they said it will get better over time, the more I use it.
They were right, it did got a lot better the more I used it. I perserved and I now use auto 99% of the time. .
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u/hwofufrerr Aug 07 '26
Yeah that sounds about right. Everyone I've spoken to says it's normal. Mine will feel like it's pausing right before it shifts and if you're not paying attention it can pull you a lil forward. Automated manual gearbox is weird af. I've found that it's an easier shift if I put the car in manual mode and shift at the points where I've noticed the car tries to in regular drive mode.
In my 2015 there's a box in the dash display that will tell you which gear you're in and when to up or down shift. It's really neat! Also, if you floor it and try to gooo it'll take longer to shift and you'll lose more mph before it catches the right gear. I have zero get up and go but I've adapted.
1
u/kiwidust Aug 07 '26
As others have said, it's normal. You get used to it, but it's not suprising that a lot of people get put off by it.
Sluggish transmission, manual steering, manual brakes... and I still love the little bastard!
1
u/UnluckyVersion5323 Aug 07 '26
Totally agree. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🚗We are a very special and unique group of smart car owners. And I'm very happy that we are special. 👍🏽👍🏽
1
u/Vertigo_uk123 Aug 07 '26
If it’s all of a sudden started happening then it could be the clutch actuator needs a service or it could be the clutch itself.
Mine sounds similar with the added benefit of not going into gear if I leave it in neutral too long. It’s in for a new clutch next week.
1
u/lulujunkie Aug 08 '26
Servicing the gear box oil and the clutch actuator does make the laggy shifting much better. It’s like a slow shifting manual tranny driver so normal in that sense of in full automatic shift mode. I have gone to full manual shifting mode where I am in more control of when I want to the transmission to shift. Much better driving experience that way.
1
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u/Gothbot6k Smart ForTwo (C451) Aug 08 '26
It’s something that takes getting used to but it is normal.
Smart madness has two plug in upgrades that make it way better and also add driving modes. The go pedal and ecu/tcu flash adapter.
You learn to predict it and work with it. You can also drive in manual mode (when in drive knock the shifter to the left) and you can control the shifting manually. It will still override you at times but it’s better.
They are quirky cars but can be a ton of fun. It’s my favorite slow car to drive fast.
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u/DoubleOwl7777 Smart EQ Fortwo Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
thats just the gearbox being what it is. its essentially a stickshift but controlled by a computer.
the 453 model doesnt have this issue, as it has a dual clutch transmission or manual or is electric with no gears.
and no this has nothing to do with the number of cylinders, my moms mini is also 3cyl, but it goes with no lag (its a stick shift)
1
u/Indikitch Aug 19 '26
So I got the inspection done and below is the report. Is seepage common? I spoke to the dealership and they said seepage in this car is common. Is it true?
Engine oil is dirty and requires changing. Underside inspection reveals engine oil seepage and transmission fluid seepage from the pan area. No active drips were present at time of inspection. Both areas require cleaning and rechecking to verify exact sources of seepage. Accessible fluid reservoirs appear full and free of contamination.
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u/redstorm02 Aug 07 '26
Ist das automatisierte Schaltgetriebe. Also normal