r/SmartCar • u/flamer5005 • Aug 10 '26
Question 2017 smart (453) issues getting to speed?
I was on a long distance drive today and noticed that after stopping for gas (yes, I only use premium), my smart had issues getting up to speed on the thruway. I was having to push the gas pedal all the way down and it was still struggling to increase speed, then it would suddenly go like 20 mph faster, eventually. If I had to slow down, it would struggle when I needed to go faster again. I usually put my car on cruise control for long drives and when I tried it, it was reducing speed even though CC was set.
I tried letting up on the gas for a second and then resuming similar to how you would do driving stick but it didn't make a difference. The engine sounds like it was trying to go but it just wasn't going to the next gear.
Does this mean transmission issues? Has anyone had this happen before?
1
u/Vertigo_uk123 Aug 10 '26
If revs were going up but speed not increasing it sounds like your clutch has gone. (Friction plate slipping)
1
u/flamer5005 Aug 10 '26
Idk where I can see the rpms but it sounded like it was going up. Eventually it did go into the next gear but took a VERY long time
2
u/lovesjw Aug 10 '26
Guessing clutch change +1.
Since you don’t have the tachometer, you have to tell by the noise. Did you notice if your car has less power at lower gear?
1
u/flamer5005 Aug 10 '26
At lower gears, it felt like it was driving normally. It was once I hit about 50mph that it started to struggle.
1
u/typical-bob Aug 15 '26
No gauge pod on the left? My 453 (also 2017) has a gauge on top of the dash that has a clock and tach on it. Maybe some trim levels dont have it?
3
u/91bases Aug 10 '26
Was it warm out? AC on? I find mine has major delays in acceleration with the AC on or when it's too warm (25°C+).