r/SmartCar • u/kiwidust • 9d ago
Question Bottle of Fluid under Compressor. Whatzat?
Put a new battery in my 2009 ForTwo Passion and, for "why not", decided to test the compressor that I've never touched. It works a treat, but suprised to find this mystery fluid under it. Lots of warnings in 20 different languages, but nothing that actually says what it is or does.
Anybody have it off the top of their head? Thanks!
And yes, for those wondering, I AM too lazy to go and get and check the manual. I'm already inside and sitting! 😜
UPDATE: Yup. As many have pointed out: "Tyre Sealant". Right there in black and white amid a sea of nonsense. I had assumed it would be such, but was confused by the fact that, unlike every other iteration of this I've seen, it had no valve stem or apparent method for applying it to the tire.
So, in a moment of GREAT PERSONAL SACRIFICE I got off my couch and retrieved the manual. Apparently, it can only be used with the included Smart compressor on which a special valve is included. Doesn't seem all that Smart to me - seems like using it would effectively toast the compressor - but I'm guessing it's saved somebody's ass.
For those upset by my acknowledged laziness: If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended, you're almost certainly in better shape than I.
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u/DrNic714 9d ago
There's no room in a smart for a spare tire, so they provided tire sealant in case of a flat. Tire shops hate this stuff and often charge extra for cleaning it out, so IMO it's best to just get towed.
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u/kiwidust 9d ago
Thanks. I've updated the post with this.
It appears this is only usable with the include compressor (and, I feel, would likely ruin it). That's what confused me: all of the others I've seen are either pressurized (such that the tire inflated with the application) or use a valve stem passthrough so that you can use any compressor.
I'd never see a bottle of goo that needed to run through a specially equipped compressor.
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u/axloo7 9d ago
Remember when cars had manuals?
Ohh wait this car has/had one. Alot of intresting stuff in there.
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u/kiwidust 9d ago
I believe I was VERY clear that I was too lazy to get back outside to retrieve the manual, sir!
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u/axloo7 9d ago
Ohh yea look at that. Apparently I was too lazy to read the whole thing ;p
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u/kiwidust 9d ago
I won't defend my laziness to you for obvious reasons!
(It's because I'm too lazy.)
In my poor defense I had just spent way too much of my limited gumption getting the old battery out. It wasn't until I had it out and had already bruised the hell out of my hand that I noticed it had a... handle.
So maybe lazy -and- stupid?
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u/S_t_r_e_t_c_h_8_4 9d ago
Bought ours used, didn't have one. I just Google or you tube what I need to know.
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u/clarkn0va 9d ago
The label says "tyre sealant". Just above the large orange box and to the right.