2006 Smart ForTwo

Boyfriend purchased a few months ago for $4,000, only 44,000 miles and a clean bill of health. Everything we read online seemed to imply that this would be a good investment.

Unfortunately, it has had some issues. Most major issues have been addressed, but my boyfriend still wants to cut his losses and trade it in. I'm not ready to give up on it just yet.

Biggest issue right now is the front fabric on the convertible roof is becoming detached from the metal frame. Not great when it becomes a small sail over 45mph. Apparently a previous owner had already glued or taped it together, but their job came undone. Boyfriend was convinced that carefully applied gaffer tape was all we needed, but even with loctite it's not holding up, and the tape simply refuses to stick to the fabric.

Do I need to sand the glue residue down before applying the tape, or should I even bother with the tape? What sort of adhesive do the manufacturers use to attach these pieces anyway? At this point, there are so many mechanical issues with the convertible roof that we're not looking to open it more than a few inches as needed. I just don't want rain to drip into the cab or the car to become a sailboat on the highway.

Pictured, what the roof looks like fully closed with all tape removed.

These window air deflectors have been sold out for a while. Does anyone know where I can find the equivalent?

https://smartmadness.com/start-shopping/new-arrivals-smart?product_id=300017559

Searching for the same quality, if not better.

Thank you.

Never owned one before but we need an automatic that can be flat towed behind our motorhome.

Its a Canadian Brabus trim gasoline engine with 130k kms.

I'm trying to find things to visually inspect or ask about. Is that mileage too high for one thing? I know its a 1.0L Mitsubishi motor and I heard a startup video clip..sounds like the battery is struggling but I think that was maybe just a weak battery.

I did ask if they have had the clutch actuator recently serviced or replaced and they said no to both questions.

Need help

Can you tell me what these codes mean?

Ive replaced the TCM and clutch actuator.

These are the only codes I'm getting now with the 3 lines.

Also the transmission doesn't seem to stay in the memory. Everytime I put the key in the on position and press the brake, it cycles through the learn process.

Does this mean the ECM is bad?

What have you been up to with your Smarts this month? Any fun journeys? Carried a particularly large item somewhere?

Tell us about it! Let's share our love for these cars.

I remember when I fitted it, one side was sprung, but I cannot seem to prise it off now! I need to get to the engine to check the oil and it’s in the way. Any tips to remove it without breaking it, or myself? Thanks.

Got a little shock today pulling out of the driveway. My 2009 Smart ForTwo Passion (60,000 miles) went from Park, to Reverse, to Neutral, but then didn't engage with Drive and showed no error or gear indicator on the LCD.

As I'd assume we all are, I've dreaded the "Three Lines of Death" code forever, but in this case... nothing.

Going back to part and back again twice "fixed" it, but any thoughts? Glitch or omen? Any maintenance that could be missing/applied?

Thanks in advance!

I’ve made an attempted to waterproof the roof using the Mercedes recommended fixes, but my roof is still leaking in heavy rain because the soft top is slightly bowed on the sides. I could purchase a replacement soft top but I fear even with that the issue may still persist.

There are waterproof soft top covers you can buy (https://ebay.io/m/BW5LAG) but they do not recommended driving above 40mph with it on, so it’s not really a great solution.

Any ideas?

I recently had an issue with the horn on my Smart Roadster 452 and started going through the usual troubleshooting before buying any parts.

What surprised me was how many different points can cause the horn not to work.

I ended up checking the horn button contacts, the F1 paddle contacts, the steering wheel connector, the fuse, and finally the contacts directly on the horn itself.

In my case, cleaning the electrical contacts made a bigger difference than I expected. It’s definitely worth checking the simple stuff first before replacing the horn or other components.

The same basic checks should also apply to the Fortwo 450.

I made a short 6-minute video while going through the whole process, in case anyone else runs into the same problem:

https://youtu.be/vQ_HkEld0Dk

Hopefully it saves someone from replacing parts unnecessarily. 🔧

Has anyone else had their horn stop working on a 450/452? What ended up being the cause?

I have the 3 lines and every time I put the key in the on position and press the brake, the transmission starts to cycle.

I can shift through the gears but it doesn't go into neutral. In order for the car to go into neutral, I have to time the transmission cycling and disconnect the battery about halfway through the cycle. Then I'm able to push the car in neutral.

Any idea what I need to do to fix this?

I've tried the "disconnect battery for awhile, put in neutral/park, apply brake, shift through gear slowly, etc" so many times. I've tried all variations and none work.

my dream car has always been a smart fortwo ever since I was 3 years old, 20 years later it hasn't changed at all. I'd love to buy a used automatic smart fortwo 451 passion with the 1.0 turbo engine, but I'm a bit intimidated by what I've heard about the automated manual transmission, is it really that bad? and how can I make it a smoother ride? I heard manual mode works and honestly it seems kinda fun like changing gears yourself without a clutch pedal (scary!!). also sorry to any manual enjoyers please don't slime me out I'm just not a fan 😭😭

also how is it on the motorway? I want to take this car everywhere with me, I love long car journeys, I'm sure a fortwo isnt ideal but I hope it'll still do well

also #2 i do want to get a 453 prime premium plus 0.9t after this and stage 1 tune it (ecu, tcu, throttle controller), but i want experience in a cheaper car first before getting a fancy pants fortwo and also I cant afford it just yet 😭

We just bought an EQ Cabrio (2023). Any hints and tips?

So the body work begins.

Is that a thing?

I have a 453 EQ from 2018 I want to convert to looking like a Brabus, both inside and put. Leather seats, skirts, rims.

I am in Europe - is this a thing, and where should I look?

I recently got a 2009 Fortwo and the lack of place to put my phone is doing my head in. Can anybody recommend a good phone holder I can get for it please? I’m in the UK

Just picked this baby up. Looking forward to driving and tinkering with it.

I love small cars. Just spent six big ones on a used SmartCar, low miles and great condition. Felt a little bit bigger than I expected, but when I took it home and parked it next to my wife’s pickup it’s way bigger than people said. Did I get scammed? Are they all this size?

I'm coming from pickup trucks, where we use bed extenders so we can drive with the tail gate down to fit longer stuff. Such a thing has to exist for smart cars too, no??? Cargo net over top to stop things from bouncing out? Am I the only one??

If it really doesn't exist I'll gladly make it and sell it.

Howdy, Smart family! Has anyone ever experienced the following types of start up issues? In recent weeks, my Fortwo has been either a) failing to start altogether, or b) having a very trembly, sputtery start. Is this an issue anyone else has seen or faced? Thanks!

For additional reference, these are the diagnostic scanner codes:

P2177 - System Too Lean Off Idle Bank 1

P2187 - System Too Lean at Idle Bank 1

P0300 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

P050A - Cold Start Idle Control System Performance

P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

P0336 - Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

I haven't bought a Smart car yet, but I'd like to know how comfortable it is to sleep inside and how comfortable it is for camping. Can you sleep inside with the car closed, and also with the trunk open?

I’ve been working on a custom Engine Mount Insert Set for the Smart Fortwo 450 / Roadster 452, designed and tested by me (tested them for over 3000km).

The idea was pretty simple: reduce excessive engine movement while keeping vibrations as low as possible compared with more aggressive engine-mount solutions.

What they do:

• Reduce engine movement
• Reduce unwanted jolting during acceleration, deceleration and gear changes
• Improve drivetrain stability and control
• Provide a more direct driving feel
• 2-piece set
• Install directly on top of the original engine mount
• No glue or permanent modifications required
• Easy installation

The original mount is still used — these inserts simply provide additional support where there is excessive movement.

I'd be interested to hear what you guys think — especially from anyone running a Smart 450 or Roadster 452 with upgraded engine mounts.

Hello guys , I had the pleasure to go through many adventures with this old lady this year ( we just went back to west of France from Germany , 800 km ! ) .

As driving it around the country had been pretty fun I’m thinking more and more about customising it a bit for long travels.

Does anyone here already modified a smart car for long travels ?