Whenever anyone on the forums asks about a new stereo on the 453, people will always recommend the nameless Chinese made 9 inch Android stereo that's available all over AliExpress and similar China based e-commerce sites. They all look the same so I suspect they are...
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Roadster Timing Chain Change
Why Would We Need To? A phenomenon incorrectly called "chain stretch" is the main reason for requiring a new chain fitting. The thickness of the slide rail, the maximum movement of the chain tensioner and an excessive lengthening of the chain eventually causes issues....
450 Timing Chain Change
Why Would We Need To? A phenomenon incorrectly called "chain stretch" is the main reason for requiring a new chain fitting. The thickness of the slide rail, the maximum movement of the chain tensioner and an excessive lengthening of the chain eventually causes issues....
Oil Sump Pan Testing
For many years, we (smartmods.co.uk) sold an oil sump with a drain plug for the 450 and Roadster. We bought them from a German manufacturer and they were excellent quality. The drain plug design was unique and allowed all of the oil to be drained from the sump. I'll...
Wheel Bolt Torque Figures
Model Newton Metres Foot Pounds 450 Fortwo 110Nm 81 ft/lb Crossblade 110Nm 81 ft/lb 451 Fortwo 110Nm 81 ft/lb 452 Roadster 120Nm 88.5 ft/lb 453 Fortwo & Forfour 105Nm 77.5 ft/lb 454 Forfour 120Nm 88.5 ft/lb Why is the Roadster wheel torque different to the fortwo...
Roadster Oil Pump Removal
Because the smart is generally hard to work on, it just wouldn't be right if changing the oil pump was an easy task. So it's no surprise to find out that it's a lot of work to get to but very simple to actually change. Remove the air inlet manifold, rocker cover,...
450 Oil Pump Removal
Because the smart is generally hard to work on, it just wouldn't be right if changing the oil pump was an easy task. So it's no surprise to find out that it's a lot of work to get to but very simple to actually change. Remove the air inlet manifold, rocker cover,...
453 Fog Light Bulb Change
Changing the fog light bulbs on the 453 can be easy or hard. It depends on which type of access panel you have. Large Access Panel Turn the steering wheel so you can see the front edge of the arch liner. Get your night vision goggles out and look at your access panel....
Roadster Chain Tensioner Removal
The timing chain runs from the crankshaft up to the camshaft. For every 2 turns of the crankshaft, the camshaft will turn once. This relation between the 2 sprockets must stay the same at all times to keep the combustion cycle working and to stop the valves from...
450 Chain Tensioner Removal
The timing chain runs from the crankshaft up to the camshaft. For every 2 turns of the crankshaft, the camshaft will turn once. This relation between the 2 sprockets must stay the same at all times to keep the combustion cycle working and to stop the valves from...
Roadster Timing Chain Guide Removal
Once you've removed the cylinder head, you'll notice the main chain guide comes with it and is captive within the head. Since you are this far into the engine, you may as well fit new guides, tensioner and chains. To remove the main chain guide, you need to remove...
450 Timing Chain Guide Removal
Once you've removed the cylinder head, you'll notice the main chain guide comes with it and is captive within the head. Since you are this far into the engine, you may as well fit new guides, tensioner and chains. To remove the main chain guide, you need to remove...
450 Cylinder Head Removal
I'll apologise right now. I took these photos almost exactly 2 years ago so I can only write about what I remember and what I can make out from the photos. Some more of the finer details may be missing or hazy but you'll work it out. If you see anything obvious I...
Roadster Cylinder Head Removal
I'll apologise right now. I took these photos almost exactly 2 years ago so I can only write about what I remember and what I can make out from the photos. Some more of the finer details may be missing or hazy but you'll work it out. If you see anything obvious I...
450 Timing Chain Cover Removal
I did this with the engine removed. If you want to try it with the engine still in the car, you go for it you nutcase. You'll hate yourself by the end of it but you will have gained the dexterity to wallpaper your hallway through the letterbox. Remove the belts. See...
Roadster Timing Chain Cover Removal
I did this with the engine removed. If you want to try it with the engine still in the car, you go for it you nutcase. You'll hate yourself by the end of it but you will have gained the dexterity to wallpaper your hallway through the letterbox. Remove the belts. See...
Roadster Brake Bleeding
Warning Brake fluid is dangerous, acidic, poisonous and potentially lethal. Be careful. Not only can it seriously damage paintwork, it can damage organic material so don't dip your balls in this stuff. This page shows you 4 different methods for bleeding the brakes...
Roadster Cam Shaft Removal
To get to the camshaft you have to remove the air inlet manifold and rocker cover. Take an E10 socket and remove all 8 of the bolts that hold the bearing caps to the engine head (12Nm on refitting). The bearing caps are the brackets that hold the camshaft to the...
450 Camshaft Removal
To get to the camshaft you have to remove the air inlet manifold and rocker cover. Take an E10 socket and remove all 8 of the bolts that hold the bearing caps to the engine head (12Nm on refitting). The bearing caps are the brackets that hold the camshaft to the...
450 Rocker Cover Removal
Remove the spark plugs and air inlet manifold to reveal the crusty and corroded rocker cover. Use an E10 socket to remove the 6 bolts holding it down. One of this bolts also holds the oil dip stick tube in position. Pull off the large rubber breather hose from the TIK...