About 20 years ago or so, I read an SAE paper indicating engine life was substantially extended when the initial oil fill was changed, along with the filter, sometime around the first 2000 miles. I have done this on several new cars since and have seen each acheive very high engine mileages before overhaul - some to nearly 300,000! Even my crappy Suzuki Sidekick went to nearly 190,000! This experience has also lead me to change out all the fluids I can at this initial point and just go ahead and let the service indicator schedule another oil change when it says to.
Anyway, my problem has to do with the transmission oil on the 451. What the hell is BOT328 anyway? Something tells me Mercedes has specified one of their magical synthetic mixes like they did on the C-Class manual tranny. At nearly $50 per liter (it takes two!) it must be blended Bald Eagle heads or something!
Anybody inside the SMART parts department out there that can give me a clue to the mysterious BOT328?
Thanks
Red and Black Passion
Anyway, my problem has to do with the transmission oil on the 451. What the hell is BOT328 anyway? Something tells me Mercedes has specified one of their magical synthetic mixes like they did on the C-Class manual tranny. At nearly $50 per liter (it takes two!) it must be blended Bald Eagle heads or something!
Anybody inside the SMART parts department out there that can give me a clue to the mysterious BOT328?
Thanks
Red and Black Passion
Tags: fluids, maintenance, oil, service, transmission
Replies to This Discussion
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Thanks for bringing this topic up. I've gotten the email that I'll be notified about getting my smart within 30 days (which is now down to about 20 days) and I've been wondering about fluids, when to change, etc. Since I've only had 3 brand new cars in my life (and I'm 59) I haven't much experience about first oil changes. I do have a '91 Geo Tracker (aka Suzuki Sidekick) with about 140,000 miles on it, and it still runs like new, although it does leak some oil. I've always changed oil about 3,000 miles. Anyhow, with smart dealers kind of spread out (mine will be 75 miles away) I plan to do the oil changes at least myself. So, any info out there about what kinds of oil, when to change the first time, etc. would be appreciated. Capt. Jack, Vero Beach, FL (yellow/black/black passion)
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I'll add in another strange fluid requirement/recommendation by smart for the new 451, they want you to gas up at 95 octane, so maybe good on gas but going to cost you more too fill.
Add to that many cities including my entire province doesn't sell 95 octane gas. While they will let you go down as low as 91 octane they say if you use regular 87 octane gas that you shouldn't go over 3000 rpms.
As for "BOT328" I have no idea what that is, but I can ask and get back to you on that.
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what speed does 3000 rpms translate to?
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In a small engine, 3000 revs doesn't sound like much. And I don't really know what that would have to do with octane. I'm just going to use premium and not worry about it.
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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on -
3000 rpm in 5th gear is 60mph.
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I visited my dealer recently and inquired about the BOT328 fluid. They acknowledged they had not heard of it either but their computer system indicated the fluid was API rated in a funny way. The dealer is supposed to contact me whenever they get 3 liters of it in for me. The container may lead us to the spec. I'll post as soon as I get my hand on it.
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I deal with MB and smart all the time in Canada and can pass on the head tech (we have four years of experience) that you should NOT change the oil out early on the smart. The break in oil and additives are different that what you will put in the car once broken in and its important to let everything seat. The first change should not be completed prior to 8000 km.
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Does anyone know what the recommended oil and grade is for the smart? I've heard Mobil 1, but what grade? 5w-30, 0w-30, 10w-40????
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I can talk to my service Tech from MB and let you know
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Thanks. And what is different about the oil that's in from the factory that shouldn't be changed? hmmm
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apparently the oil from the factory is full of additives for various seatings of parts. This is information direct from MB/smart tech so ... I dont have the details but will advise as to your question when i chat with Joey at MB.
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Hello all,
Here is the list direct from smart as to approved oils.
"Transmission oil used in the 2008 smart fortwo is 75w90 API GL4. The smart part number is A0019895103."
The engine oil one will not allow me to copy and paste so will try and add it as an attachment. If it does not show up feel free to email me at bivy@smartcenterseattle.com and I will forward it to you. BTW it is Mobile One 0-40w from the factory from my understanding. That is what i will be using here in my shop as well.
PS: might take me a bit I am running a one man show here and I have trucks showing up with cars for PDI's so am pretty busy in the shop.
Thanks,
Bj
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So, how can us tall people get one of these?
I haven't had that problem here. Thank god. This city is full of Smarties - 4 in my neighbourhood alone - so I guess people are used to them.
We took ours through the Rockies to the BC (Canada) coast with no problem at all. Manual mode does work best.
Is Long Island part of the group. If so, I may be interested. I'm in the city quite often.
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