In 2019, an error code started being mentioned on various forums for the 453 model. In the subsequent years since this I have only ever heard of it happen on US cars so my assumption is that the failed part is a US only fixture. P26AB This is a generic error code but...
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451 Xenon HID Headlights
OK dumb-arse, pay attention. It is not road legal in any country to put a xenon bulb (or LED bulb) in a standard headlight designed to use a halogen bulb. However, in most countries, it's a bit of a grey area if you replace the projector with one actually designed to...
451 Headlight Projector Fault
The Headlight Aims Down And Won't Adjust Up This is very common on the 451 fortwo. The projector becomes loose inside the headlight and because the front of the projector lens is the heaviest part, the dipped beam will aim too far down and no amount of adjustment will...
CDI Inlet Manifold Removal
This is very similar for the 450 CDI and both models of 451 Diesel. This is for a 45bhp 451 CDI which is almost the same as the 450 CDI. The 54bhp CDI has a throttle body connected to the left side of the inlet manifold. The air inlet manifold is held to the engine...
R-Link Start Up Logo
When the TomTom R-Link touch screen stereo starts up, it'll show the smart logo. This can be changed to 1 of 37 options. Very few of them would make any sense but it's up to you if you want to change it. Changing The Start Up Logo Launch DDT4All on your computer and...
451 Clutch Actuator Testing
Bench Testing The 451 Clutch Actuator Pin Wire colour in photo Function 1 Brown/Grey 0V 2 Blue/Yellow Channel A 3 Red/Green Motor 1 4 Grey/Violet Channel B 5 White/Yellow +5V 6 Violet/White Motor 2 Testing The Motor And Mechanics Service the mechanics of the...
Roadster Brabus Skirt Fitting
Remove the old side skirts. They should just pull out to unclip. They are 2 parts per side. To mount Brabus side skirts to your Roadster, you need the hangers. These are the front hangers. Smart part numbers: Q0015876V001000000 Q0015878V001000000 Take out the Torx...
453 Android Stereo
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...
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...