In the autumn of 2024, an owner's decision to bring back a long-forgotten 2008 Smart Fortwo into service after two years in storage led to an unexpected series of events. The car, once part of a fleet of vehicles too numerous to manage, was revived with fresh oil and a new battery. However, this revival came with its own set of peculiar challenges, particularly involving the car's electronics and transmission system. This story serves as both an amusing anecdote and a cautionary tale for modern car owners.

A Revival Turned Quirky

During the crisp, golden days of fall, a vehicle enthusiast decided to reintroduce his 2008 Smart Fortwo into daily use after selling off other cars from his collection. The car had been dormant for over two years due to the sheer number of vehicles he owned. Upon bringing it back, he cleaned the accumulated dirt, replaced the oil, and installed a new battery. Initially, everything seemed to run smoothly, but soon, unusual behavior began to emerge.

The revival process revealed that the car's control arms were rusted, and the front springs had snapped at their tops. The ball joints were also past their prime, leading to further mechanical issues. After several road trips, the front right bearing started failing, and a wheel sensor malfunctioned. These problems eventually led to the car being parked indefinitely. However, with the reduction of his fleet, the owner brought the Smart back into service.

One of the key challenges arose from the battery setup. The Smart's unique design places the battery inside the car, making it less susceptible to corrosion. Despite this advantage, installing a new battery proved tricky due to the limited space. The owner experimented with a lithium motorcycle battery, which worked well initially but quickly lost power. He then tried using an old Prius battery, which fit nicely but had terminals in the wrong position. An improvised solution allowed the car to run, but not without consequences.

On a cold morning, while en route to update documents at the Social Security Administration office, the owner discovered that the Prius battery was severely discharged. Despite jump-starting the car, the weak battery caused various electrical systems to behave erratically. Most notably, the radio would cut out every time the gears were shifted, and the headlights would dim intermittently. The root cause was traced back to the clutch actuator and shift motors, which consumed a significant amount of power during gear changes.

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

This experience underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy battery in modern vehicles. The intricate systems in today's cars rely heavily on consistent power supply, and even minor battery issues can lead to significant disruptions. For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, regular battery checks should be a priority. The owner plans to replace the old Prius battery with a more suitable one, ensuring smoother operation and fewer quirky incidents. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder that sometimes, the smallest components can have the biggest impact on a vehicle's performance.