Smart Car Battery Charge Line?
Have an online friend that is flat-towing a Smart Car. Her battery went dead on her. Does a Smart Car require a battery charge line? Thanks, rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
Forum Discussion
I've been flat towing my 2009 smart for 2 years with no problems. I follow the instructions in the owners manual.
The car's curb weight is 1,800 lbs (US). Many U.S. states do not require supplemental brakes on less than 2,000 lbs.
From PDF page 192 of the 2009 smart owners manual: http://owners.smartusa.com/My_Manuals.aspx
Some RVers run 12V power from the motorhome to power the supplemental brakes. Others have resorted to placing a car battery on the passenger-side floor - just for powering the supplemental brakes - and then they charge the spare battery each night.
click on photo for more images
the Hella 87181 battery disconnect was installed by the original smart center Portland that was run by Kuni Auto Group.
The battery disconnect switch is connected to the negative battery terminal.
for spare battery disconnect keys, google: Hella 87185
The Service Manager at the time would tell you in the strongest of terms that Automatic Disconnect products (like the one offered by Roadmaster) must not be used in a smart car as it can feedback power to the computer. People have done things as simple as entering their smart to retrieve an item (while in tow mode) and accidentally turning the ignition key to the ON position without realizing it. The computer then woke and engaged systems that caused damage beyond repair while being towed.
The computer does not know that the car is being towed. It only understands that it is moving and the engine isn't running. It does not have a 'tow mode' option programmed into it.
For those of you successfully not using any battery disconnect - you are the exception. I will not risk it. I made a large-print copy of the flat towing instructions from the owners manual, laminated it, and follow it religiously.
The car's curb weight is 1,800 lbs (US). Many U.S. states do not require supplemental brakes on less than 2,000 lbs.
From PDF page 192 of the 2009 smart owners manual: http://owners.smartusa.com/My_Manuals.aspx
> Preparing the vehicle: Contact an authorized smart center for information on recommended tow bar equipment and installing a matching on/off switch on the battery terminal.
....
> Turn the battery off using the previously installed battery switch.
> Release the parking brake.
Some RVers run 12V power from the motorhome to power the supplemental brakes. Others have resorted to placing a car battery on the passenger-side floor - just for powering the supplemental brakes - and then they charge the spare battery each night.
click on photo for more images
the Hella 87181 battery disconnect was installed by the original smart center Portland that was run by Kuni Auto Group.
The battery disconnect switch is connected to the negative battery terminal.
for spare battery disconnect keys, google: Hella 87185
The Service Manager at the time would tell you in the strongest of terms that Automatic Disconnect products (like the one offered by Roadmaster) must not be used in a smart car as it can feedback power to the computer. People have done things as simple as entering their smart to retrieve an item (while in tow mode) and accidentally turning the ignition key to the ON position without realizing it. The computer then woke and engaged systems that caused damage beyond repair while being towed.
The computer does not know that the car is being towed. It only understands that it is moving and the engine isn't running. It does not have a 'tow mode' option programmed into it.
For those of you successfully not using any battery disconnect - you are the exception. I will not risk it. I made a large-print copy of the flat towing instructions from the owners manual, laminated it, and follow it religiously.
