Crossword Genius

Two bits left smoother (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oil

'smoother' is the definition.
(eg something which smooths a machine's workings)

'two bits left' is the wordplay.
'two bits' means two substitutions for 'bit'.
'bit' becomes 'o' (resembles 0, a binary digit or bit).
'bit' becomes 'i' (resembles 1, a binary digit or bit).
'left' becomes 'L' (common abbreviation).
'o'+'i'+'l'='OIL'

(Other definitions for oil that I've seen before include "Fuel, lubricant" , "Lubricating liquid" , "Liquid gold" , "Lubricant or petroleum" , "Fluid lubricant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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