smartnhappy

I would take it to the local dealer you plan to use for any warranty and/or regular service work. You'll get to know them and they'll get to know both you and your car. Form some kind of a relationship with the people in the service department. It'll help you down the road.William wrote "I would personally take it anywhere but to the London M-B."I disagree. I've had nothing but good service and good results from this dealer and their service department. I guess we've had different experiences.It will be fairly expensive in the long term to service the car at an MB dealer, but some feel more comfortable with dealer service.You decide.Good luck. (One less Smart car in London. Oh well, we'll survive, some how, I guess)

I will let you know. And I'll bring my extended warranty with me. By then, I should have a completely new, rebuilt car. 400 posts is nothing. I surpassed that just this morning. Piece o' cake. And now back to "Extended Warranty discussion" (don't want to hijack thread re my astounding posting prowess).

I've had a steering wheel c/w shifters, a turbo, one rear axle bearing and a battery replaced under extended warranty, @ about 70K now.Last service showed weak A/C, so all new A/C lines have been approved and will be installed @ n/c as soon as the dealer gets them.I'm 9 months into my extended warranty and very glad I got it. Planning a long trip west this summer or fall. Probably spend all money saved from extended warranty at Flying Tiger (wheels, tires, other mods, etc.). :PWeee! My 400th post!! Not many by other standards, but I'll use any excuse to celebrate!

My head aches and there's a little blood coming out of one of my ears. OMG... i think my brain exploded! :biglaugh:Seriously I'm due for belts at my next service. I'll see if MB London has this Devil tool and, more importantly, if they use it.

Put on the summer rubber/original alloys (amazing how sore and crippled I've become since doing it this afternoon).William.... how much for your 451 cup holder?? Did you source it at MB London??

MightyMouseTech.........How much do you charge for the whole package??? (minus the optional peanut butter package) Might be worth the trip from London.

I believe it's jealous of your new white Smart car. Just show it some love and understanding, and remind it that first loves are the best loves. That should make it feel much better, IMHO.

Yes, Smart142 does do his own wrenching. He also works on cars for others, is quite knowledgeable, very good and reasonably priced.With his ad behind me , I have to say that the extended warranty was not available when he passed the 80K/4 year deadline, so he might have been of a different mind had the opportunity presented itself (BTW - we rib each other on this topic all the time). Plus many folks don't have $1600 cash to leave sitting in a bank account, earning next to nothing.Just my 2¢ worth.

The battery might take a charge deeper from a charger than the car's alternator can do it, if the battery is marginal.Don't disconnect the battery with the car running. You'll end up posting inquiries here about electrical problems you'll be having forever.

You used to be able to buy stickers to put on the windows of incorrectly parked vehicles.Various sized, relatively small ones for driver's windows, simply explaining an illegal parking issue and requesting future compliance.There was also a larger one for the front window, for the hardened, chronic parking offender.These stuck to the glass like a SOB!! Driver had to either scrape them off or use some solvent to remove.Used at various companies I've been with or dealt with over the years.Quite effective, and probably worth looking into.

The question of extended warranty seems to be mainly a personal one.... like 'blondes or brunettes?', or 'PC or Mac?'.The crowd here seems about equally divided. It's a crap shoot, either way.Personally, I got the extended warranty for 'Lil Toot last June. Since I got it, MB has replaced the steering wheel (for shifters), the turbo, one rear wheel bearing and the battery at no charge.I'm ahead on the game. Some others aren't. Others have saved money while sill others regret not going for it.It's dependant on miles travelled, driving habits, driving type, environment, vehicle history and lots of other factors, but it's still a crap shoot with no clear guidelines.Go with your gut feeling and be satisfied with your decision.

The weakest link in the charging system is the battery. Almost all electrical problems I've had with any type of vehicle over the years were traced back to the battery (barring a lose or worn alternator or generator belt). If your car has been in storage, the electrolyte in your battery may have stratified (chemically separated and settled into layers), weakening it's overall performance and diminishing it's capacity to take and hold a full charge.A good mechanic could do a simple load test with a good battery meter to confirm it's condition (and verify alternator output also).I'd almost put money on a weak battery.

Many Americans believe that if you plant a Smart and water it regularly, it'll sprout and grow into a beautiful, big 4x4 SUV.

I see.

Thanks for the info on the epic voyage. It's a trip we'd probably all like to make, all be it under more favourable weather conditions.I hope to make the Canadian version of the trip this summer to see relatives in Vancouver, and to see if Banff's the way I left it in 1978. Good luck with the new car.If you haven't already, maybe you should have a word with your first Smart just to assure it that it isn't just a parts car now. Cheers!!

I had to get a Drive-Clean emissions test to renew the licence plate sticker on my 2005 Smart, as all 2005 vehicles in Ontario will have to this year.Went to Napa Centre on Wellington Road in London today (called @ 10AM and got a 1PM appointment).Mechanic took down the info off car (serial #, mileage, build date) and asked me to start it. He stood watching the exhaust for about a minute while we chatted, then told me I'd passed and to shut the car off and come inside.He printed off a report, I paid $36.75 ($35.00 + tax) and was on my way to the licence bureau in about 15 minutes.Our little diesels don't have to suffer the indignities of spinning a dynamometer with a probe up their tail pipe, as do regular cars and light trucks. I'd recommend this Napa Auto Repair on Wellington (formerly Midas Muffler) for Drive-Clean testing, as they seem to be clean, quick and professional.(p.s.... I have no affiliation with them).If you go there, just tell them Bill sent you.

I'm in Lambeth, both part of and just south-west of London, and we got hit (and continue to be hit) with the same streamers bringing the same amounts of snow as is being seen on your area. My contracted (luckily) snow-plow guy has done the driveway 4 times in the last 24 hours! Snowfall is supposed to last into Monday. A relative of mine says that there has been very little new snow in the last couple of days on the east side of London (airport area). This is one steady, prolonged and localized snow streamer off of Lake Huron.Enough is enough, already!

A happy and prosperous 2010 to one and all. Bill

I kinda like the blue. It's a nice change (and change is usually good).

Glenn... bring what's left to the beer tour next week. Should be able to sell them all locally. I'll take 2.

Better get those orange-slice side markers swapped out a.s.a.p.Your reputation depends on it!

My niece teaches at the University of Stirling, Her doctorate is in envirotoxicology. She and her husband live in Dollar.They're currently looking for Smart, maybe two. But no Crossblades.

Where in Manitoba are you located? (I 'CSI'd the province by zooming in on the license plate in the photos. Good, eh?)

The sub woofer is sold.Thanks John. I'll see you Saturday.Bill

I'll take the sub woofer if it's in decent shape. When can we get together? I'm in London. PM me and we'll set something up.Bill