smartnhappy

I was into the London dealer last Friday and was told that Smart is way behind in getting out the cards with the PIN numbers to owners, including info to the dealers. They ARE coming.

Glenn,I hope you invited Dave from Mufflerman (and his wife) to the Feb 02nd Valentine's feedbag in Lambeth.

Don't know if this video has been previously posted, but it's fun to watch. I'll bet you're rooting for the little bugger by the end of the events. I know I was. http://www.wimp.com/doublecar/

Peace, calm and rationality to all. May the New Year bring sanity to the world.Season's best,Bill

I guess you've got to put two snow tires on it to use it in Quebec, right ???

My 08 Cadillac CTS came with nitrogen filled tires. Dealer tops up for free anytime I've needed it. Also if I'm in for regularly scheduled service (also free for 4 years). Just had 2 snow tires installed and, guess what. Free nitrogen.Two local tire dealers wanted only $5 per tire for nitrogen with new snows.Asking $65 is beyond a rip-off, it's pure theft.Nitrogen has some good points... it's less susceptible to leaking, maintains a more constant temperature range, it contains no moisture which prolongs the life of the tire and pressure readings are more accurate and reliable. There's lots of good reasons all forms of race cars use it. Most people view it as a little insurance against tire failure. Maybe with the diminutive size of the little rubber bands on the Smarts we all bomb around in, it wouldn't hurt to consider nitrogen use as a bit more acceptable for us.

I believe Glenn has seen it also, in the Lambeth area (sw London).In fact, it circled our Smart group while we were at a dinner outing last fall in London, then took off.

I see an EV-1 scooting around London, Ontario from time to time.

What package and size did you get?Are you happy with the fit and final result?

Here's a link to the story at the Auto Channel. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/08/08/095831.html I like the fact it's a 5 year old car, purchased used.

Maybe the club members could look for a supplier or manufacturer of 2 or 3 sizes in metal finish only, leaving the buyer to spray paint it in black or white or whatever, in any finish they prefer.Anyone out there with connections to a machine shop?Steve might have exact specs to turn out a few dozen.

Smartieparts no longer sells the short rearview mirror mounts for the 450. Too bad because it sounds like someone could sell quite a few of them, judging by the comments above. I include myself in the list, as I'm still looking for one (the shortest was 25 mm and the longest was 45 mm, if I remember).Anyone interested in selling the shortest one, please PM me.

My 2 cents on Consumers Reports.... Somewhere I've got 3 old copies of this 'rag', the first with a write-up on VHS VCR's placing a Sony as the 'best buy'. The next testing issue had it's direct replacement model rated as unacceptable (identical chassis with a couple more features). Sony wrote to them expressing their concerns about the evaluation and stating some facts that didn't seem to come out in the product review. CR printed the letter in their next issue along with a quarter-page ad for a new electronics engineer to head-up their product testing facility. BTW, Sony had never submitted free product to them for test purposes over the years. Not too many years ago, any manufacturer that didn't submit free product for testing seemed to always automatically received a 'poor' rating. This attitude prevailed with the magazine until public opinion seemed to force them to 'buy' their own product for testing, much of which came and (I believe) still comes from suppliers via various under-the-table routes. I don't believe Consumer's Reports is worth the paper it's printed on. I wouldn't rely on any of their testing procedures, their honesty or their integrity. If I want a second opinion on something I'm going to buy, I'll research it more completely and find someone that owns one for a valid appraisal. Does anyone really think this magazine will sway anyone that wants to but a Smart?

So you're recommending the dealer, or nothing, right?No franchised shops?Everyone else agree? Any good or bad experiences out there?

Meanwhile back to 'broken windshields', I too have received a kiss from Hwy 401 and want to know ifmembers that have replaced windshields have any recommendations as to the best place for replacement.I found Apple Auto Glass in London to be way too expensive with my other vehicles, but would try other franchise shops if experiences were positive. What about your local MB/Smart dealers?Suggestions ????Feedback ????Thanks.

An answer to the gravel question.... the car is just fine.I've been on lots of rural gravel roads in my job of leasing land for wind turbines and gas wells. If you remember that the tires aren't that wide and that your speed should be well controlled, you'llbe ok. I'd strongly recommend front mud flaps to reduce flying stones (and rears to reduce dust, if you don't mind the look). Also some 3M (or similar) stone guard applied to the front of the rear fenders to protect from and reduce stone damage in that area. You might consider doing the 3M thing across the entire front, depending on volume of traffic encountered on your roads. Smarts present a big smiley face to flying road debris, so windshields are vulnerable. You might already know about windshields if you've driven lots on gravel roads. I know because I just got another chip in Lil'Toot's "glasses". Remember also that the Smart isn't that wide, so I've found a degree of comfort in knowing that I don't have to move over quite as far to the shoulder to pass oncoming vehicles, particularly Ontario's ruralroad-racing farmers. This is a good thing since the roads, and particularly the shoulders, are usuallypoorly maintained. The stone guard topic is covered in-depth elsewhere in this club site, as are cold weather issues.Personally, if it gets to -30/-40 C, I'm not going anywhere.... It's toooooo cold.Cheers.

Does this qualify as an 'extension' ??..... http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/04/11/083925.html Click on the 'Carbonyte' link, follow the Portfolio to the end and look at the Flickr link.

Make sure you're driving like you want good mileage. Try shifting just under 2500 RPM, view 3000 RPM as your new 'red line',get into the highest gear as soon as possible and forget the 'auto shift' function (usually doesn't upshift till around 3000 RPM).I find being in 4th gear @ 50 kph, 5th @ 60 kph and 6th by 80 kph keeps the RPM around 2000. I drive mine like it's a small,economical runabout, not like any performance vehicle. I've had them, done that (and luckily, lived through it). Oh sure it's fun to feel that go-cart-like sensation while cornering, the pronounced porpoising when upshifting at higher revs and the easy downshifting and rev-matching on entering corners, but you're not in a LeMans contender here, and you're better off getting a different vehicle if you tend to drive like that. While you can improve basic performance with aftermarket stuff, remember that the diesel Smart was both intended and designed for economy, so to get the 'most' out of it, I think one needs to be sure they're driving with economy in mind. Don't rule out a defective tachometer (if you have one?). Last year mine spun and stuck, showing an incorrect reading (replaced under warranty).p.s. - please don't everyone post their counter opinions on the hot performance capabilities of super-modified Smarts..... no question, it can be and has been done. I'm just trying to help a fellow Smarty with mileage trouble. My 2¢ worth. BTW - my license is 75MPG and I get it regularly.

Took mine in last year because passenger belt was slow to retract. Dealer replaces both belts and complete mechanisms under warranty. All has been fine since (about 10 months).

Here's a few more pictures from the 2008 Detroit NAIAS.Cheers

I was at the NAIAS on Tuesday and took some pictures. The Smart area was identical to last year, and I ended up working the croud for about an hour. Not ALL Americans think the Smart is too small, but some are profoundly retarded about persolal transportation. I believe new gas-guzzelers will still be manufactured and available in the U.S. long after gasoline is gone. Anyway, I challenge everyone to pick out the pictures of Chinese prototypes from the others (hint... they're yellow).Seemed to be a lower-keyed show from last year, with emphasis on flex fuel and hybrid together with a lot of plug-in prototypes. Porsche was absent this year, but there were 5 Chinese makers there. Most of their offerings looked typical of small cars, and they somewhat resembled cars from Toyota, Mazda, Kia and the others. Overall a good show, well worth seeing.

Welcome to the site. With a roadster, you're the envy of a lot of folks in Canada, but with a 'matching' fourdoor you're the envy of everyone.I've got a niece who's a professor at the University of Stirling. I've suggested she get a Smart, but I still working on her conversion. Maybe someday she'll see the light.Enjoy Club Smart Car.

Lil'Toot qualifies as an 'other'.... a wayward young tug boat by profession, but a determined little bugger by nature.

I looked up what Glenn used..... Zaino show car polish Great results !

Glenn (smart142) did my car a year ago last summer, an it still looks good. Don't know what he used, but I'd recommend it!Glenn....... please post your magic secret for us all.