How smart is the Smart Car?

[DrEntropy]

A month ago I was "out among 'em" on Interstate, saw some Junior Rocketeer in a Smart, doin' 10~15MPH over other traffic (and THEY were doin' 75~80!) and maneuvering like he was a NASCAR driver. I'm sure *he* won't learn the lesson but it may teach any surviving siblings one. Pure idiocy.

 

[aerog]

Pure idiocy.

Regardless of the vehicle too. Yes.

 

[William]

I don't know much about the smart but this. Evidently there is some kind of plastic belly pan or cowling underneath the car. This gal at work has one and when she got up to 70 mph this thing really started to make a noise like it was coming out from under there, and this was worrying her, and for good reason, I would think. She called the Smart people to ask about the noise and the problem and the answer she got was "you should not be speeding". This made me mad enough to beat the snot out of someone and I don't even own the dang thing. I understood the parent company was benz and they make on of the, if not the best and safest cars in the world and they pride themselves on how the car does at speed. Her car weighs a bit over 1800 pounds and that is heavy for a two seater and its not right as in its top heavy, too tall for its width IMHO.

I smell an urban legend:

1.) Most modern cars have a plastic shield under the engine, to enhance aerodynamics, as well as heating/cooling of the engine. It could easily have come loose after hitting a piece of debris, or been rattled loose on typical North American barely paved city streets.

2.) How would she know it was the shield under the car? There are any number of things under a car that can rattle loose, or resonate at a certain speed/RPM.

3.) "Called the Smart people"? Why didn't she go to the dealership?

Sorry-the story doesn't add up.

FWIW, I don't really care for the Smart either, mainly because it is of limited use outside of urban areas.

-Wm.

 

[regularman]

I don't know much about the smart but this. Evidently there is some kind of plastic belly pan or cowling underneath the car. This gal at work has one and when she got up to 70 mph this thing really started to make a noise like it was coming out from under there, and this was worrying her, and for good reason, I would think. She called the Smart people to ask about the noise and the problem and the answer she got was "you should not be speeding". This made me mad enough to beat the snot out of someone and I don't even own the dang thing. I understood the parent company was benz and they make on of the, if not the best and safest cars in the world and they pride themselves on how the car does at speed. Her car weighs a bit over 1800 pounds and that is heavy for a two seater and its not right as in its top heavy, too tall for its width IMHO.

I smell an urban legend:

1.) Most modern cars have a plastic shield under the engine, to enhance aerodynamics, as well as heating/cooling of the engine. It could easily have come loose after hitting a piece of debris, or been rattled loose on typical North American barely paved city streets.

2.) How would she know it was the shield under the car? There are any number of things under a car that can rattle loose, or resonate at a certain speed/RPM.

3.) "Called the Smart people"? Why didn't she go to the dealership?

Sorry-the story doesn't add up.

FWIW, I don't really care for the Smart either, mainly because it is of limited use outside of urban areas.

-Wm.

Whatever, not going to bite on this one. Its not like very town has a smart car dealer. Enough said.

 

[JamesWilson]

I suspect that the Smart Car has a "belly pan" intended to improve its aerodynamics and get better mileage. While they won't blast down the autobahns with the big German cars they ought at least be able to cruise at a reasonable speed without unexpected noises.

I'd think it'd be quite easy for a retaining clip/fastener to become loose or missing and thus leaving the belly panel to flap about when driven at speed. This would almost certainly create a big racket.

A minute or so looking under the car and seeing if anything "wiggles" should show what, if anything, is loose; and probably what and where it needs better attachments.

I long ago gave up on dealerships knowing beans about anything worthwhile....

 

[DrEntropy]

A hearty "amen" to that, James.

Now I say: "'nuf said."

 

[TR6BILL]

I long ago gave up on dealerships knowing beans about anything worthwhile....

My new Tacoma Prerunner 5-speed (2WD, 4-banger) often balks when trying to engage reverse. Took it to the dealer twice with this problem and they only scratch their heads. Finally went to a popular Taco forum and got the answer. They all do that! Just drop it into neutral and let the clutch out. Then it will go right into reverse. Why couldn't they tell me that??

 

[anthony7777]

i think ive mentioned this here before that my brother in law bought a "smart car" dispite the fact he can afford one or any numder of those earth shattering supercars or any car/cars, hes always surprised that ive got something very important to do when he wants to pick me up to go for a ride, he takes that thing on rt.15, i95, 287, etc.

 

[Guest]

You want a good story on Smartass Cars?

My neighbors have one.
They have had....issues, and have reported another neighbor for providing a habitat for rats (even though the county found no food source, burrows, or any signs of rats.......apparently the presence of blackberry bushes is now considered a "rat habitat", but I digress).

How did they know?

So far, RATS have eaten the soy-based wiring insulation out of the car three times, at the cost of repair of thousands of dollars.

I am waiting for the county to show up again.......and point out exactly where the rat food source IS.

I guess if you drive one of those smartass cars into a blizzard, you can always eat the wiring insulation to keep your strength up.

I heard once (on PBS0 that rats chew stuff (wires) if they smell that another rat has been there. it might not be due to the soy wiring, but then again, it might be.

Why they saying it's you? Cause you got old cars? From what little ~I~ know about you, I'm SURE your place is spotless!!!! You'd figure an "idjet" next door would know I bit more about ya than me !!!! I hate idiots like that. Sorry to hear you got problems. I ~never~ have trouble with mine. Then again, I fire my AK's out my upstairs window once a week wether I need to or not...maybe that's why...

Oh no....here I go again.....

Anyway, I heard sewer rat tastes like pumpkin pie.

 

[Nunyas]

I long ago gave up on dealerships knowing beans about anything worthwhile....

My new Tacoma Prerunner 5-speed (2WD, 4-banger) often balks when trying to engage reverse. Took it to the dealer twice with this problem and they only scratch their heads. Finally went to a popular Taco forum and got the answer. They all do that! Just drop it into neutral and let the clutch out. Then it will go right into reverse. Why couldn't they tell me that??

/shrug ... maybe it's just my personal luck with manual transmission cars (all the cars I've personally owned since the 80's), but I've never owned or driven a manual transmissions that didn't require exactly what you described to get it into first or reverse from time to time.

Though, my personal remedy has always been to shift between 1st and 2nd before going to neutral and clutch out before attempting reverse again. If 1st is being finicky, I'll usually go into second, drag the clutch slightly then go to first...