blind spot

[cbj54]

I took my first test drive in a smartie today. Just loved the car, but noticed there is a big blind spot for driver when you are backing up if the passenger has the seat all the way back and the driver is short like me. Anyone else notice this? Also how long does it take to get use to the weird shifting?

[wrumbarger]

Check out the following for solutions
Blind Spots in the smart fortwo

It takes a few hundred miles for the smart to learn your style of driving.
After that, you really don't feel the shift lag. And if you only use manual mode, it shifts when you tell it to?

[nmcl714]

Originally Posted by wrumbarger

Check out the following for solutions
Blind Spots in the smart fortwo

It takes a few hundred miles for the smart to learn your style of driving.
After that, you really don't feel the shift lag. And if you only use manual mode, it shifts when you tell it to?

Try this http://automirrors4less.com/blind-sp...al-mirror.html

FMF Doc

[nodakkid]

Originally Posted by cbj54

Also how long does it take to get use to the weird shifting?

You will find that the smart car will "learn" your driving methods for about the first 1,000 miles and the shift becomes smoother as you near this mark. However, you can make it smoother from the start if you drive it like a manual trans (minus the reach for the clutch pedal) by slightly lifting your foot off the gas pedal. If you have ever driven or learned on a manual like me, it is almost like "re-learning to ride a bike".

[SmartCard]

Most of those threads really don't address cbj's blindspot, however. They discuss the side view mirror blind spot (which really isn't there in the first place.)

Yes, the fortwo does have a rather large "limited field of view through the back window, in large part because of the headrests. Having your seat up and the passenger seat back only makes it worst. Really nothing you can do about it, other then just being plan careful backing up!

The auto shifting will get better, but will always be a little quirky. Can always use it in manual mode!

[winterhater12]

Personally the blind spot that bothers me most is right in the front, caused by the rear view mirror being so low that it blocks some important sight lines, particularly when you are turning right. I'm 6'1", but my 5'6" wife noticed it without me ever mentioning it to her.
This is just about my only complaint about smarts. I love mine tremendously. Just not used to having the rear view mirror at eye-level.

[angel]

Hi and welcome to the forums.