Different questions and Help (long read) All feedback welcome.

[nootrak4]

I have been browsing the forums for over 3 weeks, looking at different reviews, videos reading different feedback and yesterday, I purchase a Smart car Passion. I wanted to get a Pure, as this is going to be replacing the business car, but after putting in an AC and FM/AM options it was about $1,700.00 dollars different between the Pure and the Passion, so I just decided to purchase the Passion.

I test drove at Mercedes Benz of Manhattan, and the sales person explained the Trany to me, every video review I saw was misleading instead of explaining what is under the hood, they just gave it a bad rating. If you know about cars, this just behaves like a manual and as long as you are aware of it the trany problem ever-video review I saw goes away. The service manager was also kind enough to send me a copy of the maintenance schedule along with pricing. They are also offering me the following, I’m asking the owners that have had there car for a long time if they think this is necessary (keep in mind I live in NYC Metro Area where there are many pot holes) I need to make a decision before I take delivery.

-3 Year Tire & Wheel Coverage $495 (Covers Flat Tires & Bent Rims due to Road Hazardous &/Or Cosmetic Damage)

I'm still waiting for my Smart. It just landed in Baltimore and it on it way to me and I was promise delivery of Sat or Monday.

Questions I forgot to ask the dealer
Does it come with two keys? I read somewhere, that the keys are very expensive to the tune of about $200 for key and programing.

How much is a RIM and tires for the smart?

How hard would it be to add day time running lights (insurance reasons)?

Does this come with a spare tire or anything to that effect?

I'm currently replacing a Ford Escape (it for sale any takers lol), which I use in my business. I'm looking to save on gas as my current Ford give me about 15-17mpgs. I read all the possible threads here and other places about mpg, but all I read is about how great it is in the highway, but hardly hear anything about major city mpg, (my definition of a city is a metro area like NYC, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and LA, where the Highway driving is bumper to bumper and about 80% of the day is spend in bumper to bumper traffic, where to drive 10-15 miles takes about 45min to 1hr). My expectation is to get about 23-25mpg. I would like to know, how many of you drive in this type of condition and what is your guestimation of your MPGs (in a LARGE CITY METRO AREA LIKE NYC).

Also I would like to get roof bars/rails to put a ladder, if I ever need one but having trouble finding something. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have always used SUVs, which already came with a Rails on tip, so never had to shop for one. Would also like the options to put a carrier if I ever need to.

[Kermit]

Should get 2 keys. Hopefully SCoA member Unicycle will chime in for NYC smart info.

[jimvw57]

If you notice, the roof is not steel. It is a plastic and therefore not the best candidate for a roof rack. There are some who have mounted them but it would have to be put on the side or Tridion cell, and drilling into it could compromise the safety of it.

Years ago I used to haul a canoe on top of my Rambler Wagon using some foam pads in each corner. Never had a problem and it probably weighed more than a ladder.


Smarts are designed as a CITY CAR, and get (their rating) 38mpg city. In heavy bumper to bumper, you may want to be in manual mode as the trans will go crazy trying to shift.

Tires and rims are available, a good place to check would be Smart Madness as they sometimes have take-offs from upgraded cars, or check with some of the dealers, same thing. I got a set of Pure rims for snow tires. Makes the changeover much easier.


DRL's will plug in to the lower panels below the bumper, the plug is already there, but it has to be activated by the dealer. I made up my own using LED strips and wired them into the fuse box to come on with the ignition.

Don't be too concerned if your mileage is a bit low at first, they take some time to wear in and start getting the good MPG. At 70,000 miles I get around 42-48MPG driving at 70 mph. I was getting 38 to start out with, it will get better. Mobil 1 takes a bit longer to break in. That stuff works too good.

And Welcome to the site!! Keep asking those questions!

Take a peek at the upcoming event at Watkins Glen, Might be something you would enjoy.

[nootrak4]

Thank you for the reply, but I know you get really high MPG on highway, but i was more interested in getting MPG for Bumper to Bumper traffic in a major City. can anyone answer any of my other questions. thank you

[mattwithcats]

Daytime running lamp mode* (USA only) In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default.
X Activating: Switch off the ignition.
X Switch on the high-beam flasher and
press button [lock] on the key
simultaneously. An acoustic signal sounds.
The daytime running lamp mode is
activated.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
[on].
i With the engine running, the low‑beam headlamps cannot be switched off
manually.
i When the daytime running lamp mode is
activated, the rain-light sensor* is
without function.
When the engine is running, and you turn the exterior lamp switch to position T
or L, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( page 62). X Deactivating: Switch off the ignition
and remove the key from the starter
switch.
X Switch on the high-beam flasher and
press button [unlock] on the key
simultaneously. An acoustic signal sounds.
The daytime running lamp mode is
deactivated

[mattwithcats]

No spare tire, but there is a kit under the passenger footwell, compressor and sealant. A similar kit is the Slime Spair kit.

A lot of folks (me included) buy a front rim and tire, put it in a bag from the NJBagLady, and put it behind the drivers or passenger seat. If your under 5 foot ten, it will fit fine..

[mattwithcats]

I get 40 in mostly stop, little go traffic...

AC on is 36-38,

Trick- either shift to neutral or turn car off when traffic stops...

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by mattwithcats

A lot of folks (me included) buy a front rim and tire, put it in a bag from the NJBagLady, and put it behind the drivers or passenger seat. If your under 5 foot ten, it will fit fine..

Easy for you to say. Not true for me and I'm (at best) 5'7".

[Mike T]

I'm 6'3" and the compact spare in the Bag Lady bag fits with the seat all the way back of both of my 450 cabriolets. The problem may be in putting a 155 section tire in there.

[NCC1701]

Addressing me MikeT? No, I tried it with the stock 451 front wheel. I think my problem is that, even though I'm on the short side, I feel uncomfortable with the seat anywhere closer to the wheel than about one click from full back. I drive with my arms extended and a comfortable distance between my chest and the air bag. Just can't handle it any closer. I dunno. I tried it, and didn't like it, AT ALL.


EDIT: I must've been tired when I posted. The spare I tried was not the stock front, although it was the same size. My spare was the Sport Edition SM3.