I have an Orphan... Finally!!

[carolthompson323]

After 6 days of negotiations, administrative stuff and beaurocracy headaches (thanks to the economy and the banks), I am now the proud owner of a 2009 Black Cabrio from Beverly Hills Mercedes-Benz as of Saturday night at 8PM. (their Smart center) I truly can't believe it's real.

I had one minor glitch after driving maybe 25 feet and that was that she didn't want to shift out of low and I was at 20mph and the engine was definitely sounding strained. So I took my foot off the gas and tried again. Still the same thing. Then I moved it to D+ to see if I could trick it -- and I did. Thereafter, it's been shifting just like I imagine it should.

The gas guage went down 1 bar after 52 miles of driving. I had it on the 405 So. yesterday from L. A. to Manhattan Beach and she handled like a dream.

I'm getting the car wrapped with red from the top of where the convertible top joins the frame and down through the far edge of each door. I'll do that the end of February and then I'll post pics so you can see how she turned out.

My next goal will be to change out the wheel rims to black w/ a thin red pinstripe around the circumference. But they're about $750 so I'm waiting.

I've decided to not cancel my reservation so that there'll be an orphan for someone else to buy.

At any rate, I wanted to share this with all of you and also to thank all of you for the invaluable info I've received from this forum.

[NuBiker]

Congrats on your new baby !!
May you have many miles of smiles with it...

Best,
Nu

[jwight]

Congratulations! As you've no doubt figured out, with the trans in manual mode (+/- side) the car will not shift on its own. In the auto mode (D side) the car goes through the gears just fine. Enjoy the new car!

[carolthompson323]

Originally Posted by jwight

Congratulations! As you've no doubt figured out, with the trans in manual mode (+/- side) the car will not shift on its own. In the auto mode (D side) the car goes through the gears just fine. Enjoy the new car!

Hi, JWight,

I was so freaked out when I drove it away that I didn't notice that the car will not shift on its own. BTW, I had it in "D". But iwhen it wouldn't get out of low gear and I moved the gearship know to D+ it kicked something off so that when I then moved the gearshift back to D, the car started driving the way it was meant to. It was really weird but I've had no problems at all since.

Thanks so much for all of your help.

[BigWarpGuy]

In the 'd' mode, one has to let off the gas a little when it goes down slightly in power. I forgot to do that once it would not shift up. I am used to it now and don't really think about it any more.

[carolthompson323]

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

In the 'd' mode, one has to let off the gas a little when it goes down slightly in power. I forgot to do that once it would not shift up. I am used to it now and don't really think about it any more.

Hi,BigWarpGuy,

I actually was in "D" mode when this happened. I did let off the gas and it still wouldn't shift up. Did that 2X. Then I moved it to D+ and then back to "D" and fooled the tranny (at least I think I must have) and then it shifted just like she's supposed to. No problems since. I'm actually driving it just like I've been driving it forever since Sunday morning. It's sooooo cool.

[bottlerocket]

Welcome to the club! Hopefully I'll see ya around!

[carolthompson323]

Originally Posted by bottlerocket

Welcome to the club! Hopefully I'll see ya around!

I hope so. I hope SoCal Smarties has an event and I'll definitely come. I'm so excited I can't stand it.....

It took me 2 days to get over the shock of it but by this morning, I was way over the moon.

[smartYsmileS]

~ Great news! Congrats and welcome to the family

[Fuse 11]

Originally Posted by carolthompson323

I had one minor glitch after driving maybe 25 feet and that was that she didn't want to shift out of low and I was at 20mph and the engine was definitely sounding strained. So I took my foot off the gas and tried again. Still the same thing. Then I moved it to D+ to see if I could trick it -- and I did. Thereafter, it's been shifting just like I imagine it should.

Since you have an '09, is it possible you accidentally hit one of the shift paddles on the steering wheel and flipped it into manual mode?* If so, holding the right (up-shift) paddle in for a few seconds will return it to "D" mode. Or, as you did, moving the gear shift from D to Manual and back will also do it.

*This feature was added in '09, as I understand it. Earlier models won't do this unless the transmission controller has been re-flashed with the new firmware.

-Rusty