My 1,000 Mile Report

[GoSmartGo]

My 1,000 mile Report

It's been 4 weeks and 1,000 miles with my Smart and I thought that I might post a report to share the ride. First, my Smart is a passion with black/blue exterior, comfort package, upgraded radio package, clock/tack, and fog lights. I guess I am lucky that my Smart Dealer is close so I did not have to drive an extended distance at highway speeds to get home.

I paid list price for the Smart Car. The dealer was curtious and pleasant. The car arrived withing the first 30 days of the 'estimated window'. It was reserved a year ago.

The first 1,000 miles was back and forth to work (35 miles each way) and running errands on the weekends (grocery store, bank, post office). My trips to work average 1 hour each way, average speed is about 35 miles per hour and never exceed 55 mile per hour (back roads, lots of stop/staring, many hills, and going up/down through the gears often).

I've been shifting via paddles to keep the rpms between 2 and 3k. Never 'lugging' the engine and never exceeded 4k rpm's. Miles per gallon have all been between 43-46 miles per gallon (I am on my 4th tank of gas now). I've used 93 octane gas and paid between $3.89 and $4.07 per gallon for it (Sunoco).

Temperatures have been between 40-70 degrees F. and the A/C has not yet been needed (did use if a few times to clear the windshield in the mornings). I expect MPG to increase when warmer temperatures are here and perhaps retreat a bit when A/C is needed. During this time, I've been leaving for work about 30 minutes earlier to lessen the traffic and give me more time and not get "pushed' along by others who are running late...

Thoughts:
I wish I could stay in 1st gear longer and it seems to be geared rather low. I find I am shifting from 1st to 2nd quickly to keep rmp's below 3k. 2nd is better and 3rd is even better still. Most of the driving is between 4th and 5th (4th going up the hills, 5th going down and straight-aways. If the engine had a turbo, the extra torque could permit a higher 1st and 2nd gear and make accelerations better. But, we drive what we have...

I did not replace any cars with the Smart. The Smart is a 'purpose' car to get me back and forth to work and run errands which is EASILY 95 percent of my driving. I accept that fact and am very pleased. I also expect the Smart will cost less to drive than my other German automobiles. For example, 4 new tires on the Smart cost the same as a single tire on my German SUV (which, by the way, gets about 21 miles per gallon going back and forth to work).

Insurance is a puzzle. The Smart costs the same as a German SUV costing 3 times as much. Go figure... Perhaps as more data for the Smart is collected, the costs may move lower. Time will tell.

No major issues/bugs reported yet except a slightly stiff sun roof cover. The cover opens/closes easier when the interior in warm. Perhaps more use will fix that. I have also noticed the key is somewhat 'loose'. Not sure if that is normal and I might compare with others next time I am at the dealer. Perhaps someone else can comment on that.

I intend on replacing oil and filter very soon. I have always driven the 1st 1,000 miles with extreme car on all my cars and I like to get that initial oil out along with all the other bits of metal that get collected.

I intend on purchasing the cargo net for the back to keep my laptop bag from moving around so much. I have also investigated in a 3rd party arm rest and might treat myself with one.

Thanks for letting me share my initial 1,000 miles. I would enjoy hearing from others with their thoughts.

Regards,

GoSmartGo

[jwight]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for the write up! Good info that is consistent with a lot of others' experiences. Be sure to put yourself on the members map and add some photos when you have the time.

[Dave Van]

Good report....thanks!!

[chieftmc]

Nice write up GoSmartGo!

It's nice to hear someone who has the car and actually likes it! There is lots of negativity on this board.

Thanks again

[mi_bumblebee]

Thanks for the update. I don't have an hour drive into work, but it appears the type of driving you do is the same as I will, so it was great to hear your mpg. My car won't be in for another 3-4 weeks so it will be a while before I can post my stats. BTW, did the mpg improve over time, or was it always that good?

[EinsteinsMommy]

I too am at 1000 miles-1010 to be exact. I reached 1000 last night, and did make sure to take a picture! I'll post it later I haven't had any problems with my car and I use it for pleasure rather than business. My hubby likes driving it on occasion but prefers his 02 Durango Most guys in my area say it's too much of a "chick car" for them to drive. About 75% of the people who ask me about it are older(60-70ish) couples. I am absolutely in love!

[burtandnancy]

Biggest surprise was you insurance. We added the Smart to our two car policy and cost less than $150/6 mos.
Everything else about the same as you, although I like more rpm's, never get into 5th under 55...

[JIM VINYARD]

That is really great gas mileage.
Great report.

Thanks

[bull8042]

Hey GoSmartGo, welcome and great write-up.
As for your moonroof shade, loosen the screws along one rail slightly and move it toward the other side. It may only move a hair, but that is probably all you need. That should make it operate more freely. Did on mine anyway.

[GoSmartGo]

This might be better in a different forum, but regarding fuel economy, my first fill up yielded 46.7 miles per gallon. I admit, I drove the car with great car with easy accelerations with no hard braking. Speed was kept below 55-60 miles per hour. Again, I live somewhat close to the dealer and was able to take 'back roads' home running up and down the gears.

The second fill up was 43.4 miles per gallon. Third fill up was 45.1 miles per gallon. I believe my fuel economy is based on a few things. First, I don't race from traffic light to traffic light. I prefer smooth accelerations, no gas/brake, gas/brake tail gating... You get the idea. I also have a rather long commute on back roads, which means less stop/go traffic and slower overall speeds. The many hills may reduce the economy but so be it; not much I can do about the countryside. My 1 hour commute also means the engine runs for a longer time at normal temperature. When the engine is cold, it burns a richer mixture of gas which consumes more fuel. When the engine is warm, fuel economy is far better. So, at the end of my commute, the fuel economy tends to be higher than if my commute was short.

Currently, on my 4th fill up, it looks like I am on target for 44/45 mpg which is what my expectations have been. I am sure it will drop a bit when summer is here and I'm running A/C but I will be happy to trade a few miles per gallon for cold air.

I have also found that I tend to spend more time 'thinking' about my driving. That is to say I tend to pay more attention to traffic light timing and making sure I am in the right gear. If the traffic light is red or turning red, I'll coast in as I see no reason to speed up to a light only to brake and wait. I don't drive as if I'm 108 years old but I do think about what I'm doing as one of my goals with the car was to conserve fuel (or should I say lower my gas bill). I drive almost 70 miles a day and gas is not getting any less expensive. Since there is not gobbs of reserve power with the Smart’s engine, you need to be in the right gear and the right RPM's. This tends to be an issue for all my hills as I simply cannot climb them in 5th gear. My other cars are somewhat 'over-powered' and if I want to go in them, I just give it gas in any gear and the car will GO! Since the Smart car does not have a high performance supercharged engine, I need to think. That being said, if Smart HAD a super or turbo engine as an option, I’d get my name on that list and would be happy to wait another year for delivery. I know Mitsu makes a turbo, perhaps we may see it with a refresh in 2010?

The car is what it is. If you drive like a nut, I expect you may not be happy with the fuel economy. If you want rapid acceleration and handling like a sports car, you may be disappointed. I believe most Smart Owners will quickly realize how to drive the car and will be pleased. If I want to race, I'll grab a different key.

That being said, these are my opinions and yours may differ