451 Front (Hood) Access Panel-Inside Hood Release - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

LorbeerTLC · 02-02-2008, 04:45 PM

I'm a little concerned about the ease of someone opening my front access panel. Has anyone heard or tried to lock it (somehow)?
One idea I had was trying to somehow connect an inside hood release lever... but am not sure how this would work. Maybe an aftermarket item.
-Tom L.

Westfield 11 · 02-02-2008, 05:16 PM

Ssssssh, don't tell anyone how to remove the panel and we will be alright.

LorbeerTLC · 02-02-2008, 05:46 PM

Hmmm... I'll have to wait till I get my car, but I wonder when the alarm is set, if it would go off if somebody tries to open it.
I'll have to try it.
-Tom L.

Old smart · 02-02-2008, 06:29 PM

Really, why would anyone want to? Even in the days before internal hood releases, I never found that anyone had opened mine.

LorbeerTLC · 02-02-2008, 06:39 PM

Under "Reliability Issues" 'Old smart' mentions:

"There is a problem (in France primarily) with the theft of the easy-off front access panel."

I'm thinking it's only a matter of time before it could reach here.

-Tom L.

bmx43 · 02-02-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LorbeerTLC

Under "Reliability Issues" 'Old smart' mentions:

"There is a problem (in France primarily) with the theft of the easy-off front access panel."

I'm thinking it's only a matter of time before it could reach here.

-Tom L.

i hear ya but i don't know what the purpose would be to steal it here. it's just a big piece of plastic! who would want that?

SmartCard · 02-02-2008, 07:02 PM

The only reason I could see would be to have a duplicate or different color front panel. But isn't there an anti-theft device already installed to keep it safe?

....you know, that "sturdy" plastic ribbon!

bmx43 · 02-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartCard

The only reason I could see would be to have a duplicate or different color front panel. But isn't there an anti-theft device already installed to keep it safe?

....you know, that "sturdy" plastic ribbon!

you probably could just replace that strap with a cable of some sort if you are really concerned about it.

LorbeerTLC · 02-02-2008, 07:07 PM

I guess because some people like to do senseless vandalism. Especially if you stumble upon a group of people that might have an attitude against a car that can make a political statement.
It might not happen.
It might happen.
I'm thinking of trying to discourage that chance. If it happened in other places, it could happen here.

SmartBob · 02-03-2008, 08:24 AM

This is where we start talking about booby traps and our gun collections.

j/k