Any overheating issues?

[saxdiva]

Been using the A/C the last three days or so here in L.A. Haven't had to deal with stop and go traffic yet, but the little bugger is humming right along. I'd say the A/C doesn't help its performance on hills at highway speeds... but who are we kidding; there HAS to be some trade-off when you're driving a 3-cyl car. One thing I discovered, however, is that this car gets HOT when parked in the sun and seems to want to stay that way. Since I can't always park in the shade at work, I'll pick up a sunshade tomorrow and see if that helps.

By the way, I'm still averaging 40+ mpg using the A/C during the afternoon.

[tverb]

We spent about an hour going less than 5MPH in the Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City NJ Saturday. No engine overheating, but the brakes got a little hot. Kept having to brake for clowns!

[xcrew229x]

Hahaha.... a "we brake for clowns" bumper sticker.

[aslusers]

Just realized (after 4 days) there is no engine temperature guage. How do we monitor this issue? Do I need to install an aftermarket guage?

Holly

[Kermit]

I used to have an Insight that was a hot box. What I did to reduce the problem took a few seconds before taking off in the afternoon.

Open the rear hatch and leave open, then the drivers door and leave open, then the passenger door and leave open. Next I loop around the car checking for new dings and scratches (dings not a problem on Smart ). I loop the car twice then on the last loop I shut the passenger door, then the hatch and get in the car. Whole process takes about 30 seconds and it helps me to figure out whether I need to kick the door in of the car that is parked next to me if they scratched my car.

This has really helped cool down my cars before I take off in them, I even used to do it in my Metro!

Originally Posted by saxdiva

One thing I discovered, however, is that this car gets HOT when parked in the sun and seems to want to stay that way. Since I can't always park in the shade at work, I'll pick up a sunshade tomorrow and see if that helps.

[Arch]

Originally Posted by aslusers

Just realized (after 4 days) there is no engine temperature guage. How do we monitor this issue? Do I need to install an aftermarket guage?

Holly

Again, there isn't an "issue", but like millions of other cars, your fortwo is equipped with a coolant temperature warning lamp. See pages 34/35 and 241 of your owners manual for a bit more about it. On the other hand, if you feel the need to keep tabs on actual coolant operating temperatures, a scangauge is an easy way to get at them.

In the meantime, just enjoy your car.

Arch

[bradgarbus]

Originally Posted by aslusers

Just realized (after 4 days) there is no engine temperature guage. How do we monitor this issue? Do I need to install an aftermarket guage?

Holly

Hey Holly they are right... the scan gauge is the best route to go, you can monitor all the car's vitals with it, and I checked with my service manager and he gave me the green light to buy one. Thought it was a good idea.

Here's the link: http://www.scangauge.com/

From what I understand it works really well. I already purchased one and I don't have the car yet... LOL

[bradgarbus]

Will be interesting what this threat reads in late June and July... Then I will be sure...

[aslusers]

Originally Posted by Archie

Again, there isn't an "issue", but like millions of other cars, your fortwo is equipped with a coolant temperature warning lamp. See pages 34/35 and 241 of your owners manual for a bit more about it. On the other hand, if you feel the need to keep tabs on actual coolant operating temperatures, a scangauge is an easy way to get at them.

In the meantime, just enjoy your car.

Arch

Thanks Arch -

I've seen several mentions of the Scangauge and wondered what it did. I'm not sure I'm worried enough to start adding equipment. For now, I'll just let the warning light do it's job for me!

[Dean Smith]

Yesterdays high was 124 degrees. My in-dash temp gauge shows 115 as the outside air temp. My scan gauge shows the water temp at 211 degrees. On normal 100 to 108 degree days, my water temp runs about 196 degrees. I don't think 211 is hot considering it won't boil until 260 degrees.

I would think these conditions show just how well the smart is handling extremes. I can hardly wait to read about a Smart owner in North Dakota in January.