Cell Phone Operation Warning on OM page 220! - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

feschwagen · 05-23-2008, 08:28 AM

We picked up our smart on Wednesday (jumped on a model similar to our configuration that the dealer had available - our DDE said June 15 was our earliest date and we didn't want to wait anymore) and are enjoying it immensely. No problems...yet.

Reading through the owner's manual last night, though, something really caught me by surprise. On page 220 there is a 'warning!' message that says that operation of radio transmitters (e.g., cell phones) with internal antennas (cell phones that are not connected to an antenna mounted on the vehicle) can interfere with the electronic systems of the vehicle and cause them to malfunction!

This is not good - if true. While waiting for our smart I've been following various posts - particularly those relating to 'mysterious' instances of smarts suddenly stop functioning.

Is this just a Daimler CYA warning or is there a (to my mind in the US anyway) rather serious technical problem? In many other places in the OM owners are advised to call for road support on their cell phones - and I haven't seen any jacks anywhere - one would think they are referring to the cell phones that the majority of us are acustomed to using.

I am going to try to get a response from my dealer on record as to how to take this warning. Wish me luck!

Okie Boy · 05-23-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feschwagen

We picked up our smart on Wednesday (jumped on a model similar to our configuration that the dealer had available - our DDE said June 15 was our earliest date and we didn't want to wait anymore) and are enjoying it immensely. No problems...yet.

Reading through the owner's manual last night, though, something really caught me by surprise. On page 220 there is a 'warning!' message that says that operation of radio transmitters (e.g., cell phones) with internal antennas (cell phones that are not connected to an antenna mounted on the vehicle) can interfere with the electronic systems of the vehicle and cause them to malfunction!

This is not good - if true. While waiting for our smart I've been following various posts - particularly those relating to 'mysterious' instances of smarts suddenly stop functioning.

Is this just a Daimler CYA warning or is there a (to my mind in the US anyway) rather serious technical problem? In many other places in the OM owners are advised to call for road support on their cell phones - and I haven't seen any jacks anywhere - one would think they are referring to the cell phones that the majority of us are acustomed to using.

I am going to try to get a response from my dealer on record as to how to take this warning. Wish me luck!

Any radio transmitter could interfere with the electronics in any car. It does happen but not so much in todays cars. A cellphone transmitter is low power and not likley to cause problems. The warning is just another CYA in the owners manual.

Fredvon4 · 05-23-2008, 08:52 AM

I use my cell phone in mine with zero problems so I agree probably NOT an Issue...

What I find interesting is that all through the book and in the radio book they (smart GMbh) acknowledges that their equipment meets FCC Part 15 device standards... they even quote sections of the FCC's Part 15 device rules...

this is interesting because here is what the FCC rules say: (not complete and paraphrased)

Any Part 15 device may not cause any harmful interference
And it must accept interference for any licensed RF transmitter

Police
Armature Radio
CB radio
Cell Phone
GPS devices
are all Licenses Services

SO what this means is....IF you legal Licensed device, IE cell phone...causes any harmful interference ......the owner of the Part 15 device must remedy the problem ...usually by installing proper filtering and shileds.....

mike-in-sa · 05-23-2008, 08:55 AM

Sounds kinda like the CYA cell phone warnings at gas stations.

feschwagen · 05-23-2008, 11:20 AM

It's "smart" lawyers CYA language. I checked with the dealership GM and this is what he said - and I'm going to take that as a 'sign-off.' Talk away on your cell! (but not in heavy traffic;-)

Dave Van · 05-23-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

It's "smart" lawyers CYA language.

I agree....like many things today.....Like the warning on battery acid not to drink or pour in your eyes....CYA their butts!

bradgarbus · 05-23-2008, 11:30 AM

The sad part about these sorts of warnings is some dummy has actually done it... (drink battery acid, etc.) Is there something in the water or is common sense becoming a relic of the past...? he he

SnakeFarm · 05-23-2008, 12:42 PM

Hey Fred, what do you think the chances are of some trucker with a thousand watt linear amp doing the ol dust-devel on my fortwos ESC in real-time.

There could be a new trucker sport where they just get us in their pattern, key up and watch us just flip off into the ditch!

"Yeah good buddy, Ol Rubber Ducky is a-flippin me some smarties today lemmi tell ya what ...watch thissun WEEEEEEE HOOOOO!"