Do your doors take a lot of effort to close? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

tbone28 · 02-02-2009, 10:17 AM

My car is 3 days old now, and I'm finding that it takes quite a bit of effort to close the door....wondering if this is normal for a Smart. There have been many times where I've had to close the door twice.

I need to close the door with more force than I need to on my Mercedes, and the mercedes has heavy doors.

Any opinions are appreciated.

NCC1701 · 02-02-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbone28

I need to close the door with more force than I need to on my Mercedes, and the mercedes has heavy doors.

Ah, but the smart has light doors, which is a big part of your problem. That, and with the windows closed you get some pressure resistance. Kinda like closing a door on 1st gen VW Beetles with the windows closed (not quite that bad). I'd say if you're only closing twice sometimes, you don't have a problem, and you'll get used to it.

tbone28 · 02-02-2009, 10:25 AM

*whew*, just glad to know that it's "normal" for a Smart. Now that you point out the light doors, it does make more sense now.

I was getting worried because I was closing the doors so hard, I thought I'd shatter the window one of these days

**jwight** · 02-02-2009, 10:28 AM

Since you're in CA you can probably leave a window cracked open a little to help; the rest of us are stuck with having to (gently) slam the doors, at least until the weather improves.

Old Panda · 02-02-2009, 10:34 AM

sorry, long story

tbone28 · 02-02-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Panda

Yes, that's it. The smart appears to be very 'air tight' and so when closing a 'light' door on a very air tight compartment, the door will not shut.

I've just gotten used to (only had it a week today) keeping my hand on the door and pushing it shut rather than using the weight of the door to shut. Keeps me from SLAMMING it, which can't be good on any door.

Great idea...I'll do that whenever I remember

yuckmoon · 02-02-2009, 11:17 AM

When I picked up my smart the dealers were like, umm, your door isn't closed. I tried again. Nope. They said it's steel and plastic, you won't hurt it. Slam it shut. Now I'm used to it, but I have to remind other riders in my car.

Suze · 02-02-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuckmoon

When I picked up my smart the dealers were like, umm, your door isn't closed. I tried again. Nope. They said it's steel and plastic, you won't hurt it. Slam it shut. Now I'm used to it, but I have to remind other riders in my car.

Yep, it's definitely something passengers don't get. When I have a passenger, I let them close their door first - justs saves that second try and a bunch of explaining.

**JPaul** · 02-02-2009, 11:41 AM

But it's difficult to remember not to slam somebody else's door when I'm a passenger in another brand. I've been scolded several time: "Hey, it's not a German car!"

SuperGeek · 02-02-2009, 05:32 PM

Yeah it's the air pressure. Crack the window 1/4" and close it without any resistance. I make sure to close my door first and seal it up so my passenger DOES have to slam it... they usually freak out when it slams if there's an open window... "Oops, sorry, didn't mean to hurt your little car." If I make 'em work for it, they think it's a tough car. People are stupid sometimes aren't they?