DRL Daylight Running Lights activation

[smartRRparts]

Originally Posted by fpage77

Oh so by that then a ScanGauge II is a bad thing to use by that logic. I have nothing against you but it always seems dealers want to find a scape goat when something happens (not saying you specifically at all). It may be just me that has bad experiences with other dealers (not smart). The sam frying on jimvw57 car could have been blamed on his ScanGuage II but it wasn't and they replaced his car (big ++++ there). I don't know what modifications you're talking about that are causing issues you speak of that your rep is having issue about.

Most of the cases he has been dealing with have been cruise controls. I would imagine the ScanGuage II is just fine because it's just reading/translating information and not reprogramming the computer or introducing new lines of code. The smart's electrical system is complex and it "may" pick up on draws tapped into the main controls. Heck, a bad turn signal bulb can trigger the MIL to come on. Mainly I just wanted to give people the head's up on this and hope some genuine smart accessories start becoming available that have proven to be the most popular. That's all. At this dealership at least we look for ways to help our customers, not see how we can ruin their visit. There will be a time when these cars' warranty has expired and we want them to still come to us. That won't happen if we tell them their a/c isn't covered because they hung an air freshener on the vent. The customer is who I answer to and when they're happy, smart should succeed. I posted the previous with the best intentions.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by smartRRparts

I posted the previous with the best intentions.

That's why I said I didn't exactly mean you.


.... I'm cruise control free and fine without it.

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by smartRRparts

Key in hand, turn headlights on and pull back on the high beam flasher while simultaneously pressing the lock button on the remote all for maybe 5 or 10 seconds. Then turn on the car and see if they're working.

..THANK YOU PAUL...for the PM and for getting my DRL working...it did the trick ...owe you one

jetfuel

[rigacci]

I would prefer to have my DRL done by the Smart people but I think $125 is borderline for taking advantage of the situation. It's only a $65 option, no?

I agree that techs don't like the confusion of after-market installs. I work with networking computers and when there is a problem we always ask the customer what they might have done or had they added anything.

I'm putting it on hold for now. Maybe Smart in Devon will figure out how to add options and not charge as much as Ray Catena Smart. $75 yes, maybe even $100 but $125?

DR

[jwight]

It's only a $65 option, no?

Still $50 on the smart USA configurator.

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by rigacci

I'm putting it on hold for now. Maybe Smart in Devon will figure out how to add options and not charge as much as Ray Catena Smart. $75 yes, maybe even $100 but $125?

It cost me about 75 to add it at my smart center.

[Mr. Smart]

Smart Center of Englewood, NJ, can perform the DRL activation for $103.20 plus tax. This includes the $60 or so that Smart USA charges the Smart Center for every code, and 4/10 of an hour labor. FYI the technician performing the update has to hook up the car up to the computer and spend time on the phone with Smart USA while uploading the codes, the procedure is similar to programming new Smart Car keys.

[smartRRparts]

As of 9-2-2009, smart center Round Rock is charging $93.



This price subject change, blah blah blah....

[jamesce]

I am always offended by auto mfgs who charge me for software options that they intentionally prevent me from doing myself. My Volvo had the maintenance light on for 10 years because only the dealer could reset it (for $50) when I changed the oil myself.

Imagine this: a guy pulls out from a stop sign in front of my Smart. $30K in property damages and more in personal injuries. Driver says he just didn't see that tiny car coming down the road. He and I sue Smart for recklessly disabling a key safety feature of the car, DRL, that arguably would have prevented the accident. Our lawyer to Smart engineer on the stand: "So, you built DRL into this vehicle because it is essentially zero cost to you and it's known to prevent exactly this type of accident. Then you disabled it, didn't tell the customer is was there, and when they asked for it, you charged them $100 to turn it back on? $100 to merely push a few buttons and save a life?"

I can imagine no rational defense for disabling DRL. We should be outraged!

[smartRRparts]

Originally Posted by jamesce

I am always offended by auto mfgs who charge me for software options that they intentionally prevent me from doing myself. My Volvo had the maintenance light on for 10 years because only the dealer could reset it (for $50) when I changed the oil myself.

Imagine this: a guy pulls out from a stop sign in front of my Smart. $30K in property damages and more in personal injuries. Driver says he just didn't see that tiny car coming down the road. He and I sue Smart for recklessly disabling a key safety feature of the car, DRL, that arguably would have prevented the accident. Our lawyer to Smart engineer on the stand: "So, you built DRL into this vehicle because it is essentially zero cost to you and it's known to prevent exactly this type of accident. Then you disabled it, didn't tell the customer is was there, and when they asked for it, you charged them $100 to turn it back on? $100 to merely push a few buttons and save a life?"

I can imagine no rational defense for disabling DRL. We should be outraged!

Customers aren't being charged to activate DRL in a smart that they ordered the car with and is equipped with them. Those can be activated by the procedure previously posted. The charge is to add the option to a smart that wasn't built with DRLs in the first place.