Heated mirrors stay on all the time!

[p1nball]

Originally Posted by jwight

Look on the bright side - this is our answer when folks ask "why doesn't it get better gas mileage?" It's those damn heated mirrors dragging on the alternator all the time.

I really don't want to rant, I do know after many years of car ownership, and pleny of horror stories from all the manufacters, that I have owned their products. It was either the Service Mgtr or the service writter, or the so called tech that passed it on as it is how it is!!! Not fair, I say! Fix it, is what I say!! I can live with this minor glitch, and will pop out the mirror and disconnect the heating element wire. It is a drag on the alternator, as you have stated. I do think that Smart will have "FIX" for the issue.
Thank and,
Regards, p1nball

[p1nball]

Got fed up and popped the mirrors out, and unplugged THEM very easy.
Get your fingers under the glass part of the mirror, pull toward yourself, and pop!! it comes off!! Then disconnect plug, Case Closed, till there is a "FIX" , or winter come!
Regards, p1nball
PS if you need to see it done: Evilution link Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[JIM VINYARD]

If the mirrors are heated constantly and never turn off except with the igntion is off, the heating elements will burn out sooner i would think also make a steady draw on the alternator amd reduce your MPG.

[smartSparky]

I also had not noticed until reading these posts. Just did a check on mine. Using a Thermapen 5 high quality digital thermometer the mirrors were the same as ambient temperature of 85. After a few minutes with the ignition on they soared to 106 and was still climbing before I turned the ignition off. I would guess that smart is going to have to address this with a rather widespread recall.

[theguywiththelongestname]

Derek the service rep dude from Walter's Mercedes/smart in Riverside CA called back last night. He hasn't heard about the "hot-all-the-time mirrors" yet, but he said he will contact his lead tech person and look into it and get back with me. Walter's Mercedes now has 4 trained smart techs, and their info is getting better and better according to Derek.

I will get back to this forum with more info from the techs when I receive it...

[theguywiththelongestname]

Originally Posted by JIM VINYARD

If the mirrors are heated constantly and never turn off except with the igntion is off, the heating elements will burn out sooner i would think also make a steady draw on the alternator amd reduce your MPG.

this is my concern too, unintentional heat damage from constant (and unnecessary) use ...I mean, these are just plastic pods with hot hot hot heating elements within...and the mirror glass is cooking for no reason!

[jwight]

Just e-mailed the mother ship; will let you know their answer.

[p1nball]

[quote=jwight;132592]Just e-mailed the mother ship; will let you know their answer. [/quote


Thank you!!!
p1nball

[scdaf]

Just checked mine and they come on with the key even though it's about 70 degrees...

[Westfield 11]

As Microsoft would say: it's not a bug, it's a feature!! What do you want to bet they just send out a new page to stick into the owners manual?