Hot new feature! (re: cabin heat)

[smartie]

Just when we had pretty much beaten the hot side mirror issue to death we have a hot new feature!

Try the following experiment:
1. With the car well warmed up, drive around with the windows closed.
2. Place you right hand on the rear of the handbrake where it disappears into the carpet.
3. Now open one of the windows and put your hand back on the rear of the handbrake again. Notice anything?
4. Close the window. Notice anything?
5. Repeat 3. and 4. until perplexed. (Please pay attention to the road)
There seems to be an excessive amount of hot air sucked in from somewhere around the engine when the window is open.


Is this a hot new feature, or a new hot feature?
Regards,
Smartie

PS: See post on second page for the source of the hot air and a solution.

[Dunerunner]

Hmmm! Maybe time for a boot on the old e-brake!! A nice black leather one, not too fancy or to large, just a nice one that doesn't cost too much!

[smartie]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Hmmm! Maybe time for a boot on the old e-brake!! A nice black leather one, not too fancy or to large, just a nice one that doesn't cost too much!

Indeed....
When I have time I will pull the carpet back to see what is really going on.

This explains why I felt the car was heating up when I opened the windows.
(Silly me, at first I thought it was the hot mirrors were the cause!)

The hot air flow from the handbrake feels like a heat gun.

[ostfriese]

Ich liebe smarties

[p1nball]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Hmmm! Maybe time for a boot on the old e-brake!! A nice black leather one, not too fancy or to large, just a nice one that doesn't cost too much!

Great parts, lamps lights wheels etc.LINK: Sparco Shift Knobs, Hand Brake Knobs

ENJOY, pinball

[Trena]

I noticed the same thing today on my new smart! My right arm was feeling warm, when nothing else significantly was...I investigated.

Anyone finds a cheaper alternative to pinball's linked company, please post! $69? Forget it! ;)

[SmartDigger]

E bay has many of them

[Sr Swatch]

Got mine on the way.....

SMART FOR2 BLACK HANDBRAKE GAITER SPECIAL RED STITCH - eBay (item 230233397204 end time Sep-14-08 05:42:51 PDT)

[mvaldes]

Originally Posted by Sr Swatch

Got mine on the way.....

SMART FOR2 BLACK HANDBRAKE GAITER SPECIAL RED STITCH - eBay (item 230233397204 end time Sep-14-08 05:42:51 PDT)

Thanks for the link, I hadn't been able to find one I liked. These look good so I placed an order for one too.

[Dean Smith]

Originally Posted by smartie

Indeed....
When I have time I will pull the carpet back to see what is really going on.

This explains why I felt the car was heating up when I opened the windows.
(Silly me, at first I thought it was the hot mirrors were the cause!)

The hot air flow from the handbrake feels like a heat gun.

Very observant of you Smartie !!! Nice work indeed. Now please don't forget to give us the "cure" when you find it. Temporarily I've wrapped a towel under, and around the hand brake; it works...but it ain't pretty.
Thanks again, Dean