smart shuts off in left hand turns

[GmacDiesel29]

Under the cover is the ECM ( Engine Control Module).

[chosipian]

I have had the experience also of my Smart car shutting off and it is definitely my leg touching the key. It takes very little movement for the key to turn off the engine. Perhaps there is someway to protect the key, get a smaller key or move my driver seat back 2 inches so my legs are straighter?

[Ativan]

This is a horrible design flaw and should be reported to the NHTA. I have accidentally shut off the car at least seven times by hitting the key and key fobs. Once was turning into traffic and almost got hit. They need to have the key on the dash.

[mdfortwoguy]

I'm rather curious to how people are getting their legs on top of the keys in the first place. After driving it for 5 months now, mine get nowhere near the key.

[Ativan]

you can accidentally bump it with your hands too and shut the car off. I have done that several times reaching for something.

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by Ativan

....I have done that several times reaching for something.

You mean INSTEAD of driving

[mvaldes]

I drove SAAB turbos for years that had the iginition on the floor and never had a problem ('tho I have heard of those that did-mostly passengers turning around to deal with kids in the back.) SAAB actually promotes it as a safety feature, you can't hit your knee on it in an accident. Gotta love those ad agenicies...

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by Ativan

you can accidentally bump it with your hands too and shut the car off. I have done that several times reaching for something.

Originally Posted by chieftmc

You mean INSTEAD of driving

This is going to end well....

[Woody14619]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

SAAB actually promotes it as a safety feature, you can't hit your knee on it in an accident.

Actually, after having my right knee pelted with keys in the saturn for years I found it a relief to have the key and it's brethren out of the way. I haven't had a problem with the key being hit, but I have had the shifter move into manual a couple times because of a... lets say "eager" passenger. I think they should have made the whole console either a little shorter, so it's sunk down below leg level, or with protective walls.