stop trying to diag smart cars

Smartech2105 · 08-26-2008, 11:06 AM

Please stop trying to fix the cars on your own. The scan tools everyone is buying are junk, they do not do half the functions that the ones of the dealers. Please if you have problems with your smart car just bring it in to the dealer, they are trained professionals and will do what they do best. FIX THE CAR. Its quite annoying to have a car come in and have the customer tell the mechanic whats wrong with it. So please everyone your cars are under warrenty TAKE THEM IN for work. Thanks.

RLove · 08-26-2008, 11:50 AM

I've seen this on the MINI sites too...people trying to diagnose a problem and asking what to do. Duh, you have a warranty - take the car in and let pro's fix it.

What's worse is they might do something to void their warranty screwing around with stuff they know nothing about.

mfoster · 08-26-2008, 11:54 AM

The issue is the distance to the dealer. If they were around the block, OK, but some of us live hours away. if there is something minor we can diagnose and fix why not. I would have to take a whole day from work to take my smart to the dealer.

Bum-bling-B · 08-26-2008, 12:05 PM

I was about to say that mfoster.

Smartech2105 - please get with Smart and have them move the dealer closer to me. 200 miles is too far - I'm also soon going to be out of warranty.

Over half way there.

rfernatt · 08-26-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

please get with Smart and have them move the dealer closer to me. 200 miles is too far

Ditto. Or, let Mercedes dealers have a smart trained technician on staff. They won't be able to sell the car, but they could at least provide service if they choose to have someone trained and purchase any necessary equipment. I would think a few MB dealers might be willing to have at least one smart tech on staff if there are more than a few smarts running around and the nearest authorized dealer is 200 - 300 miles away. They could get paid for warranty and out-of-warranty work and provide regular service for those who want it (oil changes, etc.). That would make the smart a lot more appealing to folks who worry about the distance from a dealer and mechanical problems. Mini should do this with BMW service centers, IMHO.

But, what do we know, we're just consumers...

**JPaul** · 08-26-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfoster

The issue is the distance to the dealer. If they were around the block, OK, but some of us live hours away. if there is something minor we can diagnose and fix why not. I would have to take a whole day from work to take my smart to the dealer.

Shouldn't it be a two way street?
If the car is located far from the Dealership, can't the latter suggest to the car's owner to drive it to a place where it can be plugged into a diagnostic device for free, or the code read on the owner's device. Then both can decide which way to go: either the car is brought to the Dealership, or the owner is guided into a temporary or, better, a long term fix. Everybody could, would win...

a2jack · 08-26-2008, 12:12 PM

Smartech. Welcome to our Forum.

You have, however, landed in the midst of a bunch of hands on, car nuts. Most of us will never be able to resist getting involved in any problem our cars may have.

Even your doctor wants to hear what you have to say about your body and he/she is a pro as well as I'm sure you are.

After a demonstration of the electronic tools you guys have in your shop, I agree our little hand held devises leave much to be desired. However It's all we have.

Why not work to educate us, and above all, as an insider, help us promote a Smart 4-2 repair manual, so that we can learn more about our cars and better communicate with you.
Best Regards... A2Jack.

rawlusÂ® · 08-26-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartech2105

Its quite annoying to have a car come in and have the customer tell the mechanic whats wrong with it.

why would that be annoying?

Macaw · 08-26-2008, 01:01 PM

regarding scan tools....seems like a waste of a 4-hour round-trip drive to have a check light reset/diagnose for a GAS CAP..... and if I can read out a code and call it in they might be able to determine if they have the part in stock for a repair.... and a scan tool at the dealer isn't going to read out a different code... And for my beetle I can do any thing with vag-com software that a dealer can do with his.....
And as a electronic tech I do not get mad when a customer comes in with a self-diagnostic code as that usually narrows it down to what board is the problem and it's easy to give a ball park estimate or ability to order a part without setting foot in their house.

rwjrn · 08-26-2008, 01:15 PM

It's also quite annoying to drive a hundred miles for a two hundred dollar oil change. Many of us would rather work on our own cars. This is a $16k car, not a $60k mercedes. What's really annoying is the lack of a comprehensive manual for the car. Why is it necessary to make it difficult to even find out what oil the car takes? The manual that comes with the car states "for a listing of approved oils contact a smart center." I'm sorry that you find your customers annoying because they won't do everything your way, but that's life in business. With your attitude I don't wonder that people don't want to bring their cars to you.