I have successfully diagnosed quite a few problems on late model automobiles using OBD II. If you have the correct OBD II CAN scanner, why is it so difficult to do this on a Smart?
PS. I'm not a certified mechanic, just a back yard wrencher. It sounds to me like many of you Smart car owners are quite mechanically capable of doing your own work.
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.
Beg to differ.
If I have problems with one of my cars (...under original manufacture warranty), I tell the dealer's tech what's wrong with it and expect it to be promptly and correctly repaired.
I've worked on motorbikes, cars, and trucks for years. I perform my own vehicle maintenance, modifications, and non-warranty work. So, you won't find me at a dealer's service department unless: 1. there's a recall or, 2. a warranteed failure. Kindly give us "non-professionals" a break, please.
By the way, I've brought my car in twice to fix a minor warranteed problem that I could have performed in my garage. On the second visit I personally met with the tech to show him the problem and how to fix it...Go figure.
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.
What is your solution for the insanely bumpy ride over city streets?
I used to think my truck had a rough ride until I drove this car. I tried adjusting to the SMART for 3-4 weeks for a break in period of 1500 miles but it has not changed. Now I prefer my truck even at 18mpg.
I am asking all over this site but since you are the PROFESSIONAL, I am asking what is the solution.
BTW, I also own a 2008 MB SLK (see avatar), and it rides the best of the 3, which is surprising for a sports car. So if you have an answer, I will put my money where my mouth is and buy it. I will PM you separately and contact the dealer. I hate to sell my car, but I guess that I am the minority and someone else will get a great car for less than what I paid.
What is your solution for the insanely bumpy ride over city streets?
I used to think my truck had a rough ride until I drove this car. I tried adjusting to the SMART for 3-4 weeks for a break in period of 1500 miles but it has not changed. Now I prefer my truck even at 18mpg.
I am asking all over this site but since you are the PROFESSIONAL, I am asking what is the solution.
BTW, I also own a 2008 MB SLK (see avatar), and it rides the best of the 3, which is surprising for a sports car. So if you have an answer, I will put my money where my mouth is and buy it. I will PM you separately and contact the dealer. I hate to sell my car, but I guess that I am the minority and someone else will get a great car for less than what I paid.
I certainly agree with your suspension comments. I purchased my 451 as an in-town runabout. With some minor tweaks, it has proven to be a nice "fun car". In fact, I sold one of my motorcycles to purchase it.
Would I want it as my sole method of transportation? Nope. Would I buy it as a second car for daily commuting? Nope.
I really enjoy my Fortwo, but I'll take my current-Gen 4-cyl Honda when heading out on a trip--decent fuel economy and comfort...
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.
Who is this PERSON???? He has not answered any posts, has very little info on site, this is like a runaway train!!!!Just do what U want, its YOUR CAR!!!!!
Who is this PERSON???? He has not answered any posts, has very little info on site, this is like a runaway train!!!!Just do what U want, its YOUR CAR!!!!!
I agree with you!!! Have be on this forum for quite awhile, and have seen this happen afew times!! Someone starts a thread to bring on the DRAMA!!! That all I will say, There some famous ones on this site!!
What dealership personel need to keep in mind is that they do not own these cars if a consumer has paid for his/her car. (leased cars, and cars purchased on loan are another matter)
Anyone who has clear ownership of the car has a right to all the information related to that car. Unfortunately, dealerships and MB seem to believe that they can withhold information that is critical to the maintenance and repair of the vehicle. I was recently told that the dealership cannot disclose the method for resetting the service interval. They rationalized that by saying that some owners will reset it without doing the maintenance. What nonsense. The maintenance interval display is there precisely for the benefit of the owner, no one else. If the owner does his own maintenance he should know how to reset the interval. Dealerships and MB only want to withhold this type of information thinking it will discourage owners from working on their own vehicles - read profit here. In like manner, vehicles should actually be delivered with all maintenance and repair manuals. We do have a right to that information and dealerships do not have the right to withhold it from owners.
It is also the owners legal right to take the vehicle anywhere for service and repair or to do it themselves. Instead of blackmailing consumers to return their cars back to the dealerships for service, Mercedes Benz should be offering incentives for owners to have their cars serviced at their dealerships - or as is already being done by other manufacturers, include all maintenance as well as servicing and repair free of charge during the warranty period. That might encourage owners to return to the dealerships for that service once the warranty has expired. It might also actually be cost-effective for the factory since that would eliminate questionable warranty repairs due to either faulty service or lack of same.
from my POV, the stealership works for me, the techs work to satisfy me. if i'm not satisfied, they didn't complete their job. i don't expect any lip from the techs and they shouldn't be giving me any. do your job, do it quickly, professionally and most of all, do it right.
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Short Wheelbase=Bumpy Ride 
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