Stuck in N when I try to reverse

[SylenThunder]

What I think is funny is that I never had any of these issues previously. But since having it in for th 2.0 update, (and they lubed the shifter while it was in.) I have been having a delayed R. I'll shift into reverse, but sometimes have to wait as long as 10 seconds before it actually goes into reverse. It does, however, show R on the dashboard.

[Egadfly]

Originally Posted by scdaf

Why would you take the car to the dealer to lube the shifter? It's a 30 second procedure well documented on this site. Actually take less time and effort than filling the tank.

Try it, see if it helps.

I would take the car to the dealer because I have a problem with the shifter on my car that I've had for 6 months.

It's well documented on this site that a shifter lube doesn't fix the problem and will leave you stranded again and again until the shifter box is replaced.

I mean, I'm all for being a handy do-it-yourselfer, but I didn't buy an antique collectors car. It's a 2008 car that I just want to drive to work and back. Maybe I should have bought a Toyota?

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by Egadfly

This is what I'm afraid of. The Service representative at Smart USA made some comment about "with the economy these days" and mentioned how the dealers are trying to cut down on all costs, including repairs not reimbursed due to the warranty issue. He also fed me some line that this would be the same for all auto companies at this time, due to the economic climate. He said something about them not wanting to lose money, and I was like "what about me?!"

How can I get in touch with Dave Schembri? Is there anyone else I can contact to complain who might be able to help me in some way.

I don't know if I can keep recommending Smart cars to people if this is how I get treated by the dealer...

B

(248) 648-2450
Dave.Schembri@smartusa.com

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by Egadfly

Are you joking? My wife gets stuck in a dark and deserted shopping center parking lot because her brand new Smart can't shift into reverse. The best solution is to haul the car into the dealership to have the shifter lubed again and again so it doesn't happen anymore.

And you think this is similar to filling up the car with gas?

Apologies if I am missing the joke.

No joke. You just dont get it. They are not wanting to repair items that are clearly under warranty. The dealers are now worried that Smart will reimburse them. So my point was something as simple as a gas gauge fix is met with resistance much less trying to get the shifter fixed. The burden is now on you to convince them there is a problem. The gas gauge not register full is about as simple as it can get in proof yet they are stiff arming those trying to get it fixed. I love the smart but wont own it after the warranty expires. And in the meantime you will have to fight to get warranty repairs done.

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by Egadfly

I would take the car to the dealer because I have a problem with the shifter on my car that I've had for 6 months.

It's well documented on this site that a shifter lube doesn't fix the problem and will leave you stranded again and again until the shifter box is replaced.

I mean, I'm all for being a handy do-it-yourselfer, but I didn't buy an antique collectors car. It's a 2008 car that I just want to drive to work and back. Maybe I should have bought a Toyota?

Exactly.

[Smart Enuf]

Perhaps it's not a defect at all but just the smart's way of protecting its transmission from damage. I had this happen to me 2-3 times when I was new to the smart. I think it happens when I reverse down the driveway then switch to D at the bottom of the driveway BEFORE coming to a complete stop. This occurred even if the car was just creeping backward when I switched gears.

Switching from R to D while the car is moving slowly backwards seems to confuse the transmission. Or perhaps it's the smart's way of telling me I run the risk of damaging the transmission if I continue to do that so it switches to N for a temporary period to teach me the error of my ways.

I've since been careful to come to a complete stop at the end of the driveway before shifting to D and the problem hasn't returned. YMMV.

[Egadfly]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

Perhaps it's not a defect at all but just the smart's way of protecting its transmission from damage. I had this happen to me 2-3 times when I was new to the smart. I think it happens when I reverse down the driveway then switch to D at the bottom of the driveway BEFORE coming to a complete stop. This occurred even if the car was just creeping backward when I switched gears.

Switching from R to D while the car is moving slowly backwards seems to confuse the transmission. Or perhaps it's the smart's way of telling me I run the risk of damaging the transmission if I continue to do that so it switches to N for a temporary period to teach me the error of my ways.

I've since been careful to come to a complete stop at the end of the driveway before shifting to D and the problem hasn't returned. YMMV.

Maybe, but my problem (right now) is that I go from P to R and the car gets stuck in N. I am parked and the car has just been turned on. I can get P, N, or D, but not R. It's a pain when I need to reverse in a parking lot, and god forbid there is an emergency on the road where I need to reverse.

[Egadfly]

Originally Posted by redbluff

(248) 648-2450
Dave.Schembri@smartusa.com

I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.

<Dave.Schembri@smartusa.com>:
64.18.7.10 does not like recipient.
Remote host said: 550 No such user - psmtp
Giving up on 64.18.7.10.

He's not available at this email address any more, unfortunately.

[redbluff]

Originally Posted by Egadfly

I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.

<Dave.Schembri@smartusa.com>:
64.18.7.10 does not like recipient.
Remote host said: 550 No such user - psmtp
Giving up on 64.18.7.10.

He's not available at this email address any more, unfortunately.

The phone number below is for Jon Peterson. Good guy but so is Bob Wilshaw

bwilshaw@smartusa.com
jpeterson@smartusa.com

(248) 330-7497

[LAMINI]

Have you tried pushing it?