New orig smart car owner update

cfreidma · 11-01-2009, 06:14 PM

So I've had my smart for a couple months and I think I'm getting the hang of it. The only remaining problem is the spare key. I bought a FOB but the local smart center can't program it so I'm stuck with one key for a while until I figure this out. I'm being very careful.

I thought I had a problem with the lights - turns out that the right rear light is the 'reverse' light. So if the shifter is in reverse, the light is on.

I'm getting better at understanding how to shift the car for best performance and to keep up with traffic. I've found that automatic is not good on uphill and not particularly good at down shifting at fast decelarations. So I drive in auto and when there's a hill or a sudden slowdown, I manually shift. Then I press the auto button again to go back to auto shifting. (It seems that changing the transmission fluid has helped with the smothness of the shifting in automatic mode.)

Also, some very good news is that I spoke to Paul Meyers at the CO Smart Center on Broadway- very nice guy. He said he would be willing to service the car as needed. This is a relief. I was really impressed with him - very open mind.

Lastly, I have really appreciated all of the information on this site. It has been really helpful.
Lastly lastly - I LOVE THE CAR!

ASmartMan · 11-02-2009, 06:41 AM

cfreidma

It is great to hear your "Having a Blast", I remember when it was new to me, I installed a servo driven cruse control (it works, but I never use it), put together a trip computer/GPS (once I got all the data it ended up in my desk draw).

I got a used SAM unit (Thanks Ron) found out the use of each chip, wasn't willing to spend $1K+ for the developers kit to read/write to the main chip, wrote code for a PLC to emulate my FOB (not really the FOB but to emulate the signal between the RX and the SAM )

Then my OCD/ADD kicked in and I was off to the next item(s), Linux (WOW has this improved) and true FTA (all started by buying a $5 used receiver at a yard sale).

Anyways, have a Blast, it is a neat little car that can be a BLAST to tinker with.

Have fun ASM

**Suze** · 11-02-2009, 07:28 AM

Great to hear that a smart center will service your 450. Can they do anything about your 2nd key?

briansmart · 11-02-2009, 11:01 AM

Glad you're having a blast, cfriedma! And I am VERY glad you met Paul Myers. He is just a great person. Come to think of it, he and Don LaFavor should meet.

What transmission fluid did you change to? The last time my transmissions were touched were by Paul about a year ago

As far as an extra key, have you read through this thread? Finally, an answer for extra keys (I hope)!

cfreidma · 11-02-2009, 06:31 PM

I did read through the 'finally and answer for key...' but there really didn't seem to be an answer except to drive to Kansas City and have Leroy program it - and this is something I AM considering. My current plan to get my FOB programmed is to call all of the Mercedes local dealers (I think I got the list from this site) and ask if they have the 'Mercedes DAS system for Smart'.

The transmission fluid I used was Valvoline Dexron III. I ordered it from Amazon then later saw it at the local auto store by my house

.

So now I'm already starting to scheme on my next Smart project. I'm thinking a high performance exhaust is the next logical step!

Maybe a blaster horn instead of the road runner horn.

The road runner horn is cute but maybe a little understated in a 'situation' where you could get mowed.

Brabus007 · 11-02-2009, 07:18 PM

Hi,... Yes you will have "Miles Of Smiles"

Leroy · 11-03-2009, 12:22 PM

If you find someone locally to program the FOBs make sure they update the solfware on the SAM and ECU while they are at it. I have found that every car that I have worked on had not been updated. There is also some upgrades on the G&K EVAP systems.

Leroy

briansmart · 11-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Leroy, are these updates only available on the Mercedes Star system? Or would someone with the Mercedes group of info for a WinStar system have the same function? I think my two fave independent MB repair shops are running WinStar, but I cannot get them to confirm.

Leroy · 11-03-2009, 09:33 PM

The updates are only done with the Star system. The Winstar will not update anything. But you can code the miles and temp in the cluster.

Leroy

briansmart · 11-04-2009, 06:19 PM

Sounds like I need to plan a pre-thanksgiving trip to KC to see you Leroy or to Tennessee to see Leonard.

Both 450s haven't had any programming since they were purchased from G&K I am certain. Both had only one prior owner with one of them having 88 original miles on it when I purchased it.