10 Tips for driving a Smart car...?

[Alchemy R]

I'm trying to put together a list that I can leave in my car that includes 10 or less tips for driving a Smart Car. I mean, let's face it, they are a little different to drive...

I plan on letting a lot of people drive mine and would love to have a quick little card for them to look at describing the idiosyncrasies of the car so that I don't have to go through it each time.

I know the biggest complaint/observation is the shifting, which only took me a day to get used to. But I'm not sure how to describe it. Also the brakes, which work fine but do take some getting used to as well.

So if you have an idea and don't mind sharing it then please post up a tip!

[D-NICE]

The first rule of driving a smart -- don't talk about driving a smart.

If I was as nice as you and allowed lots of people to drive my smart (or any of my cars) I would leave a simple note that reads: please, be gentle.

[pluto]

#1. Tell them where the ignition is. I gave someone my keys to drive it, and she came back and told me that she couldn't find where to put the key.

[theguywiththelongestname]

don't lift your foot off the gas while shifting gears...

when you shift, the computer will automatically compensate for throttle position...you don't have to "let up on the gas" at all...

best advice on driving a smart i've read yet...and i read it here...

[stevenvillatoro]

My #1 tip (seriously) is... RELAX.

I remember how odd the smart felt when I first drove it home. I was tense, and bumbled through everything.

Within a few days, as I relaxed and became accustomed to the smart, everything became completely effortless. Now, it's all the OTHER cars that are horrific to drive! And the smart seems more natural and more intuitive than the rest.

Relax. You'll find the ignition. You'll get used to the proportions. You'll come to love the transmission. You'll get over nervousness about freeway speeds. Etc.

[VinceLA]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

My #1 tip (seriously) is... RELAX.

I remember how odd the smart felt when I first drove it home. I was tense, and bumbled through everything.

You know Steven, I couldn't agree with you more. I was pretty tensed up the first couple of days. Not that I can't find where the switches were and all that. But how the car handled on the highway, street, how fast it will stop/go etc. It has its own dynamics.

These days, it's a breeze to drive the car.

[Alchemy R]

^^^this one is sooo true. At first it's so quirky but once you get into it it's easier to drive. Now my Smart feels quite "normal".

The not lifting your foot off during shifts is a good one. Also, how much gas are they giving it. I've heard all the complaints that it's way underpowered but mine feels just fine. It's quite quick around town. It's simply a matter of dropping it down a gear sometimes.

And yes, the ignition! LOL

*why don't I get e-mail notification? I have it turned on...

[theguywiththelongestname]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

...Now, it's all the OTHER cars that are horrific to drive! And the smart seems more natural and more intuitive than the rest...

now, when i take the the good old Jeep Cherokee out for a spin, it feels extremely large and clumsy...and the Cherokee is a decent handling mid-sized vehicle...definitely not a "large car" by any means...

...it's funny how a couple months of driving the smartmobile can alter your perceptions...

[Karl Roth]

Not holding the key in start long enough reminds me its not lil booger...
karl

[Thru the Eyes of Ruby]

Originally Posted by VinceLA

You know Steven, I couldn't agree with you more. I was pretty tensed up the first couple of days. Not that I can't find where the switches were and all that. But how the car handled on the highway, street, how fast it will stop/go etc. It has its own dynamics.

These days, it's a breeze to drive the car.

I'm still tense! I've had Ruby for almost a month now! I'm reading horror stories about the service places. "Touch me and die" has been my mantra.

As for a tip- if you're driving in automatic, keep your foot on the gas, even a little bit if you're in city-traffic or else the transmission drops you like a bad habit, and you have about 2 solid seconds of foot-on-the-gas-but-the-car-isn't-moving fun. Plus once it starts moving it jolts making passers-by look at you like you can't drive a stick... even though the car is in automatic. And that's just embarassing.