I find that just turning it back to 1 for a few seconds and off is enough to let it shut down. Makes life easy, and I don't accidentally leave something on. I've now gotten into the habit of powering down and THEN collecting things I'm taking with me from the car (gloves, bags, cups, etc), with the key being last. Haven't had a problem since I trained to this behavior.
It chimes only because you removed the key before the computer shut down properly - has Microsoft been messing with smart too?
You need to both wait to start the engine and wait to remove the key - after inserting the key wait until you hear the muted click then turn further to start the engine - after stopping the engine wait several seconds before taking the key out.
The smart is a very unusual car in many ways. The car looks different, is plastic panelled, has an option to change its colour by changing the panels, has the least compliant front suspension of any car I've ever driven, has strange electronic characteristics, has unusual sized tires, has a three cylinder engine, has hot hot seat heaters, locks itself after you unlock it if you don't open a door, has a strange ignition key and key location, no spare tire, battery under the passenger's feet, radiator in front and engine in rear, see-through roof that doesn't open, owner's manual doesn't fit in the glove compartment, provision for two tow hooks in front but only one hook is usable and two tow hooks in the rear but only one tow hook supplied, has a very large oil drain plug for a very small engine, makes weird noises, has a ride like a buck-board, has two separate methods for controlling manual shifts, has a manual gearbox with an automatic type consol, has a manual transmission with no clutch pedal, has reclining seats with no room to recline, etc, etc.
I once owned a Simca made in France and thought it was a bit odd. Of course the french had the Citroen too. The French also took an unusual car, the Isetta, and made it more unusual calling it the VELAM. It was even smaller and more strange looking than the smart. (BTW, BMW is considering marketing a car based on the Isetta to go into competition with the smart - BMW to challenge Smart with Isetta brand? - AutoblogGreen) The smart is also made in France - any connection? Even though it wasn't designed in France they somehow imbued it with their penchant to be different. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact it is somewhat endearing. I kind of like that. I also despise ticky tacky things that are all the same.
It chimes only because you removed the key before the computer shut down properly - has Microsoft been messing with smart too?
You need to both wait to start the engine and wait to remove the key - after inserting the key wait until you hear the muted click then turn further to start the engine - after stopping the engine wait several seconds before taking the key out.
The smart is a very unusual car in many ways. The car looks different, is plastic panelled, has an option to change its colour by changing the panels, has the least compliant front suspension of any car I've ever driven, has strange electronic characteristics, has unusual sized tires, has a three cylinder engine, has hot hot seat heaters, locks itself after you unlock it if you don't open a door, has a strange ignition key and key location, no spare tire, battery under the passenger's feet, radiator in front and engine in rear, see-through roof that doesn't open, owner's manual doesn't fit in the glove compartment, provision for two tow hooks in front but only one hook is usable and two tow hooks in the rear but only one tow hook supplied, has a very large oil drain plug for a very small engine, makes weird noises, has a ride like a buck-board, has two separate methods for controlling manual shifts, has a manual gearbox with an automatic type consol, has a manual transmission with no clutch pedal, has reclining seats with no room to recline, etc, etc.
I once owned a Simca made in France and thought it was a bit odd. Of course the french had the Citroen too. The french also took an unusual car, the Isetta, and made it more unusual calling it the VELAM. It was even smaller and more strange looking than the smart. (BTW, BMW is considering marketing a car based on the Isetta to go into competition with the smart - BMW to challenge Smart with Isetta brand? - AutoblogGreen) The smart is also made in France - any connection? Even though it wasn't designed in France they somehow imbued it with their penchant to be different. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact it is somewhat endearing. I kind of like that. I also despise ticky tacky things that are all the same.
The smart is a very unusual car in many ways. The car looks different, is plastic panelled, [...] has unusual sized tires, [...] locks itself after you unlock it if you don't open a door, [...] owner's manual doesn't fit in the glove compartment
My saturns had all that and more since 92-ish. I keep having to remind myself that for most people the plastic panel thing is a new feature. I've had them for 15+ years on my saturns, and love how they work.
And yes, in both cases my saturn manual to too large to keep in the glove box. I guess technically it did fit in an odd angled way, assuming you didn't want anything else in there. But then thats why they gave you the cool little velcro pouch to hold it in. Mine's safely tucked behind the drivers seat, kind of wedged between the seat and the boot.
I would like to know if anyone else is experiencing this? There is an alarm/chime that sounds when the head lights are left on, the keys are removed from the ignition and the door is opened. In my car the chime sounds for no reason, i.e. I remove the key from the ignition, the lights are OFF and the chime will sound.
The problem does not happen all the time, maybe 2-3 times per week. I have been back to the dealer several times and they say that they cannot duplicate the problem. I finally called Smart Central and they put me in contact with the regional manager. He informed me that this is a common problem and that there is nothing wrong with the car.
I disagree. I paid $20,000 for this car, the chime is annoying and it is a problem to me.
Has anyone else experienced this? What can I do?
Thanks.
I had that happen to me today, but I left the lights on. But, I did have a thought which does happen to my wife when she turns into our drive. Somehow, the turn signal does not click off. She gets out, and turns the alarm on, and that stupid signal stays on. So I come out, and see the light on, and immediately know it is that. I am wondering, but have not verified, if the chime also goes off when you have the turn signal on and keys off? Might do that test for the heck of it. Maybe that is the problem?
My saturns had all that and more since 92-ish. I keep having to remind myself that for most people the plastic panel thing is a new feature. I've had them for 15+ years on my saturns, and love how they work.
Yeah, but you can't swap your Saturn's out for another color in a few hours. . .
The lift gate on my Murano is all molded polycarbonate too. It is such a complicated shape that was the only way to manufacture it without a bunch of welding/brazing on sheet metal.
Yeah, but you can't swap your Saturn's out for another color in a few hours. . .
Sure you could... if you had access to the panels to replace them with. Saturn wasn't too big on just handing those out though, and they cost a lot more back then. They also had plastic rivets holding the panels on that were pretty nifty. They were like drywall screws that were controlled by a center pin. Push the pin in, and the backing part would straighten out and could be pulled out. You'd then pop the pin doubly out (so its above the face) and you could insert it back into the hole. Push the pin flat and the backing fans out again to re-secure it. 90% of the dash and all the panels were held on with these plastic rivets. The only thing you need real tools for inside were to change out the radio and the seats.
Now though that's all history, since as of last year Saturn has done away with plastic panels on it's new cars. Sad really, especially up here in northern land where people have a lot of 3 to 5mpg bumps due to the snow and ice. I had a very old car that looked great, no dings at all, where most friends with cars half as old had several small bumps or ripples.
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tmater
I keep having to remind myself that for most people the plastic panel thing is a new feature. I've had them for 15+ years on my saturns, and love how they work. 
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