Brakes work!

[mvaldes]

Replacing the horn happened on day 3 of ownership. I considered it a particularly important mod for the NYC metro area. (As I recall, the latest US Census data shows our area to have the greatest number of a-holes per square mile, second only to the D.C. Metro area....Oops, hope that doesn't violate the "no politics" rule..)

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

Replacing the horn happened on day 3 of ownership. I considered it a particularly important mod for the NYC metro area. (As I recall, the latest US Census data shows our area to have the greatest number of a-holes per square mile, second only to the D.C. Metro area....Oops, hope that doesn't violate the "no politics" rule..)

I'm not sure that applies as 'politics' per se - just a statement of fact.

[Neonspinnazz]

40 to 0 in nothing flat?...

I hope that jerks that are only interested in insurance fraud never buy a smart!

Glad you're ok!

P.S. Did you get their plate number? The 5-O needs to hear about that other driver!

[Old smart]

I've have had one incidence of "total clamp-down." I was disappointed that inertia (mass x velocity) and front tire patch area (contact with the pavement) contrived to overcome the ABS feature. I was totally locked-up at the front, and hopefully not flat-spottting the rubber. That argues that I should consider going to 175s all-around. I weary of M-B's CYA, "safety admonitions."

[yellow smart]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

Replacing the horn happened on day 3 of ownership. I considered it a particularly important mod for the NYC metro area. (As I recall, the latest US Census data shows our area to have the greatest number of a-holes per square mile, second only to the D.C. Metro area....Oops, hope that doesn't violate the "no politics" rule..)

Nope, plenty of A-holes in the DC. At a minimum we have 535 that work in a white round building with a pointy thing on top. Forget what you call it but it was on TV earlier this week.

Yellow-Smart

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by Old smart

I've have had one incidence of "total clamp-down." I was disappointed that inertia (mass x velocity) and front tire patch area (contact with the pavement) contrived to overcome the ABS feature. I was totally locked-up at the front, and hopefully not flat-spottting the rubber. That argues that I should consider going to 175s all-around. I weary of M-B's CYA, "safety admonitions."

Strange.

Isn't ABS supposed to avoid that entirely on all four wheels individually? Or do you mean that you still skidded even while ABS was trying to keep control? Any chance it was releasing the brakes enough to allow movement and then re-engaging, detecting skid, then releasing in a pattern that only seemed ineffective?

[Old smart]

I was not in a braking-plus-steering circumstance, and what ABS is supposed to aid. This was straight-on, and beyond what ABS could do. My guess is that the rear wheels/brakes were contributing very little. I really needed more front grip.

[Neonspinnazz]

I guess the car's computer thought that you didn't need to steer but just to stop?

- do any those that work in that white, pointy building own a smart?
- I do know that one of them just got an 09' Caddy.

[Godfather]

Same conclusion I came to. I suspect we are being protected from ourselves. Those front brakes are clearly awash in swept area that could easily overwhelm the available rubber. I'll know this time next week, as I've got a set of rears enroute.

[Neonspinnazz]

The good thing is:

THEY CAN STOP!