Can't lock (powerless) car (displayed in local mall)

[JPaul]

Well, re-reading the previous posts, I have to say that there must be a way. After all, the design of the smart is... well... "smart". But, what way?

It may be unwise to publicize it! Nevertheless, I intend to check this out with the Dealership.


Likewise, if the car is powerless, is there a way to close the windows, or the cabrio's soft top? Some cars use to come equipped with a crank and had a hole within the width of the door that did allow to close the windows. The Audi convertible use to have a provision within its roof's mechanism that did permit to close it manually in case of loss of power...

Just wondering.

Found a way to close the softop, but not without power:

Closing the rear soft top
If the rear soft top does not lock properly
after being closed, proceed as follows:
> Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
> Set the parking brake.
> Make sure that the key in the starter switch
is turned to position 1.
> Fold up the rear soft top completely.
The rear soft top stops in the unlocked
position.
> Within one minute, press and hold
symbol± on the retractable soft top
switch for 15 seconds twice.
The rear soft top closes the locking hooks.
> Close the retractable soft top completely.
> Have the rear soft top checked at an autho

rized smart center.

Owner's Manual page 251

[a2jack]

I can't believe this one. Auto lock out with dead batt.

Is this more French/Euro engineering, or are we just too dumb to work out the problem?

I don't believe it. There has to be a way around this.
A2Jack

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

My guess is that in that scenario, the 'key hole' on the drivers side WILL UNLOCK the door, but NOT LOCK IT.

Reading the owner's manual (pp. 250), it appears you're right. The instructions tell you how to use the keyhole to unlock the car, but when they talk about locking the car, they revert to talking about the central locking system.

[jwight]

Guess I'll leave this part out of our For Sale ad.

[headless]

The lock is only if your car's battery is flat and you can't get in as the central locking won't work, you pop the cap off and you can only open the door that the lock is on, to be able to get in to the passenger compartment to then access the battery, you can then open the other door manually and close and lock it manually, then relock the door with the caplock on it using the key.
The central locking only works and opens both doors if there is charge in the battery.
Another of smart's little quirks.

[headless]

Originally Posted by a2jack

Is this more French/Euro engineering, or are we just too dumb to work out the problem?


A2Jack

Yes and Yes

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by a2jack

I can't believe this one. Auto lock out with dead batt.

Is this more French/Euro engineering, or are we just too dumb to work out the problem?

I don't believe it. There has to be a way around this.
A2Jack

Europeans are smart enough to not unlock themselves out of a car with a dead battery. Seriously, what kind of person would do that after buying a car named "smart?"

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by HGB

Does this mean that I must leave my wife in the car holding a shotgun to protect the contents until I return with a new battery or some sort of assistance?
Are we not seeing something and there is really a simple solution?
Are the engineers in Germany laden with warped humor?
Is Mercedes Benz interested in selling a lot more smarts in the future...?

Or find some one with a pit bull to keep in the car but I think ones wife would not drool as much as the dog would.

[SmartJoeMN]

Couldn't you lock the doors and leave the tailgate open, climb in though the rear undo the battery and than close the tailgate? You than would be able to unlock the drivers door via the key?

Seems like a lot of work but may work...

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by SmartJoeMN

Couldn't you lock the doors and leave the tailgate open, climb in though the rear undo the battery and than close the tailgate? You than would be able to unlock the drivers door via the key?

Seems like a lot of work but may work...

His idea is interesting...
As I see it: In this case, I'd just remove anything important or anything that can reveal your identity until you can get it to lock/ unlock without a battery.

And try his idea if it won't be too much work

I learned something today!
I never thought about keyed locks being on a smart before, but not only ARE there keyed locks, but they are also covered! How smart!