Constantly picking up nails

[Pee-wee German]

I noticed the same thing about Michelins. They outlast timing belts FCOL. And thanks for the useful info on Michelin bike tires. That explains why my ZX-11 feels so wooden. It's wearing Pilots. i'd still rather have them than Bridgestones. I lost a ZX-636 to Bridgestones.

lol to you smart enuff you can't see me laughing

[BobDiaz]

Originally Posted by jwight

Two smarts, nearly two years, zero nails so far. I'm sure Bob Diaz is researching this as we post...

Only if the driver was killed in their Smart By a Nail Gun!!!

Given the craziness in other threads, I love a good joke.



Bob Diaz

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by BobDiaz

Only if the driver was killed in their Smart By a Nail Gun!!!

Given the craziness in other threads, I love a good joke.



Bob Diaz

I need you to prove your claim, Bob. Your supposed "data" from NEARS, FARS, or whatever prove nothing! Only my scientifically unsound opinion matters!

[saronian]

Originally Posted by smartacus

Then the evidence is not pointing towards the smart car but the Continental tires.

I had an abundance of tire punctures in my two previous cars, a Nissan Altima and Scion xA. The Altima had 7 flats in 9 years on Pirelli's. The Scion had 9 flats in 5 years on Bridgstone's.

So far the smart has 0 flats in 16 months. I wouldn't blame the Continental’s.

[wiltjk]

Do you live or drive near new construction? 8-9 years ago, as my neighborhood was being built, I picked up 6 nails in one year.

[Mud Pie]

Originally Posted by wiltjk

Do you live or drive near new construction? 8-9 years ago, as my neighborhood was being built, I I picked up 6 nails in one year.

+1

When my 'hood was being built, my wife came home and said her Jeep was making a thumping noise.

I went outside and checked her tires. In her rear tire was a 1/4" ratchet with 2" extension !!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by nprsmart

I haven't had any issues with the smart so far, but then again, the construction business has dropped off around here the last year.

HA HA HA HA......same here. Maybe one should AVOID construction areas.

I do agree that it may be more 'tire related' than 'car related'. The Pontiac G6 GT I had came with Continental tires. I had one flat (nail) in the 6-8 months that I owned it, so maybe there IS something to that.

[jefferios]

I have had two nails in the same tire. They were in at a angel so no issues.


I'm sure driving through your neighborhood is a nail-biting experience!

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by jefferios

I have had two nails in the same tire. They were in at a angel so no issues.


I'm sure driving through your neighborhood is a nail-biting experience!

How "holy" of them, amen.

[forestacademy]

Ok, Here are a couple of useless Theorys

Because the smart is so narrow the smart is hitting those nails left in the road by the last contruction boom that no other car had been near in the past 5 years

Or,
because the Tires are so narrow instead of having a harmless center puncture that can be repaired, its more likely to get a sidewall puncture than most cars - Its a deal between Benz and Conti to sell more tires

Or,
Since the wheel base is so short when the front tire tosses it to the rear they are realy much better at playing catch than most cars.


And maybe the real Tin foil hat guy would say that smart knew their was a problem with this, and held off bringing the smart to the US untill the construction market was in the tank so the issue would not come to light untill years later