DIY - How I started to truly enjoy my new Smart

[kwagar]

Old Bike,
Exceedingly well said......lessons there for all!

[stan1174]

well said, everybody should read this. thank you!

[canon1753]

The great thing about the internet is you can read what other people are saying about anything- from smart cars to how many angels fit on the head of a pin.

The bad thing about the internet is that you read what other people are saying about anything......



Great post BTW.

[mews]

You made my day! Thanks again for a great thread.

[CruisingAZ]

THanks for reminding us what it is all about... The fun car

[SmartAzz]

Lol, it is too bad you had to embark on a DIY for those things, for us the car came equipped with the fun and we've enjoyed it lots from the start no DIY for worry and forum consternation removal needed ;)

Message boards are great resources, useful and fun to engage with others who share common interests, but not everyone's car/opinion/dealer/problem will be the same so, as you've discovered, there is no point in letting things rain on your parade unless a real problem presents itself. Nevertheless, I've found it is good to be aware of issues just in case, knowledge is power ;)

[torqueaholic]

Would you say that Smart owner forum members are any more or less ana1 about their cars compared with any other European car owner forum members?

I would say no, it's mainly all car forums that attracts ana1ity.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by torqueaholic

Would you say that Smart owner forum members are any more or less ana1 about their cars compared with any other European car owner forum members?.

Perhaps a bit less. I don't see as many discussions about Zaino vs ______ for detailing perfection here, or full car clear bra group buys ;)

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by oldbike

I quit worrying whether the transmission is shifting too early or late. I put it in “D” and let the ScanGuage prove that the computer does a very good job, on the average, of selecting the correct gear for varying conditions. After this was proven, I followed my second suggestion closely (see below)

I quit watching the ScanGuage so closely, placed it in the glovebox in case I need it, and started looking around outside the car.

I quit worrying about the “minute-by-minute” fuel economy, knowing that no matter what, it is better than I was getting with my old car.

I quit wondering why it does not get better mileage than my old 1991 GEO Metro. It is cleaner, faster, safer, quieter and MUCH more comfortable.

I quit reading posts about when to change the oil and will do whatever I have did in the past. At minimum, I follow the factory recommendations. It will all work out.

I quit worrying about the cost of an oil filter. I just spent $15,600.00 for the car. Why should I worry about a couple of oil filters per year?

I quit worrying about whether the shifter will stick. Some do, MOST don’t. Odds are in my favor that I will not have problems. All cars have quirks.

I quit worrying about the unfamiliar whirring and clicking noises the car makes. They will soon become familiar. Again, all cars have quirks.

I quit wondering why the seat does not recline any farther. I would not have noticed it if I had not read the post about it. I am not sleeping in the car.

I quit worrying about brake dust on the wheels. I have never had a disc brake car that did not get dust on the wheels. I wash it off, if I am not busy enjoying driving the car.

I quit worrying about its heating/AC system. I have never sold a car because the A/C was not cold enough or the heater was not hot enough.

I quit worrying about if it should be spelled “smart” or “Smart”

I quit adding to the list and started enjoying the car MUCH more

And anyone who still drives a 49 IH P/U is pretty OK in my book. I learned how to drive on one of those when I was 12....
Very insightful comments, Old Bike and soooooo true! IN my own case, I am getting better than twice the mileage I got with the car my smart replaced and boy am I having one hell of alot of fun driving it, too, which was NOT the case with the old one....

[konati]

Love my Smart. Here is my problem. I am an old man what does BMY, DIY, and any other letters instead of the words mean. No kids either, where do I go to find out this stuff. Is there a group?