I've had mine since April 21. Almost 7k and no problems (except for the night my silly partner left the lights on and drained the battery, but that was an easy fix.)
Random thoughts: If a customer's car is out of service (for even a day) due to lack of battery, shouldn't the dealer promptly obtain an alternate battery?
Is it like my Sony Trinitron computer monitor (years ago) I couldn't get repaired ... needed a diode only available from Sony, and Sony wouldn't provide. Repair person said he would NOT use an equivalent (why the heck not?). He held my monitor for a month before I reclaimed it in disgust.
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Under the circumstances, why can't the dealer use an alternate?
I asked them the same question and they had no response. Is there something special about the battery for this car? Does anyone have details on this battery issue?
I've been strongly considering upgrading to an Optima. Need to get the measurements to see how well it'll fit. There is a car show I "might" go to in Feb that sells them for $60 each. Physical blemishes is the reason for the drastic price reduction.
I put an Optima in mine, think it was the 75/25. Fit was fine but I did put an oak shim under the holdown bracket as the OEM battery does not have a normal flat top. I did have to get a slightly longer Neg cable as when I put it in the poosts are reversed.
I agree with the OP as he should be treated better, IE take a battery out of one of the dealer cars or fedex one from other dealer to get him back on the road. that long for a battery is a joke when a vehicle is down.
I asked them the same question and they had no response. Is there something special about the battery for this car? Does anyone have details on this battery issue?
Do not have any more info on the battery issue but the battery has an odd shaped top and mating holes for the positive battery cover to press into - not a normal battery that I have seen
Do not have any more info on the battery issue but the battery has an odd shaped top and mating holes for the positive battery cover to press into - not a normal battery that I have seen
I've seen a thread on this forum where some have replaced the battery with a dry cell battery. So, the connector can't be absolutely proprietary. And, you mentioned replacing yours with an alternative. This doesn't make sense to me why they can't replace the battery? Granted, they wouldn't want to make the mods you did.
Okay check this out gvoeller, You said you have everthing on it does that include an after market stereo? just maybe your stereo is draining your battery, but if you do have a bad battery thats a small issue that can be delt with. It also sounds like the distance of your dealership from your home may have something to do with your frustrations.
I can tell you that there are way more happy owners than not, I have 5600 miles on mine with NO problems and absolutly love it. One more thing, if your gonna bash Smart Cars here be prepared to get jumped on, 99.9% of us here love our cars and love to show them off..
Good Luck I hope you get your problem resolved....
The battery posts are same as every other battery. The negative cable is very short. I think for warrenty work they are pretty muckh required to use the OEM parts.
In the military we used "controlled substitution" for this to get the non-op equipment up. I think it is crazy to have a customer waiting and having a good battery sitting in a dealers car that may just be sitting in a showroom.
I'd show up with my own battery and tell them to give me my car back. I cannot believe that a dealership would make anyone wait weeks for a battery. A ten minute job at worst. If they cannot get a Daimler battery there in a timely manner, they should offer you an alternative.
Personally I would throw an Optima in it from Costco and send some nastygrams to Penske concerning their inabilty to get a battery in a timely manner.
Appreciate having the knowledge of your experience, though, and I will just hope I don't have the same problem.
Hiya GV,
I would write a nice letter to the person in charge at the dealership. Explain the situation, the hardship that is created because you have to go without your car.
In the past, I have had great results by writing a letter. You create a paper trail that way, plus they have to respond to you by way of a letter back to you. (Send the letter certified, with a return reciept.)
I do understand your frustration, though. If that happened to me, it would kinda kill my love for the vehicle.
Best Regards,
Nu
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smart - aka Smurf
2009 Smart Passion Cabrio
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