DRLs?

[Old smart]

In my last email to Ken Kettenbeil a bit back I again mentioned DRLs which I had previously addressed to him. He returned that at the time Schembri was in Germany with a list of subjects to discuss that included DRLs. Anyway, I also inquired if smartUSA could identify an acceptable DRL kit that the dealers could stock and install as a dealer accessory. Haven't heard anything back on that.

I asked my dealer if I brought in a kit (I like the looks of the AEA one: http://www.automotiveelectronicacces...aeapn480hd.htm) if they would install it and invoice the job as a dealer installation. They said that it would have to be approved by smartUSA (the kit and the installation).

I could do it myself or have a non-smart shop do it, but I would rather present a dealer invoice to USAA when requesting the insurance benefit.

Maybe a push on smartUSA would result in aproval for the smart dealers to act.

[BeSmart]

Originally Posted by Old smart

(I like the looks of the AEA one: http://www.automotiveelectronicacces...aeapn480hd.htm

Maybe a push on smartUSA would result in approval for the smart dealers to act.

Thanks for researching this product. Does look very good. What do you mean by "a push on smartUSA"? Phone calls, emails, letters? I don't have my smartie yet but would like to have DRL on it on delivery. Thanks again.

[amoore007]

I to am all for the DRL on delivery. On my mini Cooper they were turned on by the dealer with no sweat.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by BeSmart

... What do you mean by "a push on smartUSA"? Phone calls, emails, letters? ...

First of all, the most appropriate avenue into smartUSA is via Ken Kettenbeil, the Director of Communications. That is his day-job, and he can direct inquiries to wherever they should go. Don't consider telephone until the better forms of email or (better) a formal letter have been exhausted.

A “push” could come in different ways. One could be by provoking smartUSA to identify an appropriate aftermarket kit and blanket-authorize the dealers to stock it and install it. I don’t think that is a guarantee right now as the smart centers are prohibited from selling anything that is not OEM smart.

Another is the authority to install a DRL kit provided by the owner, so long as it has been determined that it will not lead to an electrical warranty issue. That is my dealer’s biggest issue.

My own initial intent will be to provide the kit with as much information about it that I can muster at the time of offered delivery. While the $399 processing fee is clearly in everyone’s mind and we are burning holes in each other’s shirts, I will demand a personal service that my dealer work the installation authority up through the chain of command.

If that fails, I will have the kit installed on an independent’s invoice. No “shade tree” installation.

The overall intent is that I have DRLs, and that my insurance company concurs with the legitimate installation and gives me the discount.

[jwight]

Just got this reply from bestdrls.com:

Our headlight DRL systems, one way or the other, are compatible with the 2008 Smart ForTwo. Let us explain.
Our DRL-2006 HE, HDX, and HLX are positive side switched DRL low beam products. 80% of all cars in the world have this type setup, where the low beam headlight is ‘grounded’ all of the time, and a positive +12 volts side is switched ‘ON’ to light the bulb at night via the headlight switch system.
All German cars we have ever seen and/or tested, and most all European cars we have knowledge of do have a positive side switched headlight system; therefore we suspect the Smart also has that type of system.
Some Hondas, Toyotas and other imports have a ground-side switched (GSS) headlight system. For our products, all that is needed to adapt our module to that type of system is our extra GSS-1 relay pack and instructions, which is an additional $5 when ordering a regular headlight DRL system through our website.
Sometimes, just in case, we will send a pair of relays and extra instructions (at no charge to you) as an insurance policy incase your Smart has negative feed headlights, like a late model Honda, Toyota, or Mitsubishi. We call this less expensive scaled-down package 'GSS-free'; we want your business, and can do this for you if you want (saving you $5).

Can anyone verify the smart headlights are positive side switched or GSS?

This look like it may be worth a shot if smart is dragging its collective feet on the DRLs.