I can't see my nose! (Re: front end clearance) - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Snefferdoodle · 03-03-2009, 02:52 PM

I'm wondering if anyone else driving their smart experiences people pulling out in front of them or being cut off by someone merging into your lane?

Both of these situations have happened to me in the last couple of weeks and I'm really getting frustrated over it.

Maybe it is because I don't know how far away from my nose (front bumper) they are?

gbryers · 03-03-2009, 03:02 PM

SNefferdoodle, not your fault (though you may want to calibrate yourself to the front of your car). With the 2-second rule firmly in place, and globally ignored, it is a wonder that there aren't more accidents, especially with Automotive Cranial Rectumitis so rampant on the roads these days. One of the reasons why I swapped out the factory-supplied "excuse me" horn for something with a bit of pentetrating power.
As to learning where you are, relative to your front bumper, I reccomend that you practice pulling up to something soft and flexible (and not pedestrian) - stick a tall stick in the ground, and pull up to it until you think you will hit it, then get out (after putting it in park, preferably) and check your distance. A little practice, and you'll get a good feel for it.
Still doesn't excuse road-rage-inspiring lane changes, but I'm sure that someone will eventually post a mod on installing photon torpedoes eventually...

**jwight** · 03-03-2009, 03:03 PM

If you don't have the DRL option, trying leaving your lights on for extra visibility. Otherwise, it seems you've just encountered some extremely clueless drivers.

Snefferdoodle · 03-03-2009, 03:08 PM

I also wonder if people think smarties don't go very fast. That we're just golf carts or something! Soon the world will understand the smarties and their cars.

fpage77 · 03-03-2009, 03:15 PM

I can't see my nose either and never pull up all the way up behind cars in front of me remember having huge frontend on old car.

**JPaul** · 03-03-2009, 03:47 PM

That's one occasion small is not a plus: lots of drivers believe smart is not a serious car and treat it as a motorcycle: inconsequential.

winyan · 03-03-2009, 03:49 PM

I agree, the problem is two fold. Folks think that 'little car just isn't going very fast', and two, they believe it 'inconsequential'.

Happens to me on all the major highways of NJ, like 80, 287, 78, Turnpike and Parkway.

win

smark · 03-03-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snefferdoodle

I'm wondering if anyone else driving their smart experiences people pulling out in front of them or being cut off by someone merging into your lane?

Both of these situations have happened to me in the last couple of weeks and I'm really getting frustrated over it.

Maybe it is because I don't know how far away from my nose (front bumper) they are?

About half dozen time today on the way to work. Just rude. Tonight coming home from work just as bad.

**jimvw57** · 03-03-2009, 04:44 PM

If you got the optional gernade launcher, that wouldn't have been a problem.

Suze · 03-03-2009, 04:46 PM

I think people who drive big cars believe it is their right to always be in front of littler cars. I've noticed more of this lately - they pass very quickly and pull in right in front, then slow down to normal speed.

There is no logical explanation for this, so I came up with my theory of "big cars right of entitlement".