Increasing the seat recline angle?

[Smartdavis]

Does anyone know why the current seats have such a limited recline angle and would it be possible to adjust/replace something in the seat so you could tilt it back farther? Even with the seats all the way forward they still don't have much angle of recline even though there is plenty of room between the seat back and the engine compartment. Why is the seat recline so limited? Does this have anything to do with the airbags, or just the fact the German engineers don't like to take naps in their cars?

[HGB]

My opinion is that the seats should recline considerably more . This should be especially evident when the seat is moved more forward. Since the airbag is part of the seat it may be impractical to change. If any one has a solution I'd welcome it too.

[jfv411]

yeah, commuter catnaps are a necessity.

[Evilution]

It's because they don't trust Americans to angle your seat correctly.
One of the very few deaths in a smart car was because he had reclined his seat too far and he got shunted from behind, his head got caught between the headrest and the roof and broke his neck.

A lot of the silly designs are because they don't trust Americans, head pads, seat belt noises, partially reclining seats. We don't get any of that in Europe.

Infact, the door locks had to be changed incase an American (which for their tests was calculated as twice the weight of the european test) didn't close the door properly so it was just on the latch, wasn't wearing a seatbelt, went round a tight corner and leaned on the door. They had to make sure it was gonna hold.

If you take the seat off its runners (remember to disconnect the battery) you will probably find 2 metal tabs that limit movement, gring them off.

[Smartbillet]

GuEss us AmEricANs aRE PuRDy sTuPId HEy mATE!!!!

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by Evilution

Infact, the door locks had to be changed incase an American (which for their tests was calculated as twice the weight of the european test) didn't close the door properly so it was just on the latch, wasn't wearing a seatbelt, went round a tight corner and leaned on the door. They had to make sure it was gonna hold.

.

ROFLMAO!

We try to contain those big guys to pickup trucks.

[mike-in-sa]

I just love evilution, every tip he puts on here is pure gold!

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by Smartbillet

GuEss us AmEricANs aRE PuRDy sTuPId HEy mATE!!!!

Instead of that crap you should be looking at machining metal replacements for the plastic parts that are causing the shifter problems. Are you good enough?

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Instead of that crap you should be looking at machining metal replacements for the plastic parts that are causing the shifter problems. Are you good enough?

I can do it with certainty!!

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

I can do it with certainty!!

Go for it!