Low Mileage/customer service!!!

[ms bea]

Hi....I've had my smartie for 3 months now, have just over 2000 miles on her and have averaged 28.4 mpg. Driving conservatively both manual and automatic. worst mpg 23 in the city (San Francisco) and best 38mpg driving steady at 70 mph on the freeway. The dealership checked the car out, nothing wrong. I kept calling every time I filled up and gave them the mpg. I'm a patient person, so when told that they were checking other smart centers too to see if there were others cars with the same low mileage, and was told that there was even on in SF with 20mpg, I just waited. Then was told that they were checking with the regional manager as to what to do next, so they want the car for 3 days to drive it themselves, fine I say, do you have a loaner for me. No, no loaners, but you can rent a car for $50/day. I said that's not acceptable and was told that they would check with the regional manager again, 3 days later I was told, it is the policy NOT to loan cars or pay for rentals. WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THIS!!!! They are going to drive my car with my gas in it at over $4.75 gallon, and expect me to pay $150+ to rent a car. There's something not right with the car that she gets such low mileage, they should at least give me the rental for free. Just had to rant a little

[Razorback]

If a valet or loaner program was not discussed / purchased during the final smart purchasing negotiations then smart would be under no obligation to provide ANY compensatory accommodation's other than warranty work on your vehicle. That doesn't mean that they cannot provide you with a loaner if they choose to but it appears that they are the same like other smart dealerships are interested in only what they are required to do rather than complete customer satisfaction.

My only suggestion is if you can borrow a family or friends vehicle for the testing phase that the Dealership is willing to perform. See if they will provide or pay the fuel for testing as well because it was their idea to perform the type of testing in order to determine the next course of action. Also you will want to check with your insurance company about letting the dealership drive YOUR vehicle and also speak with the dealership in regards to their liability should an accident occur while your vehicle is in their possession.

[unicycle]

I think I may have solved your mysteriously low mileage.

Originally Posted by ms bea

Driving conservatively both manual and automatic. worst mpg 23 in the city (San Francisco) and best 38mpg driving steady at 70 mph on the freeway.

1. San Fran. Some hills there, right? That could kill your mpg's both from the hills and the stop'n'go.
2. 70? Try 60. I get 47 mpg on average these days mainly driving highways (170 miles per day). Going 70 will easily take 10-12 mpg''s off that. Your city miles could reduce that even more.

In other words, it's quite possible that there's nothing wrong with your car. I wouldn't give you a free loaner either.

[saskdiesel]

I think your mpg is pretty much normal for where you live.
38mpg at 70mph is ok. And you are probably using the AC also.

[ms bea]

no a/c ever...don't need it here. I still think only getting around 25 in the city is too low for this car and 38 freeway is also too low...don't know about driving only 60 on the freeways around here. Will see what the dealer has to say this week.

[JanetMermaid]

An interesting comparison would be to find out what the Prius gets in SF.

[Smart Enuf]

You might try staying over for a week or so at a friend's house that's located in a flat area (e.g., Fairfield or even Sacramento, if possible). Drive your friend to dinner or lunch and go shopping nearby, then see what your mileage is. I have a hunch you'll see a significant difference.

[HGB]

Smartiki





Location: Lockhart, TX
Drive: Mercedes SL 500

An interesting comparison would be to find out what the Prius gets in SF.
__________________________________________________ ____________

That sounds like a good comparison. Perhaps there are some other smart owners nearby

[Smart pizzaguy]

If I'm not mistaken SMART used to only average 25 MPG. After a change in driving habits and reseting his computer(disconecting battery cable) he know gets up near 40MPG. SMART, care to weigh in and give some advice here.

[ms bea]

[quote=unicycle;106892]I think I may have solved your mysteriously low mileage.



1. San Fran. Some hills there, right? That could kill your mpg's both from the hills and the stop'n'go.

don't normally drive over the hills. but you're right lots and lots of stop signs