My Final Questions (trany, roof crazing, body care...)

[Neonspinnazz]

As many of you 08' members know (jetfuel, forest, etc.) I had planned to adopt an Orphan in mid August. I plan to name her Lil' Lucky. But before I go to the dealer and outsmart the salespeople I would like to solve some conflicts on my mind.

I know that automatic car washes that touch the car have been known to leave swirls and other imperfections on the vehicle. My local wash and detail center claims to use soft microfiber cloths on their system. During the Winter I might/will not be able to hand wash the car.

1. Would the automatic stated above be safe or should I go touchless and just finish the rest myself (touchless ones leave cars wet where I live)?

I am aware that the 09's have an upgraded shifting program. I might get ahold of a left behind 08' as I do like the 08's autolight and rainsensing wipers as a plus. And the dealer may not have an 09' Orphan that fits me.

2. What is different about the 08' 09' transmissions?
3. If there is a difference (shifting program?) does the 2.0 upgrade make the 08' tranny the equal to the 09'?

I've recently learned about the unfortunate roof happening known as crazing (spiderwebbing) and I think I know of why the sun belt states seem to experience it the most. The BMS material is not resistant to ozone.

4. Is this a wide spread issue?
5. Has there been known cases up in the upper midwest?
6. How can one try to prevent it?

For right now I'm stuck in my parents' GMC drinks gas-a-lot Envoy and I've really never had the chance to pump a full tank.

7. When pumping gas will the pump auto shutoff when your tank reaches full?

Thank you all for reading and answering my almost n00bish questions that I should have asked a long time ago.

Neon...still 16...still using Microsuck Windoze Vista...still driving that gas guzzler

[jetfuel]

..NEON...welcome back ....

car wash?..never done auto car wash...but the high pressure wash at the self service does the job for me..
..the 2.0 upgrade will make the '08 shift like an '09 and same paddle control..

roof crazing...few and far in between...

...fuel will shut off when "almost full"..wait a moment and click again..done..


jetfuel...glad to see you back
...

[John_H]

You may need to expand on #7. There's a specific question you're not quite voicing.

When I pump my gas, the nozzle cuts off automatically to avoid having gas spew bak out at me.

Is the question more whether it's at 100.0% full at that point? If so, no. Different fuels will froth differently. While the bubbles (like those in your aerated kitchen faucet) are short lived, they will give you a premature fill in virtually any vehicle with different amounts of "not quite full" depending on the fuel and additives.

If it was a different question, please restate.

[NCC1701]

I'll only address the ones I know (or think I know) something about.

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

1. Would the automatic stated above be safe or should I go touchless and just finish the rest myself (touchless ones leave cars wet where I live)?

I often use the self serve washes, with the pressure wand not the brush. Obviously, those don't dry my car. I pull out of the bay and hand dry it myself using a quality microfiber cloth specifically for drying. I've also used the absorber ®, a synthetic PVA drying "towel". No swirl marks yet. Keep a high quality wax. Some prefer sealants, and a few use both in combination.

I've recently learned about the unfortunate roof happening known as crazing (spiderwebbing) and I think I know of why the sun belt states seem to experience it the most. The BMS material is not resistant to ozone.

If ozone were the cause, the problem would be more prevalent in cities where ozone pollution is a problem. Me thinks you're confusing ozone with UV light as the cause.

6. How can one try to prevent it?

Sunblock? Sorry, I don't know.

7. When pumping gas will the pump auto shutoff when your tank reaches full?

Others say they slow to a dribble before reaching full. Every pump I've used shuts off the flow before overflowing. Although, you might not get every drop possible in your tank the way I do it, that isn't a concern for me. I DO take care before removing the nozzle from the car, to make sure I don't dribble gasoline on the side of my car. I just wait a few seconds after it shuts off, then tap the nozzle gently inside the filler pipe a couple times before removing it. Works for me.

Neon...still 16...

Don't worry, you'll be an old fart too, don't rush it!

[Neonspinnazz]

As far as washing goes I think I'll go with the local self serve in the summer and the touchless autos in the winter. I don't want that rust to creep up on me.
Here's one more

8. What is a great wax that could be bought at an auto store?

In the independent thread for crazing there's a link to the Bayer Materials site and it pops up the material the roof is made of. It seems to not be resistant to a common enemy of smog logged cities, ozone. It's right there on the site but really I have no idea why they are crazing. Maybe it's something for BMS to fix and to inform us about.

As for pumping gas I see how that works. I always give the nozzle a tap before removing it and I slowly move it in a vertical position until it's away from the car. There's enough around here to eat up cars
This brings up another one

9. What does dripped gasoline do to the body?
10. What's the best way to remove dripped gas from the body?

I guess one could get a little paranoid in the final months!

[jetfuel]

...don't think gas will do much harm to the surface..and a quick wipe down with micro towel will do the job...

...no ..you're not paranoid.....just ANXIOUS...

jetfuel....anxious too

[Neonspinnazz]

If everything goes right I wouldn't even care if school started just days afterward because I have the car I've been studying and wanting for over a year!

This is actually the first car that I've really made deep thoughts, consideration, and had taking a liking to.

Oh and I will be a SCOA member after it all happens... I'd be glad I'd joined.

I'd also be glad that I would not have to drive a land yacht with blindspots equal to that of a cruise ship.

[John_H]

As far as swirling goes: I used to think hand washing would avoid swirling and those darned automated washes would do complete evil to my finish. It turns out the typical hand wash is done with a swirling motion and does little to remove the loosened dirt before swirling it around like tiny sandpaper. Automated washes might actually be better depending on how they process the dirt in the "soft cloth" cleaners.

What might be best for automated washes is the no-touch wash that uses water pressure, presoaks, and detergents. Drying it afterward is not a big problem. If there's still dirt, most of the "sandy" stuff is off so hand touch-ups would be less damaging.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

1. Would the automatic stated above be safe or should I go touchless and just finish the rest myself (touchless ones leave cars wet where I live)?

I can't speak for car washes near you as I live in Indy, but I've NEVER used an 'automatic' one on the smart. I have used one of those 'DIY' power washers that 'jet' mentioned during the winter. Works great. Otherwise it's all hand washes for Lil Panda.

I am aware that the 09's have an upgraded shifting program. I might get ahold of a left behind 08' as I do like the 08's autolight and rainsensing wipers as a plus. And the dealer may not have an 09' Orphan that fits me.

2. What is different about the 08' 09' transmissions? Programming to make the shifts smoother for one.

3. If there is a difference (shifting program?) does the 2.0 upgrade make the 08' tranny the equal to the 09'? Yes.

I've recently learned about the unfortunate roof happening known as crazing (spiderwebbing) and I think I know of why the sun belt states seem to experience it the most. The BMS material is not resistant to ozone.

4.1 Is this a wide spread issue? Doubtful....I have no problem with mine.

4.2 Has there been known cases up in the upper midwest? Don't know.

4.3 How can one try to prevent it? Get a solid roof. If you're that concerned about it, then just opt for the solid panel at no additional charge.

For right now I'm stuck in my parents' GMC drinks gas-a-lot Envoy and I've really never had the chance to pump a full tank.

7. When pumping gas will the pump auto shutoff when your tank reaches full? No, any gas pump will shutoff when gas comes up the fill tube and reaches the nozzle. This is not always an indicator of a 'full tank'. Do what 'jet' suggests. I do it each time I fill up. No problem with overfilling and my gage shows "FULL".

Thank you all for reading and answering my almost n00bish questions that I should have asked a long time ago.

Neon...still 16...still using Microsuck Windoze Vista...still driving that gas guzzler

Are you using your 'clunker' rebate?

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

As far as washing goes I think I'll go with the local self serve in the summer and the touchless autos in the winter. I don't want that rust to creep up on me.
Here's one more

8. What is a great wax that could be bought at an auto store?

I use Meguiars. It's great and can be bought at any Auto Parts store or even WalMart.

In the independent thread for crazing there's a link to the Bayer Materials site and it pops up the material the roof is made of. It seems to not be resistant to a common enemy of smog logged cities, ozone. It's right there on the site but really I have no idea why they are crazing. Maybe it's something for BMS to fix and to inform us about.

As for pumping gas I see how that works. I always give the nozzle a tap before removing it and I slowly move it in a vertical position until it's away from the car. There's enough around here to eat up cars
This brings up another one

9. What does dripped gasoline do to the body? It will eat your body panels away so that there will be nothing left of your smart! Seriously, it will dull the clearcoat and eventually discolor the plastic, or paint...whichever you have.

10. What's the best way to remove dripped gas from the body? Wipe it off. Well, if this happens, use one of those squeegy things for the windshield that the gas stations all have and dilute it immediately. Then grab some paper towels from their dispenser and wipe it off. If it's really bad, you might just wash the area when you get home.

I guess one could get a little paranoid in the final months!

Like 'jet' said.....Paranoid? No, just anxious. And who wouldn't be? I know I was.....and after 6 months, I'm still learning and loving my smart!