In smart for two passion model. power steering is an option, what is the pro and con on this option? When shopping in the used market, how do I tell if the car equipped with power steering or not?
The car does not come with a spare tire and car jacks. Any owner have flat tire experience and how do you get out of it? Are the spare tire and jacks available as an option?
Power steering was high on my list of priorities. and love the park-ability it offers. at speed you dont notice it, actually the steering is a little hard considering it is powered... must harden up at 25mph+
how to know if a used smart has it? GET IN IT AND STEER! (while the car is on)
spare is your invention.. some of us purchased a front tyre and rim to keep as a spare. The jack... SEARS, Pep Boys, Cosco... you get the idea. Buy one.
Oh if you are going to go the spare route don't forget a 15mm socket wrench or you will be S.O.L. at the side of a road with spare in hand and no way to loosen the bolts.
What to do with a flat tire in a smart and the power steering hunt
Quick way to check for power steering: Sit in driver's seat and attempt to turn the steering wheel with only your pinky. Then start the car and see if it's any easier. The electronic power steering is to reduce steering effort by 2/3rds when the engine is running, making it very comfortable to maneuver in the parking lot and while making low-speed turns. It will turn itself off around 15mph +/- so your steering isn't too touchy at speed.
Flat tire: smart fortwo has Tire Pressure Monitoring System on every one of them, so if you begin to lose air, you get a light in the instrument cluster indicating that you're having an issue with one of your tires. On the carpet on the passenger side footwell, there is a flat screw that you can unscrew with your fingers or something thin, like a dime. Pull the carpet back and stored right there is a portable air compressor that you can plug into the cigarette lighter and pump up your tire (there is a psi gauge on it, too). If you have a nail or a screw in your tire, stored below the air compressor is a bottle of liquid latex (the same as a paramedic's glove). Unscrew the lid to the bottle of latex (don't break the foil seal), invert the bottle and screw into the orange recepticle on the compressor. This will inject the latex into your tire and seal a nail or screw hole long enough for you to get to the tire store or your dealership. The compressor is reusable, and you can get a new bottle and injection hose from your dealer in the event you have to use this. In case there's something worse that happens to your tire, or you don't pay attention to that flat tire light, smarts also come with 2 years or 24,000 miles of roadside assitance, which the 1.800 phone number will be happy to arrange roadside flat tire service (at your cost), where you can have tire repair assit you further. You also can equip your car with a spare (get a front wheel, it'll work on the front or back) and a small jack lug wrench to make your own kit. Lots of places sell jacks that don't take up much room. There are some neat ideas that people on this forum have used to ease nerves about the spare tire, just do a little searching.
You'll find pro- and anti-PS people here. I'm anti-PS. I didn't see the need for PS on a car this tiny. IMO it just adds expense, weight, something else to break or maintain fluid in, and something to reduce your MPG (by the added weight). I'm a noodle-arm and I can still easily turn the wheels when the car is parked.
It doesn't add something to maintain fluid in - it is electric.
That being said, PS actually has some other effects in this car. It does help it track truer out on the highway with less correction - it makes a difference in slight winds.
Personally, I like the power steering. It's not essential by any means, but try it and see for yourself which you prefer.
I do carry a spare (jack and lug wrench) on trips away from home or with the wife. Not all places have the tire in stock so if you get an unrepairable flat, you're SOL until a replacement can be shipped. (The wife comment is because some of us leave the spare in the garage when driving near home. But, if no one is home to bring it to you when you need it, you might as well not have one.)
PS - I've had no need for it; car is easy to park/steer without having. Just my opinion as I haven't driven one with it.
Spare - I purchased another front wheel/tire/tpms for use as a spare.
Jack - An Audi A4 or similiar jack by Bilstein will fit the bill nicely. It folds flat and can be stored in the hatch boot. It's a screw/lever type that works well for the smart.
Tire wrench - 15mm socket plus a breaker bar of 15 - 18" is a must.
You may also want to consider a Nealy Tire Repair Kit. It's a permanent plug that may get you back on the road with small punctures, etc. rather than having to change tire.
Tire sealant - some folks swear by permanent sealant such as UltraSeal. I've toyed with the idea but haven't implemented yet. . .
Good luck~!
SubSlr88, the tire sealant you are "toying" with is already located in the passengers foot well next to the tire pump....
Ah, yes, but you missed the word "permanent" prior to "sealant."
The stuff smart provides will get you somewhere, but most shops won't repair your tire after you use it, so you'll need to buy a new tire.
Ultraseal can stay in "permanently" and will wash out with water should you require repair. It's supposedly good for up to 1/4" holes in the tread.
There is a vendor here who sells it and has been posting his test results. It looks like a great product if you're really worried about flats. Disclaimer - I am not associated with Ultraseal or any of it's vendors.
Here's my spare tire. Luckily I never had to use it but it's comforting to know it's there. I also have the Smart Tire & Wheel warranty in case it does happen. Those tiny tires hit the right pothole and it's over.
The cover is from the Bag Lady, the jack is from a Passat, the tire and wheel are from Tire Rack, the lug wrench is from WalMart with a 15mm socket put on it.
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