Smart, and Not So Smart

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by doenut

Has anybody heard about a recall today, 4/1/08? There was supposedly something on NPR but I didn't hear the item.

I am suspect of everything coming out today, if the recall exists on April 2 I'll check it out...

[JEDsmart]

www.autobloggreen.com has a story on this

it's for steering problem.

JED

[JEDsmart]

disregard it's old

my error

[Amethyste]

you know... why people complain about the fuel cost difference? isn't it trivial? i'd much rather pay for the difference than for engine problem later...

[Smart_ABQ]

Originally Posted by Westfield 11

I believe I gave alternate phrasing above that would have made the same point.

I would expect the head of a large corporation like this to be a positive role model for his employees, not a negative one. You and I do not have hundreds of people looking to us to establish a corporate culture and layout acceptable norms of behavior. That responsibility goes with his position and he is being well compensated for that position, I suggest that he live up to the expectations society has placed upon people in his position.

While I don't particularly disagree with your comments, keep in mind that Mr. Schembri's comments were paraphrased by some blogger based on a conversation he said they had. The comment was not published by smart and I seriously doubt he would have used that terminology had he known that the customer/blogger was going to turn around and post their conversation. Given that the blogger didn't know his own reserved vehicle would require premium fuel, I'd be suspect that his use of quotes related to their conversation are anything more than his recollection of what Dave said.

[xcrew229x]

If you put regular fuel in this car, nothing is what is going to happen. The computer will get a signal from the knock sensor, kick the timing back a few degrees, and 99.9% of the driving public will never notice. That's one of the good things that come from engine management computers.

[Mousecat]

I guess you have to have a relationship with the New York Times to get a response. Too bad for the rest of us. Good luck to you John. You just got the smart equivilant to "the check is in the mail".

[dw103]

Annual cost of Premium gas over Regular when adjusted for mileage difference realized = $7.56

Added retail cost of a smart car over other cars in it's mileage class = $2000-$3000.

For anyone who has had to move their car in Manhattan twice a day four times a week for nearly 20 years, now being able to always find a legal spot within close proximity to work, school or home= PRICELESS!!

[smartxs]

Originally Posted by PassionforPassionCT

Frankly, I'm a little suprised that Mr. Blogger here wouldnt have the technical prowress to look for online communities such as this, it would be great fodder in his article about the hundreds of people in this forum that are going through the exact same experience as him. If I were him, I would have used all the resources out there to prove my point.

I have to admit that Mr Schembri hasn't called me to verify when my car will be arriving. Then, unlike SOME others on this site, I have been anticipating, but not overly fussing about it.

Still, a call WOULD be nice.

[smartxs]

Originally Posted by xcrew229x

If you put regular fuel in this car, nothing is what is going to happen. The computer will get a signal from the knock sensor, kick the timing back a few degrees, and 99.9% of the driving public will never notice. That's one of the good things that come from engine management computers.

seems like from my car magazine writing the following statements have been printed more than once by those 'knowledgable' folks:

No harm will come to your engine running a quality regular unleaded gasoline in your car as the computers will adjust for the lower octane. Purchasing premium octane is a waste of money.

You can achieve a higher octane rating by mixing 1/2 tank of regular unleaded with 1/2 tank of mid-grade because the octane ratings are an AVERAGE, and the mixing actually results in a higher AVERAGE octane rating than the 91 premium fuel.

Now, I can't swear either is fact, other than I know I read them. I used the blending theory in my Mercedes for several years with no adverse impact and use only regular in my VW (also rated for premium). I noticed neither degraded performance or fuel economy.

The only place I DON'T use regular in the VW is when traveling in Mexico where the lower grade fuel will clog the injectors within 500 miles and ruin the catalytic converter within 5000 miles.