Wind Problems

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

- Nothing can't be too worse than a near full size SUV caught in high winds! (I'm talking about the Envoy XL)

..yes...an empty Sprinter Van with the 5 cyl MB turbo diesel and to make it more interesting.....ice cover roads.....my life was wonderful to see as it passed in front of my eyes many times on that trip.....

jetfuel

[BE.SMART]

Thanks for the tips. I went to Santa Fe for a Christmas party and I have to admit I almost $hit in my pants a few times........

[JD10367]

I just drove to work in 25MPH winds, doing 60-70. You can definitely feel the car moving about but, as was pointed out, it really doesn't seem to lose track (at least at those speed winds). I felt it was akin to driving on a very snow-covered hard-packed road, where your car rides in the tracks in the snow. However, I don't have power steering, which IMO probably makes it easier... I never like the way power steering makes me feel like I'm not in control of the car.

Bottom line: the car's a cube. It's going to handle like a cube in the wind, just like a minivan. :::shrug::: It's sort of like complaining that there's no back seat. You saw it was a cube when you bought it.

[bigcritter]

Friday night, we needed to go visit a sick friend, and the weather was pretty nasty, with high winds & rain, etc. My wife kept wanting to drive on the return trip because she worries about my driving after dark because of my recent eye surgery. I told her that I'm used to the car, and the fact that wind moves it around a little, as well as the road ruts. I just relax and let it track, and it does really well. I have PS, BTW. If I really want to get blown around in the wind (once had all 4 wheels scraping sideways at the same time!), I'll drive my high-sided camper van! :>( Smartie does fine, though! :>) Just try to relax and know that it's going to track fine, and don't over-correct!!

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by a2jack

...but we drove an old VW Microbus all through the West and the Smart is a picnic compared to that. A2Jack.

Ditto

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

Why suppress it? A wind problem like this can be a benefit. Just route some flex piping from your seat to the smart's intake, and use the extra methane to give your car some added oomph. Then eat beans and onions to your heart's content.

A semi-natural gas powered Smart?
It is green and way cool in a smelly sort of way.

[BE.SMART]

Originally Posted by JD10367

I just drove to work in 25MPH winds, doing 60-70. You can definitely feel the car moving about but, as was pointed out, it really doesn't seem to lose track (at least at those speed winds). I felt it was akin to driving on a very snow-covered hard-packed road, where your car rides in the tracks in the snow. However, I don't have power steering, which IMO probably makes it easier... I never like the way power steering makes me feel like I'm not in control of the car.

Bottom line: the car's a cube. It's going to handle like a cube in the wind, just like a minivan. :::shrug::: It's sort of like complaining that there's no back seat. You saw it was a cube when you bought it.

I was not really complaining about it more asking if anyone has the same problem I do. Its not the constant wind that bothers me but the gusts from the canyons that do. All of a sudden I get blown.

If you want me to complain I can start another thread complaining about it?

[BE.SMART]

Its also important to note that my other car is an 06 330i that is lower to the ground and a lot heavier. I believe the answer is to get used to it and of course, to eat some beans and give it some POWER!

[rfernatt]

Does anyone with wider wheels/tires up front feel that it makes any difference in windy conditions? I wouldn't really think so, but thought a larger contact patch may help some (although it's probably negligible).

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by BE.SMART

I was not really complaining about it more asking if anyone has the same problem I do. Its not the constant wind that bothers me but the gusts from the canyons that do. All of a sudden I get blown.

If you want me to complain I can start another thread complaining about it?

We have open fields and forests. When one goes to an area with open fields, one can encounter sudden gusts of wind. I have yet to encounter many but have yet to have any problem. I guess it would be depend on how fast the gusts of wind is.