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?
Funny, when I read, "The wind has scared the hell out of me a few times, I was looking at buying a Mini because of this," it kinda sounds like complaining. Did you know you live in a windy area? Did you look at the car and notice it was as wide as it is tall? ::::
Yes I feel the gusts coming off of the mountains but really does not bother me too much. I guess I expect them and am sure not to overcorrect. No I do not have power steering on mine.
JD10367: 1st, I don't think he was complaining so much as commenting, and asking for opinions/advice.
2nd, even if he was complaining ... that is not prohibited. I see nowhere stated that everything discussed on this forum must be happy happy joy joy.
I feel cross winds mostly and just treat the Smart like a "high profile" vehicle given that it is tall for its length. The Mini Cooper might feel a littlle more stable to you because its roofline is lower and I believe it has a longer wheelbase.
I haven't been blown off course or anything like that, but when I drive near the lake (Erie) on the freeway or I know it's windy, I keep the conditions in mind - like recognizing snow on the ground means adjust your driving. All in all, no sudden or unexpected gusts causing anything more than a mild expletive. Headwinds and tailwinds haven't seemed to be a problem - though as with a motorcycle or even other cars, pulling out of the slipstream of a truck causes some quiver. (The car, not me.) I just drop back a bit and slip over or take a little tighter grip and prepare for a little buffeting as I change lanes.
Funny, when I read, "The wind has scared the hell out of me a few times, I was looking at buying a Mini because of this," it kinda sounds like complaining. Did you know you live in a windy area? Did you look at the car and notice it was as wide as it is tall? ::::
Something scaring you does not mean you are complaining just stating they way you feel about a situation.
Of course I knew I was in a windy area. Did I notice the car was a wide as tall...sure. Did I consider that the wind would scare the hell out of me somethings.....obviously not hence me asking my peers for help.
Please find another thread to jack. This is annoying and I would hate to start complaining. If you do not have anything positive to add please dont.
Most people do exactly the opposite to what is most effective when encountering strong cross winds - they grip the steering wheel tighter, tighten up their muscles, expect the worse, and over-react and react too slowly as a result of all this.
Relax. Have a light but secure hold on the wheel, and trust that the car will track well - and it will. A car tends to react naturally to cross winds by turning into them, and that's without any input from the driver. On occasion the car will be moved a little sideways but it will never be moved far enough to enter the opposite lane - unless you have storm force winds that can bring tree branches or worse down.
Although I'm a little hesitant to suggest this because it puts hands in the wrong position on the steering wheel - here's a trick that may help - many years ago when I owned a Ford Econoline van, I discovered that if hands were placed on the top of the steering wheel and no attempt was made to deliberately control direction when cross winds struck, if the truck was moved sideways that would naturally tend to move my hands in the opposite direction which corrected for the sideways movement of the vehicle. The result was effortless straight tracking no matter what the wind was doing.
This may or may not work with the smart car. I've never found the need to be concerned even though cross winds are felt more than with most other cars. If it's any consolation, the motorhome is more affected by strong cross winds than the car.
Relax. Have a light but secure hold on the wheel, and trust that the car will track well - and it will. A car tends to react naturally to cross winds by turning into them, and that's without any input from the driver. On occasion the car will be moved a little sideways but it will never be moved far enough to enter the opposite lane - unless you have storm force winds that can bring tree branches or worse down.
On my way to Santa Fe last night I hit a bad cross wind that threw me into the other lane. Glad no one was next to me. The canyon winds out here are unreal.
Sure it can be a challenge at times, I encounter gusts all the time here, on bridges, near the water/hills etc. That said with such a light tall car it is completely anticipated that it would be more effected by that, just as you anticipate being more subject to the wind on other tall vehicles or motorcycles. It is like the torque steer on a Mini, it is not something you can entirely predict but know it will happen and thus prepare yourself to deal with - as you drive it you simply become more adroit at compensating for it
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
::
smart - aka Smurf
Today
Linear Mode
