Disastrous service at Smart Center - SF - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

snowy · 12-12-2008, 04:59 PM

I have had 2 MAJOR service problems at Smart in SF over the last 2 months.

1. When putting the car into Reverse, the engine would sometimes idle. I was told that this was a known problem. They replaced the clutch with an updated part A-134-250-04-03 and actuated the clutch. Everything seemed fine when I got it. A day later when I parked the car in my garage the car started to roll backwards (yes, I was in Park). The problem was that when the mechanic replaced the clutch, they forgot to tighten the parking lock, so in Park, there was nothing holding the car! Luckily I was not parked on a steep hill - think about a runaway Smart in San Francisco!

2. 3 days ago I brought the car in to have the change oil light reset. I also had them check out the gas gauge - I'd driven 150 miles and the tank showed full. I was told that a mechanic opened up the fuel tank to make sure that the measuring device was not sticking. Everything seemed fine when I got it. Filled my gas tank yesterday, and gas started spilling out from under the car. The car filled up to 13 gallons which means a few on the ground, me standing in it, holding a pump - talk about dangerous! Turns out that the mechanic did not properly put the fuel pump seal on which caused the leak.

I have complained to the manager to make sure he knows about the poor quality of their service....anyone else experience anything similar.

Frustrating.

Alchemy R · 12-12-2008, 05:03 PM

hmmm... not good. <---stating the obvious.

This is the dealer I'll be going to as well for service. I hope that it was a fluke. Twice.

scdaf · 12-12-2008, 05:06 PM

Not defending the dealership, but you aren't really depending on the "P" position to hold the car on a hill, right?

That long lever on the right side of the drivers' seat is the PARKING brake.

Next session, we'll get into the function of the lever on the left side of the steering column.

Alchemy R · 12-12-2008, 05:10 PM

Says they were parking in their garage... I would hope that it's a relatively flat surface.

But yeah, always use the parking brake. Even on a flat surface.

snowy · 12-12-2008, 05:12 PM

No, I don't rely on Parking alone on a hill (I've lived in SF for 15 yrs ;))

The problem is that the Smart Center tech didn't secure the lock on 'Park' so even the slight 1 degree slope in my garage caused it to roll backwards.

Bottom line, the service has been unreliable and potentially could have caused a much bigger problem.

oldbike · 12-12-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scdaf

Not defending the dealership, but you aren't really depending on the "P" position to hold the car on a hill, right?

The dealer goofed up, no doubt and for sure, the combination should be used, BUT....

Could someone correct me if I am wrong (and I know someone will!) but my understanding is that the "Park" position is a cable-actuated parking pawl that would, if properly engaged, make it impossible for the rear wheels to roll.

**jimvw57** · 12-12-2008, 05:54 PM

If you ever saw what the parking pawl looks like in a full size car/truck, you'd never trustone again. it is less than 1/4 of an inch and it does get worn down over time. There is a reason for parking brakes and for turning the wheels into the curb on hills.

BUT... the mechanic was most certainly having a bad day. hope it got better or at least someone is giving his work the once over when he is done.

JusNameMe · 12-12-2008, 08:51 PM

HELLO PEOPLE

The point is, Terrible, Dangerous "service". Can any of you stay on point, if only for a moment? Apparently not...

Make your complaints to the dealership in writing. Their appears to be a pattern and one of their mistakes could prove deadly.

Karl Roth · 12-13-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbike

The dealer goofed up, no doubt and for sure, the combination should be used, BUT....

Could someone correct me if I am wrong (and I know someone will!) but my understanding is that the "Park" position is a cable-actuated parking pawl that would, if properly engaged, make it impossible for the rear wheels to roll.

That is my understanding oldbike
karl

jefferios · 12-13-2008, 12:11 PM

At least your smart didn't fall off the lift when they were working under it...I am waiting for that to happen to someone.

(I was in for my 10K service, and all of a sudden I heard a "BANG", I ran to the service bay and my smart was rolling away, down the street! Next the service rep said, "Look at that Tridion Cell in action!")