Dash kit, arm rest, and other goodies

[Carnut]

http://www.*************/2007/12/carb...dash-trim.html

"We've only just begun. . . ." The Carpenters

[SmartBob]

That dash trim is COOL!

[Javichanche]

Hi, could you give us the web site where we can buy that armrest?? Thanks mate.

[Fredvon4]

Some expensive and potentially bad news if you read this site.... The man ordered some rims from Germany and found that the tire pressure sensing system on the 451 is NOT passive as we thought...it is an active system with a sending unit as part of the tire valve in the rim.... I get the impression they do NOT just pull in as any other tire valve... sounds like he paid a price to have the system adapted to his new rims....

[Old smart]

A quick glance through a 2007 (UK) and a 2008 (CA) brochure indicates that the UK 2007s were not equiped with tire pressure monitors; the CA/NA 2008s are. Perhaps Smartster was shipped a older set of OEM wheels without the sensors.

More research: I find that all U.S. cars from 2006 onward must have tire presssure monitors of some type (some work through the ABS; some use RF transmitters), and possibly Transport Canada has a corresponding requirement, thus NA 451s equipped with them. I cannot find a similar EU or other country requirement.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

A quick glance through a 2007 (UK) and a 2008 (CA) brochure indicates that the UK 2007s were not equiped with tire pressure monitors; the CA/NA 2008s are. Perhaps Smartster was shipped a older set of OEM wheels without the sensors.

More research: I find that all U.S. cars from 2006 onward must have tire presssure monitors of some type (some work through the ABS; some use RF transmitters), and possibly Transport Canada has a corresponding requirement, thus NA 451s equipped with them. I cannot find a similar EU or other country requirement.

That's a new DOT requirement to me. What do they figure? We're too damned stupid to know we have a flat tire. I think that is going too far. I still think airbags are a rediculous waste of weight and money.

[StevenM1TX]

Personally I am happy to see tire pressure monitors. They don't measure whether you have a flat tire, they measure whether you have a low tire pressure. Often with modern tires it is difficult, if not impossible, to see if the tire is low by just looking at it. Knowing you have a tire going down in pressure allows you to take action before you do have a flat tire. As opposed to air bags, this actually can keep you from having an accident. Now if you are the type to take a tire gauge out and check each tire before getting in every time you take your car out, then yes, it would be useless.

[Old smart]

See: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...nal/Index.html

[jwight]

Originally Posted by lhoboy

That's a new DOT requirement to me. What do they figure? We're too damned stupid to know we have a flat tire. I think that is going too far. I still think airbags are a rediculous waste of weight and money.

From Transport Canada:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp2436/rs200103/menu.htm

From NHTSA:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd...ESV-000500.pdf

The numbers speak for themselves; airbags (along with seatbelt/shoulder harness) work.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by jwight

From Transport Canada:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp2436/rs200103/menu.htm

From NHTSA:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd...ESV-000500.pdf

The numbers speak for themselves; airbags (along with seatbelt/shoulder harness) work.

Of course they work, but I have a better chance of winning a lottery than being saved by an airbag (1:4000). I'm also more likely to get killed crossing the street. I'd rather keep my money and take my chances.

The training of proper driving skills is a far more cost effective way of preventing traffic fatalities.

Some on this forum have suggested that they appreciate the opportunity to purchase only the warranty period that they feel they need. I similarly feel that I should only have to pay for those safety features that I want. Yes, I want seat belts (would even pay more for a 6 point harness). Yes, I want a roll cage. No, I don't want airbags. And now I have to pay for a fancy air monitoring system because most of the population is too lazy to take a 4 dollar gizmo to check the tires every time they gas up or feel the car pulling a little to one side. Something's not right.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.