HELLO

[Jbrooks54]

Hello all my wife & i just bought a passion last week. So far we love it. Can anyone tell me what the round thing beside the rearview mirror is?

[padi176715]

Not sure what you are asking about but want to welcome you to the forum and wish you the best of luck. Enjoy your new ride and let the fun begin

[deaconpark]

Originally Posted by Jbrooks54

Hello all my wife & i just bought a passion last week. So far we love it. Can anyone tell me what the round thing beside the rearview mirror is?

JBrooks... sounds like you might be talking about the hockey puck looking thing on the windshield? That is the rain sensor for the windshield wipers...And welcome. Hope you might make it to the smart run through amish country on April 4th? Check the thread under the same title in the Ohio chapter.
Russ

[SmartDigger]

It is also the auto head light sensor.

[Orphan-Beggar]

This may, or may not, apply to your smartcar
2009 Automatic lights and Windshield issues email
Dear smart fortwo Owner,
We have had reports of batteries being drained within an 8 to 12 hour period in Model Year 2009 smart fortwos which are equipped with the comfort package option. This appears to happen when both the rain sensing windshield wipers and auto-headlamps are left in automatic mode when the car is not running.
To help avoid a dead battery, please always turn your wipers and headlamps to the full off position when parking your car for any period of time. The safety of your vehicle will not be affected and your headlamps and wipers will operate normally in any position when driving. Note -- For full off positions, the headlamp switch should be rotated fully clockwise to the off (O) position – the wiper stalk should be one click up from the bottom position.
Your smart center dealership will advise you as soon as possible of the availability of the upgrade which they will install at your convenience.
We apologize for the inconvenience in needing to return your car to the dealership for this work.
Sincerely,
The smart USA Team

[pdboilermaker]

Thats a cool option, auto wipers and lights that have to be turned on and off manually. Cutting edge stuff haha, my first ever truck a 1978 Dodge 1/2 ton 4x4 that cost $4100 btw had the same auto on features. When I needed lights, I pulled the switch and the lights came on automatically, when I needed wipers, I rotated the switch and wipers came on by themselves.

Of course, I was the sensor so that truck never suffered from battery drain.

[SmartDigger]

I leave the auto lights in auto. I do keep the wipers in the off position. I use rain-X and do not like wiper marks on the glass. Also I hear people say running a dry wiper can scratch the glass. I have had no issues so far.