Recent wind test

[slowpoke]

Sorry forgot the "C" in recent and cann't edit


Down here on the Grand Strand of SC and the winds and rain have been with us for about 24 hours.

The smart has a time, really dosen't do well with the compound of rain and high wind.

Feel sorry for the Smarts in West Texas this winter

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Sorry forgot the "C" in recent and cann't edit
[...]

Done!

[John_H]

In what way does the Smart not perform well? Visibility? Water intruding into the cabin? bouncing around? Any idea what the gusts are?

Jeepers, there's a chance to know more about the Smart in more extreme conditions but I'm left wanting.

I hope the experience isn't completely bad!

[NCC1701]

My experience is that the smart does not handle gusty wind well at all, especially at highway speed. But, no problem with rain ... even heavy rain.

[mvaldes]

My experience is quite different. My Passion coupe does just fine in heavy rain and gusty winds at highway speeds.

[GetSmrt28277]

I also have a Passion and I do notice the wind however it is not a problem handling on the highway or locally.

[Kermit]

When we we're getting all the runoff wind off the different hurricanes over the last few months it did get a little hairy, but I imagine it was almost as bad for the taller SUV drivers as well. Reminds me of my old K-Blazer ('94 full size Tahoe like 2 door) and that was exciting to drive too.

[Razorback]

A small short wheelbase car combined with torrential rain and windy conditions 30 - 40 MPH winds and gusting to 50MPH will have an impact on ANY vehicle on the road. Now any NORMAL person driving in these conditions WOULD NOT and SHOULD NOT be driving at the posted speed limits but at a reduced speed. Saying all this the smart does handle this environment well with a vigilant driver to compensate for conditions.

[slowpoke]

This was not a compliant, the storm that came thrugh the carolina was the WORST of the season including all the depressions, since it was not a named storm CNN didn't broadcast it as the end of earth storm. It was not dangerous and I maintain normal speeds. just stating the fact you could actually feel it quite well

[Fredvon4]

Here in Central Texas my main route to and from work is a east west 5 lane highway...2 west bound, 2 east bound, and one center left turn only lane... 70 MPH day 65 MPH night.

Our summer time prevailing winds are mostly out of the south and frequently gusty, or because of the "hill country" terrain, get funneled between open spaces between low hills on our State highway 190 route

10~15mph "gusty" winds are typical, while many days we see 20 gusting to 35mph and occasionally(infrequently) when we rapidly transition from High to Low pressure system the winds can get to 30 gusting to 45MPH for two or more days

I describe the smart car behavior in gusting winds as "Twitchy". Due to the short wheel base, driver reaction causes a lot of short rapid corrections that over time is tiering and very annoying. I would never consider driving this car to El Paso (714 miles away) on I 10 because of this issue

And quite frankly, I have serious concerns with typical American drivers in this car on a real gusty day. 100% attention is required just to safely maintain the car in your lane... Most of the drivers I share the road with a just too pre occupied with multi-tasking for me to have much faith that they could navigate this particular car in some conditions. On real windy days I see some folks in Big vehicles using up two lanes

Truth is, if you are an a-typical driver who pays attention 100% to your responsibility then this car is NOT inherently unsafe. BUT-- it does require a thorough understanding of how it reacts, and how MUCH it reacts.

Best technique is a fine, relaxed, delayed steering input allowing the car to track in the direction of the wind then back to center.... Panicked, tight grip, instant reaction makes for a nauseating and fatiguing ride on real gusty days