Just a note about safety.............

3442 Views 43 Replies 13 Participants Last post by the big e, Jul 23, 2021

cagney57

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2021

Went on a small road trip Tuesday afternoon and almost became road pizza by a very large semi truck driver....his fault!!!
3 lane road 2 straight lanes and a left turn lane...I was in the center lane and semi was to the right of me in the other straight lane, I was within his line of sight and the light changed I started to go and without warning he decided he needed to get into my lane and cross all the way over to the turn left lane. I laid on my horn but he just kept pushing me further over into oncoming traffic as the left turn lane was a little further up.
I had no where to go so I just continued to lay on the horn, stop and let him continue his dangerous move...after he finally got over(and my daughter could have touched his trailer from her window) he blasted his horn at me like he was pissed.
As I passed him I just laid on my horn again and I could have flipped him off but I figured what good would that do anyway.

Normally I have my older cell phone mounted on the dash to act as a camera but it always seems when I have it running nothing happens so I did not bother.....well, from now on it will be there all the time. Even on short trips.
Wish I could have seen his company name quick enough as I would have reported him.

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vadsoom

· #2 · Jul 21, 2021

Eventually all of us have experiences like this. Sometimes accidentally, sometimes carelessly, sometimes I intentionally with road bullies.

To deal with situations like this, I’ve installed front and rear dash cams. If something like this occurs, I take it to the police and make an official statement and let them handle it from there.

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 21, 2021

vadsoom said:
Eventually all of us have experiences like this. Sometimes accidentally, sometimes carelessly, sometimes I intentionally with road bullies.

To deal with situations like this, I’ve installed front and rear dash cams. If something like this occurs, I take it to the police and make an official statement and let them handle it from there.

Well, if I can not get someone in my area to even change my oil, I doubt I can find someone to install cameras right....good idea though.

smark

· #4 · Jul 21, 2021

My brother in Law, was a semi truck driver, for over 40 years. They are some of the safest drivers on the road. It‘s sad a lot people, with cars drive in their blind spots. It takes a lot of time to stop a large semi rig. I would never piss off one of those drivers. You got to remember, your very small, they are large.

You can install a camera yourself. A suction cup connected to the small camera, on the front window. Not a big deal.

Any good independent automotive shop, can the change the oil, on a smart car. Been using one for years on all our cars. Kia, smart, Honda’s, Fiat, and Jeep’s. Check out Christian Brother’s automotive, in the Ohio area.

vadsoom

· #5 · Jul 21, 2021

Many dash cams just plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 21, 2021

smark said:
My brother in Law, was a semi truck driver, for over 40 years. They are some of the safest drivers on the road. It‘s sad a lot people, with cars drive in their blind spots. It takes a lot of time to stop a large semi rig. I would never piss off one of those drivers. You got to remember, your very small, they are large.

You can install a camera yourself. A suction cup connected to the small camera, on the front window. Not a big deal.

Any good independent automotive shop, can the change the oil, on a smart car. Been using one for years on all our cars. Kia, smart, Honda’s, Fiat, and Jeep’s. Check out Christian Brother’s automotive, in the Ohio area.

I was right next to him at the light....I was right below his window and it was daylight and I started to go when light changed so I was right next to him. My step dad who is 99 this year was an independent hauler for over 60years and believe me, he has seen every state and seen every bit of crap some truckers try to pull....and yes they are in the minority.

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 21, 2021

smark said:
My brother in Law, was a semi truck driver, for over 40 years. They are some of the safest drivers on the road. It‘s sad a lot people, with cars drive in their blind spots. It takes a lot of time to stop a large semi rig. I would never piss off one of those drivers. You got to remember, your very small, they are large.

You can install a camera yourself. A suction cup connected to the small camera, on the front window. Not a big deal.

Any good independent automotive shop, can the change the oil, on a smart car. Been using one for years on all our cars. Kia, smart, Honda’s, Fiat, and Jeep’s. Check out Christian Brother’s automotive, in the Ohio area.

They are about 60miles from me, about the same as MB is...I was trying to find some place more local if I could....what do they charge to change oil?

smark

· #8 · Jul 21, 2021

cagney57 said:
They are about 60miles from me, about the same as MB is...I was trying to find some place more local if I could....what do they charge to change oil?

I don’t know right off hand. Give them a call, they will be a lot cheaper. Then any MB dealership. If you use them, you’ll have to make a appointment. My daughter was just at one here. She had her spark plugs, changed on her Jeep renegade.

vadsoom

· #9 · Jul 21, 2021

Just a though about oil changes…

Do you have a “Jiffy Lube” or other “quick oil change” franchise near you? There isn’t anything unusual about changing oil in the Smart. It’s the same as any other car I’ve worked in over the years. Maybe calling them to give them a chance to get the oil filter in stock might make it easier.

Reactions: 2

smark

· #10 · Jul 21, 2021

^^^ Ditto Jiffy Lube, Valvoline, Pennzoil, GoodYear, Firestone, Walmart, etc. All quick lube. For a 453, I’d call those establishments first to make sure they carry correct oil filter. The smart car, isn’t a exotic car. For my 451. I buy my Mobil 1 oil filters, and oil. At Walmart. They carry the oil filter for a 453 too.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=smart%20car%20453%20oil%20filters

I suggested Christian Brothers Automotive. Because they can do all repair work on a smart car.

Reactions: 1

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 21, 2021

smark said:
^^^ Ditto Jiffy Lube, Valvoline, Pennzoil, GoodYear, Firestone, Walmart, etc. All quick lube. For a 453, I’d call those establishments first to make sure they carry correct oil filter. The smart car, isn’t a exotic car. For my 451. I buy my Mobil 1 oil filters, and oil. At Walmart. They carry the oil filter for a 453 too.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=smart%20car%20453%20oil%20filters

I suggested Christian Brothers Automotive. Because they can do all repair work on a smart car.

Jiffy Lube will not do it as they would have to order the filters and since it is not cost effective they will not.
I called Christian Brothers Automotive and spoke to a guy called Matt, he was very nice and it would be $55 for the oil change which is great, but he said any other work I needed would have to go through Toyota first as they are the ones who sold me the GOLD Plan and the car....so I will have to put up with the abuse from Toyota if and when I need any thing other then an oil change.....I could swear but #@#$%%%##@

smark

· #12 · Jul 21, 2021

cagney57 said:
Jiffy Lube will not do it as they would have to order the filters and since it is not cost effective they will not.
I called Christian Brothers Automotive and spoke to a guy called Matt, he was very nice and it would be $55 for the oil change which is great, but he said any other work I needed would have to go through Toyota first as they are the ones who sold me the GOLD Plan and the car....so I will have to put up with the abuse from Toyota if and when I need any thing other then an oil change.....I could swear but #@#$%%%##@

Basic maintenance, doesn’t go though any extended warranty plan. It’s not cover! Tires, brakes, wipers, lights, oil changes etc. air filters, cabin filters. 55 bucks is a bargain. They won’t pay for any of those services. No extended warranty plan will.

Since Toyota Care has the same basic scope as the factory original warranties, there isn't much coverage in terms of accidental damage or maintenance needs. For example, none of the plans cover basic wear items like batteries, tires, brake pads, and shoes, or clutch discs.

Reactions: 1

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 21, 2021

smark said:
Basic maintenance, doesn’t go though any extended warranty plan. It’s not cover! Tires, brakes, wipers, lights, oil changes etc. air filters, cabin filters. 55 bucks is a bargain. They won’t pay for any of those services. No extended warranty plan will.

Since Toyota Care has the same basic scope as the factory original warranties, there isn't much coverage in terms of accidental damage or maintenance needs. For example, none of the plans cover basic wear items like batteries, tires, brake pads, and shoes, or clutch discs.

I know that as I have read the booklet cover to cover...I am talking about when my engine light comes on Toyota does not even want to see me...they said to just go and deal with MB....but MB told me before they have to get an ok from the dealership who sold me the plan...they have both put me in the middle. And they said I have to pay for any diagnostics done on the car when engine light comes on....I should not have to pay for that.

Reactions: 1

smark

· #14 · Jul 21, 2021 (Edited)

That’s normal for any extended warranty plan. You have to get a approval, before any work is performed. We have a FCA extended plan, a Kia, and Honda one too. We had a Car shield plan years ago for the Smart car. Never used it.

When you buy a used vehicle. They usually offer a 90 day limited warranty on their cars. Toyota dealership, can’t service your car. They do not carry the parts, software, or trained technicians, only a MB dealership can. That why they send you there, with the engine check issue. All you had to do, was get a approval, from your Toyota extended warranty plan. Not the Toyota service department.

independent shops like Christian Brothers Automotive that we use, can work on any brand vehicle too. Transmission, engine, electrical, wheel bearing, fuel injection, engine check etc. all covered under a extended warranty, that needs a pre approval.. They are hundreds of independent shops out there, that can repair on smart cars too.

Wear and tear items are not covered by any extended warranty.

Go get you oil changed, at one of the places we all suggested to you.

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Reactions: 1

Falcon WIng

· #15 · Jul 21, 2021

cagney57 said:
Jiffy Lube will not do it as they would have to order the filters and since it is not cost effective they will not.
I called Christian Brothers Automotive and spoke to a guy called Matt, he was very nice and it would be $55 for the oil change which is great, but he said any other work I needed would have to go through Toyota first as they are the ones who sold me the GOLD Plan and the car....so I will have to put up with the abuse from Toyota if and when I need any thing other then an oil change.....I could swear but #@#$%%%##@

Buy your filter here...and take it to Walmart....they have the correct oil on the shelf, which is where I buy mine...:
2017 SMART FORTWO 898cc L3 Turbocharged Oil Filter | RockAuto

Miss Mercedes

· #16 · Jul 21, 2021

I love and respect semi drivers. They provide a critical service and as I learned watching my dad do OTR for some years, is real fun, too! But wowie, some of these guys shouldn't have a regular driver's license, let alone a CDL.

Don't feel too bad @cagney57 as it happens to massive vehicles, too! ♥ I have a Nova Bus RTS transit bus (development of the GM RTS-II), a massive thing with a gross vehicle weight a few pounds shy of 40,000 pounds.

A semi merged into my lane while going down a highway. How'd he miss a giant 40-foot white tube on wheels beats me. A smart is small enough that you have some room to escape. The bus either crashes or goes off-road. I ended up hitting a curb at 60 mph. Thankfully, the infrastructure of that Oklahoma road sucked so bad that the curb exploded under the weight of the bus. Still, a huge code brown moment for sure. lol

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1983JZR3W

· #17 · Jul 22, 2021

I don't know what part of Ohio you live in, but surely your town is big enough to have a Discount Auto, Pep Boys, O'Riellys, or some other chain auto parts store. Go to one, buy the oil filter and the oil for your car. Then go to Jiffy Lube or other quickie oil change place and just pay for their labor. You are making this way harder than this has to be. Good luck and go take care of business.

Reactions: 4

Rambo4

· #18 · Jul 22, 2021

I love the "lazy" dump truck drivers who don't cover their load. I enjoy getting sandblasted whilst on the 2 wheeler. But at least I can get a rise back from whence an errant State Trooper intervenes , hence the citation.

cagney57

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 22, 2021

First, let me clarify all of this.....as to the oil change...I never wanted Toyota to change my oil,nor do any day to day maintenance......all I wanted from them is to verify they had changed the oil last year and that I would not need another oil change for about 7,000miles and at the rate I drive that will take another 3 1/2 years....as of right now, in almost a year I have only driven about 2,500.....yes we have a pep boys who charged me $250 for a tune up on my Cavalier, not sure what they would charge for an oil change in a smart...will ask.
Not trying to make anything harder then it is, just wanting clarification on what and when to do certain things on a smart as it is different to me then other cars I have owned....also I am on disability with a fixed income, so I have to get my money's worth when I spend.
Thank you all.

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OliverB

· #20 · Jul 22, 2021

Sometimes, when you can’t verify if oil has been changed in a car you purchased recently you just have to bite the bullet and get it changed again on your dime. Buy a filter and go to a local place that will agree to change the oil for you. no matter how little you drive per year, it is best to change the oil once/year. You won’t destroy your engine if you don’t do so but that is the recommendation.

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