That's for stability so you don't tip over easily.
Send us some pictures of your ride and welcome to the club, lots of valuable information here.
Send us some pictures of your ride and welcome to the club, lots of valuable information here.
Smart rear wheels
Why are they mounted with a slight angle?
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Thanks Earl. But it is causing uneven wear on the tires. Does rotating the 2 rear tires help with the even-ness in wear. The reason is, my car only had 40K miles and I changed tires already.That's for stability so you don't tip over easily.
Send us some pictures of your ride and welcome to the club, lots of valuable information here.
I assume
Most owners have reported getting somewhere in the 20-30k miles range for stock tire sizes. They are just small tires and will wear more quickly. On the flip side, they're a lot less expensive than a larger tire!
If your rear tires are wearing more quickly than the front, you might have an alignment shop take a look to make sure there's no damage to your suspension. Rear wheel alignment settings aren't easily adjustable. If your front tires are wearing quickky, you can fix that by setting the toe value near where all vehicles tend to have it, around 1/16" or 0.02 degrees toe-in on each front wheel. That will minimize sensitivity to tire ruts and sidewinds as well. The OEM spec for toe-in is excessive and designed to ensure the front tires lose traction first. Even with normal toe settings, that still happens and the smart doesn't become unsafe.
I assume you're talking about the tops of the rear wheels being canted inward. That's known as negative camber and as Earl says it was a deliberate decision by smart.Thanks Earl. But it is causing uneven wear on the tires. Does rotating the 2 rear tires help with the even-ness in wear. The reason is, my car only had 40K miles and I changed tires already.
Most owners have reported getting somewhere in the 20-30k miles range for stock tire sizes. They are just small tires and will wear more quickly. On the flip side, they're a lot less expensive than a larger tire!
If your rear tires are wearing more quickly than the front, you might have an alignment shop take a look to make sure there's no damage to your suspension. Rear wheel alignment settings aren't easily adjustable. If your front tires are wearing quickky, you can fix that by setting the toe value near where all vehicles tend to have it, around 1/16" or 0.02 degrees toe-in on each front wheel. That will minimize sensitivity to tire ruts and sidewinds as well. The OEM spec for toe-in is excessive and designed to ensure the front tires lose traction first. Even with normal toe settings, that still happens and the smart doesn't become unsafe.
Thanks for the insight, InjuredAgain (I hope you will get better soon if you are injured).
Yes, I was referring to the tops of the rear wheels. I had to look up what toe value means. Now I have a better understanding of the Smart design. I have noticed that the Smart cars in Europe are not canted inward as the ones in the US. I am wondering if it is part of the safety design update that allowed the Smarts to be imported into the US.
BTW, I changed tires at 40K. I guess it was normal. The new tires are by Continental, cost almost $600 for all 4.
Yes, I was referring to the tops of the rear wheels. I had to look up what toe value means. Now I have a better understanding of the Smart design. I have noticed that the Smart cars in Europe are not canted inward as the ones in the US. I am wondering if it is part of the safety design update that allowed the Smarts to be imported into the US.
BTW, I changed tires at 40K. I guess it was normal. The new tires are by Continental, cost almost $600 for all 4.
I'm currently in Italy at this moment and seem to notice the same. I'll snap some pictures when we're back among the thousands of smart cars here.
Especially in Rome,people drive very aggressively on slippery concrete blocks and don't have oversteer so the US spec may be due to our regulations as you suggest.
I seem to always be injured! I use my body hard and at age 61, it doesn't heal like it used to!
Especially in Rome,people drive very aggressively on slippery concrete blocks and don't have oversteer so the US spec may be due to our regulations as you suggest.
I seem to always be injured! I use my body hard and at age 61, it doesn't heal like it used to!
Happy touring in Italy. I just got back from my latest Europe trip 2 weeks ago. Some years ago when I was working in Munich, I rented a Smart. I remember the European Smarts' mileage was at least 20% better. Oh, if you look for the new models, the Smarts there have the Mercedes-Benz logo in stead of the Smart logo.
Thank you! We're finishing up in the Cinque Terre tonight and heading to Lake Como tomorrow so two weeks down and two weeks to go. No cars at all in these five villages so haven't seen any smart cars, and in the first two weeks have only seen one electric 451 like we have. I've got some pictures of other interesting cars that I'll post when we're home in June.
We've only been to Germany once, on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. The towns we visited were wonderful so we have to find a way to get back there and wander around like we are doing now. I want so badly to drive on the autobahn!
We've only been to Germany once, on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. The towns we visited were wonderful so we have to find a way to get back there and wander around like we are doing now. I want so badly to drive on the autobahn!
Welcome karoesler to the forum. You mentioned rotating the tires. The smart has larger tires and wider wheels on the rear from the factory, so you can't rotate. However, many members have installed rear tires and wheels on the front. They can now rotate front to back and get somewhat better handling in the process.
Thank you 1983JZR3W for the info. Why can't the rear tires be rotates between themselves, and likewise the front wheels between themselves?
P.S. does anyone have their Smarts repaired or serviced by non-dealer Mecedes-Benz mechanics? I have always taken my car to a dealer; but it's getting unbearably expensive. Thanks.
The old school of thought was that tires formed a wear pattern and that changing their direction of rotation would speed up the wear of the tire. I have heard that is not the case anymore, but I would investigate further with a better source than me. I am sure someone will chime in soon with a more up to date set of facts. Thanks and good luck with your car. We all love photos here, if you have any of your smart.Thank you 1983JZR3W for the info. Why can't the rear tires be rotates between themselves, and likewise the front wheels between themselves?
I really like the matt green with silver tridion. The Brabus wheels are a nice plus.
I do in NYC. I am mechanically inclined and can do a lot myself and have Smart Owner friends that also will work on the car. Other things that I know what needs to be done but for lack of tools or lifts ect. , I take it to any shop that will do what I ask them. Such as any shop that services brakes can do Smart brakes. Any shop can change oil and filters. Firestone dose my wheel alignments. Any muffler shop can fix an exhaust issue. I would likely use the Mavis shop that works on my SUV if I needed suspension work that I could not do. Next level things that take diagnosis I use a High End Foreign Shop. At those times I am prepared to pay for that expertise rather than have a lesser shop guessing at the issue. 7 years ownership I am very happy with the level of repair coast.P.S. does anyone have their Smarts repaired or serviced by non-dealer Mecedes-Benz mechanics? I have always taken my car to a dealer; but it's getting unbearably expensive. Thanks.
twcom, thank you. I will remember when to go to a generic shop and when to go to a high end shop.
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