451 smart fortwo

For Sale: Orange Panel Set $500 (Yeah, I suck for taking so long to get em up here)

2011-09-05T15:46:01.518Z

I pick on myself. I've been meaning to get these sold for a while.

A complete Orange Panel set. Minor scratches, but no gouges in the plastic.

$500 - you pick up or I can deliver in the Charlotte Metro area.

PayPal or Credit/Debit Card only (I can process those from my phone). No cash, no checks.

Let me know if interested. I can ship them, but buyer covers shipping costs.

Finally, After 3 years... bigger wheels/tires on the front...

2011-05-10T17:48:47.897Z

Well, not quite 3 years, but close :)

I finally got the wheels I got from SATO put on the car (waited until it needed new tires all around). With the biggtr tires on the front, it makes a dramatic improvement in how well the Smart handles.

I normally drive about 8 miles on the Interstate to/from work, and around here 75+mph is normal traffic. The Smart used to wobble a little, but now it's pretty smooth and solid at 80+mph. Definitely worth it if you can find extra wheels for yours.

Aux Input and Volume?

2011-03-09T20:05:59.217Z

My Smart is getting some age on it, and has some odd issues... My current project is figuring something out audio-wise:

When I connect an MP3 player, phone, or whatever to the AUX jack in the glove box, the maximum volume level varies based on bass/treble settings. (If I have Bass & Treble set to +3 on each, I cannot turn the volume higher than a level of 18 before it cuts out). If I switch back to the radio or CD though, I get full volume. If I turn Bass and Treble down to +0, I can get up to a volume level of 20 before it cuts out.

Anyone know what causes this? And how to fix it? I tried another Smart (neighbor has one) and hers does not exhibit the same behavior...

Electrical Dysfunction?

2010-12-08T14:40:27.577Z

The weather lately has been around or below 20 degrees the last few mornings. Today though, my Smart decided to have what I call an "electrical conniption"...

I went outside to crank it up. Started, no problem.

Turned on the climate controls for the defroster... so far, so good...

Turned on the radio, a weird buzzing noise.... Not unusual when I have my phone connected (as an MP3 audio source and it's getting power from the charger)

Windshield is finally showing the frost melting... try the wipers....They don't work, nothing.

That's when I turn it off, take the key out.. The radio stayed on... WTF?

Turn off the radio using the power button, try to turn it on, it stay off...

Try to crank the car, it starts... headlights come on (auto mode)

But now, I can't turn the A/C on, or use the Recirculate button.

Wipers still don't work, and in checking, neither to the heated seats, fog lights or turn signals, and now the radio doesn;t come on either....

Someone suggested the ECU or SAM are stuck and may need to be reset... Anyone else run into something like this? It didn't get my day off to a good start. :(

Factory Fog Lamps button...

2009-04-10T17:13:40.939Z

I can't remember where I heard it, but I heard some non-US dealerships sell the button face separately from a complete button bank. Is this true? If so, I'd like to make arrangements to get at least one :) Or

A few items..

2008-12-16T14:26:16.515Z

I just got the e-mail from K&N that the new air filter is now available for the non-Turbo US Smarts:
Part #: 33-2417 1.0L L3 F/I exc. Turbo
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2417

I also installed my Area451 Cruise Control last night. Easiest thing I've ever done to mine! (So far, I've added a SoundGate MP3 player kit, changed color panels, added the fog lights, and the CC.)

It takes adjusting as there is no lag when it's engaged (my other car has about a 1/2 second delay from when you press "Set" until it engages). It's well worth it. I am watching to see how it helps my mileage now. :)

So now, off to take photos...

Your Help Needed in ATL Area Today (Nov 9)! (Need a wheel and tire)

2008-11-09T14:23:38.868Z

I am a few hours away from home (in Atlanta right now, but need to get back to Charlotte, NC by 5 pm tonight!). Last night, I hit something pretty hard and have a trashed wheel and tire (pass. front). If someone has one for sale, please let me know as soon as possible. (9 Spoke alloy).

Many thanks!

ESP Failure?

2008-09-30T17:05:49.989Z

I took my Smart on a 500 mile trip over the weekend and it was great. It was fine all the way back home too. However, yesterday morning when I cranked it up, it sounded different than usual, and the check engine light came on.

I went by SCSC (Smart Center South Charlotte) to get it checked out. They told me:
1: The check engine light was triggered by the ESP reporting an error more than 15 times!
2: This is a safety concern so I can't have the car back til it's fixed.
3: They had to call "tech support" because nowhere can they find any info on the codes given.

I tell ya, I have some of the oddest luck, but they did fix my sunshade for the 2nd time...

And what's the deal with adding the factory alarm system after the fact? Is it like the fog lights and the fuse is just not enabled in the SAM? Or is it some other issue? Or can it be done w/o a problem? They couldn't give me an answer, the only thing the Smart guys could tell me was that it's not offered through them and they just send everyone to a local shop instead.

Radio [10] and RDS?

2008-06-30T04:26:09.995Z

The book for the [10] Radio says it supports RDS, but it doesn't appear so. I cannot get to the menu options, and get no radio data. Otherwise, everything else works as it should per the book, including the cd-changer. So is this just me? or is it intentionally not available but in the manual?

Driving/Fog Lights?

2008-06-25T19:16:22.189Z

I have a 2008 Passion Coupe. Is there a way to add the driving lamps as a kit? If so, I'd like to know how as the local dealership says it can't be done, but I disagree. I've done this to another vehicle before without any major problems.