smart Car
Permalink Reply by rob spencer on 
Permalink Reply by Brabus007 on Yep.......this happened to me yesterday......Exactly as you discribed.
I ran down to the Post Office to mail a package and coming out.....the car was dead, except all the electrical (lights, horn, etc., etc.,) seemed to work fine......just the 3 bars on the dash.
Called SMART and no help......refered me to dealer.....out of warranty. (57,157 miles on my 2008 Cabriolet) Called the dealer.......refered me to SMART. (smile)
Finally got the service advisor on the phone......he would have to check with the technicians and call me right back. An hour later I called him back....but technicicians had just left for lunch.....be back in another hour......said, he'd call me back. Another hour and 15 minutes went by.....I called him back........he was busy helping customers.......got his voice mail.......he'd call me back.
Several minutes later he returned call and sent tow truck. Geezzzzzz.......Not the first time I've had problem with this dealership. They're actually a pretty good dealership.........IF......... you drive a Mercedes. I'd go somewhere else if it wasn't so far to drive. I wish my Mercedes dealer in Carlsbad handled the SMART cars......THAT, I would do. (smile)
Obviously the dealership problem is not SMART's problem....but just added to a frustrating day. Of course it's now the weekend and I'm out the car.....but hope to have it back running next week. On the bright side........ I was only a mile from the house and just happened to be on vacation to catch up on some household chores etc.
I just miss my little car. (smile)
Cheers,
Permalink Reply by Herb Bell on Sorry to hear about the problems with your Smart. Hope all is well by now.
Had just 3 problems with my 2008 Smart after I got it, including the shifter issue. The final time was the worst because the shifter locked up and I was stuck at one of the busiest intersections in the area. I had the three bars on the dash. Tried all kinds of things frantically, so I can't say what allowed the shifter to unlock, but I even got out and moved the car forward a few inches. After that it was suddenly normal!
Yes, I got the 2009 transmission reflash, the new battery, the shifter lube and new manual at the first service (Mercedes). The second service was for behavior that was erratic (I forgot what) and the third I described above.
Took car to Mercedes, they did whatever they do, and it's worked flawlessly ever since.
A month ago, I took the Smart to the Ford dealer where I bought it second-hand, handed him a filter and some Mobil 1 (5w-50) and asked them to do the 20,000 mile oil and filter change. They were done 1/2 hour later and I paid $10! Did I get lucky, or what?
Now for some good news: I'd been getting about 34-36 mpg around town before the oil/filter change. Since the service, I'm getting close to 40 mpg around town. In addition, my Smartie has lots more pep, seems to shift better, and is generally more fun because it's become really even-tempered.
I, and a neighbor, are both experiencing transmission problems with our 2008's, however my Cabriolet has a problem not touched in these forums:
When in reverse, if I hit a bump (such as the curb while backing into the drive), I have no gear. No reverse, drive, nothing. Only park. If I turn off the ignition and count to 20, then start the car - VOILA, the computer has reset and I have a transmission again.
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