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#234 of 491 Re: Simple physics [gregg_vw] by dmathews3 May 15, 2008 (6:32 am)
Replying to: gregg_vw (May 15, 2008 5:29 am) I look at it this way, Maybe 99.9% of the cars on the road are bigger than the smart so the smart may have a better chance of coming out on the losing end of the crash but then again, I was thinking of replacing my Goldwing with a Smart but due to the long wait I bought a Chevy HHR and really like it. Granted it don't get the mileage of the Smart going by EPA ratings but it is safer than my bike was so I'm ahead of the game plus there are all kinds of owners clubs and events for the HHR that I'm sure will come along also for the Smart.
#235 of 491 Re: Simple physics [gregg_vw] by dstrom May 16, 2008 (4:52 am)
Replying to: gregg_vw (May 15, 2008 5:29 am) All this talk about safety and the smart prompts me to offer a couple of thoughts for your consideration:   Question: What is the best kind of accident?   Answer: The one you never have.   When considering the safety of a vehicle it is appropriate to consider both the “Active” (help you avoid an accident) AND “Passive” (protect you in the event of an accident) safety features of a vehicle. As we all know by now, the smart has all the “Passive” safety features - front & side/head air bags, seat belt pretensionsers & belt force limiters, “Tridion” safety cell, etc. – and top IIHS Safety Ratings. But, more importantly in my opinion, it has a full compliment of the “Active” ones as well – ABS, Traction Control, Brake Assist, Acceleration Skid Control, Cornering Brake Control, and ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (esp). Experts agree that esp is the most significant safety feature to come along since seat belts. It’s standard equipment on all smarts and is not even available one most other small cars (e.g. Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, and most others). Personally, I wouldn’t consider buying a vehicle today that didn’t have electronic stability control. Note: esp will be required on all cars within a few years   In the event of an accident, it’s also important to consider the effects of weight, design, and the effects of kinetic energy. At just over 1,800 pounds and with it’s Tridion safety cell, the smart may very well bounce off the front of that 18 wheeler rather than crushing as many 5,000+ pound vehicles with less structural integrity might do. And with it’s size, responsiveness, and “Active” safety features, my smart will probably enable me to avoid the accident in the first place.   So, for safety, give me a smart.
#236 of 491 Re: DEATH WISH [dmp20393] by stanwict May 16, 2008 (11:59 am)
Replying to: dmp20393 (May 14, 2008 6:00 pm) Once a gallon of gas in the US hits $10 there will be a whole lot less large vehicles on the road.
#238 of 491 Premium or regular for the fourtwo by unclefudd May 25, 2008 (3:16 pm)
Is anyone driving the smart, yet? If so are you sticking to the premium gas as "recommended"? I am really curious as it seems this would negate any savings or most for the difference in cost of the gas. Also I find it funny that a car with "high compression" of 10 to 1 is too high for regular. But would like to hear from owners who have tried one or the other. If I have to use prem. Its' a deal breaker for me. Thanks all. UncleFudd Replies to this message: snakeweasel (May 25, 2008 7:59 pm)
#239 of 491 Re: Premium or regular for the fourtwo [unclefudd] by snakeweasel May 25, 2008 (7:59 pm)
Replying to: unclefudd (May 25, 2008 3:16 pm) I am really curious as it seems this would negate any savings or most for the difference in cost of the gas.   Most likely not, the Smart is rated at 33 city and 41 highway with regular going at $4.14 and premium only 20 cents more at $4.35 that means a car using regular would have to get 31.4 city and 39 highway to equal the fuel cost per mile of the Smart. As far as I know all non hybrids fall short of that so the premise that the additional cost of premium eats up any savings due to MPG is false.   As gas prices increase car using regular will have to get even better mileage.
#240 of 491 regular vs premium by unclefudd May 25, 2008 (8:55 pm)
Thanks but the question remains; Is anyone using regular in their smart?   the reason I ask is because it is only a 10 to one compression. This should not be a reason to have to use premium. I guess the test is to put some in and drive it. If it is not detonating it is OK. But by then its' too late as it implies that you have already bought it in order to perform the tests I described.   Anyone!!   Thanks   UF Replies to this message: dstrom (May 26, 2008 3:54 am)
#241 of 491 Re: regular vs premium [unclefudd] by dstrom May 26, 2008 (3:54 am)
Replying to: unclefudd (May 25, 2008 8:55 pm) Yes, you can use regular gas in a smart (and most other cars), The smart engine is equipped with a knock sensor that detects predetonation and adjusts the engine's settings (timing, mixture, etc) until the "knock" is eliminated. There is a price to using regular in the form of reduced performance and fuel economy but I have yet to find anyone, including automotive engineers (I've asked many over the years), who can tell me about any other reason not to use regular. But nobody will say it's OK (?). From personal experience, I used regular in my knock sensor equipped premium fuel 94 BMW 318i for 55,000 miles and my son still uses it in the same car today (87,000 + mi) and expereienced no problems of any kind.   As I'm getting 46-51 mpg on my smart (LOVE IT!) and premium is only 10-14 cents per gallon higher here, I use premium in my smart. 50-75 cents more per tank is not enough to cause me to switch to regular.   Enjoy!
#242 of 491 Commuting 60 miles per day by murphy4 May 26, 2008 (2:33 pm)
does the SMART car make sense on the 101 Highway in California?   Feedback appreciated. Replies to this message: scwmcan (May 27, 2008 3:44 am) murphy4 (May 31, 2008 8:46 am)
#243 of 491 Re: Commuting 60 miles per day [murphy4] by scwmcan May 27, 2008 (3:44 am)
Replying to: murphy4 (May 26, 2008 2:33 pm) I Think that is something you will have to try for yourself. My test drive showed that the smart was fine for me on highway driving, but for you it may not be, also it may depend on the highway itself, I would say that yes the car is fine on the highway, but you may or may not find it acceptable for you, and only a test drive on the highway will let you know one way or the other. Scott Replies to this message: murphy4 (May 31, 2008 8:46 am)

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