winter

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by robm on December 26, 2008 at 1:35am

if MB is not offering I am wondering if there is an aftermarket block heater for a 2005-2007 cdi (Canada) - have searched and found nothing....

Permalink Reply by robm on January 3, 2009 at 10:47pm

I am going to pick up a magnetic (oil pan) heater from Canadian Tire

Permalink Reply by susan on January 8, 2009 at 3:54am

Hi Derek.
I bought my smart car last jan and wondered the same thing wen the temp dropped to - 40oC or lower. I called my dealer and said "don't worry, the smart gasoline is rated to about -53oC (the point at which the flash point of gasoline needs help). I worried a couple of times last year, but she turned over every time.
I now "whine" to my co-workers about how they need to plug in (and I'm sure the toyota gods are going to make me eat my word one of these days) and I don't. So far so good.
However, because of the snow we have been having, and the cold, and the rain, and the ...... The one thing I would recommend is putting the winter tires on her. With all that power, etc that the smart has, it just helps me work my car through some dicey situations. The only real issue I have had all winter so far is the back alley after it has snowed another couple of feet, and the only track is a 4x4 pickup track - the wheel base is a tadd narrower than it was. Got "stuck", but with my handly shovel, (only a couple of digs, and backing up, and then "going for it"), and no help but me to push (again, -35oC), we plowed our way through the 200 m to get to the street.

So, snow tires, and take it easy, and you'll be fine this winter.
Still trying to break a 40 year habit of plugging the car in...
Susan
PS - I'm strathmore - east of calgary so I know the "Q E 2" unfortunately way too well.

Permalink Reply by J Jay on August 12, 2010 at 9:54pm

Great information, Susan. I was a little worried about getting my Smart through the drifts next winter. It snowed the day I picked mine up and by the next morning the road in front of my driveway was a giant snowdrift. I tried to back into the one track left by a neighbour's 4x4 and missed because I wasn't used to the Smart's wheelbase and didn't have winter tires yet as it was May and I was really hoping that we'd miss that one late storm we always seem to get here in Alberta. My husband who was still busy shovelling pushed me back into the driveway and took the driver's seat. His aim was better than mine and I did get to work on time. From what you've said, I think it might be best if I turn around in the driveway (nice that the Smart will do that) and blast through the drift going forward rather than reversing. No need to stop. I can just keep on going down the street. Any further advise for us newbies re winter driving would be appreciated. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Derek on January 8, 2009 at 4:44am

Thank you so much for the info. I'm going to seminary hopefully this fall and will travel home from my 4 day school week in Saskatoon to Ponoka (north of Red Deer) on weekends.......hence the need to get cheap on gas wheels. I've been worried about winter reliability. I fully understand small car winter driving with my 91 prelude and hoped I could count on the Smartie........just bought a ticket on one so maybe will win one. If not am saving the cash for one and tuition.......sigh.

Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by Chris Bradbrooke on April 2, 2010 at 7:41pm

You can pick up a block heater (inline coolant) from a farm supply store for about $30
I drove mine all winter with snow tires laughing at big truck and suv's while they slid around and I just drove around them.