mr. cob

Howdy G H, Remember in my last post, where I used the words, "extreme prejudice", just sayin.........😉 Dave

Howdy GH, Well if that's true, I need to find and deal with extreme prejudice the person who stole the winding key. Dave

Howdy Ricky, The battery in my Smart Car, ( 2013 ) is located under the floor on the passenger side of the car. You have to pull the floor mat up, remove the plastic thing that holds the toe hook and tire pump, then the battery is mounted in a deep recess. NO WAY to get to the battery without getting into the car. Dave

Howdy Darryl, Kinda what I was thinking, now that I know how to break into it I can do that in an emergency. Much easier to just keep the battery charged which would not have been a problem if we had been driving the car on a regular basis rather then sitting here watching it rain while a new roof is being put on the house. Dave

Howdy All, To kinda bring this thread back around to the original problem, TWO things I have learned from this experience. ONE, if the battery in your Smart Car, is DEAD, and I am "ASSUMING" any other modern vehicle that has electric door locks and a key fob you will have to either open the door with a key or in my case have a lock smith type person or a car jacker open it for you. TWO, just because you have a key that works in the ignition that does NOT mean it will work to open the door. For some reason, I don't know why, even with the battery charged the supplied keys that came with my Smart Car, will NOT unlock the door. If the door is locked it can only be opened with the key fob. I can only assume that there is a problem with the lock in the door. When I insert the key it will NOT turn in either direction. So I guess the safest thing to do is not lock the doors, nothing in it to steal anyway. Dave

Howdy Jen and Jon, Words I lived by, "Work to live, NOT live to work" Dave

Howdy Marcel, My biggest problem is staying in the house and not complaining about how long it's taking. The contractor is doing a good job but he's dealing with having to do multiple jobs and working around the weather it's not a good situation for any of us. Retire as soon as you can, our time on this planet is limited and I don't think anyone ever died wishing they had worked more then they enjoyed life's off time. Dave

Howdy DanFreda, We sure miss being there, hopefully someone will continue the horn honk it's become kinda traditional by now. They are making SLOW progress on the house still hoping to make it south but don't know when. Dave

Howdy r p, After seeing that little baggi thing in action I am thinking of getting one, never know when such a thing might come in handy. Dave

Howdy Marcel, Yes I might be in rain and gloom if I were in Arizona, BUT I would be with friends and able to ride my SxS, TWO very big pluses compared to what I am enduring now. On November 8th, during a bad wind storm two very large trees fell onto our garage and home. The garage took the biggest hit but both the garage and the house are having new roofing and needed repairs done. All the contractors are busy with repairing storm damage it hit the whole area hard. So I don't know if I'll be able to make it south this winter or not, could be another three weeks before we know for sure when the repairs are complete. Dave

Howdy Darryl, The towing insurance sent a guy out, he used a couple of little pry bars to get the window top to move, then slipped a little thing that looked like a baggi in-between the window and the door frame, pumped up the baggi this opened a small space between the window and the door frame and slid a long tool through the opening and under the inside door latch then using the tool opened the door, took him all of about 2 minuets. Jumped the battery, car is now running, if I was in Arizona instead of here in the rain and gloom I would be a very happy camper. Dave

Howdy Lou, Thanks for the link, on my car there is no key lock on the passenger side or to the rear hatch. I called our roadside service they are sending someone out hope they can open the door. Dave

Howdy Lou, I was thinking that might be the case but I don't want to break something not knowing what I am doing. Are you certain that the plastic cover is made to be pried off? Dave

Howdy All, Due to trees falling on our home in November we have not driven south this winter. The Smart Car, has been tied down behind the sleeper for the last 3 months without being started, and of course the battery is now dead. I can't figure out how to insert the key into the door to unlock it so I can get inside to charge up the battery, there looks to be some sort of cover over the key hole. If anyone can offer a suggestion on how to get in the car without busting something I sure would appreciate it, thanks. Dave

Howdy Larry, As the old song says, "What a long strange trip it's been..........." So glad to hear your back up and running after such an ordeal, safe and many travels to you and yours. Dave

Howdy nawaa, I have thought about officially joining the group, thanks for the tip. Dave

Howdy fpmtngal, Thank you, we will be going over Tehachapi, but we will have already put on 400 miles before getting to Bakersfield, should arrive there around 6-7PM so going further would make the wife unit extremely unhappy to keep going until later at night. Dave

Howdy Linda, Thanks, we like Cracker Barrel, I'll give them a call. Dave

Howdy Lou, Thanks for the information. I appreciate it. Dave

Howdy Rocky, Good to hear from you hope all is well with you and yours. I don't know about the Home Depots but all the Walmart's are not allowing overnight anymore in ca that I am aware of, signs posted some local law prohibits it and I have been told by the Walmart folks not to do it or risk getting tagged or towed. I "ASSUME" that goes for all the big box stores. Looking at the parking lots in google earth, shows lot of trees in many of the lots, very sharp turns and curbs that would limit maneuvering with rigs like ours, old style flat open parking lots are a thing of the past it would seem. Dave

Howdy jkoenig24, Yes it is possible, but with the breakins that are happening all over and Bakersfield is NOT the best place to be I hate to leave a new Jeep unattended, the Jeep Gladiator is one of the top vehicles to be stolen or broken into. I had my Freigthliner broken into and lost my GPS, microwave, refrigerator, CB and TV while parked in a supposedly secure long term hotel parking lot while in Ontario ca, lets just say all I want to do is get through ca without spending any money or incurring any loss. Dave

Howdy All, We had planned on already traveling south but had trees fall on the house and garage so our travel date has been put off until sometime hopefully in early January. I have our route planned and one of our usual stops was at the Flying J, a bit north of Bakersfield, however this year my wife will be driving the Jeep so we won't be stopping in truck stops as I don't want to take a full space from a trucker while parking the Jeep. Don't want to spend 50 dollars plus just to sleep and leave, the Walmart in Bakersfield is out so kinda at a loss as to a place to spend the night. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks. Dave

Howdy All, I gave up trying to educate the unenlightened years ago, now I just smile and ask them if they want to race UPHILL or see who can stop the fastest without ending up in the ditch. Dave

Howdy Dave, Good to see another "Hood" in the group. I also have the C-15, it's a thirsty critter but the smile it puts on my face going up the grade is priceless. Dave

Howdy Larry, Sounds like things might work out for you folks, sending good thoughts and hopes your way. Dave