Smart Car Hesitation Question

[ktlobb11]

I know this is the HDT forum but I also figured a lot of people here own Smarts. We bought a Smart Prime (2016) on the way home from the ECR and until this past week I had not really driven it. After driving it this past week I noticed a pretty good delay or hesitation from a dead stop so I was just wondering if this is normal or something I need to have looked at. I'm sure it's something I could get used to and it doesn't appear to be as bad when I control the shifting  but never owning a Smart before it was definitly something I'm not used to.

[NoDirectionHome]

Is it the engine pulling down with clutch engagement or a hesitation?  If you're not familiar driving a vehicle with a clutch, that might be what you are experiencing.  Try varying levels of throttle on launch and let us know if there's any difference.  Sometimes a small clutch adjustment can make a big difference.  There are safety features that keep the power level low until the clutch is fully engaged.

[ktlobb11]

Ok, it's an automative so there's no manual clutch it that's what your talking about. Basically with most cars when you take your foot off the brake the car will start moving right away without depressing the gas. The smart when you take your foot off the brake there's a 1-2 second delay before it will start moving forward with out depressing the gas. Also if you do depress the gas right away it isn't the smoothest acceleration, it almost feels like it's just not getting enough gas.

 

[SuiteSuccess]

Kevin,

My 2013 does the same. Think you're probably ?.

[redcrzr]

Sounds familiar. Our first drives with the 2016 felt a little different than what we were used to.  I think Jack Mayer has a write up about the difference people will experience when loading them.  It has something to do with the automatic "clutch" that the Smart has.  Left foot brakers may have issues when on an incline & loading on incline requires you to use the hand brake.

Todd

[Nigel]

I haven't driven the 453 but the 450 has a hill start feature that holds the brakes on for about two seconds after you release the brake or until it sees some throttle input.  If the 453 is similar that may be part of the delay as well as the automated clutch.

Nigel

[Buscrusher]

I've said many times it feels like riding with someone else driving a stick shift car. (Except it never stalls the engine like with a conventional stick shift when you drop the clutch too fast for the amount of gas pedal...)

[GlennWest]

453 are turbo charged. Low rpms is low power. It has to wind up for Turbo to engage, turbo lag. 

[Jack Mayer]

Here is the video where I compare the two versions of the smart. Hesitation on the new one is primarily turbo lag.

 

[ktlobb11]

Thanks to everybody, Thanks Jack, I had already watch the video. My main concern was that I was a little worried that it was unique to our prime and thinking it might need to get into the shop for service. It seems to be a normal thing with the Smarts so I'm ok with that, just need to get use to it.

Thanks again to all