Smart Car Cruise Control
January 30, 2009
Smartimes Reviews Area 451’s Smart Car Cruise Control
For our product review in this edition of smartimes magazine we decided to contact the guys over at Area 451 Parts to find out more about them, their company and specifically their custom smart 451 cruise control unit.
There has been a great deal of buzz revolving around this product in recent times so we thought it was about time we put it to the test. At the time of writing this review the Area 451 Cruise Control is only available from SmartieParts.com and retails for $479 USD.
I have to say that Steven from Area 451 was fully onboard from the moment we contacted him and agreed to ship us a sample unit post haste for installation and review.
As we started to delve a little deeper into the history of Area 451 we found out that Steven was also the owner of Smartieparts.com, a well-established Canadian based retailer for all things smart. Steven had recently acquired Area 451 and when asked to give a little feed back on the company he had this to say:
“Area 451 Parts Ltd. is a new company born to satisfy a particular need in a particular market. When it was determined that smart was not including a cruise control system in it’s smart car as an option or otherwise, it was clear there would be a window of opportunity. We knew that acting quickly and making a 100% custom designed product would give us an edge over any competition that may exist.
The cruise control: Unlike previous attempts at it in Europe, our product was designed from scratch to work specifically with the new model smart sold in the US. Feedback from the initial 200 units sold has been decidedly positive with many customers calling it the best cruise control they’ve ever used in any car, and many more echoing that it is the best addition for their new smart car.
The installation is not trivial, but not particularly difficult either and the step-by-step instructions have helped ensure there have been no significant problems reported to date. The unit comes with a 2 year warranty against defects.”
Feeling confident that we were in good hands, we patiently awaited the arrival of our unit.
Rather than having a trained technician attempt the installation of the cruise control, we decided to simulate the installation based on an average smart car owner with a modest ability to finding his or her way around a car.
Keeping this in mind on the day our unit arrived we unpacked all components and examined them thoroughly; with only a small number of components every thing was concise, well presented and superbly constructed.
Once everything was laid out, we decided to find and download the needed installation instructions from the Area 451 website. The only snag that our installation had hit was that the current Area 451 website, while being entertaining, was far from “user friendly” with regards to locating the needed instructions.
After several minutes of browsing, our instructions had been located, printed out and ready to go.
From this point on, the installation was a breeze. The instructions were well illustrated and very detailed insuring that nothing was over looked. Progressing at a steady methodic pace our install was completed in just less than two hours.
Not too bad we thought for a first attempt, but how will it work?
With this in mind we hit the road for our first test run. A quick 10 minute lap revealed that not only was this a well presented product that is simple to install but that it actually worked! No need for difficult calibrations or fancy controls, just push the button and you’re good to go.
Feeling confident in both our install and initial test run, we set out for our final test. this was to be a round trip of approximately 150 miles to really see how well the cruise control would hold up in real world situations.
The results of this test-drive not only revealed that, yes, the cruise control does exactly what it sets out to do, but also in our opinion made our journey far more enjoyable. By engaging the cruise control it actually eliminated the feeling that we were driving a small car. Our smart sat firmly on the highway cruising along at a comfortable 75MPH.
So, in conclusion, our test was a great success. Would we recommend that you buy the Area 451 Cruise Control?
Well, that depends on you as a driver. If you never take your smart on the highway or do so but very sparingly then this product is probably not for you and the price is a little steep but if you’re like us and maximize your driving time with your smart for both city and highway then this is a product that will certainly make your life easier and leave you smiling from ear to ear.
We would like to thank Steven and Area 451 for agreeing to take part in our review and for more information regarding this product visit www.area451parts.com.
The Smartimes Tech Team
For more reviews like this visit:
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Smart Car Wheel Bolt Covers
December 16, 2008
It’s time for another Smartimes Magazine review.
Our tech team loves performing products reviews both big and small and this one was no exception.
The Smartimes Magazine was recently contacted to perform an independent review by one of our readers who has invented a small smart accessory.
Don had asked us to review his smart wheel bolt covers, a simple dress up accessory to mask your wheel bolts from view.
Catering to the complete smart vehicle spectrum from the smart fortwo to the forfour these wheel bolt covers are available in six different colors and in quantities of 12 and 16.
The concept is simple, you own a smart car, you don’t like the look of those boring ugly wheel bolts so why not buy a set of covers to match the color of your wheels or body panels? Sounds simple enough!
So down to the review.
Don was nice enough to send over a set of each of the available covers for our tech team to examine and try out.
The color choices are perfect matching a set to every available body panel color choice allowing each owner to personalize as they wish. The concept behind the product is simple and to the point and they do exactly as you would except, no need for any technical knowledge just position over the wheel bolt, press firmly in place and your good to go.
Created from a flexible, pre-colored vinyl these caps seem robust enough to hold up to time, cleaning and mother nature.
Now the one observation every member of our team did make after firmly placing their first cap on a wheel bolt was this “What happens if we need to remove these caps?” this was a good point. We found that after installation it wasn’t possible to simply remove the caps by hand, although using a cloth and small flat headed screw driver did the job just fine.
That being said we reached a unanimous discussion that this is a good product, simple, effective and affordable at $20 (including free shipping) allowing the enthusiastic smart owner one more option when it comes to personalizing their cars. After all not every great product has to be a complex and costly one.
This wraps up another Smartimes Product review, for question regarding this product or to buy a set for your car visit our supporting vendor section:
http://www.smartimesmagazine.com/smart-car-advertisers/smart-bolt-covers/
If you would like Smartimes Magazine to perform a feature or review on your company and it’s products click here to complete our contact form: Contact Us
Thanks,
The Smartimes Team
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Motoflow Fuel Magnetic Installed On A Smart ForTwo
July 8, 2008
Improved power, fuel saving and better for the environment.
“She’s finally lost her mind!” I muttered to myself, as she raved on about this ‘magnet – thingy’ that you put on your car and it makes it go faster. I think I made the appropriate grunt in the right places to keep her thinking I was following her, and believed what she was saying. Well, she certainly believed it. Can it be true that I only married her in February, and here we are just a few months later, and she has already lost her marbles? “No-one warned me that this would happen,” I mumbled. [pay]
Returning home a little later, she bounced in the door and said, “I’ve bought you a pressie. Now close your eyes and hold out your hands”. Well, maybe married life wasn’t so bad.
“There!” she said. I opened my eyes and saw that she’d only bought me one of those ridiculous magnets. Feigning pleasure, I smiled and thanked her. “Well, aren’t you going to clip it on?” she questioned. How could I tell her beaming expectant face that this was a waste of time? I couldn’t – so I dutifully trotted out to my Smart and popped it on. The instructions for fitting were simple, and it was easy to fit.
About a week or so later, we were out in the Smart car. As I accelerated, my wife said, “that feels a lot pokier to me”. I denied it – what does she know about power and cars? Nothing at all. The same happened next time we were out in the car. This time she was adamant that there was more power. “You’re imagining it, I replied”. However, I was not so convinced myself now, and began to read up on the science behind the magnets…
Ecoflow have a patented Central Reverse Polarity (CRP) magnet on each side of the grip. This means that the magnet simulated the pulsing effect. Two magnets double this effect and also have a relay effect between the two – thus agitating the fuel in the pipe.
Hydrocarbon molecules are very complex, and a small change in the molecular structure can mean big changes in the end product. Fuel that has been subjected to the Motoflow magnetic field has benefited from electron movement, producing molecules that combine more efficiently with oxygen. This action allows for a quicker and more complete combustion, resulting in more energy being available earlier in the combustion stroke of the engine. An increase in power and torque and a reduction in pollutants are resultant. The combustion chambers tend to remain ‘cleaner’, that is less carbon is deposited in the areas of combustion allowing gases to flow freely.
As a definitive test, I decided to put my car back on the rolling road having only done it a couple of weeks earlier with the Smart Club. Cool! – An extra 2bhp at lower revs! To prove it, I have the two graphs printed. Unequivocal!! Getting excited about this, I then worked out my fuel consumption. In two weeks, I have gained an extra 30kms on average per tank of fuel (about a 10% gain).
The instructions say that you should allow up to 1,000 miles before expecting any results. But this has been instant. What may happen a bit further down the line as the miles clock up?
To make matters even more interesting, I recently discovered that my exhaust is without a catalytic converter. This has proved a problem for other smart car owners in the same position when trying to pass the emissions check for the mot. I decided to take my car, with magnet fitted to ‘Specialist Service Centre’ in Portsmouth to have the emissions tested. To my great delight, it passed the emissions test. Ecoflow do say that their magnet reduces emissions, making it more environmentally friendly, and there is an independent report from the DTI to verify this. This comes as a relief as the last time I changed my exhaust I managed to break a manifold stud which cost £200 to repair, and meant my car was off the road for a week.
Actually, I think my car gets pokier every time I drive it, but then that could just be the sheer pleasure and Cheshire cat grin it gives me every time I drive it! It certainly is fun to drive.
And my wife? Needless to say I got the “I told you so” remark numerous times. She was already a convert to Ecoflow as she wears a Bioflow magnetic bracelet that gives her remarkable energy levels (more’s the pity!) and pain relief that previously required prescription drugs. She is now so hooked, that she decided to become a distributor and plagues everyone she sees with her boundless enthusiasm for the benefits of magnets.
For further details, please contact Sharon Cummins on 01329 231738 or email s.northeast@ntlworld.com. Website: www.magnatherapy.ik.com.
All products come with a 90-day money back guarantee policy. Free postage and packing to all sales quoting SMART when ordering.
Submitted By:
Mike Northeast [/pay]
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EBC Disks & Pads For Your Smart Car
July 8, 2008
EBC Disks & Pads Installed on a smart fortwo.
Over the first two issues of smartimes we have discussed and reviewed various modifications to make your smart go faster. It is essential that one of the first considerations of performance modifying is how to make the smart brake more effectively in balance to the increase in speed. [pay]
When our smart was first re-mapped we installed EBC black brake pads to ensure we up rated the stopping performance in line with the speed. Now we are going to add a sports exhaust it is time to look at further braking enhancement prior to its installation.
We chose the most common dimpled and grooved disks used by smart owners, EBC . Other makes are available but EBC are easily available and reasonably priced. Along with the disks we changed the pads to the EBC green.
The braking system on your smart or any car is not to be taken lightly. We engaged a competent mechanic to install these products at a cost of £35. If you feel confident that you can install these items yourself and have the correct tools, on line instructions are available at http://www.smartcar-owner.co.uk/turbo_groove_brake_disc.htm
Our mechanic, while installing the disks and pads kindly painted the brake calipers red with Hammerite smooth. This was a nice finishing touch complementing the combination of disks with the Khan alloy wheels.
Conclusion
After a few days the disks and pads had bedded in. During this period there had been an obvious improvement to the stopping distance. Once fully bedded I would rate this EBC combination at 20% quicker than smart originals. If you have increased your smart’s power, this is a must have safety upgrade.
Costs:
EBC disks £ 87.99
EBC green £ 34.99
Installation £ 35.00
Total £ 157.98
Submitted By:
S2Massive [/pay]
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Digi-Tec Stage 2 & 3 Smart ForTwo Remap Upgrade
July 7, 2008
In the last issue of smartimes I reviewed the smarts-R-us re map and the Digi-tec stage 1 re map, both being a software program flashed to adjust the ECU settings of the smarts engine management system. With the Digi-tec stage 1 re map resident on my smart it seemed sensible to review the stage 2 and 3 options also available.
The original turbo inlet pipe above showing how restricted the connection to the turbo is as standard
The stage 2 modification is a wider replacement turbo inlet pipe that delivers the air from the air filter box to the turbo itself, and a software program to tell the engine and turbo to use the extra air. The stage 3 modification is a software re calibration of the speedo and a replacement dial set increasing the readable range from 85 to 120 m.p.h. [pay]
The original pipe removed, the new wider metal pipe is installed along with the additional flex pipe to connect to the air intake
The work involved took one and a half hours and gave me the opportunity to see how easy it was to remove the rear panel set and access the rear section of the engine compartment. The components were installed and the software upgraded, and over the next few days as the car learnt the reprogramming, the improvements in the lower gear range were obvious. However the total rev range appeared to be restricted. I contacted JB and the programs were re flashed.
The speedo removed and calibrated by reprogramming the chip
Again allowing a week to let the ECU learn I began to see improvements.
My expectations were high but after discussing top speeds and performance with JB it was clear I was not going to be hitting the 120 m.p.h marked on the new speedo. In fact the stage 2 has not increased overall top speed from the stage 1 re map of 97 m.p.h, what it has done is slightly lower the rev point that the turbo kicks in and increased the torques then generated.
The re-calibrated speedo dial display shows a max of 120 m.p.h.
Conclusion
The stage 2 provides torque at lower rev’s providing a positive pull away from standing. A more positive and torques ride making the car feel sportier than with just the stage 1 re-map. Gear change has improved further, with smoother positive action. The delivery of the torque is refined and controlled making the driving experience very powerful but controlled. Since first drafting this article the car has had further time to adjust, we have experienced cold weather and I have added a Michalak air intake. This has improved the driving experiences to the point that I cannot wait to drive the car at any opportunity and for any distance.
I was hoping for increased top speed, but in all fairness the car is very fast already and the low and mid range performance is really the best benefit to most drivers and this is provided by the stage 2. The stage 3 simply allows you to be aware of your actual speed. With all re maps the top speed is beyond that indicated on the standard speedo. It is best if you can see your actual speed and judge for braking.
The stage 3 was tested with a GPS and found to be displaying 3.6 M.P.H. over the GPS reading. This variation is consistent with the standard smart speedo. These stage 2 and 3 modifications are relative to what you want from your smart. As a combination they are an excellent package that provide true positive benefit over the Digi-tec stage 1 re map alone.
Submitted By:
S2Massive [/pay]
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The Theory And The Truth About Fitting The Smartronik Gear Change Mod
July 1, 2008
Theory
- Purchase parts from Germany.
- Take out front seat.
- Remove gear lever assembly.
- Add new part.
- Find brown/black wire in fuse box.
- Connect wires.
- Put everything back together.
- Drive off and enjoy.
The Truth
- Order parts on the net.[pay]
- Go to bank to send money to Germany. (Bank not sure how to do it “could take ten days”)
- Spend half hour online joining ‘Paypal’ in America to send money to Germany.
- Wait 3 weeks for parts to arrive. (Give every postman dirty looks for not delivering parts).
- Find out in mean time that Smartclub seem to have suddenly got supplies of parts.
- Find card in door saying postman tried to deliver but I was out, so I collect from main post office after work. (Long queues).
- Get parcel home and find parts and a bag of ‘Gummy Bears’ inside. (Nice touch).
- Can’t wait to get started, so I don’t wait.
- Horn assembly comes off quite easily. (It’s going to be a doddle!).
- Out with the Dremel, cut bar on horn into three, solder parts to bar (not forgetting to put the shrink wrap on first). Find the shrink-wrap is not big enough to fit over the bar and soldered joints.
- Refit horn assembly. Seems OK, horn only works on the right now.
- Next out with front seat. No, wrong there, only one bolt will loosen no matter what I throw at it. Give up and decide to do it with the seat in as I can see the screw I need to get at.
- Remove plastic tunnel over gear stick with Torx screwdriver. No problem. Things are looking up again.
- Cut carpet slightly to get to screws that fit the gear change on.
- My Torx drivers don’t fit so off to Halfords.
- After two trips to above shop with wrong tools purchased, it is discovered that the screw is five pointed, not six as all the tools available, and Halfords can’t even order one!
- Go home and try everything in toolbox to get screws out.
- Mole grips finally get a grip after about an hour but the last one under the seat will not budge.
- Try every thing and decide to chisel head off or break the plastic but it is so well made it won’t break.
- Big lump of metal falls out on floor.
- Try key in ignition to make sure everything is ok but nothing works engine wise.
- Go to bed annoyed and worried about huge bills for new gear change assembly.
Next Morning
- Try chisel on last screw again. Does not move.
- Try mole grips one last time and it turns – EUREKA!
- Finally take gear assembly apart, find out how it works and put parts back in that fell out.
- Instant relief as I find that the engine was dead because the main connecting lead had come off the ignition switch. Full of enthusiasm again.
- Start mod by connecting new part and hot glue in place.
- Run wires under carpet to fuse box and put everything back.
- Now we’re cooking with gas.
- Next find fuse box.
- Insert screwdriver to unclip it as per instructions. Seems to snap off, but at least I can see better now!
- Spend ages looking for brown/black wire but find it at last.
- Cut wire. Horn still works. WRONG WIRE. Solder back together again.
- Keep looking for half hour through wires.
- Just about to give up and have another coffee whilst kicking the cat, when I decide on one more look through all the brown wires I can find.
- Find the right wire after twisting the brown wires and discover the black bit was hiding behind all the time.
- Cut wire and the horn give a peep. Hit head on underside of dash in surprise.
- At least it’s the right wire this time.
- Solder on connectors, connect wires, done.
- Take car for drive.
- Left button works, but right button works horn.
- Read instructions again.
- Gear stick back, ignition on, one beep and the buttons are swapped round.
- WRONG!
- Reprogram loads of times still no joy.
- Decide to try two beeps, which is supposed to not change anything.
- IT WORKS! HAPPY DAYS! Instructions wrong.
- It works well, but you need to stop grabbing for the gear stick. Takes a bit of getting used to.
Was it worth it?
It took twelve hours with lots of swearing and passing cats leaving with spanners embedded in their rumps, but when it’s done and working its brilliant.
Back on the road and loving every minute.[/pay]
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The Smart Car Re-map Experience
July 1, 2008
It was on a dark wet night at the Churchillian, during a Pompy (Portsmouth) club meet that the deed was done. Paul and Liam of smarts-r-us were down from Nottingham and it had been arranged that I would attend for my smart car re-map to be installed.
My Mk6 Pulse was just 4 months old and it was about to have major surgery. What was going to be done to my pride and joy ?
Well it was quite simple really. Liam pulled his bag of tricks from the boot of his smart, laptop, leads and connecter. We opened the passenger door on my smart and he bent down leads in hand. In just a few seconds the connection was made and the laptop booted and a system check ran to ensure car and laptop were communicating. [pay]
The big moment came very quickly and it was no turning back. With the button on the laptop pressed the program started to load and the dash lit-up like it was Christmas.
Dancing light from the dash I am assured was the program resetting the ECU. Well it was all over in a few minutes.
We packed up and went into the pub for a chat. What air filter ? and should I get a scoop? were the topics. Yes a K&N air filter and a scoop were next on the list.
Well the drive home from Portsmouth to Winchester was a real bum clincher. With a new top speed of 98 mph and increased torque I had to adapt quickly. The improvement was considerable and the 6th gear had suddenly become useable at 50 mph and up hills. My face had a fixed grin for days.
With in a week the air filter was fitted and acceleration was smoother and a scoop a few days after that, provided a further smoothing of the gear change.
I have driven with the re-map at the time of writing for 2400 miles, on all types on journey including central London for the L2B. The low end torque is incredible but you can get caught out if you use full throttle in lower gears as the power delivered requires speedy gear changes. I assume that this would not be an issue on a smart with automatic transmission, which I do not have. In the mid range I find the car responsive, delivering power at low speed in 4th to high speed in 5th . The top end is well balanced, 60 mph in 6th with smooth power delivered all the way to max speed. This provides a comfortable and confident motorway experience.
Many club members are looking for a definitive which one is best re-map report. I have found numerous providers and researched what technical claims can be supported with physical data. I found nothing other than that provided below by smarts-r-us. As a result decided to have my own test done.
Submitted By:
S2Massive [/pay]
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Watch This Space!
June 24, 2008
The all new Smartimes review section is on it’s way.
Over the next few weeks we will be updating our online database with reviews for everything from Products, Companies, Website and more.
All reviews will be based off of independent customer experiences, in-depth investigation and real world experiences.
So watch this space and if you have something to say wether it be good, bad or indifferent let us know because the smart community needs your feedback.
Regards,
The Smartimes Team
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