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Car seems Smart even in winter
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| Denise Nannemann drives “Smart,” her Smart Fortwo coupe past the car wash last week. So far this winter, “Smart” and Nannemann have been plowing through the snow with only 6 inches of clearance. - News-Record photos by Sarah Voegele |
By ANDY CHAPMAN, News-Record Writer achapman@gillettenewsrecord.net
During the summer, Denise Nannemann was riding in style with her compact, gas-efficient Smart Fortwo coupe.And now that slick winter roads are here, she’s not changing her tune ” except maybe if it snows more than 6 inches.
“I really didn’t know if I’d drive it in the winter when I first bought it,” she said. “But as long as the roads are plowed, I feel comfortable driving it.”
So far, the miniature version of a car ” it looks like a Power Wheels on steroids ” is performing admirably on the ice and snow. It steers well, corners just fine and brakes with ease.
In fact, even when it starts to slide, Nannemann knows just how to prevent going off the road.
“It’s so light that when you take your foot off the gas, you just stop,” she said with a laugh.
According to the company’s Web site, the Smart features several standard active safety systems ” Electronic Stability Program, traction control, cornering brake control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution and brake assist, all to “help drivers stay in control on snowy and icy terrains.”
But do they work? Nannemann thinks so. So far, she has no complaints.
“I don’t regret buying it at all,” she said.
The majority of the car’s weight, i.e. engine and transaxle, is over the driven wheels, which results in better overall traction. Wider rear wheels and tires allow for better grip and traction in marginal weather conditions, while narrower front wheels and tires allow for less traction loss by penetrating into snow and ice deeper for improved steering. All Smart vehicles come standard with all-season tires, too.
Other features make the Smart Wyoming winter-friendly: heated front and rear windows, and the passion models come standard with heated and electric exterior mirrors. All models also have heated seats available as an option.
Regarding rust, the car’s steel body is fully zinc-plated. Worried about corrosion from road salt? There is a coat of cataphoretic paint under the main powder-coat paint, and all body cavities are preserved by a special agent. The body panels and complete underbody are made of plastic (polypropylene), which are not prone to rust, even if scratched.
She bought the car as a three-season transportation option, but has learned given favorable conditions, she can save on fuel all year long.
Nannemann is so encouraged by the car so far that she plans on putting it to the ultimate test of a car’s mettle: driving it in the Big Horn Mountains in the spring or summer.
A drawback of owning the car is she has to go through the Denver Smart dealership to get anything, but then again, she’s married to a mechanic, so simple maintenance isn’t a problem.
She’s planning on putting snow tires on it to get the most use out of it, but with only about 6 inches of clearance, there’s limits to what the little car can do.
If the snow is too deep, she’ll go back to her big Dodge pickup. But with a mild winter and support from Gillette’s fleet of snowplows, she could be the one looking smart indeed if she can continue to drive her fuel-efficient vehicle.
“I bought it because it was cute,” Nannemann said. “But if I can drive it (in the snow), why not?”
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