Food truck fail but I got tomatoes that look promising...

[susandennis]

The Starbucks headquarters is revamping their employee restaurant so they have food trucks lined up on their pedestrian concourse. It's very cool. I've known about it for a while but never been. Today, I went.

They had 3 different trucks - an Hawaiian one, a Mexican one and a burger one. The Hawaiian one had a line. The burger one didn't grab me so I got Mexican. A Barrigone from Barriga Llena. It was a huge meat sandwich what was not very good.

There was also a produce vendor who had some promising tomatoes so I got two for sandwiches. I know I'll be disappointed. I want tomatoes from southern New Jersey or piedmont North Caroina or anywhere in South Carolina. I always hope northwest tomatoes will come close and they don't but hope spring eternal.

There was also a flower vendor there who had beautiful flowers. I have a fresh bunch here now so I didn't get any but he says he's there every Friday from 9 to 2 - I will remember!

When I got back, I turned off the car and it beeped at me and wouldn't stop. I don't speak Smart yet so I don't have a clue what it wanted. I put the key back in and turned it on and then off and the beeping stopped. I hope it's ok. I'll check later.

The coin slots are simple slots and there are only 4, not 5. They don't push down or anything. Weird.

And, finally, I hate seat belts. The one across my chest cuts my throat. Is that because my boobs aren't big enough? Surely not. Lots of people - like many men, for instance - have smaller boobs than me. I cannot imagine getting used to it rubbing on my neck. pfff.

Time to get back to work.

Comments

[ginger]

When I got back, I turned off the car and it beeped at me and wouldn't stop. I don't speak Smart yet so I don't have a clue what it wanted. I put the key back in and turned it on and then off and the beeping stopped. I hope it's ok. I'll check later.

Mine's done that every so often the whole time I've had her. I've never figured out what it is, I just roll my eyes and do what you did and she stops. Never had any issues from it though.

[susandennis]

Ohhh! so good to know. I am so thrilled that you have paved the Smart car road here.

I'm going to ask old salesman Bud about the beeping tomorrow when I take the stuff from my old car in and pick up my garage door opener.

[ginger]

If you remember, let me know what he says. :)

Also, as a side note - at least with mine, sometimes a full tank of gas will only show as 7/8 for the first few miles. This was a known issue with no fix, but may have been corrected in later models, as mine's a 2009. I think those two were the only weird things I had noticed.

Also, if you didn't already, I really really encourage you to get the trunk divider thingy - it keeps little stuff in the back end from sliding forwards under the seat, plus has a little cover you can pull forward to keep your trunk contents out of view from the outside of the car.

(Also also, I just replaced the battery in my key for the first time in two and a half years. They will try to charge you like $30 to do this at your first-year inspection - say no and do it yourself when you need it, the replacement battery is $4 at Target. Heh.)

[susandennis]

Oh! I absolutely will let you know what he says!

What trunk divider thingie?? Is that something I get at the Smart car dealer?

[ginger]

Yep, that's where I got mine! It's a spring-loaded bar that fits in the little divots on either side behind the seats at the level of the top of the tailgate, then it has a flexible vinyl-ish thing that drops down below it and velcros to the floor where the 'trunk' floor drops off. There's little mesh pockets on the seat-side of the divider, handy for maps and things if you're so inclined. And then from the bar itself, a retractable thing (think like, roll-up blinds?) pulls out and hooks into a pair of niches just inside the back window to conceal the trunk contents, but retracts into the bar for storage.

It's very easily removable, there's another pair of divots at floor-level that you can snap it into for storage if you take it down or you can just throw it behind the seats loose. I think I paid $75 for it? And it's been invaluable.

[susandennis]

wow. it sounds perfect!! i'm all over it. Just copied your description into my phone so i can have it for Bud!

Thanks!

[ginger]

Happy to help :) I love being a Smart-bassador.



Bonus: My girl, ten minutes after her wrassle with a semi.

[susandennis]

Oh great key fob tip.

Bud told me that they only charged $75 for the oil change and I was all WTF???? I'm used to $19 Jiffy Lube jobs. Then he backpedaled about all the other stuff they do. He did not mention the key battery. I'm all over $4 Target.

[ginger]

I made a O.O face at the oil change price too, but then realized - $19 every three or four months at Jiffy Lube (where they broke my car at least once a year), vs $75 once a year, totally worthwhile.

[susandennis]

yep. since i didn't drive enough to justify more than one oil change every year on the old ford, i don't get the savings but at least i understand it.

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

In the case of my Audi, and thus also likely true of other European cars like a Smart, it's the cost of expensive synthetic oil vs cheapo petroleum. I used to get the cheap oil changes, too, but if the cheap place is paying attention to what your car needs, they're not so cheap any more, either. And if they're not, and just pour in the cheap stuff, they may damage your car.

[ginger]

This is true, though before I got the Smart I was driving mid-90s Hondas that could pretty much run on apple cider vinegar and pancake syrup and cheerfully put out 250k miles :)

[alice-q.livejournal.com]

On my new car (Mazda, not Smart, but might work for you too), you can adjust the seatbelt, by raising or lowering the end that attaches to the door post. I've lowered mine enough that it doesn't try to cut my throat.

[susandennis]

oh! i did not know that... will absolutely check that out. thanks!

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Came here to say the same thing. I had to move mine down too.

[viridescence13]

You need a Tiddy Bear for the seatbelt. OK, they are now calling it the Comfort Strap but whatever. I have the same problem with the seatbelt (although adjusting the shoulder belt part up and down helps) but I've yet to get a Tiddy Bear.

[lolleeroberts.livejournal.com]

This and adjusting the height at the door should make it more comfortable.

belt beep?

[dietcokewithice.livejournal.com]

Check your manual (or the googles) you may be able to disable the belt-beep. My fella works for (an american car brand) and refers people to the guides for this. They'll deny they told you if asked, but most nice service mangers, writers or techs will tell you the secret, if there's one to tell. It's rather complicated, but only needs done once (involves key twisting and pulling the belt out a specified number of times, patting your head, rubbing your stomach, etc in a specific order, and you'll look like a total retard doing it if someone sees you.. but it can be done for some... 'cause I know!)

Congrats on your car - I love the color.