SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owners Manual
Page 91 of 314
Opening and closing
90
>> Controls. > Opening: Push release levers
1 to the left 
and right of the retaining clip upwards.
>Swivel the rear soft top upwards to open.
>Closing: Swivel the rear soft top downwards 
to close.
>Pull soft top down.
>Pull release levers
1 
to the left and right of 
the retaining clip downwards.
>Make sure that the rear soft top is correctly 
locked in place on both sides.
Closing the tailgate on the cabrio!
When closing the tailgate, you must first 
close the rear soft top (
page 90). Otherwise 
you might break the release levers of the rear 
soft top.>Swivel the tailgate upwards to close.
Let the tailgate lock into place.
G
Warning!
To prevent possible personal injury, 
always keep hands and fingers away from 
the cargo compartment opening when 
closing the rear soft top. Be especially 
careful when small children are around.
G
Warning!
To prevent possible personal injury, 
always keep hands and fingers away from 
the cargo compartment opening when 
closing the tailgate. Be especially careful 
when small children are around.
G
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove 
the key from the starter switch, take it 
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, 
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. 
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehi
cle could result in an accident and/or 
serious personal injury. 
Page 92 of 314
Starter switch positions
>> Controls.
91
Starter switch0For removing key
1Ignition (power supply for all electrical 
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except low beam headlamp 
indicator lamp, high beam headlamp 
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator 
lamps unless activated) in the instrument 
cluster come on. If a lamp in the instru
ment cluster fails to come on when the 
ignition is switched on, have it checked 
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in the 
instrument cluster remains on after start
ing the engine or comes on while driving, 
refer to "Warning and indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster" (
page 237).
2Starting (
page 122)
i
When you switch on the ignition, the indi
cator and warning lamps (except low beam 
headlamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp 
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator 
lamps unless activated) in the instrument 
cluster come on. The indicator and warning 
lamps (except low beam headlamp indicator 
lamp, high beam headlamp indicator lamp, and 
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) will go 
out when the engine is running. This indicates 
that the respective systems are operational. P82.00249131 
Page 93 of 314
Seats
92
>> Controls.G
Warning!
All seat adjustments, as well as fastening 
of seat belts, must be done before the 
vehicle is operated.G
Warning!
When adjusting the seat, make sure that 
no one becomes trapped.
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while 
driving. Adjusting the seat while driving 
could cause the driver to lose control of 
the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the 
seat backrest in an excessively reclined 
position as this can be dangerous. You 
could slide under the seat belt in a colli
sion. If you slide under the seat belt, it 
could apply force at the abdomen or neck, 
potentially causing serious or fatal inju
ries. The seat backrest and seat belts 
provide the best restraint when the 
wearer is in a position that is as upright 
as possible and seat belts are properly 
positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you 
can correctly fasten your seat belt 
(page 98).
Observe the following points:
• Adjust the seat backrest until your 
arms are slightly angled when holding 
the steering wheel.
• Adjust the seat to a comfortable 
seating position that still allows you to 
reach the accelerator/brake pedal 
safely. The position should be as far to 
the rear as possible, consistent with 
ability to properly operate controls.
• Never place hands under the seat or 
near any moving parts while a seat is 
being adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an acci
dent and/or serious personal injury.
Observe the notes on the air bag system 
(page 54).
G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be 
seated and properly secured in an 
appropriately sized infant restraint, 
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom
mended for the size and weight of the 
child. For additional information, see 
"Children in the vehicle" (
page 65).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries 
is significantly increased if the child re
straints are not properly secured in the 
vehicle and/or the child is not properly 
secured in the child restraint. 
Page 94 of 314
Seats
>> Controls.
93
1
Seat backrest tilt
2
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Seat backrest tilt> Adjusting: P u l l  a d j u s t m e n t  l e v e r
1 upwards 
and adjust the seat backrest until your arms 
are slightly angled when holding the steer
ing wheel.
>Release adjustment lever
1 when the 
desired seat backrest tilt is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the seat 
backrest is again fixed into place.
>Check for proper engagement before 
driving.
Seat fore and aft adjustment> Adjusting: Pull adjustment handle
2 
upwards and slide the seat to a seating 
position that still allows you to reach the 
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
>Release adjustment handle
2 when the 
desired seating position is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the seat is 
again fixed into place.
>Check for proper engagement before 
driving.
Seat heightThe seat guide is inclined in the horizontal 
plane. Seat fore and aft adjustment also alters 
the seat height.
G
Warning!
Contact an authorized smart center if the 
seats have become damaged.
The seat is an integral part of the vehi
cle's safety system in the same way as 
seat belts and air bags. Damage to the 
seats may reduce their ability to protect 
the occupants in an accident.P91.10299331 
Page 95 of 314
Seats
94
>> Controls.
Passenger seatYou can expand the cargo compartment by 
folding down the passenger seat.!
Observe the loading guidelines 
(page 161).
Folding down
1
Seat belt guide
>Remove the seat belt from seat belt 
guide
1.
>Move the passenger seat backward as far as 
it will go.
2
Adjustment lever
>Hold the backrest with one hand back.
>Pull adjustment lever
2 upwards and 
unlock the seat backrest.
>Fold the seat backrest forward.
Folding back
>Pull adjustment lever2 upwards and 
unlock the seat backrest.
>Fold the seat backrest backward.
When you hear an audible click, the seat 
backrest is again fixed into place.>Check for proper engagement before 
driving.
>Place the seat belt back in seat belt 
guide
1.
P91.45201631
P91.10299431
G
Warning!
When folding the passenger seat back
rest back to its upright position, please 
make sure that
• nobody becomes trapped
• no obstacles are jammed in the lock
• the adjustment lever has audibly 
locked into position
A proper engaged passenger seat 
backrest will help to prevent stored 
objects in the cargo compartment from 
being thrown about and injuring vehicle 
occupants during
•braking
•vehicle maneuvers
• an accident 
Page 96 of 314
Seats
>> Controls.
95 Seat heating*
The seat heating allows you to heat the 
driver's and passenger seat electrically.1
Seat heating switchThe seat heating has two levels.
The indicator lamps on seat heating switch
1 
come on to show which heating level you have 
selected.>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
>Switching on: Press seat heating switch
1 
repeatedly until the desired seat heating 
level is reached.
>Switching off: Press seat heating switch1 
repeatedly until all indicator lamps go out.
!
If the seat heating is malfunctioning, the 
indicator lamp(s) on the switch come(s) on 
briefly when you press the switch and then 
go(es) out again. Contact an authorized smart 
center. P54.25533631
Level
Indicator lamps on the switch
off
No indicator lamp on
1
One indicator lamp on
2
Two indicator lamps on 
Page 97 of 314
Mirrors
96
>> Controls. Adjust the interior and exterior rear view 
mirrors before driving so that you have a 
good view of the road and traffic conditions.
Exterior rear view mirrors
Manually adjustable exterior rear view 
mirrors1
Adjustment lever
> Adjusting: Move adjustment lever
1 up, 
down, left, or right to the desired setting.Power exterior rear view mirrors
1
The operating control is on the door control 
panel.1
Knob for selecting the mirror
2
Adjustment button
G
Warning!
Exercise care when using the passen
gerside exterior rear view mirror. The 
mirror surface is convex (outwardly 
curved surface for a wider field of view). 
Objects in mirror are closer than they 
appear. Check your interior rear view 
mirror and glance over your shoulder to 
determine whether any vehicles are in 
the 'blind spot' of your field of vision, 
before changing lanes.P88.70240831
1  Model passion only.
P54.25534231 
Page 98 of 314
Mirrors>> Controls.
97
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
> Selecting the mirror
: Turn knob
1 to the 
left for the driver’s side exterior rear view 
mirror or to the right for the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror.
> Adjusting the mirror: Move adjustment 
button
2 up, down, left, or right to the 
desired setting.Exterior rear view mirror heating
1
The exterior rear view mirrors will be heated 
automatically at low ambient temperatures. 
This prevents icing up the exterior rear view 
mirrors and also creates a clear view when the 
exterior rear view mirrors have fogged up.
>Switching on: Make sure that the key in the 
starter switch is turned to position1.
The exterior rear view mirror heating is 
switched on automatically at low ambient 
temperatures.
>Switching off: Turn the key in the starter 
switch to position0.
The exterior rear view mirror heating is 
switched off.
Interior rear view mirror1
Lever
> Adjusting the mirror: Manually move the 
interior rear view mirror up, down, left, or 
right to the desired setting.
> Selecting the antiglare position: Tilt the 
interior rear view mirror to the antiglare 
position by moving lever
1 forward or 
backward.
1  Model passion only.
P68.40212331 
Page 99 of 314
Seat belts
98
>> Controls.
Fastening the seat beltsG
Warning!
Always fasten your seat belt before driv
ing off. Always make sure your passenger 
is properly restrained.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and 
position your seat belt greatly increases 
your risk of injuries and their likely 
severity in an accident. You and your 
passenger should always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your inju
ries can be considerably more severe 
without your seat belt properly buckled.
Without your seat belt buckled, you are 
much more likely to hit the interior of the 
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be 
seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of 
injury or death is lessened if you are 
wearing your seat belt. The air bags can 
only provide the protection they where 
designed to afford if the occupants are 
using their seat belts (
page 54).
G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be 
seated and properly secured in an 
appropriately sized infant restraint, 
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom
mended for the size and weight of the 
child. For additional information, see 
"Children in the vehicle" (
page 65).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries 
is significantly increased if the child re
straints are not properly secured in the 
vehicle and/or the child is not properly 
secured in the child restraint.
G
Warning!
Never let more people ride in the vehicle 
than there are seat belts available. Be 
sure everyone riding in the vehicle is 
correctly restrained with a separate seat 
belt. Never use a seat belt for more than 
one person at a time. 
Page 100 of 314
Seat belts
>> Controls.
99
1
Seat belt outlet
2
Latch plate
3
Release button
4
Seat belt buckle
5
Seat belt guide> Fastening the seat belt: With a smooth 
motion, pull the seat belt out of seat belt 
outlet
1.
>Place the shoulder portion of the seat belt 
across the top of your shoulder and the lap 
portion across your hips.
>Push latch plate
2 into seat belt buckle
4 
until it clicks.
>If necessary, tighten the lap portion of the 
seat belt to a snug fit by pulling shoulder 
portion up.
> Unfastening the seat belt: Press release 
button
3.
>Allow the retractor to completely rewind the 
seat belt by guiding latch plate
2.
G
Warning!
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the 
seat backrest in an excessively reclined 
position as this can be dangerous. You 
could slide under the seat belt in a colli
sion. If you slide under the seat belt, it 
could apply force at the abdomen or neck, 
potentially causing serious or fatal inju
ries. The seat backrest and seat belts 
provide the best restraint when the 
wearer is in a position that is as upright 
as possible and seat belts are properly 
positioned on the body.G
Warning!
Read and observe the additional warning 
notices printed in the "Safety" section 
(page 56).P91.40270231