SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owners Manual
Page 111 of 314
Windshield wipers
110
>> Controls.
!
Vehicles with rainlight sensor*:
If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on the 
surface of the sensor or optical effects may 
cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an 
undesired fashion. This could then damage the 
windshield wiper blades or scratch the wind
shield. You should therefore switch off the 
windshield wipers when weather conditions 
are dry.
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
> Activating intermittent wiping: Turn the 
wiper switch to position
1.
After the initial wipe, pauses between wipes 
are automatically controlled depending on the 
vehicle speed and by the rainlight sensor*.
> Deactivating intermittent wiping: Turn the 
wiper switch to position0.
Wiping with windshield washer 
fluidWiper switch1
Wiping with windshield washer fluid>Pull the wiper switch in the direction of 
arrow
1 and hold in position.
The windshield wipers operate with wind
shield washer fluid.
>Release the wiper switch.
The windshield wipers will wipe three more 
times.
i
To prevent smears on the windshield, or 
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with 
windshield washer fluid periodically even 
when it is raining.
Single wipe
>Pull the wiper switch briefly in the direction 
of arrow
1.
The windshield wipers wipe on time with 
windshield washer fluid. P54.25536131 
Page 112 of 314
Windshield wipers
>> Controls.
111 Rear window wiper/washer
1
Wiper switch1
Rear window intermittent wiping
2
Wiping rear window with windshield washer 
fluid
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.> Activating intermittent wiping: Push the 
wiper switch in the direction of arrow
1 to 
the resistance point.
> Wiping with windshield washer fluid: Push 
the wiper switch in the direction of arrow2 
past the resistance point and hold in 
position until the rear window is clean.
>Release the wiper switch.
The rear window wiper will wipe three more 
times.
Intermittent wiping is still activated.
> Deactivating intermittent wiping: Pull the 
wiper switch towards you.
i
The rear window wiper wipes one time 
when the reverse gear is engaged with the 
windshield wipers switched on.
1 coupé only
P54.25536231 
Page 113 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
112
>> Controls. The soft top system of the smart cabrio 
consists of a: 
• Retractable soft top
• Rear soft top
• Side rails
You can remove the side rails over the doors 
when you open the retractable soft top and 
open the rear soft top.
i
Opening the rear soft top is possible after 
the retractable soft top has been opened 
completely (
page 115).
Notes on the soft top system!
When transporting long objects inside the 
vehicle, make sure that they do not press 
against the retractable soft top when it is 
closed.
When carrying objects that protrude from the 
rear of the vehicle, make sure that they are 
not resting on the retaining clips.
When loading, make sure that no sharp objects 
come into contact with the soft top or the rear 
window.
Do not place any evenly distributed loads with 
a weight of more than 165 lbs (75 kg) on the 
rear soft top when folded down.
Make sure that the high mounted brake lamp is 
not concealed.
!
Do not block the soft top system's locking 
apertures.
Only place the side rails in the designated 
storage space of the tailgate.
!
Do not sit on the foldeddown rear soft 
top.
Do not fold down the rear soft top at temper
atures below 14°F (10°C).
Do not place any pointed, sharpedged, hot 
(above 176°F (80°C)), incandescent or burn
ing objects on the soft top's lining.
Do not apply wax to the soft top fabric and 
select only waxfree washing programs when 
using an automatic car wash.
Only drive with the retaining clips closed, as 
exhaust fumes could otherwise reach the 
vehicle’s interior.
!
Please keep in mind that weather condi
tions can sometimes change rapidly. Make 
sure to close the retractable soft top and the 
rear soft top when leaving the vehicle. If water 
enters the vehicle interior, vehicle electron
ics could be damaged which is not covered by 
the smart Limited Warranty. 
Page 114 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
>> Controls.
113 Opening and closing the retract
able soft top
You can open and close the retractable soft 
top when the vehicle is either stationary or in 
motion.
!
To avoid damaging the seals, do not trans
port any objects with sharp edges which can 
stick out of the retractable soft top.
Do not open the retractable soft top if there is 
snow or ice on the roof, as this could result in 
malfunctions.
If you cannot open or close the retractable 
soft top due to a malfunction contact Roadside 
Assistance or an authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Never operate the retractable soft top if 
there is the possibility of anyone being 
harmed by the opening or closing proce
dure.
G
Warning!
The retractable soft top is made out of 
fabric. In the event of an accident, the 
fabric may tear. This may result in an 
opening in the roof.
In a vehicle rollover, occupants not 
wearing their seat belts or not wearing 
them properly may be thrown out of the 
opening. Such an opening also presents a 
potential for injury for occupants wear
ing their seat belts properly as entire 
body parts or portions of them may pro
trude from the passenger compartment.
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 
vehicle could result in an accident and/or 
serious personal injury. 
Page 115 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
114
>> Controls. Opening from outside
You can open the retractable soft top com
pletely with the key.
1
ª
 Locking button
2
»
 Opening the retractable soft top
3
 Panic button
4
ª
 Unlocking button
>Press button
»
 on the key for approxi
mately two seconds.
The retractable soft top opens completely.Opening from the inside
Retractable soft top switch
1
Closing
2
Opening
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
>Press symbolÖ on the retractable soft 
top switch until the desired position is 
reached or the retractable soft top is 
opened completely.
or>Press symbolÖ on the retractable soft 
top switch briefly.
The retractable soft top opens completely.
i
Pressing symbolÖ or± on the 
retractable soft top switch while opening the 
retractable soft top will interrupt the opening 
procedure.
Closing
For safety reasons, you can only close the 
retractable soft top using the retractable soft 
top switch inside the vehicle.
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
>Press symbol± on the retractable soft 
top switch until the retractable soft top is 
closed.
i
To avoid draining the battery, leave the 
engine running when opening and closing the 
retractable soft top. P80.35231331
P54.25609331 
Page 116 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
>> Controls.
115 Opening and closing the rear soft 
top
You can open and close the rear soft top when 
the vehicle is either stationary or in motion.!
Make sure that objects are not stacked too 
high in the cargo compartment. They could get 
damaged when opening or closing the rear 
soft top.
!
When the rear soft top is folded down, the 
side rails are accessible. To prevent theft, 
you should remove the side rails and store 
them in the storage compartment of the tail
gate or close the soft top system.
>Make sure that the key in the starter switch 
is turned to position1.
Retractable soft top switch
1
Closing
2
OpeningOpening the rear soft top
>Press symbolÖ on the retractable soft 
top switch or button
»
 on the key until the 
retractable soft top has opened completely.
>Release the retractable soft top switch or 
button
»
 on the key.
>Press symbolÖ on the retractable soft 
top switch until the rear soft top has folded 
down completely.
Closing the rear soft top
>Press symbol± on the retractable soft 
top switch until the rear soft top has folded 
up completely.
>Release the retractable soft top switch.
i
If you release the retractable soft top 
switch while driving before the rear soft top 
has closed completely, the rear soft top will 
fold down again.
G
Warning!
Never operate the rear soft top if there 
is the possibility of anyone being harmed 
by the opening or closing procedure.P54.25609331 
Page 117 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
116
>> Controls.
Removing the side rails>Open the retractable soft top.
>Open the rear soft top.
>Open the driver’s and passenger door when 
conditions are safe to do so.
>Open the tailgate.
1
Release lever
2
Side rail
>Push release lever
1 of side rail
2 back
ward.
Side rail
2 can be lifted at the rear end, 
but remains secured.
>Push release lever
1 backward again.
1
Lifting
2
Removing
>Carry out the following steps when condi
tions are safe to do so.
>First lift the side rail at rear end
1 and 
then remove it in the direction of arrows
2. P77.30238131 
Page 118 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
>> Controls.
117
1
Handle
>Pull handle
1 on the inside of the tailgate 
backward.
>Lift up the storage compartment cover.
1
Front left
2
Rear left
3
Front right
4
Rear right
>Store the side rails in the storage compart
ment of the tailgate with the painted side 
facing down in the designated order
1 
to
4.
1
Front left
2
Rear left
3
Front right
4
Rear right
>Close the storage compartment cover.
P77.30238431 
Page 119 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
118
>> Controls. >Close the tailgate.
>Close the driver’s and passenger door.
>Open the side windows if desired.
!
Make sure that the storage compartment 
cover is closed before closing the tailgate. 
Otherwise the tailgate could jam.
Mounting the side rails>Open the driver’s and passenger door when 
conditions are safe to do so.
>Open the tailgate.1
Handle
>Pull handle
1 on the inside of the tailgate 
backward.
>Lift up the storage compartment cover.
>Remove the side rails from the storage 
compartment in the tailgate.
1
Front left
2
Rear left
3
Front right
4
Rear right
>Close the storage compartment cover.
>Install the side rails in the designated 
order
1 to
4.
G
Warning!
Always close the storage compartment 
cover properly when storing the side 
rails. Otherwise occupants could be 
injured by the side rails moving about 
during
•braking
•vehicle maneuvers
• an accident 
  
Page 120 of 314
Soft top system (cabrio only)
>> Controls.
119
1
Front end of the side rail
2
Seal on the side rail
3
Rear end of the side rail>Take one side rail and start by attaching it 
to front end
1.
>Make sure that the seal of the side rail is 
facing up at position
2 and is not pinched.
>Push the side rail at rear end
3 downwards 
until it audibly engages into place twice.
>Install the side rail on the other side in the 
same manner.
!
Make sure that the side rails are installed 
correctly. Otherwise the side rails may not 
function properly or may be damaged.
G
Warning!
Make sure that the side rails are properly 
mounted. Otherwise the side rails could 
disengage while driving and injure you 
and other persons.P77.30238531