SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owners Manual
Page 161 of 314
Loading and storing
160
>> Controls. Door pockets
The door pockets are located in the driver’s 
and passenger door.
1
Door pocketStorage trays next to the steering wheel
The storage trays are located to the left and 
right of the steering wheel.
1
Storage traysGlove box
The glove box is located in front of the 
passenger seat.
1
Glove box lock
2
Glove box lid release P68.00454431
P68.00479631
P68.00454231 
Page 162 of 314
Loading and storing
>> Controls.
161
> Opening: Pull on glove box lid release
2 
and fold down the glove box lid.
>Closing: Lift up the glove box lid with a bit 
of force until it engages.
>Locking: Insert the key into glove box 
lock
1 and turn counterclockwise.
> Unlocking: Insert the key into glove box 
lock1 and turn clockwise.Storage compartment in the tailgate
1
You can store small objects in the storage 
compartment in the tailgate.1
Handle
>Open the tailgates.
>Pull handle
1 on the inside of the tailgate 
backward.
>Lift up the storage compartment cover.
Loading instructions
1 coupé only.
G
Warning!
Transport heavy or hard objects in the 
cargo compartment, not in the passenger 
compartment.
Always fasten items being carried as 
securely as possible using fastening ma
terials appropriate for the weight and 
size of the load.
In an accident, during hard braking or 
sudden maneuvers, loose items may be 
thrown around inside the vehicle, causing 
injury to vehicle occupants.  
Page 163 of 314
Loading and storing
162
>> Controls.
G
Warning!
To help avoid personal injury during a 
collision or sudden maneuver, exercise 
care when storing objects in the vehicle. 
Put luggage or cargo in the cargo com
partment if possible. Do not pile luggage 
or cargo higher than the seat backrests.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will 
help to prevent stored objects from 
being thrown about and injuring vehicle 
occupants during
•braking
•vehicle maneuvers
• an accident
G
Warning!
No racks or loads may be secured to the 
roof of the vehicle, as:
• the panorama roof* may be damaged, 
thus injuring persons.
• this can have a substantial adverse 
effect on the driving dynamics of the 
vehicle, thus causing accidents.
• the rack and/or the load could detach 
and through this cause an accident or 
other people could be injured by the 
load and/or rack that has fallen off.
G
Warning!
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the 
engine is running and while driving. 
Among other dangers, deadly carbon 
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle 
interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death. 
Page 164 of 314
Loading and storing
>> Controls.
163
The gross vehicle weight which is the weight 
of the vehicle including fuel, tools, installed 
accessories, passengers, and luggage/cargo 
must never exceed the load limit and the 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for your 
vehicle as specified on the placard located on 
the driver’s door Bpillar (
page 293). In 
addition, the load must be distributed in such 
a way so that the weight on each axle never 
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) 
for the front and rear axle. The GVWR and 
GAWR for your vehicle are indicated on the 
certification label which can be found on the 
driver’s door Bpillar (
page 293).
For more information, see "Tire and Loading 
Information" (
page 185).
The handling characteristics of a fully loaded 
vehicle depend greatly on the load distribu
tion. It is therefore recommended to load the 
vehicle with the heaviest items being placed 
towards the front of the vehicle.Please pay attention to and comply with the 
following instructions when loading the 
vehicle and transporting cargo:
• Always place items being carried against 
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely 
as possible.
• The heaviest portion of the cargo should 
always be kept as low as possible against 
seat backrests.
• Do not stack loads higher than the top edge 
of the head restraints.
• Make sure that no luggage/cargo items can 
get above or next to the driver’s and/or 
passenger seat into the passenger com
partment.
• Make sure that luggage/cargo is properly 
secured.
• Always use, if so equipped, cargo net* when 
transporting cargo.
G
Warning!
Do not store any flammable substances 
inside the vehicle that could ignite and 
start a fire. G
Warning!
The manufacturer has not approved your 
vehicle for towing a trailer. A trailer can 
permanently impair driving safety. 
Page 165 of 314
Useful features
164
>> Controls.
Sun visorsThe sun visors protect you from sun glare 
while driving.1
Sun visor
2
Mounting
Glare through the windshield
>Swing sun visor
1 
down.
Glare through a side window
>Swing sun visor
1 
down.
>Disengage sun visor1 from mounting
2.
>Pivot sun visor
1 to the side.
Sun screen*
1
The sun screen provides protection from sun 
rays and from heat generated by the 
panorama roof*.
The sun screen can be adjusted to any desired 
position.1
Sun screen
> Opening or closing: Move sun screen
1 
forward or backward at the handle.
Auxiliary power outletThe auxiliary power outlet supplies power to 
the following electrical accessories when the 
starter switch is in position1:
• The cigarette lighter*, available in con
junction with the ashtray*,
• The electric air pump, available in conjunc
tion with the tire repair kit*,
• Other consumers which operate up to a 
maximum of 60W.!
The auxiliary power outlet can accommo
date 12V DC electrical accessories designed 
for use with the standard “cigarette lighter” 
plug type.
Keep in mind, however, that connecting 
accessories to the auxiliary power outlet (for 
example extensive connecting and discon
necting, or using plugs that do not fit proper
ly) can damage the auxiliary power outlet. With 
the auxiliary power outlet damaged, the ciga
rette lighter* may no longer be able to be 
placed in the heating (pushedin) position, or 
may pop out before it is hot enough. P68.60217231
,
1 coupé only. 
Page 166 of 314
Useful features
>> Controls.
165
The auxiliary power outlet is located in the 
lower center console.1
Auxiliary power outlet
>Turn the key in the starter switch to 
position1 (
page 91).
!
Please observe the safety instructions 
given in the respective operating instruc
tions.Please note that:
• if using the auxiliary power outlet the max
imum current drawn does not exceed 5 A,
• the electric air pump can be connected to 
the auxiliary power outlet for the time it 
takes to inflate the tire without any prob
lem,
• the vehicle battery will discharge when 
current is drawn.
Wheel trim cap*1
Wheel trim cap aperture
2
Valve> Mounting: Position wheel trim cap aperture 
1 so the valve 
2 fits through.
>Push the wheel trim cap evenly onto the 
wheel rim with both hands.
>Check that the wheel trim cap is fixed se
curely to the wheel rim.
>Removing: Carefully remove the wheel trim 
cap from the wheel rim with both hands. P68.00479731 
Page 167 of 314
Page 168 of 314
>> OperationThe first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  168
At the gas station  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  169
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  171
Front compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  176
Tires and wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  182
Winter driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  208
Driving instructions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  211
Driving abroad  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  223
Vehicle care  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  224 
Page 169 of 314
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
168
>> Operation In the Operation section you will find detailed 
information on operating, maintaining and 
caring for your vehicle.
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle 
during the breakin period, the more satis
fied you will be with its performance later on.
• Drive your vehicle during the first 
1 000 miles (1 500 km) at varying but 
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.
• During this period, avoid heavy loads (full 
throttle driving) and excessive engine 
speeds (no more than 
2/3 of maximum rpm in 
each gear).
• Shift gears in a timely manner.
• Do not attempt to slow the vehicle down by 
shifting to a lower gear.
• Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km), you may gradually 
increase vehicle and engine speeds to the 
permissible maximum.All of the above instructions also apply when 
driving the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) after 
the engine has been replaced.
i
Always obey applicable speed limits. 
Page 170 of 314
At the gas station
>> Operation
169 Refueling
!
Do not put diesel in vehicles with gasoline 
engines. Do not mix gasoline with diesel. Even 
small quantities of diesel will damage the in
jection system. Damage caused by adding die
sel will not be covered by the smart Limited 
Warranty.
If diesel has mixed with gasoline, do not start 
the engine. Otherwise the catalytic converter 
will be irreparably damaged.
Contact an authorized smart center or Road
side Assistance immediately and have the ve
hicle towed.
!
Damage resulting from mixing gasoline 
with diesel fuel is not covered by the smart 
Limited Warranty.
The fuel filler flap is located on the passenger 
side towards the rear.
Locking/unlocking the vehicle with the key 
automatically locks/unlocks the fuel filler flap.
i
In case the central locking system does 
not release the fuel filler flap, or the opening 
mechanisms is clamping, contact Roadside As
sistance or an authorized smart center.
1
Opening the fuel filler flap
2
Tether
3
Fuel type label
G
Warning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poison
ous. It burns violently and can cause 
serious personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking 
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Never allow fire, sparks, flame, or com
bustible materials near gasoline! 
Direct skin contact with gasoline and the 
inhalation of gasoline vapors are damag
ing to your health.