SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owners Manual
Page 171 of 314
At the gas station
170
>> Operation >Turn off the engine.
>Remove the key from the starter switch.
>Open the fuel filler flap by pulling at the 
point indicated by arrow
1.
>Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise 
and hold on to it until possible pressure is 
released.
>Take off the fuel filler cap.
!
The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel 
filler flap. Do not drop the fuel filler cap. It 
could damage the vehicle paint finish.
>To prevent gasoline vapors from escaping 
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle unit.
>Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit 
cuts out  do not top off or overfill.>Replace the fuel filler cap.
>Turn the fuel filler cap clockwise until the 
handle grip overturns.
i
Make sure to close the fuel filler flap be
fore locking the vehicle as the fuel filler flap 
locking pin prevents closing after you have 
locked the vehicle.
>Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a 
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91  (average 
of 96 RON/86 MON). Information on gasoline 
quality can normally be found on the fuel 
pump. Please contact gas station personnel in 
case labels on the pump cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see 
"Premium unleaded gasoline" (
page 306), 
see "Fuel requirements" (
page 306), and 
the, or contact an authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create 
pressure in the system which could cause 
a gas discharge. This could cause the gas 
to spray back out when removing the fuel 
pump nozzle, which could cause personal 
injury. 
Page 172 of 314
Engine compartment
>> Operation
171 Engine compartment cover
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
>Open the tailgate.1
Cargo compartment floor
2
Fastening screw
3
Engine compartment cover
4
Hook
5
Top mounting of cargo compartment cover 
blind
G
Warning!
High outside temperature, stopandgo 
traffic, driving on long uphill grades or 
driving at high engine speed may in
crease the temperature in the engine 
compartment. Therefore, the engine 
compartment cover and parts in the area 
around the engine compartment cover 
may be hot. Parts of the engine can be
come very hot. To prevent burns, let the 
engine cool off completely before touch
ing the engine compartment cover, parts 
in the area around the engine compart
ment cover, and parts of the engine.
G
Warning!
Exercise extreme caution if you see 
flames or smoke coming from the engine 
compartment. Move away from the vehicle 
and call the fire department.
If the coolant temperature warning lamp 
indicates that the engine is overheated, 
do not attempt to open the engine com
partment cover. Move away from the ve
hicle and wait until the engine has cooled 
before opening the engine compartment.G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay 
clear of moving parts when the engine 
compartment cover is open and the 
engine is running. 
Page 173 of 314
Engine compartment
172
>> Operation> Opening: Grasp the strap on cargo com
partment floor
1.
>Lift cargo compartment floor
1 with the 
strap.
>Engage hook
4 into top mounting of cargo 
compartment cover blind
5.
>Remove fastening screw
2.
>Remove engine compartment cover
3.
>Closing: Slide engine compartment cover
3 
forward into the tabs provided.
>Tighten fastening screw
2.
>Disengage hook
4 
from top mounting
5.
>Fold cargo compartment floor
1 back 
down.
>Push the right hand and left hand cargo 
compartment floor edges under the edges 
of the side panels.
>Close the tailgate.
Engine oilThe amount of oil your engine needs will de
pend on a number of factors, including driving 
style. Increased oil consumption can occur 
when
•the vehicle is new
• the vehicle is driven at higher engine 
speeds frequently
Engine oil consumption checks should only be 
made after the vehicle breakin period.!
Do not use any special lubricant additives, 
as these may increase wear and damage the 
drive assemblies. Using special additives not 
approved by smart may cause damage not 
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available 
at any smart center.
G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistor
ized ignition system that utilizes high 
voltage. Don not touch any components 
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diag
nostic socket) of the ignition system
• while the engine is running
• while starting the engine
• if ignition is "on" and the engine is 
turned manually 
Page 174 of 314
Engine compartment
>> Operation
173
Checking engine oil level!
Check the engine oil level at regular 
intervals.
When checking the engine oil level
• the vehicle must be parked on level ground
• the vehicle must have been stationary for at 
least five minutes with the engine turned off
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
>Open the tailgate.
>Open the engine compartment cover 
(page 172).The oil dipstick is located in the engine 
compartment on the passenger side.
1
Oil dipstick
2
Upper mark
3
Lower mark>Pull out oil dipstick
1.
>Wipe oil dipstick
1 clean with a clean cloth.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick 
guide tube.
>Pull out oil dipstick
1 again after approxi
mately one minute to obtain accurate read
ing.
The oil level is correct when it is between 
lower mark
3 (minimum) and upper mark
2 
(maximum) on both sides of oil dipstick
1.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick 
guide tube again.
>If necessary, add engine oil.
i
The filling quantity between the upper and 
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approxi
mately 1.1 US qt (1.0 l). P01.00285131 
Page 175 of 314
Engine compartment
174
>> Operation Adding engine oil
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil
ters required for vehicles with Maintenance 
System. For a listing of approved engine oils 
and oil filters contact an authorized smart 
center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica
tion other than those expressly required for 
the Maintenance System, or changing of oil 
and oil filter at change intervals longer than 
those called for by the Maintenance System 
will result in engine or emission control sys
tem damage not covered by the smart Limited 
Warranty.The filler cap is located in the engine 
compartment on the passenger side.
1
Filler cap
>Unscrew filler cap
1 
from filler neck.
>Add engine oil as required.
Do not add more than 0.53 US qt (0.5 l) 
engine oil at a time.
>Wait one minute until the engine oil has run 
into the oil pan.
>Check the engine oil level once more.
>Add engine oil once more if necessary.
G
Warning!
When adding engine oil, always use a fun
nel to avoid spilling oil on any hot parts 
such as the catalytic converter or ex
haust system.
If this should happen, however, the en
gine must be thoroughly cleaned before 
you continue your trip. The engine oil 
could otherwise ignite.P01.00285231 
Page 176 of 314
Engine compartment
>> Operation
175
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding to
avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground and water.!
Excess engine oil must be siphoned or 
drained off. It could cause damage to the 
engine or emission control system not 
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
>Screw filler cap
1 
back on filler neck.
>Close the engine compartment cover. 
Page 177 of 314
Front compartment
176
>> Operation
Service flapYou can remove the service flap and hang it on 
the front of the vehicle so that it does not get 
damaged or dirty.
!
Check the fill levels at regular intervals.
!
Carefully remove ice, snow, and any other 
deposits from the air intake grilles above the 
service flap to ensure air intake at all times.>Park the vehicle on level ground.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
1
Lever
2
Service flap
>Removing: Fold both levers
1 outwards in 
the direction of the arrows.
Service flap
2 is unlocked.
>Lift service flap2 at the front.
>Remove service flap2.
G
Warning!
Always turn key in starter switch to 
position0 and remove the key from the 
starter switch before opening the ser
vice flap.
If the windshield wipers should inadvert
ently be switched on, you could be seri
ously injured by the wiper washer drive, 
which is located just below the service 
flap.
G
Warning!
Make sure that the service flap is locked 
while driving. Otherwise, the service flap 
could become detached and pose a haz
ard to you or others.G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay 
clear of moving parts when the service 
flap is open.
The radiator fan may continue to run for 
approximately 30 seconds or may even 
restart after the engine has been turned 
off. Stay clear of fan blades. 
Page 178 of 314
Front compartment
>> Operation
177
1
Opening above front bumper
2
Service flap
> Threading: Thread service flap
2 with the 
hooks on the back into both openings
1 
above the front bumper.
1
Opening in front of windshield
2
Service flap
> Inserting: Insert service flap
2 into both 
openings
1 in front of the windshield.
1
Lever
2
Service flap
>Closing: Close service flap
2.
>Fold both levers
1 inwards in the direction 
of the arrows.
Service flap
2 is locked. P88.40263431
P88.40263531 
Page 179 of 314
Front compartment
178
>> Operation
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and 
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
To check the coolant level the vehicle must be 
parked on level ground and the engine must 
have cooled down. For more information, see 
"Coolants" (
page 309).Checking coolant level
The coolant reservoir is located in the front 
compartment on the driver’s side.
1
Pressure cap
2
Marking bar
G
Warning!
In order to avoid potentially serious 
burns:
• Use extreme caution when opening the 
service flap if there are any signs of 
steam or coolant leaking from the 
cooling system, or if the coolant 
temperature warning lampD in the 
instrument cluster indicates that the 
coolant is overheated.
• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if coolant temperature is 
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid 
and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open the cap ap
proximately 
1/2 turn to relieve excess 
pressure. If opened immediately, 
scalding hot fluid and steam will be 
blown out under pressure.
P20.30226531 
Page 180 of 314
Front compartment
>> Operation
179
>Allow the radiator to cool down for at least 
30 minutes.
>Using a rag, turn pressure cap
1 slowly 
approximately one half turn counterclock
wise to release any excess pressure.
>Continue turning pressure cap1 
counter
clockwise
 and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
• for cold coolant: reaches marking bar
2 
visible through the filling opening
• for warm coolant: is approximately 0.6 in 
(1.5 cm) higher
>If necessary, add coolant.
Adding coolant
>Add coolant as required. The coolant level 
may not exceed the maximum filling level.
>Replace and tighten pressure cap
1.
Windshield/rear window
1 washer 
system
Both the windshield and the rear window
1 
washer are supplied from the windshield 
washer reservoir.
The recommended minimum filling level is 
1.06 US qt (1.0 l).
The windshield washer reservoir is located in 
the front compartment on the driver’s side.
1
CapDuring all seasons,
• use a windshield washer concentrate la
beled for summer and water for tempera
tures above freezing point.
• use a windshield washer concentrate la
beled for winter and water for tempera
tures below freezing point.
1 coupé only.
P82.35248831
G
Warning!
Windshield washer concentrate is highly 
flammable. Fire, naked flames and 
smoking are prohibited when windshield 
washer concentrate is being handled.