SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owners Manual

Driving instructions
220
>> Operation
Passenger compartment Control and operation of radio
transmitters
Radio and telephoneTelephones and two
way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a mobile phone or
a c i ti z e n s b a n d u n i t s h o u l d o n l y b e u se d i n s i d e
the vehicle if they are connected to an
antenna that is installed on the outside of the
vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
G
Warning!
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items thrown
around inside the vehicle may injure
vehicle occupants.
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
G
Warning!
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle
safely. Only operate the radio or
telephone
1 if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1 Observe all legal requirements.
G
Warning!
Never operate radio transmitters
equipped with a built
in or attached
antenna (i.e. without being connected to
an external antenna) from inside the
vehicle while the engine is running. Doing
so could lead to a malfunction of the
vehicle’s electronic system, possibly
resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

Driving instructions
>> Operation
221 Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases within
permissible legal limits.
These systems, of course, will function prop

erly only when maintained strictly according
to factory specifications.
Any adjustments to the engine should there

fore be carried out only by qualified smart
center authorized technicians.
Engine adjustments should not be altered in
any way. Moreover, the specified service jobs
must be carried out regularly according to
smart servicing requirements. For details
refer to the Maintenance Booklet.
Coolant temperatureDuring severe operating conditions and stop

and
go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to approximately 248°F
(120°C).
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature over 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
G
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while
driving, contact a smart center immedi

ately. If you must drive under these con

ditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.

Driving instructions
222
>> Operation
G
Warning!
• Driving when your engine is over

heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com

partment, to catch fire. You could be
seriously burned.
• Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the front compartment
cover. Stay also away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.

Driving abroad
>> Operation
223
Abroad, there is an extensive smart service
network at your disposal. If you plan to drive
into areas which are not listed in the index of
your smart center directory, you should re

quest pertinent information from an autho

rized smart center.
Symmetrical low beamsi
If you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than the
country in which the vehicle is registered, you
must have the headlamps modified for
symmetrical low beams. Relevant information
can be obtained at any authorized smart cen

ter.

Vehicle care
224
>> Operation
Care tipsRegular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle. The best way to pro

tect your vehicle from harmful environmental
influences is to wash it and use protective
treatments regularly.
smart recommends that you care for the
paintwork at least twice a year (e.g. in the
spring and autumn).
!
Follow the care tips. Wash your vehicle
preferably by hand.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external influ

ences which, if gone unchecked, can attack
the paintwork as well as the vehicle underbody
and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
•Air pollution
• Road salt
•Tar
• Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
•Insects
• Bird droppings
• Tree sap, etc.
• Grease and oil
•Break fluid
•Coolant
•Fuel
•Tar spots
!
Failure to remove such dirt immediately
can cause damage to the paint or the soft top
fabric*. Environmental influences are not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
G
Warning!
Many cleaning products can be hazard

ous. Some are poisonous, others are
flammable. Always follow the instructions
on the particular container. Always open
your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

Vehicle care
>> Operation
225
Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above
adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to deal
with unfavorable conditions:
• near the ocean
• in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emis

sions)
• during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage. Any
damage should be repaired as soon as possi

ble to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of
the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough
check is a washing of the underbody followed
by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas
need to be re
undercoated.Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax
base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of the
vehicle. Post
production treatment is neither
necessary nor recommended by smart
because of the possibility of incompatibility
between materials used in the production
process and others applied later.
We have selected vehicle
care products and
compiled recommendations which are special

ly matched to our vehicles and which always
reflect the latest technology. You can obtain
smart approved vehicle
care products at an
authorized smart center.Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the vehicle
care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at an
authorized smart center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and
care of your vehicle and give important
“how
to” information as well as references to
smart approved vehicle
care products.

Vehicle care
226
>> Operation
Vehicle careContact an authorized smart center for rec

ommended and approved care products.i
Advice on caring for the soft top system,
see (
page 230).
!
To avoid damage to interior equipment and materials: Never rub roughly or use cleaning spirits on the cloth upholstery, never use strong
agents, stain remover etc. on the leather upholstery. Never scour ore use solvent on plastic parts. Never use strong and aggressive agents on
windows, do not touch the inside of the windows with hard objects such as an ice scraper or ring, doing so may damage the windows.
G
Warning!
After washing the vehicle, the brakes may
still be wet and thus their functionality
impaired. Therefore, when you start off,
brake lightly several times without en

dangering traffic.
Interior
Special considerations
Light soiling
Heavy soiling
Cloth upholstery
Use a clean, lint
free cloth
Light soap suds
Stain remover (test on an incon

spicuous place first)
Plastic parts
Use a color
fast cloth
Damp, clean cloth, cockpit spray
Damp, clean cloth, cockpit spray
Leather upholstery
Use a clean, color
fast cloth
Clean cloth with lukewarm water,
leather care product
Leather care product
Windows
Damp, clean cloth, microfiber
cloth, glass cleaner
Microfiber cloth, glass cleaner

Vehicle care
>> Operation
227
!
To avoid damage to exterior surfaces never do the following: Use aggressive paint cleaner, machine polish, abrasive cleanser, acidic, highly
alkaline agents, abrasive sponges, high
pressure or hot water cleaning equipment
Exterior
Special considerations
Lightly soiled
Hand
/Automatic car washes
Heavily soiled
Hand
/Automatic car washes
tridion safety cell, black
Powder coated single
coat paint
finish
Car shampoo concentrate, insect
remover for insect remains, polish
Car shampoo concentrate, hard
wax, insect remover for insect re

mains, polish
tridion safety cell, silver
Powder coated single
coat paint
finish and clearcoat
Highly polished plastic parts
(body panels)
Body panels with base coat and
clearcoat or clearcoat only
Wheels and wheel covers
Two
layer metallic paint (high

gloss)
Car shampoo concentrate, rim
care
Car shampoo concentrate, rim
care
Retractable soft top
PAC fabric
Car shampoo concentrate, soft top
cleaner, impregnation spray
Car shampoo concentrate, soft top
cleaner, impregnation spray

Vehicle care
228
>> Operation Removing insects
Remove insect remains before you start to
wash the vehicle.
>Spray insect remover on.
>Allow insect remover to work in briefly.
>Rub in gently with a soft cloth or sponge.
>Rinse with plenty of water.
>Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.
Removing tar
Remove any tar marks before washing the
vehicle.
>Apply tar remover with a soft cloth.
>Allow tar remover to work in briefly.
>Rub in gently.
>Rinse with plenty of water.
>Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
Washing your vehicle by hand
>Wash the vehicle using car shampoo
concentrate and a sponge.
>Rinse with clean water.
>Towel dry the vehicle.
!
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
The body panel surfaces and paint finish may
be damaged.
Washing your vehicle in an automatic car wash
i
When running your vehicle through an
automatic car wash, water droplets can run
down the inside of the side windows.Unscrew your vehicle’s antenna before
driving into an automatic car wash.
1
Antenna
>Removing: Unscrew antenna
1 counter

clockwise.
>Fitting: Screw antenna
1 in clockwise. P82.62
3091
31

Vehicle care
>> Operation
229
Power washer!
Never use a round nozzle to powerwash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tires. Always replace a dam

aged tire.
Do not aim directly at electrical parts,
electrical connectors, seals, or other rubber
parts. The distance should be at least 4 in
(10 cm) and the water temperature must not
exceed 140°F (60°C). Follow the instructions
provided by the power washer manufacturer
on maintaining a distance between the vehicle
and the nozzle of the power washer.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the
surface.Wheel trim cap
>Wash the wheel trim cap with shampoo and a
soft brush or in the car wash.
Decorative foils
!
Decorative foils are permanently adhered
to the painted parts of the vehicle and cannot
be removed.
!
Do not expose the foils to solvents, gaso

line or diesel.
i
When cleaning with a power washer, note
the following guideline values:
• Water temperature max. 176°F (80°C)
• Minimum distance 11.81 in (30 cm)
• Jet of water strike at a right angle
Paintwork careThe frequency with which you care for your
paintwork is dependent on
• how much the vehicle is used
• where you normally park the vehicle
(e.g. in a garage or under a tree)
•the season
• weather and environmental influences
Rectifying paintwork damage
You can use a touch
up paint pen to repair
minimal stone chip damage and scratches.
Recommended touch
up paint pens can be ob

tained in a smart center.i
For any major paintwork damage, please
contact a smart center.