maintenance SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 User Guide

Instrument cluster
>> Controls.
139
Trip odometer display
> Selecting trip odometer display: Press left
button
1 (
page 138) repeatedly until the
trip odometer display appears in the status
indicator.
> Resetting trip odometer display: Press and
hold left button
1 (
page 138) until the
value is set to
.Maintenance service interval display
The maintenance service interval display will
notify you approximately one month before
the next maintenance service is due.
The maintenance service interval display also
shows the type of maintenance service that is
due.
After starting the engine, the maintenance
service interval display shows this informa

tion in miles (km) or in days for approximately
ten seconds.>Start the engine.
> Selecting maintenance service interval
display: Press left button
1 (
page 138)
repeatedly until the maintenance service
interval display appears in the status
indicator.
Depending on the type of maintenance
service that is due, symbol¬ or}
is dis

played.
> Clearing maintenance service interval
display: Press the left button on the
instrument cluster (

page 138).
The maintenance service interval display is
cleared.
> Activating maintenance service interval
display: Press the left button on the instru

ment cluster (

page 138) twice in quick
succession. P54.32
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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.P01.00
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Front compartment
180
>> Operation
!
Always use a windshield washer concen

trate labeled for winter where temperatures
may fall below freezing point. Failure to do so
could result in damage to the washer system/
reservoir.
>Premix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container.
Observe mixing ratios depending on the
outside temperature (

page 308).
>Use the tab to pull cap1 upwards.
>Refill the windshield washer reservoir.
>Push cap
1 onto the windshield washer
reservoir.
Brake fluidThe brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir may be too low if the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on
(
page 34) although the parking brake is
released.
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark
or below, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks immediately.
Contact an authorized smart center immedi

ately. Do not add brake fluid as this will not
solve the problem.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the driver’s side.
1
Cap
G
Warning!
During vehicle operation, the boiling
point of the brake fluid is continuously
reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under
extremely strenuous operating condi

tions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system,
thus reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re

placed regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.P42.00
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Tires and wheels
>> Operation
183 Tire care and maintenance
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month. For more information on
checking tire inflation pressure, see
"Recommended tire inflation pressure"
(
page 189)
.
Tire inspection
Every time you check the tire inflation pres

sure, you should also inspect your tires for
the following:
• excessive treadwear (

page 183)
• cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
• bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in the
tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
• Tire inflation pressure
•Distance drivenTread depth
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
Adhesion properties on wet roads are sharply
reduced at tread depths of less than
1/8in
(3 mm)
.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six places
on the tread circumference and become visi

ble at a tread depth of approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), at which point the tire is considered
worn and should be replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:
Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)
Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
G
Warning!
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires
have sustained damage, replace them.
G
Warning!
Tires should be replaced after 6 years,
regardless of the remaining tread.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
193
i
If a condition causing the TPMS to
malfunction develops, it may take up to
10 minutes for the system to signal a malfunc

tion using the TPMS telltale flashing and illu

mination sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few minutes
driving if the malfunction has been corrected.
G
Warning!
Each tire should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the Tire and Loading
Information placard. If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size in

dicated on the Tire and Loading Informa

tion placard, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illumi

nates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated
tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel effi

ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
underinflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low
tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating
properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator
is combined with the low tire pressure
telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately 1 minute and then remain
continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse

quent vehicle start
ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a vari

ety of reasons, including the installation
of incompatible replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that pre

vent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction tell

tale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.

Driving instructions
>> Operation
215 Drive sensibly
save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends
on driving habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• Shift gears in a timely manner.
• Avoid frequent acceleration and decelera

tion.
• Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
• Remove carriers* when not in use.
• Remove unnecessary loads.
• Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
• Have all maintenance work performed at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet and as required by the Maintenance
System. Contact an authorized smart cen

ter.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop
and
go traffic, on
short trips, and in hilly areas.
Catalytic converterYour smart is equipped with monolithic
type
catalytic converter, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to
achieve substantial control of the pollutants
in the exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle in
proper operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
G
Warning
The catalytic converter can become very
hot. Coming into contact with the catalytic
converter could result in burns.
Note the following:
• Do not remove the protective heat
guards.
• Do not apply any underseal.
• As with any vehicle, do not idle, park, or
operate this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass,
hay, or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these
materials could be ignited and cause a
vehicle fire.

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.

What to do if ...
240
>> Practical hints. If the tire inflation pressure in the respective
tire(s) has (have) been corrected, the combi

nation low tire pressure/TPMS malfunction
telltale goes out after a few minutes of driv

ing. See also "Restarting the TPMS"
(

page 194).
Flashes 60 seconds and then stays
illuminated:
• when there is a malfunction in the TPMS.
>Have the TPMS checked at an authorized
smart center.
After the malfunction has been remedied the
combination low tire pressure/TPMS mal

function telltale goes out after a few minutes
of driving.
G
Warning!
Each tire should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B
Pillar (

page 185) . If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size in

dicated on the Tire and Loading Informa

tion placard you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illumi

nates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly underinflated
tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel effi

ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
underinflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low
tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating
properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator
is combined with the low tire pressure
telltale.

Battery
>> Practical hints.
271 About the battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
passenger’s footwell below the footrest
(
page 273).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated service
life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for battery
maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short

distance trips, you will need to have the
battery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by smart.
Battery: 12 volts and 42 Amps
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized smart center about steps you need
to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment if disposed of improperly. Recy

cling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal. Many states require sellers of bat

teries to accept old batteries for recycling.
G
Warning!
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries.
Risk of explosion.Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating
sparks.Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact with
the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth

ing, especially gloves, apron
and faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills imme

diately with clean water. Contact
a physician if necessary.Keep children away.Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

Battery
>> Practical hints.
273
!
Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the key
is in the starter switch. Otherwise the alter

nator and other electronic components could
be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized smart center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized smart cen

ter for further information.
!
Never invert the terminal connections!
Disconnecting, removing, charg

ing, reinstalling and reconnecting
the batteryDisconnecting the battery
>Set the parking brake.
>Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
>Turn off all electrical accessories.
>Turn off the engine.
>Open the passenger door.
>Move the passenger seat to the rear as far
as possible.>Unscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger’s footwell (

page 234).
>Lift the carpet.
1
Footrest
2
Fastening screw
>Unscrew fastening screw
2 counterclock

wise.
>Pull footrest
1 sideways out of the vehicle.
>Read and observe safety instructions and
precautions (
page 271).
G
Warning!
With a disconnected battery
• you will no longer be able to turn the
key in the starter switch.
• the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.P54.10
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