tow SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owner's Manual

Heating
148
>> Controls.
Switching heating on/off>Switching on: Make sure that the key in the
starter switch is turned to position1.
>Push temperature control
4 up.
> Switching off: Push temperature control
4
fully down.
Setting the temperaturei
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments.
> Increasing or decreasing: Push tempera

ture control
4 up or down.
Rapid cooling
>Push air volume control
1 fully up.
>Turn air distribution control
3 to
positiona.
>Push temperature control
4 fully down.
>Adjust the air vents as desired.
Rapid heating
>Push air volume control
1 to level3.
>Turn air distribution control
3 to a posi

tion betweenP andY.
>Push temperature control
4 fully up.
>Adjust the air vents towards the occupants.
Adjusting air distributionYou can adjust the air distribution using air
distribution control
3.
The following symbols are found on the air
distribution control:
G
Warning!
Follow the recommended settings for
heating and cooling given on the following
pages. Otherwise the windows could fog
up, impairing visibility and endangering
you and others.
Symbol
Function
P
Directs air to the windshield
and side windows
Y
Directs air to the footwells and
air distribution is reduced at
the center and side air vents
a
Directs air through the center
and side air vents

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 B
pillar (

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 B
pillar (

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.

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.

Driving instructions
212
>> Operation
BrakesRefer to the description of the hydraulic
brake assistant (

page 75).
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (key in starter
switch position0) when
• the parking brake is being tested on a
brake test dynamometer
• the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised
Active braking action through the
ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.Brake pad wear or a leak in the brake system
may be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir.
The 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.
Have the brake system inspected immediately.
Contact an authorized smart center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized smart
center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by smart.Inclines
!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into
a lower gear to use the engine’s braking
power. This helps prevent overheating of the
brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended pe

riod of time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the drive

train which is not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other
road users when carrying out braking
maneuvers.

Driving instructions
216
>> Operation
!
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converter, only use premium unleaded gaso

line in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine oper

ation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise,
excessive unburned fuel may reach the cata

lytic converter, causing it to overheat and
potentially start a fire.
It is essential to observe the following points,
as there is otherwise a danger of overheating
and the catalytic converter may be damaged.
• Fill up only with premium unleaded gasoline.
Even small quantities of leaded gasoline can
damage the catalytic converter.
• Make sure you adhere to the prescribed
service intervals.
• Never run the fuel tank empty.
• If the engine starts to misfire, bring the ve

hicle to an immediate standstill without en

dangering traffic.
• If the engine fails to start the first time, you
should not try to start it any more than
three times in succession.
• Do not try to start for more than four sec

onds at a time.
TiresTreadwear 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. The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient tempera

tures).
G
Warning!
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has
occurred, you should turn on the hazard
warning flashers, carefully slow down,
and drive with caution to an area which is
a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle under

body for possible damage. If the vehicle
or tires appear unsafe, have the vehicle
towed to the nearest smart center or tire
dealer for repairs.
G
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that
level. As tread depth approaches
1/8in
(3 mm), the adhesion properties on a wet
road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction
varies widely.

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

>> Practical hints.Where will I find ...? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Display messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
What to do if ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Unlocking/locking manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Replacing transmitter battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Replacing bulbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Replacing wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Replacing bulbs
256
>> Practical hints. Notes on bulb replacement
• Only use bulbs of the same type and with the
specified watt rating.
• Switch the lights off before replacing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
• Always use a clean lint
free cloth when
handling bulbs.
• Your hands should be dry and free of oil and
grease.
• Avoid touching the glass of the bulb with
bare fingers.
• If the newly installed bulb does not come on,
contact an authorized smart center.
• Have the bulbs for the front fog lamps*
replaced at an authorized smart center.
Replacing bulbs for front lampsBefore you start to replace a bulb for a front
lamp, do the following first:
>Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (

page 101).
>Switch off the ignition.
>Open the service flap (

page 176)
Left headlamp, (right headlamp in reverse)
1
Bulb socket for parking, and side marker
lamp
2
Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
3
Low beam headlamp cover
4
High beam headlamp coverParking and sidemarker lamp bulb
>Removing:
Driver side: Turn bulb socket
1 toward the
outside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket1 toward
the outside.
>Pull bulb socket
1 out of the headlamp
housing.
>Pull the bulb out of bulb socket
1.
> Installing: Insert the new bulb into bulb
socket
1.
>Insert bulb socket
1 into the headlamp
housing.
>Driver side: Turn bulb socket
1 toward the
inside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket1 toward
the inside. P82.10
4836
31

Jump starting
276
>> Practical hints.
!
Do not tow start vehicle.
!
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized smart cen

ter.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may damage
the catalytic converter and may present a fire
risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.If the battery is discharged, the engine can be
started with jumper cables and the battery of
another vehicle. Observe the following:
• Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter are
cold.
• Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
• Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a higher voltage battery could damage
the vehicle’s electrical system, which will
not be covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
• Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross
section and insulated terminal
clamps.
• Always make sure the jumper cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans or other parts that
move when an engine is started or running.
G
Warning!
Failure to follow these directions will
cause damage to the electronic compo

nents, and can lead to a battery explosion
and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connect

ing or jump starting, you might get in

jured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow this fluid to come in contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, im

mediately flush affected area with water,
and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive.
K e e p f l a m e s o r s p a r k s a w a y f r o m b a t t e r y ,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing per

sonal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.

Towing
278
>> Practical hints.
About towingsmart recommends that the vehicle be trans

ported with all wheels off the ground using
flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equip

ment.!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the key in the starter switch in position0.
Do not tow with sling
type equipment. Towing
with sling
type equipment over bumpy roads
will damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down the vehicle by its chassis or suspen

sion parts. Use the towing eye.
Switch off the tow
away protection*
(
page 78).
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground or
front wheels raised only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods can
be employed.
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the engine must be shut
off (key in starter switch position0). Active
braking action through the ESP
® may other

wise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position0.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
i
If the the battery is disconnected or dis

charged the gear selector lever will remain
locked in park position P. Contact an autho

rized smart center for assistance or call
Roadside Assistance.G
Warning!
smart does not recommend towing a vehi

cle when all wheels are on the ground.
However, in an emergency a tow bar can
be utilized if:
• the engine will not run
• there is a malfunction in the brake
system
• there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
A tow bar is necessary to adequately con

trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, make sure that the key is
in starter switch position0.