Park SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owner's Guide

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). P01.00
2851
31

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.

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.
P20.30
2265
31

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
2133
31

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
189
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants and cargo as
to not exceed the permissible load limit, you
must make sure that your vehicle never
exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle. You
can obtain the GVWR and GAWR from the
certification label. The certification label can
be found on the driver’s door B
pillar, see
"Technical data" (

page 293).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) means:
the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
and all cargo must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) means:
the total allowable weight that can be carried
by a single axle (front or rear).To assure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible weight limits (GVWR
and GAWR for front and rear axle), have the
loaded vehicle (including driver, passenger,
and all cargo) weighed on a suitable commer

cial scale.
Recommended tire inflation
pressure
Your vehicle is equipped with the Tire and
Loading Information placard located on the
driver’s door B
pillar (

page 185).
The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. The tires can be considered cold if the
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours
or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel econ

omy, and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated
tires can adversely affect handling and
ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase
stopping distance, and result in sudden
deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or
damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding
the specified load limit as indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B
pillar. Overload

ing the tires can overheat them, possibly
causing a blowout. Overloading the tires
can also result in handling or steering
problems, or brake failure.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
191 Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold. The tires can be con

sidered cold if the vehicle has been parked
for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
If you check the tire inflation pressure when
the tires are warm (the vehicle has been
driven for several miles or sitting less than
3 hours), the reading will be approximately
4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than the cold reading.
This is normal. Do not let air out to match the
specified cold tire inflation pressure. Other

wise, the tire will be underinflated.Checking tire inflation pressure manually
Follow the steps below to achieve correct tire
inflation pressure:
>Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
>Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
>Read tire inflation pressure on tire gauge
and check against the recommended tire
inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B
pillar (

page 185). If necessary, add air
to achieve the recommended tire inflation
pressure.
i
If you have overfilled the tire, release tire
inflation pressure by pushing the metal stem
of the valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then
recheck the tire inflation pressure with the
tire gauge.
>Install the valve cap.
>Repeat this procedure for each tire.
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel econ

omy, and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated
tires can adversely affect handling and
ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase
stopping distance, and result in sudden
deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or
damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding
the specified load limit as indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B
pillar. Overload

ing the tires can overheat them, possibly
causing a blowout. Overloading the tires
can also result in handling or steering
problems, or brake failure.

Winter driving
>> Operation
209 Snow chains*
!
Remember that snow chains must always be
compatible with the tire sizes of a vehicle.
Snow chains that are approved by smart are
only permitted for the following tire size:
175/55 R15 on the rear axle.
For safety reasons, smart recommends that
you only use snow chains that have been
approved by smart.
Information on this is available from any smart
center.
Please refer to the separate operating
instructions for detailed information on
mounting the snow chains.
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon as
possible when driving on roads without snow.Please observe the following guidelines when
using snow chains:
• Using snow chains is not permissible with all
wheel/tire combinations (

page 299).
• Use snow chains in pairs and on rear wheels
only. Follow the manufacturer's mounting
instructions.
!
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or
axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
• Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before mounting snow
chains.
G
Warning!
When mounting or removing snow chains,
always park your vehicle on level ground,
set the parking brake and turn off the en

gine. The vehicle could otherwise move
and injure yourself or other road users.G
Warning!
When mounting and removing snow
chains, ensure that you and your vehicle
are at a safe distance from moving traf

fic. Not doing so could endanger other
road users or even lead to you being
injured by the vehicles behind you.

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
>> Operation
213
High and low stresses
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on
for some time, rather than immediately park,
so that the air stream will cool down the
brakes faster.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above
normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Wet road surfaceTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to park

ing. The heat generated serves to dry the
brakes.
Limited braking effect on salted roads
Remember that the effect of the brakes can be
limited on salted road surfaces. A layer of salt
can form on brake disks and brake pads, con

siderably reducing the friction between the
brake disk and the brake pad. The effect is
most noticeable after long trips without brak

ing, e.g. on the highway, and after the vehicle
has been parked for several hours.G
Warning!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of
the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheat

ing, thereby significantly reducing their
effectiveness and your ability to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an ac

cident.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other
road users when carrying out these
braking maneuvers.G
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake compo

nents, the first braking action may be
somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain
expected braking effect. Maintain a safe
distance from vehicles in front.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other
road users when carrying out these
braking maneuvers.

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.