flat tire SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Owner's Guide

What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.
239
• with the parking brake set.
• if the brake circuit fails or the brake fluid
level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low.
>Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe
location.
>Do not continue to drive.
>Turn off the engine.
>Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve
the problem.
>Set the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle.
>Contact Roadside Assistance or an autho

rized smart center.
!
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.
• together with the ABS indicator lamp
(
page 237) when the ABS system fails.
>Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe
location.
>Do not continue to drive.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle.
• Contact Roadside Assistance or an autho

rized smart center.Combination low tire pressure/
TPMS malfunction telltale
Illuminates continuously:
• when the TPMS detects a loss of pressure in
at least one tire.
>Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation
around you
.
>Check and correct tire inflation pressure
as required (

page 190).
G
Warning!
Driving with the brake warning lamp illu

minated can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately
if the brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.

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.

Flat tire
>> Practical hints.
265 Preparing the vehicle
Upon experiencing any type of problem with
the vehicle's tires, switch on the hazard warn

ing flasher, carefully slow down and exit the
roadway in a cautious manner.
>Park the vehicle at a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface when
possible
.
>Set the parking brake.
>Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight ahead position.
>Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
>Turn off the engine.
>Remove the key from the starter switch and
take the key with you.i
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
>Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway.
Using the tire repair kitThe tire repair kit can be used to seal punc

tures of up to approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) on
the tire tread.
The tire repair kit enables you to drive on the
sealed tire to the nearest authorized smart
center.
>You should have the sealed tire replaced at
an authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Take care not to allow the contents of the
tire sealant to come in contact with hair,
eyes or clothing. The tire sealant is
harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed
through the skin it may causes skin, eye
and respiratory irritation. Wear gloves
while using this product if they are avail

able.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with the tire
sealant, change clothing as soon as pos

sible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash,
consult a physician immediately.

Flat tire
266
>> Practical hints.
Notes• Small tire punctures, particularly those in
the tread, can be sealed with the tire seal

ant.
• The tire sealant can be used in ambient
temperatures from
4°F (
20°C) to +104°F
(+40°C).
• Do not remove any foreign objects such as
nails or screws that have penetrated the
tire.
• Do not use the tire sealant if the tire has
been damaged by being driven when insuf

ficiently inflated (e.g. bumps, cuts, cracks
etc. on the tire).
• Allow escaped tire sealant to dry, then peel
it off.• Immediately wash all painted surfaces that
came into contact with the tire sealant using
a damp cloth.
• Avoid skin and eye contact with the tire
sealant.
• Do not swallow the tire sealant.
• Allow the tire sealant that is inside the
damaged tire to dry and dispose of together
with the tire.
• Do not use the tire sealant after the expira

tion date has elapsed (see top of container).
Instead, have it replaced at an authorized
smart center.
G
Warning!
The tire sealant is a limited repair
device. The tire sealant cannot be used
for cuts or punctures larger than
approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
damage caused by driving with extremely
low tire inflation pressure, or on a flat
tire, or a damaged wheel.
Do not drive the vehicle under such
circumstances.
If you are unsure of the condition of the
tire or have any question whatsover
about its suitability for driving contact
the nearest smart center for assistance
or call Roadside Assistance.

Flat tire
>> Practical hints.
267
>Take the tire repair kit from the passen

ger’s footwell (

page 234).
>Open the tire repair kit lid.
1
Flange
2
Pressure gauge
3
Deflate button
4
Filler hose with stopper
5
Operating instructions label
6
Electrical plug
7
Electric air pump switch
8
Sticker
9
Tire sealant container>Attach sticker
8 where it will be easily
seen by the driver on the instrument
cluster.
>Pull electrical plug6
and filler hose
4
out
of the housing.
>Unscrew the lid of flange
1.
>Unscrew the lid of tire sealant container
9.
Make sure that you do not damage the
aluminum seal.
>Screw tire sealant container
9 onto
flange
1.
Make sure that the container is threaded
correctly onto the flange. This punctures
the aluminum seal of the tire sealant con

tainer.
G
Warning!
Please review the instructions below for
using the tire repair kit. If you are not
confident that you can competently follow
the instructions for using this kit, do not
use the kit, but instead call for Roadside
Assistance.G
Warning!
Keep the tire sealant out of reach of
children. If swallowed, rinse mouth imme

diately with plenty of water and drink
plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame, heat source
or sparks. Do not smoke.
G
Warning!
Follow safety instructions on the electric
air pump label.

Flat tire
268
>> Practical hints. >Unscrew the valve cap from the tire valve of
the damaged tire.
>Pull off the stopper of filler hose
4.
>Screw the end of filler hose
4
onto the tire
valve.
>Insert electrical plug
6
into the auxiliary
power outlet (

page 164).
>Insert the key in the starter switch and turn
it to position1.
i
The vehicle's battery is drained by use of
the electric air pump. You should therefore
keep the engine running
in the open air

while inflating the tire.
>PressI on electric air pump switch
7.
The electric air pump is switched on and
inflates the tire.
i
First, the sealant is pumped into the tire.
The pressure may briefly increase to a high
value. This is normal and not an indication of a
malfunction. Do not switch off the electric air
pump.>Let the electric air pump inflate the tire for
a maximum of ten minutes.
Pressure gauge
2 must display at least
26 psi (1.8 bar) is reached. The filler hose
can become hot during inflation.
Please exercise appropriate caution.
!
Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than ten minutes without interruption.
Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the electrical air pump again
after it has cooled off.
>If the tire inflation pressure of at least
26 psi (1.8 bar) is not attained, turn off the
electric air pump by pressing0 on electric
air pump switch
7.
>Unscrew the end of filler hose
4
from the
tire valve.
>After clearing the area around the vehicle
of people and obstacles, drive vehicle back
or forth very slowly approximately 30 ft
(10 m).
This serves to better distribute the tire
sealant material inside the tire.>Screw the end of filler hose
4 onto the tire
valve.
>Inflate the tire again.
>After attaining a tire inflation pressure of
26 psi (1.8 bar), press0 on electric air
pump switch
7.
The electric air pump is switched off.
>Turn the key in the starter switch to
position0.
G
Warning!
If a tire inflation pressure of 26 psi
(1.8 bar) is not attained, the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire sealant to
provide a reliable tire repair.
In this case, the tire sealant cannot
properly seal the tire.
Do not drive the vehicle.
Contact the nearest smart center for as

sistance or call Roadside Assistance.

Flat tire
>> Practical hints.
269
>Unscrew the end of filler hose
4 from the
tire valve.
>Plug filler hose
4 with the stopper.
>Tire sealant container
9 remains screwed
onto flange
1. The filler hose may still be
hot. Please exercise appropriate caution.
>Place the tire repair kit securely in the
vehicle.
>Drive off immediately.
The tire sealant will distribute itself evenly
inside the tire.>After driving for about 1.8 miles (3 km) or
ten minutes, take all of the appropriate
safety precautions and then take the tire
repair kit from the vehicle.
>Screw the end of filler hose
4
on to the tire
valve.
>Check the tire inflation pressure using
pressure gauge
2.>If the tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate or deflate the tire
to correct tire inflation pressure (see Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B
pillar.
>To increase the tire inflation pressure:
Switch on the electric air pump.
>To decrease the tire inflation pressure:
Press on deflate button
3. Recheck the
tire inflation pressure with the electric
air pump's pressure gauge.
>After checking the tire inflation pressure,
unscrew the end of filler hose4
from the
tire valve.
>Plug filler hose
4 with the stopper.
>Place the tire repair kit securely in the
vehicle.
>Screw the valve cap onto the tire valve.
G
Warning!
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). A tire sealant repair is
not designed to operate at higher
speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the
instrument cluster where it will be easily
seen by the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics of a tire
sealant repaired tire may change. Adapt
your driving accordingly.
G
Warning!
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive
the vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the
roadway and contact the nearest smart
center or call Roadside Assistance.
Have the damaged tire replaced.

Flat tire
270
>> Practical hints.
!
The manufacturer is unable to guarantee
that all tire punctures can be repaired with
the tire repair kit, in particular cuts or
perforations larger than approximately
0.16 in (4 mm) or away from the tire's tread.
The manufacturer is not liable for damage
sustained through improper use of the tire
repair kit.>Drive to the nearest authorized smart cen

ter, to have the damaged tire replaced.
>Contact an authorized smart center as soon
as possible to obtain a new filler hose
4 and
a new tire sealant container
9.
>Bring used tire sealant materials to an
authorized smart center for proper dispos

al.
>Replace your tire sealant container every
4 years. Replacement containers are avail

able at any authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
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 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 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.
G
Warning!
After changing a tire, contact a smart
center to make sure that the bolts holding
the wheel to the car are tight enough.
Otherwise, the wheels could come off.
Each bolt should be tightened to a torque
of 81 lb
ft (110 Nm).

Rims and tires
298
>> Technical data.
!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by smart. Tires approved by smart
are developed to provide best possible
performance in conjunction with the driving
safety systems on your vehicle such as ABS
or ESP
®.
Using tires other than those approved by
smart may result in damage that is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
!
Using tires other than those approved by
smart can have detrimental effects, such as
• poor handling characteristics
• increased noise
• increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
smart may, under load, exhibit dimensional
variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehicle may
be the result.
i
Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized smart center.
A placard with the recommended tire inflation
pressure is 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. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.