top SMART FORTWO COUPE 2008 Workshop Manual

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.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
195
>Press Restarting TPMS button1.
>The combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale in the instrument
cluster (

page 34) flashes for approxi

mately 5 seconds and then goes out.
After driving a few minutes the system
verifies that the current tire inflation
pressures are within the system’s specified
range. Afterwards the current tire inflation
pressures are accepted as reference
pressures and then monitored.Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires
Underinflated tires
Underinflated tires can:
• cause excessive and uneven tire wear
• adversely affect fuel economy
• lead to tire failure from being overheated
• adversely affect handling characteristicsOverinflated tires
Overinflated tires can:
• adversely affect handling characteristics
• cause uneven tire wear
• be more prone to damage from road
hazards
• adversely affect ride comfort
• increase stopping distance
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.
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.

Tires and wheels
202
>> Operation Maximum tire inflation pressure
1
Maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.
This is the maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure for the tire.Always follow the recommended tire inflation
pressure (

page 189) for proper tire infla

tion.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors:
treadwear, traction and temperature resis

tance.
1
Treadwear
2
Traction
3
Temperature resistance
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.
G
Warning!
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. 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.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
203
Quality grades can be found, where applica

ble, on the tire sidewall between tread shoul

der and maximum section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to fed

eral safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one
half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade C corre

sponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
G
Warning!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight
ahead braking trac

tion tests, and does not include acceler

ation, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
G
Warning!
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive load

ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause excessive heat build
up and
possible tire failure.

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.

Driving instructions
>> Operation
217
For more information, see "Tires and wheels"
(
page 182).
HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur resulting in
a loss of control, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track
grooves in the road and apply brakes cau

tiously when it is raining.
Tire tractionThe safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing point.smart recommends winter tires
(
page 208)

with a minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the winter
season to ensure normal balanced handling
characteristics. On packed snow, they can
reduce your stopping distance compared to
summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consider

ably greater than when the road is not cov

ered with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate
caution.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex

tended period when driving off on slippery
road surfaces. Otherwise, the the drivetrain
c o u l d b e d a m a g e d , w h i c h i s n o t co v e r e d b y t h e
smart Limited Warranty.
G
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire will
affect your ability to steer or brake and
may cause you to lose control of the vehi

cle. Continued driving with a flat tire or
driving at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build
up and possi

bly a fire.
G
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire trac

tion will be substantially reduced. Under
such weather conditions, drive, steer and
brake with extreme caution.

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.

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.