warning SMART FORTWO COUPE 2012 Owners Manual

Treadwear indicator
: appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Storing tires !
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible.

Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease and fuels.
Cleaning tires !
Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires.

The intense jet of water can result
in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire. Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading is a U.S.
Government requirement designed to give
drivers consistent and reliable
information regarding tire performance.
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors: treadwear
:,
traction ;, and temperature
resistance =. Although not a Government
of Canada requirement, all tires made for
sale in North America have these grades
branded on the sidewall.
i For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Quality grades can be found, where
applicable, on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear Traction Temperature
200 AA A
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal

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 U.S. 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 G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics. 134
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

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
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
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
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
corresponds 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. Rotating tires
G
WARNING
Do not rotate front and rear wheels as they
have different dimensions, e.g. rim size,
wheel offset etc. Otherwise, the handling
can be affected and you could endanger
yourself and others. Thoroughly clean the mounting face of the
wheels

and brake discs, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires each time the wheels/
tires are changed. Check for and ensure
proper tire inflation pressure. G
WARNING
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
81 lb‑ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine smart wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle’s rims.
For

information on wheel change, see “Flat
tire” (Y page 186). Tire labeling
Besides tire name (sales designation) and
manufacturer name, a number of markings
can be found on a tire.
Following are some explanations for the
markings on your vehicle’s tires: :
Uniform Quality Grading Standards
(Y page 134)
; DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
(Y page 138)
= Maximum tire load (Y page 132)
? Maximum tire inflation pressure
(Y page 129) Tires and wheels
135
>> Operation. Z

Tire load rating
G
WARNING
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
tire failure may result and cause an
accident and/or serious personal injury to
you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part. G
WARNING
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. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing
a blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Tire load rating A is a numerical code
associated with the maximum load a tire
can support.
For example, a load rating of 91
corresponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load” ( Y page 132)
where the maximum load associated with
the load index is indicated in kilograms
and lbs.
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(Y page 138).
Tire speed rating G
WARNING
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure,

causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others. Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed

limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions.
Tire speed rating B indicates the
approved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires Index Speed rating
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(Y) above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR above 149 mph (240 km/h)
R
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in
the size designation (for example:
245/40 ZR18). To determine the maximum
speed

capability of the tire, the service
description for the tire must be referred
to.
The service description is comprised of
tire load rating A and tire speed rating
B.
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service description
is given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed
capability.
If a service description is given, the
speed capability is limited by the speed Tires and wheels
137
>> Operation. Z

Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear
bars” that show across the tread of a tire
when
only 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) of tread remains.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s
traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire
manufacturers using U.S. government
testing

procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized smart
center.
This service includes:
R Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
R Addition of washer concentrate to the
water of the windshield/rear window.
Use a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for winter which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(Y page 222).
R Battery

test. Battery capacity drops with
decreasing ambient temperature. A well
charged battery helps to make sure the
engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
R Tire change. Winter tires
G
WARNING
Winter tires with a tread depth of less
than 1
/ 6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They
are no longer suitable for winter
operation.
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45 ¦ (7¥) and whenever wintry road
conditions

prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake marking i on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow
traction performance requirements of the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
and have been designed specifically for
use in snow conditions. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and ESP ®
in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
For information on winter tires for your
vehicle model, see the "Technical data"
section (Y page 217).
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If
the maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available at your tire
dealer or any authorized smart center. 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. 142
Winter driving
>> Operation.
* optional

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:
R Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(Y page 217).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
R 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,
engage the parking brake, and turn off the
engine. 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 traffic. Not
doing

so could endanger other road users or
even lead to you being injured by the
vehicles behind you. G
WARNING
The vehicle’s handling changes when
driving with snow chains on any kind of
road surface. This means that you should always adapt your driving style to suit the
current road and weather conditions.
! If snow chains that do not meet
requirements are mounted, they may
scrape against the body or axle
components when the vehicle is in
motion. This could result in damage to
the rim/tire or vehicle. Driving instructions
Drinking and driving
G
WARNING
Do not drink alcohol or take drugs and drive
or allow anyone to drive who has been
drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Even a
small

amount of alcohol or drugs can affect
your reflexes, perceptions and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive. Pedals
G
WARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of motion.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats*

or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden acceleration or braking
maneuvers, the objects could get caught
between or beneath the pedals and restrict
your ability to brake or accelerate. This
could lead to accidents and/or injury. Power assistance
G
WARNING
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and
steering* systems. In this case, it is Driving instructions
143
>> Operation.
* optional Z

important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Adapt your driving accordingly.
Brakes
G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the hydraulic
brake assistant
(Y page 48).
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine must be turned
off (ignition switched off) when the
parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer. 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 (Y page 22) 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
period 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.
High and low stresses 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
overheating, thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness and your
ability to stop the vehicle in sufficient
time to avoid an accident.
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. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Wet road surface G
WARNING
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water

deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking 144
Driving instructions
>> Operation.

effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
To
help prevent brake disc corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
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 discs and brake
pads, considerably reducing the friction
between the brake disc and the brake pad.
The effect is most noticeable after long
trips without braking, e.g. on the highway,
and after the vehicle has been parked for
several hours. G
WARNING
The accumulation of salt on brake discs and
brake pads reduces braking effectiveness
and increases the distance necessary to
come to a complete standstill. This could
potentially cause an accident and/or
personal injury.
To avoid this risk, you should
R brake carefully every now and then on
salted

roads in order to remove any layer
of salt on the brake disc and brake pad,
but do so without endangering any other
road users
R keep a good safe distance from the
vehicle in front and drive carefully
R press the brake carefully at the end of the
trip and again when beginning the next
trip in order to remove any salt residues
from the brake disc New brake pads Only install brake pads recommended by
smart.
G
WARNING
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed,
or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired.
This could result in an accident. G
WARNING
New brake pads will not achieve their
optimal braking effect until after several
hundred miles (kilometers). This means
that you must compensate for the reduced
braking effect by pressing harder on the
brake pedal and adapt your driving style
accordingly. The same applies after brake
pads or brake discs have been changed. Drive sensibly - save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:
R Shift gears in a timely manner.
R Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Keep

tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove carriers* when not in use.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Allow engine to warm up under low load
use.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required by
the Maintenance System. Contact an
authorized smart center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go
traffic, on short trips, and in hilly areas. Driving instructions
145
>> Operation.
* optional Z

Catalytic converter
Your 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:
R Do not remove the protective heat guards.
R Do not apply any underseal.
R 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.
! To prevent damage to the catalytic
converter, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may
reach the catalytic 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.
R Fill up only with premium unleaded
gasoline. Even small quantities of
leaded gasoline can damage the catalytic
converter.
R Make sure you adhere to the prescribed
service intervals.
R Never run the fuel tank empty. R
If
the engine starts to misfire, bring the
vehicle to an immediate standstill
without endangering traffic.
R If the engine fails to start the first time,
you should not try to start it any more
than three times in succession.
R Do not try to start for more than four
seconds at a time. Tires
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 underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest smart center or tire dealer for
repairs.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1
/ 16 in (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. 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
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not allow
your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced. 146
Driving instructions
>> Operation.

Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction
varies widely.
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
temperatures). 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 vehicle.
Continued driving with a flat tire or
driving at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build-up and possibly
a fire.
For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (Y page 124). Hydroplaning
Depending 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 cautiously when it is raining. Tire traction
The
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. G
WARNING
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather

conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
smart recommends winter tires
(Y page 142) with a minimum tread depth of approximately
1
/ 6 in (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
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. Otherwise, the
drivetrain could be damaged, which is
not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty. Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed

limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions. G
WARNING
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure,

causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of 90 mph
(145 km/h).
The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the
maximum speed permitted by the
electronic speed limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle
in the “Technical data section” Driving instructions
147
>> Operation. Z

(Y page 217), for example when purchasing
new tires.
For
information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(Y page 136).
If you are uncertain about the correct
reading of the information given on a
tire’s sidewall, any authorized smart
center will be glad to assist you.
i For information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “All-season and winter
tires” ( Y page 137). Winter driving instructions
The
most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
For information on driving with snow
chains*, see “Snow chains*” (Y page 142). G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This
could result in drive wheel slip and
reduced

vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS
will not prevent this type of loss of control.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired
braking efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers. G
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure
snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind. G
WARNING
The outside temperature display is not
designed
to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that
purpose. Indicated temperatures just
above the freezing point do not guarantee
that the road surface is free of ice.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(Y page 142). Standing water
! Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth. Before driving
through water, determine its depth.
Never accelerate before driving into
water. The bow wave could force water
into the engine and auxiliary
equipment, thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water,
drive

slowly to prevent water from entering
R the front compartment
R the engine compartment
R the passenger compartment
Water in these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result in 148
Driving instructions
>> Operation.
* optional