battery check SMART FORTWO COUPE 2012 User Guide

key is in the starter switch. Otherwise
the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized smart center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized smart center for further
information.
! Never invert the terminal connections! Disconnecting, removing, charging,
reinstalling and reconnecting the
battery
Disconnecting the battery i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the key will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will
remain in park position P
For more information see “Jump
starting” ( Y page 199).
X Engage the parking brake.
X Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
X Turn off all electrical accessories.
X Turn off the engine.
X Open the passenger door.
X Move the passenger seat to the rear as far
as possible.
X Unscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger footwell (Y page 158).
X Lift the carpet. X
Unscrew fastening screw ;
counterclockwise.
X Pull footrest : sideways out of the
vehicle.
X Read and observe safety instructions and
precautions (Y page 196). !
Always disconnect the battery in the
order described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
X Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal =.
Make sure the negative lead does not
come
into contact with the positive lead.
X Remove cover ? from the positive
terminal.
X Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery X
Unscrew battery mount A.
X Remove the battery support and bracket.
X Pull out the ventilation hose from the
battery (depending on battery198
Battery
>> Practical hints.

arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation
hose is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
X Remove the battery.
Charging the battery G
WARNING
Avoid creating sparks when charging the
battery as escaping gases are flammable.
Keep

open flames away from the battery and
do not smoke.
Do not touch the battery terminal with metal
objects and do not remove the battery
charger’s terminal clamps until the battery
charger has been switched off and no
further gas is being discharged by the
batteries.
Only charge the battery in a well ventilated
area.
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging procedure due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery when it is being charged. G
WARNING
Never charge a battery while still installed
in the vehicle. Gases may escape during
charging and cause explosions that may
result in paint damage, corrosion or
personal injury.
X Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
! Only use chargers of a correct and
suitable voltage.
! Never attempt to recharge a frozen
battery. Have the battery checked at a
smart center. The battery housing could
be damaged. Reinstalling the battery X
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow the
previously described steps in reverse
order.
! The battery, its filler caps and the
ventilation

hose must always be securely
installed when the vehicle is in
operation.
Reconnecting the battery !
Always
connect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
X Turn off all electrical accessories.
X Remove the key from the starter switch.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
X Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten cover ? (Y page 198).
X Connect battery negative lead =
(Y page 198).
i After battery power (e.g. due to
reconnection) was interrupted, you will
have to set the clock (Y page 88).
i Have the battery’s charge status and
acid

level checked at the start of the cold
season at a smart center. Jump starting
Notes
G
WARNING
Failure to follow these directions will
cause
damage to the electronic components,
and can lead to a battery explosion and
severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, Jump starting
199
>> Practical hints.
Z

immediately flush affected area with
water, and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive.
Keep flames or sparks away from battery,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Do not tow‑start vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission
which is not covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
! 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
center.
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 fully
charged battery of another vehicle or an
equivalent starter pack. Observe the
following:
R Access to the battery is not possible on
all vehicles. If you cannot access the
battery in your vehicle provide jump start power by an external battery or
starter pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter
are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the
same
voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
Such damage will not be covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
R 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.
R Should the battery be drained
completely, let the donating power
source charge the vehicle for several
minutes before reattempting the
starting process. G
WARNING
Keep flames or sparks away from battery. Do
not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries. 200
Jump starting
>> Practical hints.

X
Remove the jumper cables from negative terminals = and ? first.
X Remove the jumper cables from positive terminals : and ;.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
X Remount the positive terminal cover.
X Have the battery checked at the nearest authorized smart center. Towing
About towing
This section offers information on towing
methods for breakdown situations,
emergency towing, and flat towing smart
vehicles. Recommended towing method -
Breakdown situation
smart recommends that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using a flatbed carrier truck or
appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
X Switch off the tow‑away protection* and
interior motion sensor*
(Y page 49).
! To
prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down the vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts — use only wheel straps
to position and hold down the vehicle.
Improper tie down on a flatbed carrier
truck or trailer can damage suspension
parts and body panels. Emergency towing
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing method, the vehicle
may

be towed with all wheels on the ground
using a strap or tow bar connected to
another vehicle. Only tow the vehicle as far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing method can be employed. G
WARNING
If circumstances require towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
always tow with a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake
system
R there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
A

tow bar is necessary to adequately control
the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, make sure the gear selector
lever is in neutral position N and the
ignition is switched off. G
WARNING
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and
steering* systems. In this case, it is
important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Do not tow the vehicle with the front
axle raised. Doing so may cause serious
damage to the brake system which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment
attached

to suspension parts. This may202
Towing
>> Practical hints.
* optional