page 90 SMART FORTWO COUPE 2012 User Guide

Occupant safety
Introduction
The smart vehicle is equipped with seat
belts
and dual stage air bags to protect you
in a crash. However, children can be killed
or seriously injured by an inflating air
bag. Indeed, there is a stronger risk of
serious death or bodily injury when an air
bag deploys on a child positioned in a
rear-facing child seat in the passenger
seat. Because this vehicle has only two
front seats and no backseat, it is limited
as are other two-seat vehicles, in the
extent to which it may restrain children
traveling in the passenger front seat. Many
states have laws against placing children
of certain ages in the front seat of a
vehicle that has both front and back seats.
Those laws make exceptions to permit
children to be restrained in the front seat
of two seat vehicles. Special instructions
and warnings are provided below about
when and if you may restrain a child in the
passenger seat of the smart vehicle. Under
certain circumstances, it is appropriate
for the passenger air bag not to operate
when a child is restrained in a car seat in
the passenger seat, and this vehicle is
equipped with technology to accomplish
this. Please pay very close attention to the
instructions and warnings below,
particularly as they relate to children.
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts ( Y page 31)
R Child restraints ( Y page 43) Additional protection potential is
provided by:
R
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
with
- Air bags (Y page 33)
- Air bag control unit (with crash
sensors)
- Emergency Tensioning Devices and
seat belt force limiters

(Y page 33)
R Air bag system components with
-Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp (Y page 41)
- Passenger seat with Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
(Y page 39)
Although independent systems, their
protective functions work in conjunction
with each other.
i For information on infants and
children traveling with you in the
vehicle and restraint systems for infants
and children, see “Children in the
vehicle” ( Y page 42).
The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates detection of malfunctions. The
SRS indicator lamp 6 in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition is
switched on and goes out after
approximately four seconds.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness if the SRS indicator lamp 6
is not lit when the engine is running.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if the SRS indicator lamp 6
R fails to go out after approximately 4
seconds after the ignition was switched
on
R does not come on at all
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving 30
Occupant safety
>> Safety.

G
WARNING
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint systems (such as
seat belts and anchors, Emergency
Tensioning Devices, seat belt force
limiters or air bags) or their wiring, as
well as tampering with interconnected
electronic systems, can lead to the
restraint
systems no longer functioning as
intended. Air bags or Emergency
Tensioning Devices, for example, could
deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy in
accidents in which they otherwise should
deploy (although the deceleration
threshold for air bag deployment is
exceeded). Therefore, never modify the
restraint systems. Do not tamper with
electronic components or their software. G
WARNING
In the event that the SRS indicator lamp
6 comes on while driving or does not
come on at all, the SRS self-check has
detected

a malfunction. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you immediately
but safely pull the vehicle off of the
roadway and stop driving. Contact an
authorized smart center immediately to
have the system checked; otherwise the SRS
may not deploy when needed in an accident,
which could result in serious or fatal
injury, or it might deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in
injury.
In addition, improper repair work on the
SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS
inoperative or causing unintended air bag
deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore
only be performed by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized smart
center. If it is necessary to modify an air
bag system to accommodate a person with
disabilities, contact your local authorized
smart center. Seat belts
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint

systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces and
territories.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is being
operated.
For more information, see “Fastening the
seat belts” ( Y page 62).
i For information on infants and
children traveling with you in the
vehicle and restraint systems for infants
and children, see “Children in the
vehicle” ( Y page 42). G
WARNING
Always fasten your seat belt before driving.
Always
make sure all of your passengers are
properly restrained.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases
your risk of injuries and their likely
severity in an accident. You and your
passenger should always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled.
Without your seat belt buckled, you are
much more likely to hit the interior of the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be
seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury
or death is lessened if you are properly
wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only
protect you if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. G
WARNING
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined
position as this can be dangerous. You
could slide under the seat belt in a Occupant safety
31
>> Safety.
Z

should be positioned as low as possible
on the hips to avoid any possible
pressure on the abdomen.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard or on the seat. Always
keep
both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R When using a seat belt to secure infant or
toddler restraints or children in booster
seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and seat belt force limiters
The seat belts are equipped with
Emergency Tensioning Devices and seat
belt force limiters.
Emergency Tensioning Devices are
designed to activate in the following
cases:
R in frontal or rear-end impacts
exceeding the system deployment
threshold
R if the restraint systems are operational
and functioning correctly
R in collisions with high vehicle
deceleration/acceleration in the
longitudinal direction, e.g. a head-on
collision
R on passenger side when the seat is
occupied and the seat belt is fastened
R independently of the front air bags
When activated, Emergency Tensioning
Devices

remove slack from the seat belts in
such a way that the seat belts fit more
snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters, when activated, reduce the force
exerted by the seat belts on occupants
during a crash.
When the emergency tensioning device is
triggered, the SRS indicator lamp 6 in
the instrument cluster illuminates, see
“SRS indicator lamp” ( Y page 166). G
WARNING
Once they have been triggered, Emergency
Tensioning
Devices will no longer function
properly and must be replaced. smart
recommends that you visit a qualified
workshop to have this done. In particular,
work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Comply with safety regulations when
disposing of Emergency Tensioning
Devices. These regulations are available at
any smart center.
The belt force limiter is designed to
operate in unison with the front air bag,
which absorbs a portion of the seat belt’s
decelerating forces, distributing the load
over a larger area.
In the event of a head-on or rear-end
collision, the emergency tensioning
device is activated if the vehicle is
decelerated or accelerated sufficiently in
the longitudinal direction at the start of
impact with the ignition switched on. Air bags
Air bags can reduce the severity of
injuries in serious collisions, e.g. in a
head-on collision or a side impact. G
WARNING
Air bags are designed to reduce the
potential of injury in certain frontal
impacts (front air bags and knee bags), or
side impacts (head-thorax air bags,
window

curtain air bags and thorax-pelvis
air bags) which may cause significant
injuries. However, no system available
today can completely eliminate injuries
and fatalities.
The deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust is neither injurious to your
health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some Occupant safety
33
>> Safety.
Z

How an air bag operates
An air bag is inflated in a matter of
milliseconds. If an air bag is triggered,
the SRS indicator lamp
6 in the
instrument cluster illuminates.
! If the air bags are activated, you will
hear a loud noise and some dust may be
generated. The explosion fundamentally
represents no risk to your hearing.
An
inflated air bag slows down and reduces
the movement of the occupant. When the
occupant makes contact with a front air bag
or head-thorax air bag (cabriolet only),
hot gas flows out of the inflated front air
bags and head-thorax air bags (cabriolet
only). This reduces the load on the
occupant’s head and upper body. These air
bags are consequently deflated after the
accident.
Driver front air bag/passenger front air
bag The front air bags are designed to reduce
the potential of injury in certain frontal
impacts.
Driver front air bag and passenger front
air bag are deployed
R
at the start of an accident with high
vehicle

deceleration in the longitudinal
direction
R independently of other air bags in the
vehicle being deployed
R never in the event of a rollover, unless
high vehicle deceleration in the
longitudinal direction is detected
i The front air bags in this vehicle have
been designed to inflate in two stages.
This allows the air bag to have different
rates of inflation that are based on the
rate of relevant vehicle deceleration
and a fastened or unfastened seat belt as
assessed by the air bag control unit.
On the passenger side, the front air bag
deployment is additionally influenced by the passenger’s weight category as
identified by the Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
(Y page 39).
The

lighter the passenger side occupant,
the higher the vehicle deceleration rate
required for the second stage inflation
of the air bag.
The air bags will not deploy in impacts
which do not exceed the system’s
deployment thresholds. In such instances,
the seat belts are designed to protect you.
The passenger air bag will only be
deployed if
R the system, based on OCS weight sensor
readings, senses that the passenger seat
is occupied and the 4 0
indicator lamp is not lit (Y page 41)
R the impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold
The driver front air bag is located in the
steering wheel housing, the passenger
front air bag above the glove box. :
Driver front air bag
; Passenger front air bag36
Occupant safety
>> Safety.

Thorax-pelvis side air bags are deployed
R
on the impacted side of the vehicle
R in instances with a high rate of lateral
vehicle deceleration or acceleration
R independently of the front air bags
R regardless
of whether the seat belt on the
impacted side of the vehicle is in use
R independently of the ETDs.
Thorax-pelvis side air bags will generally
not deploy in a rollover.
The thorax-pelvis side air bags will
deploy, however, if the system detects
R a high rate of lateral vehicle
deceleration or acceleration, and
R that air bag deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided
by the seat belt.
The thorax-pelvis side air bags are
integrated into the driver and passenger
seat backrests. :
Thorax-pelvis side air bags Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
automatically

turns the passenger front air
bag on or off based on the classified
occupant weight category determined by
weight sensor readings from the passenger
seat. i
Based on the classified occupant
weight category determined by weight
sensor

readings from the passenger seat,
the system does also deactivate
R head-thorax air bag (cabriolet)
R the window curtain air bag (coupé)
R the thorax-pelvis side air bag (coupé)
R the seat Emergency Tensioning
Devices
R the seat belt force limiter.
Occupants must sit properly belted in a
position that is as upright as possible with
their back against the seat backrest and
feet on the floor to be correctly classified.
If the occupant’s weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (e.g. by
leaning on armrests), the OCS may not be
able to properly approximate the
occupant’s weight category.
i If the seat, including the trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in any way,
take the vehicle to an authorized smart
center. Only seat accessories approved
by smart may be used.
Both driver and the passenger should
always use the 4 0 indicator
lamp as an indication of whether or not
the passenger is properly positioned
(Y page 41). G
WARNING
If the 4 0 indicator lamp
illuminates when an adult or someone
larger than a small individual is in the
passenger seat, have the passenger re-
position himself or herself in the seat
until the 4 0 indicator lamp
goes out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag
control

unit will not allow passenger front
air bag deployment when the OCS has
classified the passenger seat occupant as
being up to or less than the weight of a
typical 12‑month‑old child in a standard Occupant safety
39
>> Safety.
Z

R
Do not lean on the armrests or lift
yourself
from the seat by using the handle
over the door as this may cause the OCS to
be unable to correctly approximate the
occupant weight category.
R Only have the seat repaired or replaced
by an authorized smart center.
R Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.
Self-test Occupant Classification
System After turning the key in the starter switch
to position
1 or 2, the 4 0
indicator lamp located in the center
console illuminates. If an adult occupant
is properly sitting on the passenger seat
and

the system senses the occupant as being
an adult, the 4 0 indicator
lamp will illuminate and go out after
approximately 4 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the passenger seat as being empty,
the 4 0 indicator lamp will
illuminate and not go out. G
WARNING
If the 4 0 indicator lamp does
not illuminate immediately after starting
the engine, the system is not functioning.
You

must contact an authorized smart center
before seating any child on the passenger
seat.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section ( Y page 173).G
WARNING
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it
reduces the effectiveness of the Occupant
Classification System. The bottom of the
child seat must make full contact with the
passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted

child seat could cause injuries to the child in case of an accident, instead of
increasing protection for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you
in the vehicle:
X Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint

appropriate to the age and size
of the child.
X Make sure the infant or child is properly
secured

at all times while the vehicle is
in motion. G
WARNING
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle,
even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. The children could
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or
cold
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint
system’s metal parts, for example, could
become very hot, and the child could be
burned on these parts.
If children open a door, they could
R injure other persons
R get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following
traffic
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment unless they are
firmly secured in place.
For more information, please refer to the
“Loading and storing section”. 42
Occupant safety
>> Safety.

important information when circumstances
require you to place a child in the
passenger seat:
R
Your vehicle is equipped with air bag
technology designed to turn off the
passenger front air bag in your vehicle
when
the Occupant Classification System
senses the weight of a typical
12‑month‑old child or less along with the
weight of an appropriate child restraint
on the passenger seat.
R A child in a rear-facing child restraint
on the passenger seat may be seriously
injured or even killed if the passenger
front air bag inflates in a collision.
R If you install a rear-facing child
restraint on the passenger seat, make
sure the 4 0 indicator lamp
is illuminated, indicating that the
passenger front air bag is deactivated.
Should the 4 0 indicator
lamp not illuminate or go out while the
restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
4 0 indicator lamp while
driving to make sure the
4 0 indicator lamp is
illuminated. If the 4 0
indicator lamp goes out or remains out,
do not transport a child on the passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
on the passenger seat may be seriously
injured or even killed if the passenger
front air bag inflates.
R If you place a child in a forward-facing
child restraint on the passenger seat,
move the seat as far back as possible, use
a proper child restraint recommended
for the age, size and weight of the child,
and secure child restraint with the
vehicle’s seat belt according to the child
seat manufacturer’s instructions. For
children larger than the typical
12‑month‑old child, the passenger front
air bag may or may not be activated. G
WARNING
Infants and small children should never
share a seat belt with another occupant.
During an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries
is significantly increased if the child
restraints are not properly secured in the
vehicle and/or the child is not properly
secured in the child restraint.
Children too big for a toddler restraint
must

ride in a seat using regular seat belt.
Position shoulder belt across chest and
shoulder, not face or neck. A booster seat
may be necessary to achieve proper seat
belt positioning for children over 41 lbs
until they reach a height where a lap-
shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
When the child restraint is not in use,
remove it from the vehicle or secure it with
the seat belt to prevent the child restraint
from becoming a projectile in the event of
an accident.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if the children are secured in
a child restraint system. Unsupervised
children in a child restraint system may
use vehicle equipment and may cause an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
If you are using a rear-facing child
restraint system on the passenger seat, you
must verify that the passenger front air bag
is deactivated. When the passenger front
air bag is deactivated, the
4 0 indicator lamp is
illuminated (Y page 41).
Top tether
Top tether permits an additional
connection between a child restraint
system and the passenger seat. Proper
usage of the top tether, in accordance with
instructions provided by the child
restraint manufacturer, can further reduce
the risk of injuries. 44
Occupant safety
>> Safety.

The product label with FCC ID and IC
certification
number can be found in the
battery case.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS‑210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference, and
2. this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
The product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case. Driving safety systems
Introduction
G
WARNING
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in
this section cannot reduce these risks or
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather and traffic
conditions and keep a safe distance to
other road users and objects on the street.
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the hydraulic
brake assistant, and the ESP ®
is only
achieved with winter tires ( Y page 142)
or snow chains* as required. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
G
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead.
Pumping the brake pedal defeats the
purpose of the ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the

brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (Y page 22) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in
the

brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is
regulating the brake pressure.
X Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields
the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
A pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver X
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal. G
WARNING
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the
hydraulic brake assistant and the ESP ®
are
also switched off. 46
Driving safety systems
>> Safety.
* optional

through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously
damage the brake system which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
i The ESP ®
will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended tire
size (Y page 217). Hydraulic brake assistant
The hydraulic brake assistant operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the hydraulic brake
assistant automatically provides full
brake boost, thereby potentially reducing
the braking distance.
X Apply continuous full braking pressure
until

the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The
hydraulic brake assistant is then
deactivated. G
WARNING
When the hydraulic brake assistant is
malfunctioning, the brake system is still
functioning normally, but without the
additional

brake boost that would normally
be provided during an emergency braking
maneuver. Therefore, the braking distance
may increase. G
WARNING
The hydraulic brake assistant cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking

efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded. The
hydraulic brake assistant cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities

of a hydraulic brake assistant
equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others. Activating the hazard warning flasher
after an emergency braking maneuver
If

you bring the vehicle to a complete stop
by strongly braking at a speed of more than
43 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher comes on automatically as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. The hazard
warning flasher will remain on until it is
switched off using the hazard warning
flasher switch (Y page 69) or until the
speed of the vehicle has exceeded 6 mph
(10 km/h). Anti-theft systems
Electronic immobilizer
The electronic immobilizer prevents
unauthorized persons from starting your
vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
key with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a key
that is left inside the vehicle.
X Activating: Remove the key from the
starter switch.
X Deactivating: Insert the key in the
starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1. Anti-theft warning system*
Once the anti-theft warning system has
been armed, a visual and audible alarm is
triggered when
R someone opens a door or the tailgate
R someone enters the vehicle’s interior 48
Anti-theft systems>> Safety.
* optional

R
there is motion inside the vehicle
R someone attempts to raise the vehicle
The alarm will also be triggered when
unlocking and opening the driver’s door
with the key.
i The alarm will stay on, even if the
driver’s
door is immediately closed. For
canceling the alarm, see ( Y page 49).
Close the windows and the tailgate before
arming the alarm system. Make sure there
are no moving objects inside the vehicle. X
Arming: Lock the vehicle using the
remote control.
Warning system indicator lamp :
flashes rapidly. The anti-theft warning
system

arms after about 25 seconds. When
the anti-theft warning system is armed,
warning system indicator lamp :
flashes about every three seconds.
i You
can also arm the anti-theft warning
system by locking the vehicle without
using the remote control (Y page 176).
X Disarming: Unlock the vehicle using the
remote control.
The anti-theft warning system is
disarmed. Warning system indicator
lamp : stops flashing.
Canceling the alarm X
Insert the key in the starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1.
or
X Press button # or * on the key. Tow-away alarm* and interior motion
sensor*
Once the anti-theft warning system has
been armed, a visual and audible alarm is
triggered when someone attempts to raise
the

vehicle or if motion is detected inside
the vehicle.
X Arming: Lock the vehicle using the
remote control.
The

tow-away protection and the interior
motion sensor are armed after about
25 seconds.
X Disarming: Unlock the vehicle using the
remote control.
The

tow-away protection and the interior
motion sensor are disarmed.
Canceling the alarm X
Insert the key in the starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1.
or
X Press button # or * on the key.
Switching off tow-away protection and
interior motion sensor Switch off the tow-away protection and the
interior motion sensor when locking the
vehicle and
R
transporting the vehicle,
R board, e.g. a ferry or auto train,
R there are people or animals in the
vehicle,
R the side windows remain open.
This prevents any false alarm. Anti-theft systems
49
>> Safety.
* optional Z