service indicator SMART FORTWO COUPE 2012 User Guide

For more information on tire load rating
(Y page 137).
For information on calculating total and
cargo load capacities ( Y page 131).Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added
advantages, such as better hydroplaning
performance.
To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning)
of the tire. Tire care and maintenance
G
WARNING
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire

tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least
once a month. For more information on
checking tire inflation pressure, see
“Recommended tire inflation pressure”
(Y page 125).
Tire inspection Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following
R
excessive treadwear ( Y page 133)
R cord

or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
R bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions. Life of tire G
WARNING
Tires should be replaced after 6 years,
regardless of the remaining tread.
The

service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited
to
R driving style
R tire inflation pressure
R distance driven
Tread depth 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.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction
varies widely.
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths of less
than 1
/ 8 in (3 mm).
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.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:
Summer tires 1
/ 8 in (3 mm)
Winter tires 1
/ 6 in (4 mm) Tires and wheels
133>> Operation. Z

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.

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

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.