fuel SMART FORTWO COUPE 2012 Owner's Manual

The Tire and Loading Information placard
lists the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures
: for maximum loaded vehicle
weight.
The tire inflation pressures listed
apply to the tires installed as original
equipment.
Important notes on tire inflation
pressure G
WARNING
If the tire inflation pressure drops
repeatedly, check the tires for punctures
from

foreign objects and/or whether air is
leaking from the valves or from around the
rim.
Tire temperature and tire inflation
pressure are also increased while driving,
depending on the driving speed and the
tire load.
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires Underinflated tires
G
WARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from
being overheated. Underinflated tires can
R
cause excessive and uneven tire wear
R adversely affect fuel economy
R lead to tire failure from being
overheated
R adversely affect handling
characteristics
Overinflated tires 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.
Overinflated tires can
R adversely affect handling
characteristics
R cause uneven tire wear
R be more prone to damage from road
hazards
R adversely affect ride comfort
R increase stopping distance Checking tire inflation pressure
Safety notes G
WARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, 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 126
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
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
efficiency 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
subsequent 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 variety
of reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale 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.
i If a condition causing the TPMS to
malfunction develops, it may take up to
10 minutes for the system to signal a
malfunction using the TPMS telltale
flashing and illumination sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few
minutes driving if the malfunction has
been corrected.
i Operating radio transmission
equipment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-
way radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the TPMS to malfunction.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
R This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
R this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference
that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS‑210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
R This device may not cause
interference, and
R 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. 128
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

Restarting the TPMS
G
WARNING
It is the driver’s responsibility to
calibrate the TPMS on the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Underinflated
tires affect the ability to steer or brake
and might cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
When you restart the TPMS, the system sets
new reference values for each tire.
The TPMS must be restarted when you have
adjusted the tire inflation pressure to a
new
level (e.g. because of different load or
driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
X Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B‑pillar
(Y page 130), make sure the tire
inflation pressure of all four tires is
correct.
i Restart the TPMS after adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the inflation
pressure recommended for the vehicle
operating condition. Tire pressure
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Observe the recommended tire inflation
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information

placard on the driver’s door
B‑pillar (Y page 130). X
Press Restarting TPMS button :.
The
combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale in the instrument
cluster (Y page 22) flashes for approximately 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. Maximum tire inflation pressure
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
economy, 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. 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. Tires and wheels
129
>> Operation. Z

Always follow the recommended tire
inflation pressure (
Y page 125) for proper
tire inflation. Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.
1) The Tire and Loading Information placard can be found on the driver’s
door B‑pillar. This placard tells you
important information about the
number of people that can be in the
vehicle
and the total weight that can be
carried in the vehicle. It also contains
information on the proper size and
recommended tire inflation pressures
for the original equipment tires on
your vehicle.
2) The certification label, also found on the driver’s door B‑pillar, tells you
about

the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel and cargo. The
certification label also tells you about
the front and rear axle weight capacity,
called the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GAWR is the total allowable
weight that can be carried by a single
axle (front or rear). Never exceed the
GVWR or GAWR for either the front axle
or rear axle. :
Driver’s door B‑pillar Following is a discussion on how to work
with

the information contained on the Tire
and Loading Information placard with
regards to loading your vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information 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 and Loading Information placard
i Data shown on Tire and Loading
Information placard example are for
illustration purposes only. Load limit
data are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in the following
illustration. Refer to Tire and Loading
Information placard on vehicle for
actual data specific to your vehicle. The Tire and Loading Information placard
showing load limit information
: is
located on the driver’s door B‑pillar
(Y page 130).
X Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never

exceed XXXX kg or XXXX lbs.” on the
Tire and Loading Information placard. 130
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

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.

radio, and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward
on each square inch of the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or bars.
Aspect ratio Dimensional relationship between tire
section

height and section width expressed
in percentage.
Bar Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are

14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) to
1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to
1 bar.
Bead The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if
so equipped, air conditioning and
additional optional equipment, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the U.S.
Department of Transportation. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) The GAWR is the maximum permissible axle
weight. The gross vehicle weight on each
axle must never exceed the GAWR for the
front and rear axle indicated on the
certification

label located on the driver’s
door B‑pillar.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, installed
accessories, passengers and cargo. The
GVW

must never exceed the GVWR indicated
on the certification label located on the
driver’s door B‑pillar.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight
of the vehicle including all options,
passengers,

fuel, and cargo. It is indicated
on certification label located on the
driver’s door B‑pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9

kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating The maximum load in kilograms and pounds
that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.
Maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure

that should ever be put in the tire.140
Tires and wheels
>> 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.

Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also
by:
R
Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R Insects
R Bird droppings
R Tree sap, etc.
R Grease and oil
R Brake fluid
R Coolant
R Fuel
R 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.
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:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R 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
possible 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
specially 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. Vehicle care
Contact an authorized smart center for
recommended and approved care products.
i Advice on caring for the soft top
system, see (Y page 154). G
WARNING
After washing the vehicle, the brakes may
still be wet and thus their functionality
impaired. Therefore, when you start off,
brake lightly several times without
endangering traffic. Vehicle care
151
>> Operation.
* optional Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions6
Reserve Fuel The fuel level has dropped below the reserve mark.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. Ö
Driver´s Door Ajar The driver’s door is open.
X
Close the driver’s door. Ø
Door Ajar The passenger door is open.
X
Close the passenger door. Õ
Tailgate Open A tailgate or the rear soft top
17
is open.
X Close the tailgates or the rear soft. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsh
Check
Tire Pressure The tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is
significantly below the reference value.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
X Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required
(Y page 126).
X If necessary, change the wheel ( Y page 194).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 indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information 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 illuminates 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 efficiency 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.
17 cabriolet only. Display messages
161
>> Practical hints.
Z