2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE ABS

Driving safety systems
>> Safety.
75
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be turned off (key in starter
switch position0) when
• the parking brake is being tested on a
brake test dynamometer,
• the vehicle is being towed with the front
axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
on the rear axle.
i
The ESP
® wi ll on l y f un cti on p ro p er ly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(

page 299).
Hydraulic brake assistantThe 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.
>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 nor

mally be provided during an emergency
braking maneuver. Therefore, the brak

ing distance may increase.

Opening and closing
>> Controls.
83
i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the follow

ing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful inter

ference, and
(2) 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:
(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 remote control has an operating range
of approximately 50 ft (15 meters).
This can fluctuate greatly as a consequence of
local conditions (reflective or absorbing
objects) and interference emitted by other
radio
transmission systems. Similarly, the
operating range fluctuates in line with the
direction from which the remote control is
activated.
To prevent theft, however, it is advisable to
only unlock the vehicle when you are in close
proximity to it.
Locking and unlocking from the
outside> Selective unlocking: Press button
©
on
the key once. All turn signal lamps flash
once.
The anti
theft warning system* is disarmed.
The driver’s door and the fuel filler flap are
unlocked.
•Global unlocking: Press button
©
on the
key twice. All turn signal lamps flash once
again. The passenger door and the tailgate
are unlocked in addition to the driver’s
door and the fuel filler flap.
> Global locking: Press button
ª
on the key.
With the doors, the tailgate(s), and the fuel
filler flap closed the turn signal lamps flash
three times.
The anti
theft warning system* is armed.
The indicator lamp on the central locking
switch (

page 85) flashes.
The interior and exterior
1 lamps come on
and then go out again after 12 seconds.
1 Vehicles with rain
light sensor* only.

Driving and parking
122
>> Controls.
Starting
Gearshift pattern for transmission1
Release button
G
Warning!
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of move

ment. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of
all obstacles. If there are any floormats*
or carpets in the footwell, make sure that
the pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu

vers, objects could become caught be

tween the pedals, reducing or eliminating
entirely the driver's ability to brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.
G
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and possible
death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while
driving, have the cause determined and
corrected immediately. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive only with at
least one window fully open.PPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral position
DDrive position
MManual gear shifting
+Upshifting

Downshifting

Driving and parking
>> Controls.
123
Starting the engine
For information on turning off the engine, see
(
page 127).
!
Shift the transmission into park positionP
or reverse gearR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the trans

mission.
>Make sure the gear selector lever is set to
park positionP.
The transmission position indicator should
be on
.
>Do not depress the accelerator.
>Turn the key in the starter switch to
position2 (

page 91) and release it again
immediately.
The engine starts automatically ("touch

start" function).
Driving >Depress the brake pedal.
>Press the release button (

page 122) to
disengage the gear selector lever lock.
>Move the gear selector lever to drive
positionD.
appears in the transmission position
indicator.
>Release the brake pedal.
>Carefully depress the accelerator.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the
engine.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelera

tor and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never down

shift 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.
G
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the transmission
out of park positionP or neutral
positionN if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the
brake pedal.

Driving and parking
126
>> Controls.Brake pedal
The brake pedal has two brake circuits inde

pendent of each other. A brake servo is used
during braking (when the engine is running) to
increase pedal force.
G
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake
and/or move the gear selector lever from
park positionP, either of which could
result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
G
Warning
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of move

ment. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of
all obstacles. If there are any floormats*
or carpets in the footwell, make sure that
the pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu

vers, objects could become caught be

tween the pedals, reducing or eliminating
entirely the driver's ability to brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.
G
Warning!
Considerably more effort will be required
to apply the brakes if
• the brake servo has failed
• a brake circuit has failed
• the engine is switched off, e. g. for
towing the vehicle
The braking distance is likewise greater.
Make sure that the engine is running
whenever the vehicle is rolling. Have the
brake system repaired at an authorized
smart center, if there is a fault in the
brake system.

Transmission
128
>> Controls. Your vehicle is equipped with a a 5
speed au

tomated transmission with manual or auto

matic mode. For information on driving with
the transmission see also
"Starting"(

page 122).
Gear selector leverGearshift pattern for transmission1
Release buttonThe current gear selector lever position ap

pears in the transmission position indicator.
When M is selected the currently selected
gear appears (

page 137).
G
Warning!
Make sure that absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals‘ range of move

ment. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of
all obstacles. If there are any floormats*
or carpets in the footwell, make sure that
the pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu

vers, objects could become caught be

tween the pedals, reducing or eliminating
entirely the driver's ability to brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.PPark position
RReverse gear
NNeutral position
DDrive position
MManual gear shifting
+Upshifting

Downshifting
G
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the transmission
out of park positionP or neutral
positionN if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the
brake pedal.

Transmission
>> Controls.
133
Steering wheel gearshift control
1
1
Left shift paddle
2
Multifunction display
3
Right shift paddleActivating manual gearshifting
>Move the gear selector lever to manual
gearshiftingM (

page 128).
System
controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off.
You can upshift or downshift through the
gears in succession.
The currently engaged gear appears in the
transmission position indicator (

page 137).
Upshifting
>Briefly push the gear selector lever for

ward in the +direction (

page 128).
or
>Pull right shift paddle
3 (
page 133)
towards you.
The transmission shifts to the next higher
gear.
i
With manual gearshiftingM selected, the
transmission shifts up only to prevent engine
overreving.Downshifting
>Briefly pull the gear selector lever back

ward in the
direction (

page 128).
or
>Pull left shift paddle
1 (
page 133)
towards you.
The transmission shifts to the next lower
gear.
1 Model passion only.
G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never down

shift 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.

Engine compartment
172
>> Operation> Opening: Grasp the strap on cargo com

partment floor
1.
>Lift cargo compartment floor
1 with the
strap.
>Engage hook
4 into top mounting of cargo
compartment cover blind
5.
>Remove fastening screw
2.
>Remove engine compartment cover
3.
>Closing: Slide engine compartment cover
3
forward into the tabs provided.
>Tighten fastening screw
2.
>Disengage hook
4
from top mounting
5.
>Fold cargo compartment floor
1 back
down.
>Push the right hand and left hand cargo
compartment floor edges under the edges
of the side panels.
>Close the tailgate.
Engine oilThe amount of oil your engine needs will de

pend on a number of factors, including driving
style. Increased oil consumption can occur
when
•the vehicle is new
• the vehicle is driven at higher engine
speeds frequently
Engine oil consumption checks should only be
made after the vehicle break
in period.!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may increase wear and damage the
drive assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by smart may cause damage not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available
at any smart center.
G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistor

ized ignition system that utilizes high
voltage. Don not touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diag

nostic socket) of the ignition system
• while the engine is running
• while starting the engine
• if ignition is "on" and the engine is
turned manually