2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE check engine

Engine compartment
>> Operation
173
Checking engine oil level!
Check the engine oil level at regular
intervals.
When checking the engine oil level
• the vehicle must be parked on level ground
• the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least five minutes with the engine turned off
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
>Open the tailgate.
>Open the engine compartment cover
(
page 172).The oil dipstick is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side.
1
Oil dipstick
2
Upper mark
3
Lower mark>Pull out oil dipstick
1.
>Wipe oil dipstick
1 clean with a clean cloth.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick
guide tube.
>Pull out oil dipstick
1 again after approxi

mately one minute to obtain accurate read

ing.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark
3 (minimum) and upper mark
2
(maximum) on both sides of oil dipstick
1.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick
guide tube again.
>If necessary, add engine oil.
i
The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approxi

mately 1.1 US qt (1.0 l). P01.00
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31

Engine compartment
174
>> Operation Adding engine oil
!
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil

ters required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine oils
and oil filters contact an authorized smart
center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica

tion other than those expressly required for
the Maintenance System, or changing of oil
and oil filter at change intervals longer than
those called for by the Maintenance System
will result in engine or emission control sys

tem damage not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.The filler cap is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side.
1
Filler cap
>Unscrew filler cap
1
from filler neck.
>Add engine oil as required.
Do not add more than 0.53 US qt (0.5 l)
engine oil at a time.
>Wait one minute until the engine oil has run
into the oil pan.
>Check the engine oil level once more.
>Add engine oil once more if necessary.
G
Warning!
When adding engine oil, always use a fun

nel to avoid spilling oil on any hot parts
such as the catalytic converter or ex

haust system.
If this should happen, however, the en

gine must be thoroughly cleaned before
you continue your trip. The engine oil
could otherwise ignite.P01.00
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31

Front compartment
176
>> Operation
Service flapYou can remove the service flap and hang it on
the front of the vehicle so that it does not get
damaged or dirty.
!
Check the fill levels at regular intervals.
!
Carefully remove ice, snow, and any other
deposits from the air intake grilles above the
service flap to ensure air intake at all times.>Park the vehicle on level ground.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
1
Lever
2
Service flap
>Removing: Fold both levers
1 outwards in
the direction of the arrows.
Service flap
2 is unlocked.
>Lift service flap2 at the front.
>Remove service flap2.
G
Warning!
Always turn key in starter switch to
position0 and remove the key from the
starter switch before opening the ser

vice flap.
If the windshield wipers should inadvert

ently be switched on, you could be seri

ously injured by the wiper washer drive,
which is located just below the service
flap.
G
Warning!
Make sure that the service flap is locked
while driving. Otherwise, the service flap
could become detached and pose a haz

ard to you or others.G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay
clear of moving parts when the service
flap is open.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned
off. Stay clear of fan blades.

Front compartment
178
>> Operation
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
To check the coolant level the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine must
have cooled down. For more information, see
"Coolants" (

page 309).Checking coolant level
The coolant reservoir is located in the front
compartment on the driver’s side.
1
Pressure cap
2
Marking bar
G
Warning!
In order to avoid potentially serious
burns:
• Use extreme caution when opening the
service flap if there are any signs of
steam or coolant leaking from the
cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature warning lampD in the
instrument cluster indicates that the
coolant is overheated.
• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid
and is under pressure.
• Using a rag, slowly open the cap ap

proximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately,
scalding hot fluid and steam will be
blown out under pressure.
P20.30
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31

Winter driving
208
>> Operation Before the onset of winter, have your vehicle
winterized at an authorized smart center. This
service includes:
>Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
• Addition of washer concentrate to the water
of the windshield/rear window.
Use a windshield washer concentrate la

beled for winter which is formulated for
temperatures below freezing point
(
page 308).
• Battery test. Battery capacity drops with
decreasing ambient temperature. A well
charged battery helps to make sure that the
engine can be started, even at low ambient
temperatures.
• Tire change.
Winter tiresAlways use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) 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.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 that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have the
same tread design.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.
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 opera

tion.

Driving instructions
212
>> Operation
BrakesRefer to the description of the hydraulic
brake assistant (

page 75).
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut 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
which is not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.Brake pad wear or a leak in the brake system
may be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the brake fluid reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir may be too low if the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on
(

page 34) although the parking brake is
released.
Have the brake system inspected immediately.
Contact an authorized smart center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized smart
center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by smart.Inclines
!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into
a lower gear to use the engine’s braking
power. This helps prevent overheating of the
brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended pe

riod of time, e.g. on slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the drive

train which is not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other
road users when carrying out braking
maneuvers.

What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.
237 Warning and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster
General information:
If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb
self
check when switching on ignition
(
page 91), have the respective bulb
checked and replaced if necessary.
ABS indicator lamp (USA only)
ABS indicator lamp (Canada only)Illuminates:
• when the ignition is switched on.
Goes out:
• if engine is running or after 10 seconds• when there is a malfunction in the ABS sys

tem.
>Have the ABS system checked at an autho

rized smart center immediately.
• together with the brake warning lamp
(

page 238) when the ABS system fails.
>Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe
location.
>Do not continue to drive.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle.
>Contact Roadside Assistance or an autho

rized smart center.
G
Warning!
When the ABS system is malfunctioning,
the wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability and extend

ing the braking distance.
When the ABS is switched off due to a mal

function, the ESP
® is also switched off.
The basic driving and braking functions
are still avaiable.
The risk of your vehicle skidding is then
increased in certain situations. You
should therefore always adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.

What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.
239
• with the parking brake set.
• if the brake circuit fails or the brake fluid
level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low.
>Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe
location.
>Do not continue to drive.
>Turn off the engine.
>Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve
the problem.
>Set the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle.
>Contact Roadside Assistance or an autho

rized smart center.
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark
or below, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
• together with the ABS indicator lamp
(
page 237) when the ABS system fails.
>Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe
location.
>Do not continue to drive.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle.
• Contact Roadside Assistance or an autho

rized smart center.Combination low tire pressure/
TPMS malfunction telltale
Illuminates continuously:
• when the TPMS detects a loss of pressure in
at least one tire.
>Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt,
avoiding abrupt steering and braking
maneuvers. Observe the traffic situation
around you
.
>Check and correct tire inflation pressure
as required (

page 190).
G
Warning!
Driving with the brake warning lamp illu

minated can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately
if the brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking
the brake system.