2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE oil

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
2851
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
2852
31

Engine compartment
>> Operation
175
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding to
avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground and water.!
Excess engine oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to the
engine or emission control system not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
>Screw filler cap
1
back on filler neck.
>Close the engine compartment cover.

Front compartment
180
>> Operation
!
Always use a windshield washer concen

trate labeled for winter where temperatures
may fall below freezing point. Failure to do so
could result in damage to the washer system/
reservoir.
>Premix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container.
Observe mixing ratios depending on the
outside temperature (

page 308).
>Use the tab to pull cap1 upwards.
>Refill the windshield washer reservoir.
>Push cap
1 onto the windshield washer
reservoir.
Brake fluidThe 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.
!
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 immediately.
Contact an authorized smart center immedi

ately. Do not add brake fluid as this will not
solve the problem.
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the driver’s side.
1
Cap
G
Warning!
During vehicle operation, the boiling
point of the brake fluid is continuously
reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under
extremely strenuous operating condi

tions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system,
thus reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re

placed regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.P42.00
2133
31

Tires and wheels
184
>> Operation
1
TWI (T
read W
ear I
ndicator)
The 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
gasoline.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.
Direction of rotationUnidirectional 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.
G
Warning!
Although the applicable federal motor
safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the treadwear indicators (TWI) be

come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that
level. As tread depth approaches 1/8in
(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.

Tires and wheels
204
>> Operation Tire ply material
1
Plies in sidewall
2
Plies under tread
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.
This marking tells you about the type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and under
the tread.
Tire and loading terminologyAccessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan

dard items which may be replaced) of auto

matic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, 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 per

centage.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 equip

ment, but without passengers and cargo.

Vehicle care
224
>> Operation
Care tipsRegular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle. The best way to pro

tect your vehicle from harmful environmental
influences is to wash it and use protective
treatments regularly.
smart recommends that you care for the
paintwork at least twice a year (e.g. in the
spring and autumn).
!
Follow the care tips. Wash your vehicle
preferably by hand.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external influ

ences which, if gone unchecked, can attack
the paintwork as well as the vehicle underbody
and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
•Air pollution
• Road salt
•Tar
• Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
•Insects
• Bird droppings
• Tree sap, etc.
• Grease and oil
•Break fluid
•Coolant
•Fuel
•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.
G
Warning!
Many cleaning products can be hazard

ous. Some are poisonous, others are
flammable. Always follow the instructions
on the particular container. Always open
your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

Vehicle care
226
>> Operation
Vehicle careContact an authorized smart center for rec

ommended and approved care products.i
Advice on caring for the soft top system,
see (
page 230).
!
To avoid damage to interior equipment and materials: Never rub roughly or use cleaning spirits on the cloth upholstery, never use strong
agents, stain remover etc. on the leather upholstery. Never scour ore use solvent on plastic parts. Never use strong and aggressive agents on
windows, do not touch the inside of the windows with hard objects such as an ice scraper or ring, doing so may damage the windows.
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 en

dangering traffic.
Interior
Special considerations
Light soiling
Heavy soiling
Cloth upholstery
Use a clean, lint
free cloth
Light soap suds
Stain remover (test on an incon

spicuous place first)
Plastic parts
Use a color
fast cloth
Damp, clean cloth, cockpit spray
Damp, clean cloth, cockpit spray
Leather upholstery
Use a clean, color
fast cloth
Clean cloth with lukewarm water,
leather care product
Leather care product
Windows
Damp, clean cloth, microfiber
cloth, glass cleaner
Microfiber cloth, glass cleaner