2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE service interval

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.

Driving instructions
216
>> Operation
!
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converter, only use premium unleaded gaso

line in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine oper

ation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise,
excessive unburned fuel may reach the cata

lytic 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.
• Fill up only with premium unleaded gasoline.
Even small quantities of leaded gasoline can
damage the catalytic converter.
• Make sure you adhere to the prescribed
service intervals.
• Never run the fuel tank empty.
• If the engine starts to misfire, bring the ve

hicle to an immediate standstill without en

dangering traffic.
• If the engine fails to start the first time, you
should not try to start it any more than
three times in succession.
• Do not try to start for more than four sec

onds at a time.
TiresTreadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six places
on the tread circumference and become visi

ble at a tread depth of approximately
1/16in
(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.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient tempera

tures).
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 under

body for possible damage. If the vehicle
or tires appear unsafe, have the vehicle
towed to the nearest smart center or tire
dealer for repairs.
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
1/16in
(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.

Battery
>> Practical hints.
271 About the battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
passenger’s footwell below the footrest
(
page 273).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated service
life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for battery
maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short

distance trips, you will need to have the
battery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by smart.
Battery: 12 volts and 42 Amps
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized smart center about steps you need
to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment if disposed of improperly. Recy

cling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal. Many states require sellers of bat

teries to accept old batteries for recycling.
G
Warning!
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries.
Risk of explosion.Fire, open flames and smoking
are prohibited when handling
batteries. Avoid creating
sparks.Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact with
the skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective cloth

ing, especially gloves, apron
and faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills imme

diately with clean water. Contact
a physician if necessary.Keep children away.Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.

Service fluids and capacities
>> Technical data.
305 Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
engine oils and oil filters required for vehi

cles 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 specifi

cation 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
system damage not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen

dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to
do so will result in engine or emission control
system damage not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives!
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by the
smart Limited Warranty. Any authorized smart
center will provide you with additional infor

mation.
Air conditioning refrigerantR
134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air conditioning
system.!
Never use R
12 (CFC) or mineral
based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the sys

tem will occur.
Brake fluidOnly brake fluid approved by smart is recom

mended. Any authorized smart center will
provide you with additional information.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.

Service fluids and capacities
>> Technical data.
309 Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
• Corrosion protection
• Freeze protection
• Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection to
approximately
35°F (
37°C) and corrosion
protection.!
Add premixed coolant solution only.
Adding water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/An

tifreeze separately from each other, could
cause engine damage not covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
35°F
(
37°C), the boiling point of the coolant in the
pressurized cooling system is reached at
approximately 266°F (130°C).The coolant solution must be used year round,
even in countries which have high tempera

tures to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boiling protection.
Refer to Maintenance/ Service Booklet for re

placement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the Mainte

nance booklet is only applicable if MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solution or other
smart approved products of equal specifica

tion are used to renew the coolant concentra

tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
For information on other smart approved
products of equal specification, contact an
authorized smart center.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticorro

sion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze protec

tion to approximately
35°F [
37°C]).If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protection
to approximately
49°F [
45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this amount
of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze should be used to
bring it up to the proper level (have cooling
system checked for signs of leakage). Please
make sure the mixture is in accordance with
label instructions.
Always use anticorrosion/antifreeze that have
been approved by smart. For information
contact an authorized smart center.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you are
not sure about the water quality, consult an
authorized smart center.