2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE winter tires

Winter driving
>> Operation
209 Snow chains*
!
Remember that snow chains must always be
compatible with the tire sizes of a vehicle.
Snow chains that are approved by smart are
only permitted for the following tire size:
175/55 R15 on the rear axle.
For safety reasons, smart recommends that
you only use snow chains that have been
approved by smart.
Information on this is available from any smart
center.
Please refer to the separate operating
instructions for detailed information on
mounting the snow chains.
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon as
possible when driving on roads without snow.Please observe the following guidelines when
using snow chains:
• Using snow chains is not permissible with all
wheel/tire combinations (

page 299).
• Use snow chains in pairs and on rear wheels
only. Follow the manufacturer's mounting
instructions.
!
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or
axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
• Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before mounting snow
chains.
G
Warning!
When mounting or removing snow chains,
always park your vehicle on level ground,
set the parking brake and turn off the en

gine. The vehicle could otherwise move
and injure yourself or other road users.G
Warning!
When mounting and removing snow
chains, ensure that you and your vehicle
are at a safe distance from moving traf

fic. Not doing so could endanger other
road users or even lead to you being
injured by the vehicles behind you.

Driving instructions
>> Operation
217
For more information, see "Tires and wheels"
(
page 182).
HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water layer on
the road, hydroplaning may occur resulting in
a loss of control, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track
grooves in the road and apply brakes cau

tiously when it is raining.
Tire tractionThe safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing point.smart recommends winter tires
(
page 208)

with a minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the winter
season to ensure normal balanced handling
characteristics. On packed snow, they can
reduce your stopping distance compared to
summer tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still consider

ably greater than when the road is not cov

ered with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate
caution.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex

tended period when driving off on slippery
road surfaces. Otherwise, the the drivetrain
c o u l d b e d a m a g e d , w h i c h i s n o t co v e r e d b y t h e
smart Limited Warranty.
G
Warning!
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire will
affect your ability to steer or brake and
may cause you to lose control of the vehi

cle. Continued driving with a flat tire or
driving at high speed with a flat tire will
cause excessive heat build
up and possi

bly a fire.
G
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire trac

tion will be substantially reduced. Under
such weather conditions, drive, steer and
brake with extreme caution.

Driving instructions
218
>> Operation
Tire speed ratingRegardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions.
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of 90 mph
(145 km/h).The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the maxi

mum speed permitted by the electronic speed
limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle in
t h e " T e c h n i c a l d a t a s e c t i o n " (

page 299), for
example when purchasing new tires.
For information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see "Tire
size designation, load and speed rating"
(

page 196)
.
If you are uncertain about the correct read

ing of the information given on a tire’s side

wall, any authorized smart center will be glad
to assist you.i
For information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see "All
season and winter tires
"
(

page 199).
For additional general information on tire
speed markings on tire sidewall, see "Tire
speed rating" (

page 198).
Winter driving instructionsThe most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering maneu

vers.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
For information on driving with snow chains*,
see "Snow chains*" (

page 209).
G
Warning!
Even when permitted by law, never oper

ate a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control
and possibly resulting in an accident
and/or personal injury and possible
death, for you and for others.
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.

Rims and tires
>> Technical data.
299
Rims and tires
Model pure
Model passion
Front axle:Rims (steel)
4.5 J x 15 H2
Rims (light alloy)
4.5 J x 15 H2*
4.5Jx15H2
Wheel offset
0.93 in (23.5 mm)
0.93 in (23.5 mm)
All
season tires
155/60 R15 74 T M+S
155/60 R15 74 T M+S
Winter tires
1
1 Not available as factory equipment
155/60 R15 74 T M+S
.
155/60 R15 74 T M+S
.
Rear axle:Rims (steel)
5.5 J x 15 H2
Rims (light alloy)
5.5 J x 15 H2*
5.5Jx15H2
Wheel offset
0.87 in (22 mm)
0.87 in (22 mm)
All
season tires
175/55 R15 77 T M+S
175/55 R15 77 T M+S
Winter tires
1
175/55 R15 77 T M+S
.
175/55 R15 77 T M+S
.