2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE ABS

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
200
>> Operation Load identification
1
Load identification
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.
In addition to the tire load rating, special load
identification1 may be molded into the tire
sidewall following the letter designating the
tire speed rating (

page 196).No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a standard
load (SL) tire.
XL (Extra Load): designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated with
the maximum load a tire can carry at a speci

fied pressure.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations require each new tire
manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a TIN
into or onto a sidewall of each tire produced.
The TIN is a unique identifier which facilitates
efforts by tire manufactures to notify
purchasers in recall situations or other
safety matters concerning tires and gives
purchasers the means to easily identify such
tires.
The TIN is comprised of "Manufacturer’s
identification mark", "Tire size", "Tire type
code", and "Date of manufacture".
1
DOT
2
Manufacturer’s identification mark
3
Tire size
4
Tire type code (at the option of the tire
manufacturer)
5
Date of manufacture
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.

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
>> Operation
211 Drinking and driving Pedals Power assistance
G
Warning!
Do not drink alcohol or take drugs and
drive or allow anyone to drive who has
been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs
can affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
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, the objects could get caught be

tween or beneath the pedals and restrict
your ability to brake or accelerate. This
could lead to accidents and injury.
G
Warning!
Without the engine running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and the
steering* systems. In this case, it is im

portant to keep in mind that a consider

ably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.

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.

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.

Flat tire
>> Practical hints.
265 Preparing the vehicle
Upon experiencing any type of problem with
the vehicle's tires, switch on the hazard warn

ing flasher, carefully slow down and exit the
roadway in a cautious manner.
>Park the vehicle at a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface when
possible
.
>Set the parking brake.
>Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight ahead position.
>Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
>Turn off the engine.
>Remove the key from the starter switch and
take the key with you.i
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
>Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway.
Using the tire repair kitThe tire repair kit can be used to seal punc

tures of up to approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) on
the tire tread.
The tire repair kit enables you to drive on the
sealed tire to the nearest authorized smart
center.
>You should have the sealed tire replaced at
an authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Take care not to allow the contents of the
tire sealant to come in contact with hair,
eyes or clothing. The tire sealant is
harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed
through the skin it may causes skin, eye
and respiratory irritation. Wear gloves
while using this product if they are avail

able.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with the tire
sealant, change clothing as soon as pos

sible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash,
consult a physician immediately.