2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE wheel

Driving safety systems
72
>> Safety.
i
In winter operation, the maximum effec

tiveness of the ABS, the hydraulic brake
assistant and the ESP
® is only achieved with
winter tires (

page 208) or snow chains* as
required.
Antilock brake system (ABS)The A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem (ABS) regulates the
brake pressure so that the wheels do not lock
during braking. This allows you to maintain the
ability to steer your vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (

page 34) comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running.Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is regu

lating the brake pressure.
>Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake
pedal while experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to steer
the vehicle.
A pulsating brake pedal can be an indication
of hazardous road conditions and functions as
a reminder to take extra care while driving.
G
Warning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
• Excessive speed, especially in turns
• Wet and slippery road surfaces
• Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in
this section cannot reduce these risks or
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather and traffic
conditions and keep a safe distance to
other road users and objects on the
street.
G
Warning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead.
Pumping the brake pedal defeats the
purpose of the ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

Driving safety systems
>> Safety.
73
Emergency brake maneuver
>Keep continuous full pressure on the brake
pedal.
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP)Your vehicle is equipped with the E
lectronic
S
tability P
rogram (ESP
®). The ESP
® is opera

tional as soon as the engine is running and it
monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of ad

hesive friction between the tires and the road
surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spinning
or if the vehicle starts to skid.
By applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting the engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle.
The ESP
® is especially useful while driving off
and on wet or slippery road surfaces.
The ESP® also stabilizes the vehicle during
braking and steering maneuvers.
The ESP® warning lampv in the instrument
cluster flashes when the ESP
® is engaged.
G
Warning!
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the
hydraulic brake assistant and the ESP
®
are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the
wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability and extend

ing the braking distance.
G
Warning!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws
of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering effi

ciency beyond that afforded by the con

dition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded. The ABS cannot
prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopar

dize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.

Driving safety systems
74
>> Safety. The ESP
® warning lampv in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the igni

tion. It goes out when the engine is running.
Depending on the driving situation, the ESP
®
• will reduce the speed,
• selectively brakes individual wheels,
• equalizes the speed of the driven wheels,
• stabilizes the vehicle when braking,
• assists you in evasive maneuvers on all
roads.
G
Warning!
If the ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster flashes, proceed as
follows:
• While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.
• While driving, ease up on the accelera

tor.
• Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
G
Warning!
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws
of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded. The
ESP
® cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. The capabilities of an ESP
®
equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.

Driving safety systems
>> Safety.
75
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be turned 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
on the rear axle.
i
The ESP
® wi ll on l y f un cti on p ro p er ly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
(

page 299).
Hydraulic brake assistantThe hydraulic brake assistant operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the brakes
very quickly, the hydraulic brake assistant
automatically provides full brake boost,
thereby potentially reducing the braking
distance.
>Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.When you release the brake pedal, the brakes
function again as normal. The hydraulic brake
assistant is then deactivated.
G
Warning!
When the hydraulic brake assistant is
malfunctioning, the brake system is still
functioning normally, but without the
additional brake boost that would nor

mally be provided during an emergency
braking maneuver. Therefore, the brak

ing distance may increase.

Opening and closing
84
>> Controls.
Automatic lockingAuto
relock function
The vehicle will lock again automatically within
approximately 60 seconds of unlocking with
the key if neither the driver’s nor passenger
door is opened.!
To prevent an inadvertent lockout, never
leave your key lying in the vehicle.
Drive lock function
The vehicle locks automatically when the igni

tion is switched on and the wheels are turning
at vehicle speeds of approximately 8 mph
(14 km/h) or more. The drive lock function is
enabled at the factory.>Switching on: Switch off the ignition.
>Press the central locking switch
(

page 85) and button
ª
on the key
simultaneously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The drive lock function is switched on.
>Switching off:
Switch off the ignition.
>Press the central unlocking switch
(

page 85) and button
©
on the key
simultaneously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The drive lock function is switched off.
Locking and unlocking from the
insideYou can lock and unlock the vehicle from
inside using the central locking or unlocking
switch. This can be useful, for example, if you
want to unlock the passenger door from inside
or lock the vehicle before starting to drive.G
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehi

cle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

Seats
92
>> Controls.G
Warning!
All seat adjustments, as well as fastening
of seat belts, must be done before the
vehicle is operated.G
Warning!
When adjusting the seat, make sure that
no one becomes trapped.
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while
driving. Adjusting the seat while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of
the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the
seat backrest in an excessively reclined
position as this can be dangerous. You
could slide under the seat belt in a colli

sion. If you slide under the seat belt, it
could apply force at the abdomen or neck,
potentially causing serious or fatal inju

ries. The seat backrest and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright
as possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you
can correctly fasten your seat belt
(
page 98).
Observe the following points:
• Adjust the seat backrest until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
• Adjust the seat to a comfortable
seating position that still allows you to
reach the accelerator/brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far to
the rear as possible, consistent with
ability to properly operate controls.
• Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is
being adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an acci

dent and/or serious personal injury.
Observe the notes on the air bag system
(
page 54).
G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint,
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom

mended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see
"Children in the vehicle" (

page 65).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries
is significantly increased if the child re

straints are not properly secured in the
vehicle and/or the child is not properly
secured in the child restraint.

Seats
>> Controls.
93
1
Seat backrest tilt
2
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Seat backrest tilt> Adjusting: P u l l a d j u s t m e n t l e v e r
1 upwards
and adjust the seat backrest until your arms
are slightly angled when holding the steer

ing wheel.
>Release adjustment lever
1 when the
desired seat backrest tilt is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the seat
backrest is again fixed into place.
>Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Seat fore and aft adjustment> Adjusting: Pull adjustment handle
2
upwards and slide the seat to a seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
>Release adjustment handle
2 when the
desired seating position is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the seat is
again fixed into place.
>Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Seat heightThe seat guide is inclined in the horizontal
plane. Seat fore and aft adjustment also alters
the seat height.
G
Warning!
Contact an authorized smart center if the
seats have become damaged.
The seat is an integral part of the vehi

cle's safety system in the same way as
seat belts and air bags. Damage to the
seats may reduce their ability to protect
the occupants in an accident.P91.10
2993
31

Lighting>> Controls.
105
>Switching on: Push the combination switch
in the direction of arrow
1 or
2.
The corresponding turn signals flash.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampL orK in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automati

cally after major steering wheel movement.
i
To signal minor directional changes such
as changing lanes, push the combination
switch only to the point of resistance and
release. The corresponding turn signals will
flash three times.
Coming home functionVehicles without rain
light sensor:
The interior lamps come on and then go out
again after 12 seconds every time when you
lock or unlock the vehicle.
Vehicles with rain
light sensor*:
In addition to the interior lamps, the exterior
lamps come on and then go out again after
12 seconds depending on the brightness of
the ambient light when you lock or unlock the
vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle
>Remove the key from the starter switch.
>Exit the vehicle.
>Press button
ª
on the key.
The vehicle is locked.
The interior and exterior
1 lamps come on
and then go out again after 12 seconds.
When returning to the vehicle
>Press button
©
on the key either once or
twice.The vehicle is either selectively or globally
unlocked.
The interior and exterior
1 lamps come on
and then go out again after 12 seconds.
Front fog lamps
1 Vehicles with rain
light sensor
G
Warning!
Vehicles with rain
light sensor*:
In low ambient lighting or foggy condi

tions, only switch from positionU
toB with the vehicle at a standstill in
a safe location. Switching fromU
toB will briefly switch off the head

lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambi

ent lighting conditions may result in an
accident.