2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE steering

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.

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.

What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.
243
EPS* warning lamp
Illuminates:
• when the ignition is switched on.
The warning lamp goes out after starting
the engine.
• when the power steering is not available.
>Have the power steering checked at an au

thorized smart center immediately.ESP
® warning lamp
Flashes:
•when the ESP
® is engaged.
Illuminates continuously:
•if ESP
® is not operational due to a system
failure.
•if ESP® is not available.
G
Warning!
When the power steering is not available
a higher degree of effort is necessary to
steer the vehicle. Have the system che

cked at a smart center.

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.

Flat tire
270
>> Practical hints.
!
The manufacturer is unable to guarantee
that all tire punctures can be repaired with
the tire repair kit, in particular cuts or
perforations larger than approximately
0.16 in (4 mm) or away from the tire's tread.
The manufacturer is not liable for damage
sustained through improper use of the tire
repair kit.>Drive to the nearest authorized smart cen

ter, to have the damaged tire replaced.
>Contact an authorized smart center as soon
as possible to obtain a new filler hose
4 and
a new tire sealant container
9.
>Bring used tire sealant materials to an
authorized smart center for proper dispos

al.
>Replace your tire sealant container every
4 years. Replacement containers are avail

able at any authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated
tires can adversely affect handling and
ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase
stopping distance, and result in sudden
deflation (blowout) because they are
more likely to become punctured or
damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel econ

omy, and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding
the specified load limit as indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver’s door B
pillar. Overload

ing the tires can overheat them, possibly
causing a blowout. Overloading the tires
can also result in handling or steering
problems, or brake failure.
G
Warning!
After changing a tire, contact a smart
center to make sure that the bolts holding
the wheel to the car are tight enough.
Otherwise, the wheels could come off.
Each bolt should be tightened to a torque
of 81 lb
ft (110 Nm).