2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE tow

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.

Vehicle care
228
>> Operation Removing insects
Remove insect remains before you start to
wash the vehicle.
>Spray insect remover on.
>Allow insect remover to work in briefly.
>Rub in gently with a soft cloth or sponge.
>Rinse with plenty of water.
>Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.
Removing tar
Remove any tar marks before washing the
vehicle.
>Apply tar remover with a soft cloth.
>Allow tar remover to work in briefly.
>Rub in gently.
>Rinse with plenty of water.
>Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
Washing your vehicle by hand
>Wash the vehicle using car shampoo
concentrate and a sponge.
>Rinse with clean water.
>Towel dry the vehicle.
!
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
The body panel surfaces and paint finish may
be damaged.
Washing your vehicle in an automatic car wash
i
When running your vehicle through an
automatic car wash, water droplets can run
down the inside of the side windows.Unscrew your vehicle’s antenna before
driving into an automatic car wash.
1
Antenna
>Removing: Unscrew antenna
1 counter

clockwise.
>Fitting: Screw antenna
1 in clockwise. P82.62
3091
31

>> Practical hints.Where will I find ...? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Display messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
What to do if ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Unlocking/locking manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Replacing transmitter battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Replacing bulbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Replacing wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

Replacing bulbs
256
>> Practical hints. Notes on bulb replacement
• Only use bulbs of the same type and with the
specified watt rating.
• Switch the lights off before replacing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
• Always use a clean lint
free cloth when
handling bulbs.
• Your hands should be dry and free of oil and
grease.
• Avoid touching the glass of the bulb with
bare fingers.
• If the newly installed bulb does not come on,
contact an authorized smart center.
• Have the bulbs for the front fog lamps*
replaced at an authorized smart center.
Replacing bulbs for front lampsBefore you start to replace a bulb for a front
lamp, do the following first:
>Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (

page 101).
>Switch off the ignition.
>Open the service flap (

page 176)
Left headlamp, (right headlamp in reverse)
1
Bulb socket for parking, and side marker
lamp
2
Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
3
Low beam headlamp cover
4
High beam headlamp coverParking and sidemarker lamp bulb
>Removing:
Driver side: Turn bulb socket
1 toward the
outside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket1 toward
the outside.
>Pull bulb socket
1 out of the headlamp
housing.
>Pull the bulb out of bulb socket
1.
> Installing: Insert the new bulb into bulb
socket
1.
>Insert bulb socket
1 into the headlamp
housing.
>Driver side: Turn bulb socket
1 toward the
inside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket1 toward
the inside. P82.10
4836
31

Jump starting
276
>> Practical hints.
!
Do not tow start vehicle.
!
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized smart cen

ter.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may damage
the catalytic converter and may present a fire
risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.If the battery is discharged, the engine can be
started with jumper cables and the battery of
another vehicle. Observe the following:
• Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter are
cold.
• Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
• Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a higher voltage battery could damage
the vehicle’s electrical system, which will
not be covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
• Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross
section and insulated terminal
clamps.
• Always make sure the jumper cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans or other parts that
move when an engine is started or running.
G
Warning!
Failure to follow these directions will
cause damage to the electronic compo

nents, and can lead to a battery explosion
and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connect

ing or jump starting, you might get in

jured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do
not allow this fluid to come in contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, im

mediately flush affected area with water,
and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive.
K e e p f l a m e s o r s p a r k s a w a y f r o m b a t t e r y ,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing per

sonal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.

Towing
278
>> Practical hints.
About towingsmart recommends that the vehicle be trans

ported with all wheels off the ground using
flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly equip

ment.!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the key in the starter switch in position0.
Do not tow with sling
type equipment. Towing
with sling
type equipment over bumpy roads
will damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not
tie down the vehicle by its chassis or suspen

sion parts. Use the towing eye.
Switch off the tow
away protection*
(
page 78).
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground or
front wheels raised only so far as necessary
to have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods can
be employed.
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the engine must be shut
off (key in starter switch position0). Active
braking action through the ESP
® may other

wise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
neutral positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position0.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
i
If the the battery is disconnected or dis

charged the gear selector lever will remain
locked in park position P. Contact an autho

rized smart center for assistance or call
Roadside Assistance.G
Warning!
smart does not recommend towing a vehi

cle when all wheels are on the ground.
However, in an emergency a tow bar can
be utilized if:
• the engine will not run
• there is a malfunction in the brake
system
• there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
A tow bar is necessary to adequately con

trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, make sure that the key is
in starter switch position0.

Towing
>> Practical hints.
279
!
Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.
!
Towing the vehicle with a base carrier*
mounted is not permissible. The vehicle must
not be towed by the base carrier*.
Towing eye boltThe towing eye bolt is located in the passen

ger’s footwell under the carpet.1
Towing eye bolt
>Unscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger’s footwell (

page 234).
>Lift the carpet.
>Take out towing eye bolt1.Covers
Depending on whether you are towing a vehi

cle or you are being towed, the towing eye bolt
can be screwed into threaded holes which are
located behind covers on the front and rear
bumper.
1
Front cover
G
Warning!
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and
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. Adapt
your driving accordingly.

Towing
280
>> Practical hints.
2
Rear cover
>Remove cover
1 or
2 using a suitable
object to reveal the threaded hole for the
towing eye bolt.Installing towing eye bolt
>Screw towing eye bolt in clockwise to its
stop and tighten with a suitable object.
G
Warning!
High outside temperature, stop
and
go
traffic, driving on long uphill grades, or
driving at high engine speed may increa

se the temperature in the engine com

partment. Therefore the area around the
air slots in the rear apron may be hot. Let
the engine cool off before touching this
area to prevent burns.P88.20
2930
31
G
Warning!
For safety reasons, recovery or lashing
down of the vehicle by means of the tow

ing eye is not allowed. Failure to observe
this could result in the towing eye being
ripped out of its mounting and people
being injured.