2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE brake

Engine compartment
>> Operation
173
Checking engine oil level!
Check the engine oil level at regular
intervals.
When checking the engine oil level
• the vehicle must be parked on level ground
• the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least five minutes with the engine turned off
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
>Open the tailgate.
>Open the engine compartment cover
(
page 172).The oil dipstick is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side.
1
Oil dipstick
2
Upper mark
3
Lower mark>Pull out oil dipstick
1.
>Wipe oil dipstick
1 clean with a clean cloth.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick
guide tube.
>Pull out oil dipstick
1 again after approxi

mately one minute to obtain accurate read

ing.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark
3 (minimum) and upper mark
2
(maximum) on both sides of oil dipstick
1.
>Fully insert oil dipstick
1 into the dipstick
guide tube again.
>If necessary, add engine oil.
i
The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approxi

mately 1.1 US qt (1.0 l). P01.00
2851
31

Front compartment
176
>> Operation
Service flapYou can remove the service flap and hang it on
the front of the vehicle so that it does not get
damaged or dirty.
!
Check the fill levels at regular intervals.
!
Carefully remove ice, snow, and any other
deposits from the air intake grilles above the
service flap to ensure air intake at all times.>Park the vehicle on level ground.
>Turn off the engine.
>Set the parking brake.
1
Lever
2
Service flap
>Removing: Fold both levers
1 outwards in
the direction of the arrows.
Service flap
2 is unlocked.
>Lift service flap2 at the front.
>Remove service flap2.
G
Warning!
Always turn key in starter switch to
position0 and remove the key from the
starter switch before opening the ser

vice flap.
If the windshield wipers should inadvert

ently be switched on, you could be seri

ously injured by the wiper washer drive,
which is located just below the service
flap.
G
Warning!
Make sure that the service flap is locked
while driving. Otherwise, the service flap
could become detached and pose a haz

ard to you or others.G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay
clear of moving parts when the service
flap is open.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned
off. Stay clear of fan blades.

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

Front compartment
>> Operation
181
Checking brake fluid level
>Perform a visual check of the brake fluid
reservoir.
The brake fluid level is correct when it is
between the minimum mark and the maximum
mark.
• If the brake fluid level has fallen slightly
below the minimum mark, drive to an
authorized smart center.
• If the brake fluid level has fallen
significantly below the minimum mark, call
Roadside Assistance or an authorized
smart center.

Tires and wheels
182
>> Operation Contact an authorized smart center for infor

mation on tested and recommended rims and
tires for summer and winter operation. They
can also offer advice concerning tire service
and purchase.
Modifications to the brake system and wheels
and the use of spacer and brake dust rings
are not permissible.
Important guidelines• Only use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
• Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
• Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
• Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause tire
inflation pressure loss and damage to the
tire beads.
• If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire infla

tion pressure and correct as required.
• Do not allow your tires to wear down too far.
Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths of less
than
1/8in (3 mm).
G
Warning!
Replace rims or tires with the same des

ignation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. Contact an autho

rized smart center for further informa

tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires
are mounted:
• The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.
• The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
G
Warning!
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires
have sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
smart wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly
an accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom

mended by smart, since previous damage
cannot always be recognized on retreads.
The operating safety of the vehicle can

not be assured when such tires are used.

Tires and wheels
186
>> Operation Tire and Loading InformationTire and Loading Information placard
i
Data shown on Tire and Loading Informa

tion placard example are for illustration pur

poses only. Load limit data are specific to
each vehicle and may vary from data shown in
the following illustration. Refer to Tire and
Loading Information placard on vehicle for
actual data specific to your vehicle.
1
Load limit information on the Tire and
Loading Information placardThe Tire and Loading Information placard
showing the load limit information is located
on the driver’s door B
pillar (

page 185).
>Locate the statement "The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on the Tire and
Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of all occupants and
cargo / luggage should never exceed the
weight referenced in that statement.
Seating capacity
The seating capacity gives you important
information on the number of occupants that
can be in the vehicle. The Tire and Loading
Information placard showing the seating
capacity is located on the driver’s door
B
pillar (

page 185)
.
G
Warning!
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.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
189
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants and cargo as
to not exceed the permissible load limit, you
must make sure that your vehicle never
exceeds the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle. You
can obtain the GVWR and GAWR from the
certification label. The certification label can
be found on the driver’s door B
pillar, see
"Technical data" (

page 293).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) means:
the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
and all cargo must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) means:
the total allowable weight that can be carried
by a single axle (front or rear).To assure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible weight limits (GVWR
and GAWR for front and rear axle), have the
loaded vehicle (including driver, passenger,
and all cargo) weighed on a suitable commer

cial scale.
Recommended tire inflation
pressure
Your vehicle is equipped with the Tire and
Loading Information placard located on the
driver’s door B
pillar (

page 185).
The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. The tires can be considered cold if the
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours
or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
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 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 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.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
191 Checking tire inflation pressure
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold. The tires can be con

sidered cold if the vehicle has been parked
for at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
If you check the tire inflation pressure when
the tires are warm (the vehicle has been
driven for several miles or sitting less than
3 hours), the reading will be approximately
4 psi (0.3 bar) higher than the cold reading.
This is normal. Do not let air out to match the
specified cold tire inflation pressure. Other

wise, the tire will be underinflated.Checking tire inflation pressure manually
Follow the steps below to achieve correct tire
inflation pressure:
>Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
>Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
>Read tire inflation pressure on tire gauge
and check against the recommended tire
inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B
pillar (

page 185). If necessary, add air
to achieve the recommended tire inflation
pressure.
i
If you have overfilled the tire, release tire
inflation pressure by pushing the metal stem
of the valve with e.g. a tip of a pen. Then
recheck the tire inflation pressure with the
tire gauge.
>Install the valve cap.
>Repeat this procedure for each tire.
G
Warning!
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
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 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 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.