2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE brake

Tires and wheels
192
>> Operation Checking tire inflation pressure electroni

cally with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
i
The
Tire
Pressure
Monitoring
System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low tire
pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in the
instrument cluster (

page 34). Depending on
how the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low
tire pressure condition or a malfunction in the
TPMS system itself:
• If the telltale illuminates continuously,
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. There is no malfunction in
the TPMS.
• If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the follow

ing two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful inter

ference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS
210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference,
and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.The TPMS only functions on wheels that are
equipped with the proper electronic sensors.
It monitors the tire inflation pressure in all
four tires. A warning is issued to alert you to
a decrease in pressure in one or more of the
tires.
G
Warning!
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures.
Always adjust tire inflation pressure
according to the Tire and Loading Infor

mation placard on the driver’s door
B
pillar.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning
due to a sudden dramatic loss of
pressure (e.g. tire blowout caused by a
foreign object). In this case bring the
vehicle to a halt by carefully applying the
brakes and avoiding abrupt steering
maneuvers.

Tires and wheels
194
>> Operation
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Operating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two
way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the TPMS to mal

function.
Restarting the TPMSThe TPMS must be restarted when you have
adjusted the tire inflation pressure to a new
level (e.g. because of different load or driving
conditions). The TPMS is then recalibrated to
the current tire inflation pressures.
>Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B
pillar

(
page 185)
, make sure the tire inflation
pressure of all four tires is correct.
i
Restart the TPMS after adjusting the tire
inflation pressure to the inflation pressure
recommended for the vehicle operating con

dition. Tire pressure should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Observe the recommended tire
inflation pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B
pillar (

page 185).
1
Restarting TPMS button
G
Warning!
It is the driver’s responsibility to cali

brate the TPMS on the recommended cold
inflation pressure. Underinflated tires
affect the ability to steer or brake and
might cause you to lose control of the ve

hicle.

Tires and wheels
198
>> Operation
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Tire load rating5 (

page 196) and
Tire speed rating6 (

page 196) are also
referred to as "service description".
For additional information on tire load rating,
see "Load identification" (
page 200).Tire speed rating
Tire speed rating6 (

page 196) indicates
the approved maximum speed for the tire.
i
Tire load rating5 (

page 196) and
Tire speed rating6 (

page 196) are also
referred to as "service description".Summer tires
G
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding
the specified load limit as indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
located on the driver’s door B
pillar.
Overloading 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!
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.
Index
Speed rating
Q
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R
up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S
up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T
up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H
up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V
up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W
up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y
up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
(Y)
above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR
above 149 mph (240 km/h)

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
201
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
Tire branding symbol1 (

page 200) which
denotes the tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark
Manufacturer’s identification mark2
(

page 200) denotes the tire manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four
symbols. For more information on retreaded
tires (

page 182).
Tire size
Code3 (
page 200) indicates the tire size.
Tire type code
Code4 (
page 200) may, at the option of
the manufacturer, be used as a descriptive
code for identifying significant characteris

tics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
Date of manufacture5 (

page 200)
identifies the week and year of manufacture.The first two figures identify the week, start

ing with "01" to represent the first full week of
the calendar year. The second two figures
represent the year.
For example, "3202" represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1
Maximum tire load rating
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in above illustration.The maximum tire load is the maximum weight
the tires are designed to support.
For more information on tire load rating
(

page 197).
For information on calculating total and cargo
load capacities (

page 187).
G
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding
the specified load limit as indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
located on the driver’s door B
pillar.
Overloading 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
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.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
205
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the tire
meets requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible axle
weight. The gross vehicle weight on each axle
must never exceed the GAWR for the front and
rear axle indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B
pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the vehicle
including fuel, tools, installed accessories,
passengers and cargo. The GVW must never
exceed the GVWR indicated on the certifi

cation label located on the driver’s door
B
pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passengers,
fuel, and cargo. It is indicated on certification
label located on the driver’s door B
pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds
that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options weight.Maximum permissible tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by 68 kilograms
(150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed regu

lar production options weighing over 5 lbs
(2.3 kilograms) in excess of those standard
items which they replace, not previously con

sidered in curb weight or accessory weight,
including heavy duty brakes, ride levelers,
roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special
trim.

Tires and wheels
>> Operation
207
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings
are molded into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of the
maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing it
by two.
Rotating tiresThoroughly clean the mounting face of the
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side of
the wheels/tires each time the wheels/tires
are changed. Check for and ensure proper
tire inflation pressure.For information on wheel change, see "Flat
tire" (

page 265).
G
Warning!
Do not rotate front and rear wheels as
they have different dimensions, e.g. rim
size, wheel offset etc. Otherwise, the
handling can be affected and you could
endanger yourself and others.
G
Warning!
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
81 lb
ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine smart wheel bolts
specified for your vehicle’s rims.

Winter driving
>> Operation
209 Snow chains*
!
Remember that snow chains must always be
compatible with the tire sizes of a vehicle.
Snow chains that are approved by smart are
only permitted for the following tire size:
175/55 R15 on the rear axle.
For safety reasons, smart recommends that
you only use snow chains that have been
approved by smart.
Information on this is available from any smart
center.
Please refer to the separate operating
instructions for detailed information on
mounting the snow chains.
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains as soon as
possible when driving on roads without snow.Please observe the following guidelines when
using snow chains:
• Using snow chains is not permissible with all
wheel/tire combinations (

page 299).
• Use snow chains in pairs and on rear wheels
only. Follow the manufacturer's mounting
instructions.
!
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or
axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
• Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before mounting snow
chains.
G
Warning!
When mounting or removing snow chains,
always park your vehicle on level ground,
set the parking brake and turn off the en

gine. The vehicle could otherwise move
and injure yourself or other road users.G
Warning!
When mounting and removing snow
chains, ensure that you and your vehicle
are at a safe distance from moving traf

fic. Not doing so could endanger other
road users or even lead to you being
injured by the vehicles behind you.