2008 SMART FORTWO COUPE brake

Replacing bulbs
>> Practical hints.
259
Left bulb carrier illustrated as example1
Retaining tab
2
Electrical connector
>Press retaining tab
1 in the center of the
bulb carrier upwards.
>Pull the bulb carrier out of the tail lamp
housing.Left bulb carrier with bulb sockets (right bulb
carrier in reverse)
1
Retaining tab
3
Brake, tail, turn signal, and sidemarker
lamp bulb
4
Back
up lamp bulb
>Depending on which bulb needs to be
replaced, press gently onto bulb
3
or
4
and turn it counterclockwise.
>Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.>Installing: Insert the new bulb into the bulb
socket.
>Press gently onto the bulb and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
>Insert the bulb carrier into the tail lamp
housing.
>Press gently onto the bulb carrier.
Let retaining tab
1 engage.
>Fold the damping material backward, if
necessary.
>Reinstall the side cover in the cargo com

partment.
P82.10
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31

Replacing bulbs
260
>> Practical hints. High mounted brake lamp
1
Retaining screws
2
High mounted brake lamp
3
Bulb socket
>Removing: Unscrew retaining screws
1.
>Remove high mounted brake lamp
2.
>Detach the electrical connector from bulb
socket
3.
>Turn the bulb counterclockwise and pull it
out of its socket.
>Installing: Install in the reverse order.License plate lamps
1
License plate lamp unit jacking point>Use a suitable tool to loosen the corre

sponding license plate lamp unit at jacking
point
1.
>Carefully unclip the license plate lamp unit.
2
Electrical connectors
3
Bulb
>Detach electrical connectors
2.
>Remove bulb
3.
>Insert the new bulb.
>Attach electrical connectors
2.
>Fit the license plate lamp unit on the right
and press gently on the left.
The license plate lamp unit must audibly
engage. P82.10
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31
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.
P82.10
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31

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).

Battery
>> Practical hints.
273
!
Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the key
is in the starter switch. Otherwise the alter

nator and other electronic components could
be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized smart center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized smart cen

ter for further information.
!
Never invert the terminal connections!
Disconnecting, removing, charg

ing, reinstalling and reconnecting
the batteryDisconnecting the battery
>Set the parking brake.
>Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
>Turn off all electrical accessories.
>Turn off the engine.
>Open the passenger door.
>Move the passenger seat to the rear as far
as possible.>Unscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger’s footwell (

page 234).
>Lift the carpet.
1
Footrest
2
Fastening screw
>Unscrew fastening screw
2 counterclock

wise.
>Pull footrest
1 sideways out of the vehicle.
>Read and observe safety instructions and
precautions (
page 271).
G
Warning!
With a disconnected battery
• you will no longer be able to turn the
key in the starter switch.
• the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.P54.10
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31

Jump starting>> Practical hints.
277 Jump start assistance
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
passenger’s footwell below the footrest
(
page 273).
For jump starting, use the terminals of the
battery, keeping the leads connected.
>Make sure the two vehicles do not touch.
>Set the parking brake.
>Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
>Turn off all electrical accessories.
>Turn off the engine.>Get access to the battery in the passen

ger’s footwell (

page 273).
>Remove the positive terminal cover.
1
Positive terminal of discharged battery
2
Negative terminal of charged battery
3
Positive terminal of charged battery
4
Negative terminal of discharged battery
!
Never invert the terminal connections!>Connect positive terminals
1
and
3 with
the jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to positive terminal3 of
the charged battery first.
>Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
>Connect negative terminals
2 and
4 with
the jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to negative terminal2 of
the charged battery first.
>Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical accesso

ries. Do not switch on the headlamps under
any circumstances.
>Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals
2 and
4 and then from
positive terminals
1 and
3.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
>Have the battery checked at the nearest
authorized smart center.
G
Warning!
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries (

page 271).P54.10
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31

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.