Tire ply material
iFor 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 0046 and under the tread 0047.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic 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 percentage.
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 equipment, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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 (Gross Vehicle Weight)
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 certification label located on the
driver’s door B‑pillar.
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Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric
in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road via
the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear
bars” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) of tread remains.
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 U.S. 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.
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized smart
center. This service includes:
R Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
R Addition of washer concentrate to the
water of the windshield/rear window.
Use a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for winter which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
( Y page 208).
R Battery test. Battery capacity drops with
decreasing ambient temperature. A well
charged battery helps to make sure the
engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
R Tire change.
Winter tires
GWarning!
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than
1 / 6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45 ¦ (7¥ ) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake marking 004D on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow
traction performance requirements of the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
and have been designed specifically for
use in snow conditions. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
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efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
GWarning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.
GWarning!
The outside temperature display is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that
purpose. Indicated temperatures just
above the freezing point do not guarantee
that the road surface is free of ice.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
( Y page 132).
Standing water
! Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth. Before driving
through water, determine its depth.
Never accelerate before driving into
water. The bow wave could force water
into the engine and auxiliary
equipment, thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water,
drive slowly to prevent water from entering
the passenger compartment, the front
compartment, or the engine compartment.
Water in these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result in
water being ingested by the engine through
the air intake, causing severe internal
engine damage.
Any such damage is not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
Passenger compartment
GWarning!
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items thrown
around inside the vehicle may injure
vehicle occupants.
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects.
Control and operation of radio
transmitters
Radio and telephone
GWarning!
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle
safely. Only operate the radio or telephone
16 if road, weather and traffic conditions
permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Telephones and two-way radios
GWarning!
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e.
without being connected to an external
antenna) from inside the vehicle while the
engine is running. Doing so could lead to a
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malfunction of the vehicle’s electronic
system, possibly resulting in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a mobile phone
or a citizens band unit should only be used
inside the vehicle if they are connected to
an antenna that is installed on the outside
of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.
Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible legal limits.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications.
Any adjustments to the engine should
therefore be carried out only by qualified
smart center authorized technicians.
Engine adjustments should not be altered
in any way. Moreover, the specified service
jobs must be carried out regularly
according to smart servicing
requirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while
driving, have the cause determined and
corrected immediately. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive only with at
least one window fully open at all times.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise.
! Excessive coolant temperature causes
the red coolant temperature warning
lamp 00AE in the instrument cluster
comes on.
The engine should not be operated with
the red coolant temperature warning
lamp illuminated. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
For more information on coolant
temperature warning lamp ( Y page 156).GWarning!
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by
opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from
it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away
from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get
out of the vehicle and do not stand near the
vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive smart service
network at your disposal. If you plan to
drive into areas which are not listed in the
index of your smart center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized smart center.
Symmetrical low beams
i If you drive in countries where
vehicles drive on the other side of the
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road than the country in which the
vehicle is registered, you must have the
headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be
obtained at any authorized smart center.
Vehicle care
Care tips
Regular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.
smart recommends that you care for the
paintwork at least twice a year (e.g. in the
spring and autumn).
GWarning!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning
the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
! Follow the care tips. Wash your vehicle
preferably by hand.
While in operation or even while parked,
your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences, which left unchecked
can attack the paint as well as the vehicle
underbody and lead to permanent damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also
by:
R Air pollution
R Road salt
RTar
R Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R Insects
R Bird droppings
R Tree sap, etc.
R Grease and oil
R Brake fluid
R Coolant
R Fuel
R Tar spots
! Failure to remove such dirt
immediately can cause damage to the
paint or the soft top fabric*.
Environmental influences are not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
Frequent washing reduces and/or
eliminates the aggressiveness and potency
of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough
inspection. Damaged areas need to be re-
undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
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smart because of the possibility of
incompatibility between materials used in
the production process and others applied
later.
We have selected vehicle-care products
and compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain smart approved vehicle-
care products at an authorized smart
center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion
or damage due to negligent or incorrect
care cannot always be removed or repaired
with the vehicle-care products
recommended here. In such cases it is best
to seek aid at an authorized smart center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important“how-to” information as well as references
to smart approved vehicle-care products.
Vehicle care
Contact an authorized smart center for
recommended and approved care products.
i Advice on caring for the soft top
system, see ( Y page 145).
GWarning!
After washing the vehicle, the brakes may
still be wet and thus their functionality
impaired. Therefore, when you start off,
brake lightly several times without
endangering traffic.
! To avoid damage to interior equipment and materials: Never rub roughly or use
cleaning spirits on the cloth upholstery, never use strong agents, stain remover etc.
on the leather upholstery. Never scour ore use solvent on plastic parts. Never use strong
and aggressive agents on windows, do not touch the inside of the windows with hard
objects such as an ice scraper or ring, doing so may damage the windows.InteriorSpecial
considerationsLight soilingHeavy soilingCloth upholsteryUse a clean, lint-
free clothLight soap sudsStain remover (test
on an inconspicuous
place first)Plastic partsUse a color-fast
clothDamp, clean cloth,
cockpit sprayDamp, clean cloth,
cockpit sprayLeather upholsteryUse a clean, color-
fast clothClean cloth with
lukewarm water,
leather care
productLeather care
productWindowsDamp, clean cloth,
microfiber cloth,
glass cleanerMicrofiber cloth,
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! 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.XRemoving: Unscrew antenna 0046
counterclockwise.XFitting: Screw antenna 0046 in clockwise.
Power washer
!
Never use a round nozzle to powerwash
tires. The intense jet of water can result
in damage to the tires.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Do not aim directly at electrical parts,
electrical connectors, seals, or other
rubber parts. The distance should be at
least 3.9 in (10 cm) and the water
temperature must not exceed 140 ¦
(60 ¥). Follow the instructions provided
by the power washer manufacturer on
maintaining a distance between the
vehicle and the nozzle of the power
washer.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface.
Wheel cover*XWash the wheel cover with shampoo and a
soft brush or in the car wash.
Decorative foils
! Decorative foils are permanently
adhered to the painted parts of the
vehicle and cannot be removed.
! Do not expose the foils to solvents,
gasoline or diesel.
i When cleaning with a power washer, note
the following guideline values:
R Water temperature max. 176 ¦ (80 ¥)
R Minimum distance 11.8 in (30 cm)
R Jet of water strike at a right angle
Paintwork care
The frequency with which you care for your
paintwork is dependent on
R how much the vehicle is used
R where you normally park the vehicle (e.g.
in a garage or under a tree)
R the season
R weather and environmental influences
Rectifying paintwork damage
You can use a touch-up paint pen to repair
minimal stone chip damage and scratches.
Recommended touch-up paint pens can be
obtained in a smart center.
i For any major paintwork damage, please
contact a smart center.
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XUse a suitable tool to loosen the
corresponding license plate lamp unit at
jacking point 0046.XCarefully unclip the license plate lamp
unit.XDetach electrical connectors 0047.XRemove bulb 008A.XInsert the new bulb.XAttach electrical connectors 0047.XFit the license plate lamp unit on the
right and press gently on the left.
The license plate lamp unit must audibly
engage.
Replacing the interior lighting
You need a 12 V 10 W bulb.
XRemoving: Use a flat object to pry the
lamp lens off from the passenger side.XDetach electrical connector 0046 from the
interior lamp.XRemove bulb 0047 from its mount 008A.XInstalling: Insert the new bulb.XAttach electrical connector 0046 to the
interior lamp.XFit the lamp lens on the left in the
opening and press gently on the right.
The lamp lens must audibly engage.
Replacing wiper blades
About replacing wiper blades
GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers
and remove the key from the starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. The
windshield wipers could otherwise be set
in motion and cause injury.
GWarning!
Wiper blades are components that are
subject to wear and tear. Replace the wiper
blades at least twice a year, preferably in
the spring and fall. Otherwise the windows
will not be properly wiped. As a result, you
may not be able to observe surrounding
traffic conditions and could cause an
accident.
! Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force of
the impact from the windshield wiper
tensioning spring could crack the
windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade
inserted.
We recommend that you have this work
carried out at an authorized smart
center.
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