GWarning!
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries.
Never lean over batteries while
connecting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does,
immediately flush affected area with water
and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
GWarning!
Do not place any metal objects on a battery.
You could otherwise cause a short circuit
and the battery’s highly flammable
chemicals could ignite.
Never allow any metal object to contact both
battery terminals or the positive terminal
and the vehicle body at the same time. This
might short circuit the battery and ignite
the highly flammable and explosive
hydrogen gas generated by the battery,
causing serious personal injury.
GWarning!
Keep flames or sparks away from battery,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
R When disconnecting the battery, always
disconnect the negative terminal first,
followed by positive terminal.
R When connecting the battery, always
connect the positive terminal first,
followed by the negative terminal.
R Do not loosen or disconnect the battery
terminal clips while the engine is
running or the key is in the starter
switch.
! Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
key is in the starter switch. Otherwise
the alternator 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 center for further
information.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
Disconnecting, removing, charging,
reinstalling and reconnecting the
battery
Disconnecting the battery
i If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the key will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will
remain in park position P
For more information see “Jump
starting” ( Y page 183).
XEngage the parking brake.XMove the gear selector lever to park
position P.XTurn off all electrical accessories.XTurn off the engine.XOpen the passenger door.XMove the passenger seat to the rear as far
as possible.XUnscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger footwell ( Y page 148).XLift the carpet.Battery181>> Practical hints.451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 181Z
start power by an external battery or
starter pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter
are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
Such damage will not be covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
R 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.
R Should the battery be drained
completely, let the donating power
source charge the vehicle for several
minutes before reattempting the
starting process.GWarning!
Keep flames or sparks away from battery. Do
not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries.
Jump start assistance
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
passenger footwell below the footrest
( Y page 182).
For jump starting, use the terminals of the
battery, keeping the leads connected.
XMake sure the two vehicles do not touch.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XEngage the parking brake.XMove the gear selector lever to park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XGet access to the battery in the passenger
footwell ( Y page 181).XRemove the positive terminal cover.184Jump starting>> Practical hints.
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Position 0086 represents the charged battery
of another vehicle or an equivalent starter
pack.
! Never invert the terminal connections!XConnect positive terminal 0046 of charged
battery 0086 with positive terminal 0047 of
discharged battery 0087 with a jumper
cable. Clamp the jumper cable to
positive terminal 0046 of charged battery
0086 first.XStart the engine of the vehicle with
charged battery 0086 and run at idle speed.XConnect negative terminal 008A of charged
battery 0086 with negative terminal 0088 of
discharged battery 0087 with a jumper
cable. Clamp the jumper cable to
negative terminal 008A of charged battery
0086 first.XStart the engine of the vehicle with
discharged battery 0087 and run at idle
speed. You can now switch on the
electrical consumers. Do not switch on
the headlamps under any circumstances.XRemove the jumper cables from negative
terminals 008A and 0088 first.XRemove the jumper cables from positive
terminals 0046 and 0047.
You can now switch on the headlamps.XRemount the positive terminal cover.XHave the battery checked at the nearest
authorized smart center.
Towing
About towing
This section offers information on towing
methods for breakdown situations,
emergency towing, and flat towing smart
vehicles.
Recommended towing method -
Breakdown situation
smart recommends that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using a flatbed carrier truck or
appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.XSwitch off the tow‑away protection* and
interior motion sensor* ( Y page 48).
!
To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down the vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts — use only wheel straps
to position and hold down the vehicle.
Improper tie down on a flatbed carrier
truck or trailer can damage suspension
parts and body panels.
Emergency towing
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing method, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
using a strap or tow bar connected to
another vehicle. Only tow the vehicle as far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing method can be employed.
GWarning!
If circumstances require towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
always tow with a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake
system
R there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
A tow bar is necessary to adequately control
the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, make sure the gear selector
lever is in neutral position N and the
ignition is switched off.
Towing185>> Practical hints.* optional451_AKB; 3; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-27T09:36:34+02:00 - Seite 185Z