XTurn off the engine.XEngage the parking brake.XOpen the tailgate.GWarning!
Exercise extreme caution if you see flames
or smoke coming from the engine
compartment. Move away from the vehicle
and call the fire department.
If the coolant temperature warning lamp
indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not attempt to open the engine compartment
cover. Move away from the vehicle and wait
until the engine has cooled before opening
the engine compartment.
GWarning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear
of moving parts when the engine
compartment cover is open and the engine
is running.
GWarning!
The engine is equipped with a
transistorized ignition system that
utilizes high voltage. Do not touch any
components (ignition coils, spark plug
sockets, diagnostic socket) of the ignition
system
Rwhile the engine is running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rif ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
XOpening: Grasp the strap on cargo
compartment floor \000G.
XLift cargo compartment floor \000G with the
strap.
XEngage hook \000
When checking the engine oil level
Rthe vehicle must be parked on level
ground
Rthe vehicle must have been stationary for
at least five minutes with the engine
turned off
XTurn off the engine.XEngage the parking brake.XOpen the tailgate.XOpen the engine compartment cover
(Y page 119).
The oil dipstick is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger side.
XPull out oil dipstick \000F.XWipe oil dipstick \000F clean with a clean
cloth.
XFully insert oil dipstick \000F into the
dipstick guide tube.
XPull out oil dipstick \000F again after
approximately one minute to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is
between lower mark \000
XCheck the engine oil level once more.XAdd engine oil once more if necessary.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding
to avoid environmental damage caused by
oil entering the ground and water.
! Excess engine oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to the
engine or emission control system not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
XScrew filler cap \000F back on the filler
neck.
XClose the engine compartment cover
(Y page 119).
Front compartment
Service flap
Remove the service flap to check the
coolant level, windshield washer reservoir
level, and brake fluid level.
Insert the service flap on the front of the
vehicle so that it does not get damaged or
dirty.
iThe service flap has a strap on the rear
side that ties it to the vehicle body.
GWarning!
Always turn the key to starter switch
position 0 and remove the key from the
starter switch before opening the service
flap.
If the windshield wipers should
inadvertently be switched on, you could be
seriously injured by the wiper washer
drive, which is located just below the
service flap.
GWarning!
Make sure the service flap is locked while
driving. Otherwise, the service flap could
become detached and pose a hazard to you
or others.
GWarning!
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.
! 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.
XPark the vehicle on level ground.XTurn off the engine.XEngage the parking brake.
Removing
XFold both levers \000G outward in direction
of the arrows \000
GWarning!
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when windshield washer
concentrate is being handled.
XUse a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for summer and water for
temperatures above freezing point.
XUse a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for winter and water for
temperatures below freezing point.
! Always use a windshield washer
concentrate labeled for winter where
temperatures may fall below freezing
point. Failure to do so could result in
damage to the washer system/reservoir.
XPremix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container.
Observe mixing ratios depending on the
outside temperature (Y page 222).
XUse the tab to pull cap \000F upwards.XRefill the windshield washer reservoir.XPush cap \000F onto the windshield washer
reservoir.
XRemount the service flap and close it
(Y page 122).
Brake fluid
GWarning!
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 conditions, 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 replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
The brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir may be too low if the brake
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on (Y page 22) 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 immediately. Do
not add brake fluid as this will not solve
the problem.
XRemove the service flap and insert it on
the front of the vehicle (Y page 122).
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the passenger side.
\000F Brake fluid reservoir
Checking brake fluid level
XPerform a visual check of the brake fluid
reservoir \000F.
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Check the tire inflation pressure at least
once a month. For more information on
checking tire inflation pressure, see
“Recommended tire inflation pressure”
( Y page 127).
Tire inspection
Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following
R excessive treadwear ( Y page 136)
R cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
R bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Life of tire
GWarning!
Tires should be replaced after 6 years,
regardless of the remaining tread.
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited
to
R driving style
R tire inflation pressure
R distance driven
Tread depth
GWarning!
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately 1
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not allow
your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction
varies widely.
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
/ 8 in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm), at which
point the tire is considered worn and
should be replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:
Summer tires 1
/ 8 in (3 mm)
Winter tires 1
/ 6 in (4 mm)
Treadwear indicator
0046 appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Storing tires
! Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease and fuels.
Cleaning tires
! Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result
in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
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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.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
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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
neither necessary nor recommended by
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 157).
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.
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Selecting the right cleaning agent
! 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,
glass cleaner
! To avoid damage to exterior surfaces never do the following: Use aggressive paint
cleaner, machine polish, abrasive cleanser, acidic, highly alkaline agents, abrasive
sponges, high-pressure or hot water cleaning equipment.
ExteriorSpecial
considerationsLightly soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washesHeavily soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washestridion safety cell,
blackPowder coated
single-coat paint
finishCar shampoo
concentrate, insect
remover for insect
remains, polishCar shampoo
concentrate, hard
wax, insect remover
for insect remains,
polishtridion safety cell,
silverPowder coated
single-coat paint
finish and
clearcoatHighly polished
plastic parts (body
panels)Body panels with
base coat and
clearcoat or
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