Driving and parkingSafety notes .............................. 78
Driving safety systems .................... 46
ABS ........................................ 46
ESP ®
....................................... 47
Hydraulic brake assistant ...........48
E
Electrical system Improper work on or
modifications ........................... 15
Power outlet ............................ 115
Electronic immobilizer .................. 48
Display message ....................... 161
Electronic Power Steering
see EPS
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
Emergency, in case of
Hazard warning flasher ..........48, 68
Roadside Assistance ..................14
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) .......................................... 86
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control .......................... 152
Information label ..................... 213
System warranties ......................13
Engine
Break-in recommendations .........118
Compartment ........................... 119
Compartment cover .................... 119
Electronics ............................. 212
Malfunction indicator lamp ........173
Number .................................. 215
Starting .................................. 78
Turning off .............................. 81
Engine coolant
see Coolant
Engine oil
Adding ................................... 121
Additives ............................... 221
Checking level ......................... 120
Consumption ........................... 120
Oil dipstick ............................ 121
EPS (Electronic Power Steering)
Warning lamp .......................... 169
ESP®
(Electronic Stability Program) ... 47
Warning lamp .......................... 169
ETD (Emergency Tensioning Device) ... 33
Safety guidelines ......................35
Exterior lamp switch ...................... 64
Exterior lighting Overview ................................ 181
Exterior rear view mirrors .............. 61
Exterior view of vehicle .................. 20
F
First-aid kit ............................... 160
Flat tire ..................................... 188
Fluids Capacities ............................. 220
Engine coolant ........................ 220
Engine oil .............................. 220
Fog lamps ................................ 68, 181
Front air bags see Air bags
Front compartment ........................ 122
Front lamps Overview ................................ 181
Fuel ........................................... 148
Additives ............................... 222
Capacity, fuel tank ...................220
Fuel filler flap and cap .............118
Fuel level display .....................90
Premium unleaded
gasoline ..................... 119, 220, 221
Refueling ............................... 118
Requirements .......................... 222
Fuel cap
Indicator lamp ......................... 172
Fuel filler flap ............................. 118
Fuel level display .......................... 90
Fuel tank Capacity ................................ 220
Fuel filler flap and cap .............118
Refueling ............................... 118
Fuse chart ................................... 207
Fuses ......................................... 204
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Seat belts ..................................... 31
Children in the vehicle ..............42
Fastening ................................ 62
Proper use of ............................ 31
Safety guidelines ......................35
Safety notes .............................. 31
Telltale .................................. 167
Seating capacity ........................... 133
Seats ........................................... 58
Adjustment ............................... 59
Armrest ................................... 59
Heating ................................... 60
Passenger seat .......................... 60
Self-test
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ................................... 42
SRS ......................................... 30
Service
see Maintenance
Service, parts .............................. 212
Service and warranty Booklet .................................. 212
Service flap ................................. 122
Service interval display .................. 91
Service life (tires) ....................... 136
Side marker lamps ......................... 181
Sidewall (tires) ............................ 144
Side windows Operation ................................ 77
Signs and labels ........................... 213
smart surround sound system ............ 101
Snow chains ................................. 145
Snow tires see Winter tires
Soft top system ............................... 71
Cleaning the soft top fabric .......157
Locking rear soft top manually ....178
Mounting the side rails ..............76
Opening and closing the rear
soft top ............................... 56, 74
Opening and closing the
retractable soft top ...............56, 72
Removing the side rails ..............74
Storing the side rails ................75
Sound package .............................. 101SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System) Indicator lamp ........................ 168
Standing water, driving through ....... 151
Starter switch positions .................. 57
Starting the engine ........................ 78
Status indicator ............................ 90
Steering wheel gearshift control ...... 26
Storage compartments .................... 110
Coin holder ............................. 111
Door pockets ............................ 111
Drawer ................................... 112
Glove box ................................ 111
in the tailgate ......................... 112
Parcel nets .............................. 112
Storage tray in center console ..... 112
Storage trays next to steering
wheel ..................................... 111
Storing tires ............................... 136
Sun screen ................................... 114
Sun visors ................................... 114
T
Tailgate Closing ............................... 55, 57
Opening .............................. 54, 56
Tail lamps ................................... 182
Technical data Air conditioning refrigerant .....221
Brake fluid ............................. 221
Coolant .................................. 223
Engine oil additives ................. 221
Engine oils ............................. 220
Fuel requirements ....................222
Gasoline additives ...................222
Identification labels ................ 213
Premium unleaded gasoline ........221
Rims and tires ......................... 217
Service fluids and capacities .....218
Vehicle specification (model
BRABUS) ................................. 216
Vehicle specification (model
passion) ................................. 215
Vehicle specification (model
pure) ..................................... 215
Windshield/rear window washer
system ............................. 220, 222
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>> At a glance.Exterior view ...................................20
Cockpit ...........................................21
Instrument cluster (miles) ..................22
Instrument cluster (kilometers) ...........24
Steering wheel gearshift control ..........26
Center console ..................................27
Overhead control panel ......................28
Door control panel ............................28
BA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 19
CockpitFunctionPage0046Exterior lamp switch640047Steering wheel1008AInstrument cluster220088Steering wheel gearshift
control
84
0086Tachometer*920087Cockpit clock*92006EGlove box111AUX/USB sockets*101006FOverhead control panel280070Audio system*990071Center console switches270072Coin holder111Retractable soft top
switch 2
73
FunctionPage0073Gear selector lever820074Starter switch570075Cup holder1080076Auxiliary power outlet1150077Storage box*1120078Wiper switch70Cruise control switch*101Control lever (control
system)*
93
0079On-board Diagnostics
Socket (OBD)
213
007AHorn007BCruise control buttons*101007CDoor control panel28007DInside door handle541 Model pure only: The steering wheel in this vehicle varies from steering wheel illustrated.
2 cabriolet only.Cockpit21>> At a glance.* optionalBA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 21
Steering wheel gearshift controlFunctionPage0046Multifunction display870047Right shift paddle3
:
Upshift
85
008ALeft shift paddle 3
:
Downshift
85
i Model pure only:
The steering wheel in this vehicle varies
from steering wheel illustrated.
3 Model passion and BRABUS only.26Steering wheel gearshift control>> At a glance.
BA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 26
temporary breathing difficulty for people
with asthma or other breathing trouble. To
avoid this, you may wish to get out of the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you
have any breathing difficulty but cannot
get out of the vehicle after the air bag
inflates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or door.GWarning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front
air bags inflate, it is very important for
the driver and passenger to always be in a
properly seated position and to wear their
respective seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated
position with your back against the
backrest. Fasten your seat belt and ensure
it is properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with
considerable speed and force, a proper
seating and hands on steering wheel
position will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag.
Occupants who are unbelted, out of position
or too close to the air bag can be seriously
injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates extremely quickly and with great
force:
R Sit properly belted in a position that is
as upright as possible with your back
against the seat backrest.
R Adjust the driver’s seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls. The
distance from the center of the driver’s
breastbone to the center of the air bag
cover on the steering wheel must be at
least 10 inches (25 cm) or more. You should
be able to accomplish this by
adjustments to the seat. If you have any
problems, please contact an authorized
smart center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and
potential severity of hand/arm injury
when the driver’s front air bag inflates.
R Adjust the passenger seat as far as
possible rearward from the dashboard
when the seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their
heads in the area of the door where the
head-thorax air bag (cabriolet) or
thorax-pelvis side air bag (coupé)
inflates. This could result in serious
injuries or death should the head-thorax
air bag (cabriolet) or thorax-pelvis side
air bag (coupé) be deployed. Always sit
as upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size
and weight of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injuries to you or other
occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that
you make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual.
i Air bags are designed to deploy only in
certain frontal impacts (front air bags
and knee bags), or side impacts (head-
thorax air bags, window curtain air bags
and thorax-pelvis air bags) which
exceed preset thresholds. Only during
these events will they provide their
supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always
wear their seat belts. Otherwise it is not
possible for air bags to provide their
supplemental protection.
In case of other types of impacts and
impacts below air bag deployment
thresholds, air bags will not deploy. The
driver and passenger will then be
protected to the extent possible by a34Occupant safety>> Safety.
BA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 34
properly fastened seat belt. A properly
fastened seat belt is also needed to
provide the best possible protection in
a rollover.
We caution you not to rely on the presence
of the air bags in order to avoid wearing
your seat belt.
It is important to your safety and that of
your passenger that you replace deployed
air bags and repair any malfunctioning
air bags to make sure the vehicle will
continue to provide supplemental crash
protection for occupants.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs)
and air bag GWarning!
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been highly stressed in an accident must
be replaced and their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
installed or supplied by an authorized
smart center.
R Air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) contain Perchlorate
material, which may require special
handling and regard for the environment.
Check with your local government’s
disposal guidelines. California
residents, see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm .
R Given the considerable deployment
speed, required inflation volume, and
the textile structure of the air bags,
there is the possibility of abrasions or
other, potentially more serious injuries
resulting from air bag deployment.
R Air bags and Emergency Tensioning
Devices (ETDs) are designed to function
on a one-time-only basis. An air bag or
ETD that has deployed must be replaced.
R Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
R Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the seat
belts.
R No modifications of any kind may be made
to any components or wiring of the SRS.
This includes changing or removing any
component or part of the SRS, the
installation of additional trim
material, badges, etc. over the steering
wheel hub, passenger front air bag cover,
outboard sides of the seat backrests, and
installation of additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring. Keep area
between air bags and occupants free from
objects (e.g. packages, purses,
umbrellas, etc.).
R Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate
protection.
R Do not hang hangers on the coat hooks or
handles over the door. These items may
turn into projectiles and cause head and
other injuries when the head-thorax air
bag is deployed.
R Air bag system components will be hot
after an air bag has inflated. Do not touch
them.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R In addition, improper repair work on the
SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS
inoperative or causing unintended air
bag deployment. Work on the SRS must
therefore only be performed by qualified
technicians. Contact an authorized smart
center.
R For your protection and the protection of
others, when scrapping the air bag unit
or Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs),
our safety instructions must be followed.
These instructions are available from
any authorized smart center.Occupant safety35>> Safety.BA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 35Z
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS‑210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
R This device may not cause
interference, and
R 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.
Driving safety systems
Introduction
GWarning!
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:
R Excessive speed, especially in turns
R Wet and slippery road surfaces
R Following another vehicle too closely
The driving safety systems described in
this section cannot reduce these risks or
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather and traffic
conditions and keep a safe distance to
other road users and objects on the street.
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the hydraulic
brake assistant, and the ESP ®
is only
achieved with winter tires ( Y page 145)
or snow chains* as required.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
GWarning!
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead.
Pumping the brake pedal defeats the
purpose of the ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do not
lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The ABS indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster ( Y page 22) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in
the brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is
regulating the brake pressure.
XKeep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
A pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
XKeep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.GWarning!
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the
hydraulic brake assistant and the ESP ®
are
also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the
braking distance.
46Driving safety systems>> Safety.* optionalBA 451 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 4, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.62010-05-11T15:12:26+02:00 - Seite 46