2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE warning

Coolant
G
WARNING
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:
R Use extreme caution when opening the
service flap if there are any signs of
steam or coolant leaking from the
cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature warning lamp ? in the
instrument cluster indicates that the
coolant is overheated.
R Do
not remove the pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158¦ (70¥). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.
R Using a rag, slowly turn the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately,
scalding hot fluid and steam will be
blown out under pressure.
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check the
coolant level the vehicle must be parked on
level ground and the engine must have
cooled down. For more information, see
“Coolants” (Y page 223).
Checking coolant level X
Remove the service flap and insert it on
the front of the vehicle ( Y page 120). The coolant reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the driver’s side.
X
Allow the radiator to cool down for at
least 30 minutes.
X Using a rag, slowly turn pressure
cap : approximately 1
/ 2 turn
counterclockwise to release any excess
pressure.
X Continue turning pressure cap :
counterclockwise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
R
for cold coolant: reaches marking
bar ; visible through the filling
opening
R for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
X If necessary, add coolant.
Adding coolant X
Add coolant as required. The coolant
level

may not exceed the maximum filling
level.
X Replace and tighten pressure cap :.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 120). Windshield/rear window washer system
Both the windshield and the rear window 14
washer are supplied from the windshield
washer reservoir.
The

recommended minimum filling level is
1.06 US qt (1.0 l).
X Remove the service flap and insert it on
the front of the vehicle ( Y page 120).
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the front compartment on the driver’s
side.
14 Coupé only.122
Front compartment
>> Operation.

G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, naked flames and smoking
are prohibited when windshield washer
concentrate is being handled.
X Use a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for summer and water for
temperatures above freezing point.
X Use 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.
X Premix the windshield washer fluid in a
suitable container.
Observe mixing ratios depending on the
outside temperature

(Y page 222).
X Use the tab to pull cap : upwards.
X Refill the windshield washer reservoir.
X Push cap : onto the windshield washer
reservoir.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 120). Brake fluid
G
WARNING
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.
X Remove the service flap and insert it on
the front of the vehicle ( Y page 120).
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the passenger side. Checking brake fluid level
X
Perform a visual check of the brake fluid
reservoir :. Front compartment
123
>> Operation. Z

The brake fluid level is correct when it
is between the minimum mark and the
maximum mark.
R
If the brake fluid level has fallen
slightly below the minimum mark,
drive to an authorized smart center.
R If the brake fluid level has fallen
significantly below the minimum
mark, call Roadside Assistance or an
authorized smart center.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 120). Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized smart center for
information on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice
concerning tire service and purchase. G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part. For further
information contact an authorized smart
center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires
are mounted, the wheel brakes or
suspension components can be damaged.
Also, the operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct. G
WARNING
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage,
replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
smart wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly
an accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by smart, since previous damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
G
WARNING
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has
occurred, you should turn on the hazard
warning flashers, carefully slow down, and
drive

with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest authorized smart center or tire
dealer for repairs. G
WARNING
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire
affects the ability to steer or brake the
vehicle. You could lose control of the
vehicle.

Continued driving with a flat tire
or driving at high speed with a flat tire
will cause excessive heat build-up and
possibly a fire.
Modifications to the brake system and
wheels and the use of brake dust rings are
not permissible. Important guidelines
R Only

use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
R Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
R Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
R Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause
tire pressure loss and damage to the tire
beads.124
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

R
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
R 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). Recommended tire inflation pressure
G
WARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from
being overheated.
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 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. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing
a blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Your vehicle is equipped with the Tire and
Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B‑pillar ( Y page 130).
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly. Only adjust the tire
inflation pressure on cold tires. The tires
can be considered cold if the vehicle has
been parked for at least 3 hours or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km). Depending on the
ambient temperature, the driving speed
and the tire load, the tire temperature
changes. When the tire temperature changes by 18¦ (10¥), the tire inflation
pressure will change by approximately
10 kpa (0.1 bar, 1.5 psi). Keep this in mind
when checking tire inflation pressure on
warm tires and adjust the tire pressure
only if the tire inflation pressure is too
low for the current operating conditions.
If you check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are warm, the reading will
be higher than the cold reading. This is
normal. Do not let air out to match the
specified cold tire inflation pressure.
Otherwise, the tire will be underinflated.
Follow recommended cold tire inflation
pressures listed on Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B‑pillar.
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
In addition to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B‑pillar, also consult the tire inflation
pressure

label (if available) on the inside
of the filler flap for any additional
information pertaining to special driving
situations. For more information, see
“Important notes on tire inflation
pressure” ( Y page 126).
i Data shown on Tire and Loading
Information placard example are for
illustration purposes only. Tire data are
specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in the following
illustration. Refer to Tire and Loading
Information placard on vehicle for
actual data specific to your vehicle. Tires and wheels
125
>> Operation. Z

The Tire and Loading Information placard
lists the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures
: for maximum loaded vehicle
weight.
The tire inflation pressures listed
apply to the tires installed as original
equipment.
Important notes on tire inflation
pressure G
WARNING
If the tire inflation pressure drops
repeatedly, check the tires for punctures
from

foreign objects and/or whether air is
leaking from the valves or from around the
rim.
Tire temperature and tire inflation
pressure are also increased while driving,
depending on the driving speed and the
tire load.
Potential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated tires Underinflated tires
G
WARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from
being overheated. Underinflated tires can
R
cause excessive and uneven tire wear
R adversely affect fuel economy
R lead to tire failure from being
overheated
R adversely affect handling
characteristics
Overinflated tires 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.
Overinflated tires can
R adversely affect handling
characteristics
R cause uneven tire wear
R be more prone to damage from road
hazards
R adversely affect ride comfort
R increase stopping distance Checking tire inflation pressure
Safety notes G
WARNING
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from
being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated
tires can adversely affect handling and
ride comfort, wear unevenly, increase 126
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

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 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. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing
a blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least
once a month.
Check and adjust the tire inflation
pressure when the tires are cold
(Y page 125).
Checking tire inflation pressure
manually Follow the steps below to achieve correct
tire inflation pressure:
X
Remove the cap from the valve on one tire.
X Firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve.
X Read the tire inflation pressure on tire
gauge and check against the
recommended tire inflation pressure on
the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B‑pillar
(Y page 130). If necessary, add air to
achieve the recommended tire inflation
pressure.
X If you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal

stem of the valve with e.g. a tip of
a pen. Then recheck the tire inflation
pressure with the tire gauge.
X Install the valve cap.
X Repeat this procedure for each tire.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)* Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tire
Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS). It monitors the tire inflation pressure in
all

four tires. A warning is issued to alert
you to a decrease in pressure in one or more
of the tires.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is equipped with a combination low
tire pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale in
the instrument cluster. Depending on how
the telltale illuminates, it indicates a low
tire pressure condition or a malfunction in
the TPMS system itself:
R If the telltale illuminates continuously,
one or more of your tires is significantly
underinflated. There is no malfunction
in the TPMS.
R If the telltale flashes for 60 seconds and
then stays illuminated, the TPMS system
itself is not operating properly.
The TPMS only functions on wheels that are
equipped with the proper electronic
sensors. G
WARNING
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures.
Always adjust tire inflation pressure
according to the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door
B‑pillar.
The

TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g.
tire blowout caused by a foreign object). In
this case bring the vehicle to a halt by
carefully applying the brakes and avoiding
abrupt steering maneuvers. G
WARNING
Each tire should be checked monthly when
cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information
placard. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on
the Tire and Loading Information placard,
you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires. Tires and wheels
127
>> Operation.
* optional Z

Restarting the TPMS
G
WARNING
It is the driver’s responsibility to
calibrate the TPMS on the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Underinflated
tires affect the ability to steer or brake
and might cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
When you restart the TPMS, the system sets
new reference values for each tire.
The TPMS must be restarted when you have
adjusted the tire inflation pressure to a
new
level (e.g. because of different load or
driving conditions). The TPMS is then
recalibrated to the current tire inflation
pressures.
X Using the Tire and Loading Information
placard on the driver’s door B‑pillar
(Y page 130), make sure the tire
inflation pressure of all four tires is
correct.
i Restart the TPMS after adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the inflation
pressure recommended for the vehicle
operating condition. Tire pressure
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Observe the recommended tire inflation
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information

placard on the driver’s door
B‑pillar (Y page 130). X
Press Restarting TPMS button :.
The
combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale in the instrument
cluster (Y page 22) flashes for approximately 5 seconds and then goes
out.
After driving a few minutes the system
verifies that the current tire inflation
pressures are within the system’s
specified range. Afterwards the current
tire inflation pressures are accepted as
reference pressures and then monitored. Maximum tire inflation pressure
G
WARNING
Never exceed the max. tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire
inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to fail from
being overheated.
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. i
For illustration purposes only. Actual
data

on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
This is the maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure : for the tire. Tires and wheels
129
>> Operation. Z

Always follow the recommended tire
inflation pressure (
Y page 125) for proper
tire inflation. Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.
1) The Tire and Loading Information placard can be found on the driver’s
door B‑pillar. This placard tells you
important information about the
number of people that can be in the
vehicle
and the total weight that can be
carried in the vehicle. It also contains
information on the proper size and
recommended tire inflation pressures
for the original equipment tires on
your vehicle.
2) The certification label, also found on the driver’s door B‑pillar, tells you
about

the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel and cargo. The
certification label also tells you about
the front and rear axle weight capacity,
called the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GAWR is the total allowable
weight that can be carried by a single
axle (front or rear). Never exceed the
GVWR or GAWR for either the front axle
or rear axle. :
Driver’s door B‑pillar Following is a discussion on how to work
with

the information contained on the Tire
and Loading Information placard with
regards to loading your vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information G
WARNING
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. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing
a blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Tire and Loading Information placard
i Data shown on Tire and Loading
Information placard example are for
illustration purposes only. Load limit
data are specific to each vehicle and may
vary from data shown in the following
illustration. Refer to Tire and Loading
Information placard on vehicle for
actual data specific to your vehicle. The Tire and Loading Information placard
showing load limit information
: is
located on the driver’s door B‑pillar
(Y page 130).
X Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never

exceed XXXX kg or XXXX lbs.” on the
Tire and Loading Information placard. 130
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.