2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE warning

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions÷
The ESP ®
warning lamp
flashes while
driving. The ESP
®
has engaged because of detected traction loss in at
least one tire.
X When driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.
X While driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.
X Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and
weather conditions. ÷
The ESP ®
warning lamp
illuminates
continuously
while the
engine is
running. The ESP
®
is not operational due to a system failure.
X Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. The ESP
®
is not available.
X Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. G
WARNING
When the ESP ®
warning lamp is illuminated continuously, the ESP ®
is not available or not
operational due to a system failure.
Adapt
your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions and the non-operating status
of the ESP ®
.
i It may be possible to clear a system failure by restarting the engine.
X Restart the engine.
If

the warning lamp still does not go out, have the system checked at an authorized smart
center immediately.
i More information on the ESP ®
can be found in the “Safety” section (Y page 47). Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsD
The yellow EPS*
warning lamp
illuminates
while the
engine is
running. The Electronic Power Steering (EPS)* is not available.
X
Have the EPS* checked at an authorized smart center
immediately. G
WARNING
When the EPS* is not available a higher degree of effort is necessary to steer the vehicle.
Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. What to do if ...
167
>> Practical hints.
* optional Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsK
The high‑beam
headlamp
indicator lamp
does not
illuminate
when the
high‑beam
headlamps are
switched on or
when using the
high‑beam
flasher. The high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp has failed.
X
Have the high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp checked at an
authorized smart center. M
The low‑beam
headlamp
indicator lamp
does not
illuminate
when the
low‑beam
headlamps are
switched on. The low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp has failed.
X
Have the low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp checked at an
authorized smart center. # !
The turn signal
indicator lamp(s)
do(es) not illuminate
when the ignition is
switched on and the
corresponding turn
signal is switched on
or the hazard warning
flasher is switched
on. The turn signal indicator lamp(s) has (have) failed.
X
Have the turn signal indicator lamp(s) checked at an
authorized smart center. What to do if ...
169>> Practical hints. Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions# !
The turn signal
indicator lamp(s)
flashes at double
frequency. One of the turn signals is malfunctioning.
X
Replace the bulb as soon as possible ( Y page 179).
or
X Have the turn signal checked at an authorized smart center
as soon as possible. ®
The fuel cap
indicator lamp
comes on when
the engine is
running. The fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaky.
X
Check the fuel cap ( Y page 116).
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked at an
authorized smart center. Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions?
The red coolant
temperature
warning lamp
illuminates
while the
engine is
running. The coolant is too hot.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.
X Do not continue to drive.
X Turn off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.
X Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized smart center. The coolant level has fallen below the marking bar on the
coolant reservoir (Y page 122).
X
Add coolant as required.
X Have the coolant system checked for leaks at an authorized
smart center. G
WARNING
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.
! Among other possible causes, the poly-V-belt could be broken. Do not continue to
drive.
Otherwise, the engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump which may
result in damage to the engine. 170
What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)*
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsh
The yellow
combination
low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction
telltale
illuminates
continuously. The TPMS detects a loss of pressure in at least one tire.
X
Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
X Check and correct tire inflation pressure as required
(Y page 126).
If the tire inflation pressure in the respective tire(s) has
(have) been corrected, the combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale goes out after a few minutes of driving.
See also “Restarting the TPMS” (Y page 129). h
The
combination
low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction
telltale flashes
60 seconds and
then stays
illuminated. There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
X
Have the TPMS checked at an authorized smart center.
After the malfunction has been remedied the combination low
tire pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale goes out after a few
minutes of driving. 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.
As

an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the 172
What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.
* optional

low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately 1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly. Warning and indicator lamps in the overhead control panel
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions4 0
The passenger front
air bag off indicator
lamp illuminates and
remains illuminated
with the weight of a
typical adult or
someone larger than a
small individual on
the passenger seat. There is a malfunction in the system.
X
Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. 4 0
The passenger front
air bag off indicator
lamp does not
illuminate

or remains
out with the weight of
a typical
12‑month‑old child in
a standard child
restraint or less on
the passenger seat There is a malfunction in the system.
X
Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. G
WARNING
If the 4 0
indicator lamp illuminates and remains illuminated with the weight
of a typical adult or someone larger than a small individual on the passenger seat, do not
have any passenger use the passenger seat until the system has been repaired. What to do if ...
173
>> Practical hints. Z

G
WARNING
If the 4 0 indicator lamp does not illuminate or remains out with the weight of
a typical 12‑month‑old child in a standard child restraint or less on the passenger seat, do
not transport a child on the passenger seat until the system has been repaired. Engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine does not
start.
X
Check if
R
the gear selector lever is in park position P
R the brake pedal has been depressed
R the transmission position indicator is on P or NThe engine does not
start within
4 seconds.
X
Wait for a few seconds.
X Repeat the starting procedure.
Remember that extended starting attempts can drain the
vehicle battery. The engine does not
start after several
starting attempts.
X
Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.
X Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized smart center. Loss of key
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsYou lose a key. X
Have the key deactivated at an authorized smart center.
X Report the loss of the key to your car insurance company
immediately.
X If necessary, have the mechanical lock replaced.
Your authorized smart center will be glad to supply you with a
replacement following an identity check. 174
What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.

Acoustic warning signals
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsOnce the anti-theft
warning system* has
been armed, a visual
and audible alarm is
triggered. The alarm is triggered when
R
someone opens a door or the tailgate
R the driver’s door is unlocked with the key (Y page 176)
R the vehicle’s interior is entered
R there is motion inside the vehicle
R the vehicle is raised
To cancel the alarm:
X Insert the key in the starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1.
or
X Press button # or * on the key.A warning signal
sounds. The door is opened while a gear is engaged with the engine
running and neither the brake nor accelerator pedals are
depressed.
X
Close the driver’s and passenger door.
X Move the gear selector lever to park position P.
or
X Turn off the engine. You open the driver’s door with the key in starter switch
position 0 to remind you not to leave the key in the vehicle.
X
Close the driver’s door.
or
X Remove the key from the starter switch. A warning signal
sounds. The seat belts are not fastened when the engine is started. For
details, see seat belt telltale (
Y page 165).
X Fasten your seat belts. What to do if ...
175>> Practical hints.
* optional Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsA warning signal
sounds when parking. You have not engaged the parking brake before releasing the
brake pedal, turning off the engine, and switching off the
ignition.
X
Switch on the ignition to deactivate the acoustic warning.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the gear selector lever is in park position P.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 0.
X Remove the key from the starter switch.
For safety, it is important that you perform the parking
procedure as described (Y page 80). You can hear a
continuous
noise from
the front axle when
braking. The vehicle is equipped with a mechanical/acoustic brake pad
indicator.
X
Have the brake pads checked at an authorized smart center. Unlocking/locking manually
Unlocking the vehicle
You can unlock the driver’s door and the
fuel filler flap by unlocking the driver’s
door using the key. The lock cylinder is
fitted with a cap.
X Press button # on the key.
The anti-theft warning system* is
disarmed.
i If the transmitter battery in the key is
discharged, the anti-theft warning
system* can no longer be disarmed with
button # on the key.
For replacing the transmitter battery
(Y page 177).
Unlocking the vehicle with the key and
opening a door or the tailgate will
trigger the anti-theft warning system*
(Y page 48).
To cancel the alarm:
X Insert the key in the starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1. X
Remove cap : from lock cylinder ;.
X Unlock the driver’s door.
The

driver’s door and the fuel filler flap
are unlocked.
i To unlock the vehicle centrally press
the

central unlocking switch in the upper
center console ( Y page 27). Locking the vehicle
If
you can no longer lock the vehicle using
the remote control and you do not have a
spare transmitter battery at hand, please
proceed as follows: 176
Unlocking/locking manually
>> Practical hints.
* optional