2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE service interval

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

Catalytic converter
Your smart is equipped with monolithic-
type catalytic converter, an important
element in conjunction with the oxygen
sensors to achieve substantial control of
the pollutants in the exhaust emissions.
Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended
maintenance instructions as outlined in
your Maintenance Booklet. G
WARNING
The catalytic converter can become very
hot. Coming into contact with the catalytic
converter could result in burns.
Note the following:
R Do not remove the protective heat guards.
R Do not apply any underseal.
R As with any vehicle, do not idle, park, or
operate this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass,
hay, or leaves can come into contact with
the hot exhaust system, as these
materials could be ignited and cause a
vehicle fire.
! To prevent damage to the catalytic
converter, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may
reach the catalytic converter, causing it
to overheat and potentially start a fire.
It is essential to observe the following
points, as there is otherwise a danger of
overheating and the catalytic converter
may be damaged.
R Fill up only with premium unleaded
gasoline. Even small quantities of
leaded gasoline can damage the catalytic
converter.
R Make sure you adhere to the prescribed
service intervals.
R Never run the fuel tank empty. R
If
the engine starts to misfire, bring the
vehicle to an immediate standstill
without endangering traffic.
R If the engine fails to start the first time,
you should not try to start it any more
than three times in succession.
R Do not try to start for more than four
seconds at a time. Tires
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 smart center or tire dealer for
repairs.
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.
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread. G
WARNING
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. 146
Driving instructions
>> Operation.

to come off. This could cause an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
G
WARNING
Only use genuine smart wheel bolts. Other
wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the
vehicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle
could fall off the jack.
X Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel
hub.
! To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while
installing first wheel bolt. X
Guide the wheel onto the wheel hub and
push it on.
X Insert two wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
X Vehicles with wheel trim cap on steel
rim: Attach the wheel trim cap so that it
is held by the two wheel bolts.
X Install last wheel bolt and tighten it
slightly.
X Lower the vehicle until the vehicle is
resting fully on its own weight.
X Remove the jack.
X Tighten the wheel bolts. Observe a
tightening torque of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm)

.G
WARNING
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come loose if they are not tightened to a torque
of 80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Steel rim with wheel cover
X
Vehicles with wheel cover on steel rim:
Position wheel cover aperture : so
valve ; fits through.
X Push the wheel cover evenly onto the
wheel rim with both hands.
X Check that the wheel cover is fixed
securely to the wheel rim.
i The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*

only functions on wheels that are
equipped with the proper electronic
sensors (Y page 127). Battery
About the battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the
passenger footwell below the footrest
(Y page 198).
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated
service

life. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for short-
distance trips, you will need to have the
battery charge checked more frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by smart.
Battery: 12 V and 42 Ah
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an 196
Battery
>> Practical hints.
* optional

Capacities
Components Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants,
etc.
Engine with oil
filter All models 3.5 US qt (3.3 l) Approved engine oils
Cooling system All models approx. 4.5 US qt (4.3 l) Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
meeting specification
MB 325.0
Fuel tank All models 8.72 US gal (33.0 l) Premium unleaded gasoline
(Minimum Posted Octane 91
[Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON])
Fuel tank
reserve All models approx. 1.32 US gal (5.0 l)
Air
conditioning
system* All models — R134a refrigerant and
special PAG lubricant oil
(never R 12)
Windshield
washer system All models 4.0 US qt (3.8 l) Windshield washer
concentrate
27
(Y page 222)
Washer fluid mixing ratio
(Y page 222) Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for
their suitability in our engines and
durability for our service intervals.
Therefore, only use engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with the
Maintenance System. For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters
contact an authorized smart center.
! Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification
other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System will result in
engine or emission control system
damage not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty. Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine or emission control system
damage
not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
Viscosity grades for engine oils Using the chart below, select oil viscosity
according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
27 Use a windshield washer concentrate labeled for summer and water for temperatures above freezing
point

or a windshield washer concentrate labeled for winter and water for temperatures below freezing
point. 220
Service fluids and capacities
>> Technical data.
* optional

Engine oil additives
! Do not blend oil additives with engine
oil. They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered
by the smart Limited Warranty. Any
authorized
smart center will provide you
with additional information. Air conditioning refrigerant
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and special
PAG lubricating oil are used in the air
conditioning system.
! Never use R 12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating

oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur. 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.
Only brake fluid approved by smart is
recommended.

Any authorized smart center
will provide you with additional
information. Premium unleaded gasoline
G
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and
poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause
serious personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to
your health.
! To maintain the engine’s durability
and performance, premium unleaded
gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded gasoline is not available and
low octane fuel is used, follow these
precautions:
R Have the fuel tank only partially filled
with unleaded regular gasoline and
fill up with premium unleaded
gasoline as soon as possible.
R Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
R Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded with
a light load such as two persons and no
cargo.
R Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the
vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain. Service fluids and capacities
221
>> Technical data. Z

are prohibited when windshield washer
concentrate is being handled.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:
R Corrosion protection
R Freeze protection
R Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The
cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35¦ (-37 ¥) and
corrosion protection.
! Add premixed coolant solution only.
Adding water and MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze separately
from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35¦ (-37 ¥), the boiling point of the
coolant in the pressurized cooling system
is reached at approximately 266 ¦
(130¥ ).
The coolant solution must be used year
round, even in countries which have high
temperatures to provide the necessary
corrosion protection and increase
boil‑over protection. Refer to
Maintenance/ Service Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
solution or other smart approved products
of equal specification are used to renew
the coolant concentration or bring it back
up to the proper level. For information on other smart approved
products

of equal specification, contact an
authorized smart center.
To provide important corrosion
protection, the solution must be at least
50% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent
to freeze protection to approximately
-35¦ [-37 ¥]).
If you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze
protection to approximately -49¦
[(-45 ¥]), the engine temperature will
increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do
not use more than this amount of
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
Always use anticorrosion/antifreeze that
has been approved by smart. For
information contact an authorized smart
center.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water.
If you are not sure about the water quality,
consult an authorized smart center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/
antifreeze

coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts.
Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a
significantly shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is
strongly recommended for use in your Service fluids and capacities
223
>> Technical data. Z