2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE check engine

Vehicles without control system
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions The electronic immobilizer is not working.
X
Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. There is a malfunction in the shifting system.
X
Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. The transmission is taught-in (
Y page 86).
X Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. Vehicles with control system*
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions?
Switch Engine Off The coolant is too hot.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the air supply for the radiator is uninterrupted.
X Only start the engine again after the display message
disappears. You could otherwise damage the engine. 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. Display messages
159
>> Practical hints.
* optional Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions4
Switch Engine Off The engine oil level is too low. The engine could be damaged.
X
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Check the engine oil level (Y page 118) and add engine oil as
required (Y page 119). J
Release Parking
Brake You are driving with the parking brake engaged.
X
Release the parking brake. 5
Shift

to N or P to
Start You have attempted to start the engine while the automatic
transmission was in reverse gear
R or drive position D.
Shift the automatic transmission into park position P or
neutral position N.5
Apply Brakes to
Start You have attempted to start the engine without depressing the
brake pedal.
Depress the brake pedal to start the engine.
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions#
Charge Battery The battery is not being charged.
Possible causes:
R
alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
X Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If poly-V-belt is broken: Do not continue to drive. Contact
an authorized smart center.
X If poly-V-belt is intact: Have the vehicle checked at an
authorized smart center immediately. !
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. 160
Display messages
>> Practical hints.

Brake
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutionsò (USA only)
! (Canada only)
The ABS indicator
lamp illuminates
while the engine is
running. There is a malfunction in the ABS system.
X
Have the ABS system checked at an authorized smart center
immediately. ò (USA only)
! (Canada only)
The ABS indicator
lamp illuminates
together with the
brake warning lamp
while the engine is
running. The ABS system fails.
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. G
WARNING
When the ABS system is malfunctioning, the wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the braking distance.
When the ABS is switched off due to a malfunction, the ESP ®
is also switched off. The basic
driving and braking functions are still available.
The risk of your vehicle skidding is then increased in certain situations. You should
therefore always adapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions. What to do if ...
163>> Practical hints. Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The brake warning
lamp illuminates
while the engine is
running. You are driving with the parking brake engaged.
X
Release the parking brake. The brake circuit fails or the brake fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir is too low.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.
X Do not continue to drive.
X Turn off the engine.
X Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the problem.
X Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.
X Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized smart center. $ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
The brake warning
lamp illuminates
together with the ABS
indicator lamp while
the
engine is running. The ABS system has failed.
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. G
WARNING
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system.
! 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. 164
What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions6
Scenario 1:
The SRS
indicator lamp
illuminates
when the
ignition is
switched
on and
goes out after a
maximum of
4 seconds. The subsequent self check of the safety systems detected no
malfunction. The supplemental restraint system is
operational.
6
Scenario 2:
The SRS
indicator lamp
illuminates
when the
ignition is
switched

on and
goes out after a
maximum of
4 seconds for
approximately
1 second, then it
comes on again
and stays on. There is a malfunction in the supplemental restraint systems.
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices could deploy
unexpectedly or fail to deploy in an accident.
X
Do not sit on the passenger seat; this applies particularly
to children.
X Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. G
WARNING
If the SRS indicator lamp does not come on when you switch on the ignition or does not go
out
again after a few seconds once the engine is running or comes on again, the supplemental
restraint systems are malfunctioning.
In the event that a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as described in scenario 2, the SRS
may not be operational. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an
authorized smart center immediately to have the system checked; A malfunctioning SRS
system may not deploy when needed in an accident resulting in serious or fatal injury, or
it might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could result in an accident and/or
injury to you or to others.
! If the SRS indicator lamp comes on while driving, have the system checked at an
authorized smart center immediately.
It is possible that the air bag and the emergency tensioning device could be activated
unintentionally or will not function in the event of an accident.
i Information on the operating principle of the air bags can be found in the “Safety”
section (Y page 33). 166
What to do if ...
>> Practical hints.

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 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.

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions;
The engine
malfunction
indicator lamp
illuminates
while driving. There is a malfunction in the system.
X
Have the vehicle checked at an authorized smart center
immediately. i
Some states may by law require you to visit a workshop as soon as the engine
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check local requirements. Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions5
The engine oil
pressure
indicator lamp
illuminates
while driving. The engine oil pressure is low.
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. 5
The engine oil
pressure
indicator lamp
goes out before
the engine
starts. The engine oil pressure indicator lamp has failed.
X
Check the engine oil level.
X Have the system checked at an authorized smart center. !
The engine oil pressure indicator lamp should not be ignored. Extended driving with
the engine oil pressure indicator lamp illuminated could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the smart Limited Warranty. What to do if ...
171
>> Practical hints. Z