2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE ignition

important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Adapt your driving accordingly.
Brakes
G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the hydraulic
brake assistant
(Y page 48).
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine must be turned
off (ignition switched off) when the
parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer. Active braking action
through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously
damage the brake system which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the brake system
may be the reason for low brake fluid level
in the brake fluid reservoir.
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.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized smart
center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
smart center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by smart.
Inclines !
When driving down long and steep
grades,

relieve the load on the brakes by
shifting into a lower gear to use the engine’s braking power. This helps
prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
When

using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended
period of time, e.g. on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage
to the drive- train which is not covered
by the smart Limited Warranty.
High and low stresses G
WARNING
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating, thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness and your
ability to stop the vehicle in sufficient
time to avoid an accident.
After

hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Wet road surface G
WARNING
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water

deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking 144
Driving instructions
>> Operation.

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
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. Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsÒ
Danger: Ice
(Canada only) The outside temperature is below 3
¥. The road may be icy.
X Adjust your driving style to the prevailing road and weather
conditions. G
WARNING
The display message Danger:
Ice is not designed as an ice-warning device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface
is free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. Your
vehicle could start to skid if you do not adjust your driving style accordingly.
Therefore, always adjust your driving style to the prevailing road and weather conditions. What to do if ...
Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster
General information If any of the following lamps in the
instrument

cluster fails to come on during
the bulb self-check when switching on
ignition (Y page 57), have the respective
bulb checked and replaced if necessary. 162
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 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 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

Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ (Y page 64).
X Switch off the ignition.
X Open the service flap (Y page 120). Left headlamp, (right headlamp in reverse)
Parking and side marker lamp bulb
X
Removing:
Driver’s
side: Turn bulb socket ? toward
the outside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket ?
toward the outside.
X Pull bulb socket ? out of the headlamp
housing.
X Pull the bulb out of bulb socket ?.
X Installing:
Insert the new bulb into bulb
socket ?.
X Insert bulb socket ? into the headlamp
housing.
X Driver side: Turn bulb socket ? toward
the inside.
Passenger side: Turn bulb socket ?
toward the inside.
Low‑beam headlamp bulb X
Removing: Take off low‑beam headlamp
cover =.
X Detach the electrical connector. X
Bend the retainer spring end down and
forward until it unclips. Fold the
retainer spring back.
X Pull the bulb out of the headlamp
housing.
X Installing: Insert the new bulb into the
headlamp housing.
X Fold the retainer spring forward.
X Bend the retainer spring end forward
then up and back to clip in.
X Attach the electrical connector.
X Reinstall low‑beam headlamp cover =.
High‑beam headlamp bulb X
Removing: Take off high‑beam headlamp
cover ;.
X Detach the electrical connector.
X Tilt the bulb socket down and pull it out.
X Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
X Installing: Insert the new bulb into the
bulb socket.
X Fit the bulb so that the retaining lug of
the base plate is pointing up.
X Press the bulb into the bulb socket until
it is fully engaged.
X Attach the electrical connector.
X Reinstall high‑beam headlamp cover ;.
Front turn signal lamp bulb X
Removing: Turn bulb socket :
counterclockwise

by a quarter of turn and
pull it out of the headlamp housing.
X Press gently onto the bulb and turn it
counterclockwise.
X Pull the bulb out of bulb socket :.
X Installing:
Insert the new bulb into bulb
socket :.
X Press gently onto the bulb and turn it
clockwise.
X Insert bulb socket : into the headlamp
housing. Replacing bulbs
181
>> Practical hints. Z

The arrow on bulb socket : must be in
line with the line on the headlamp
housing.
X Turn bulb socket : clockwise by a
quarter of turn.
Side turn signal lamp bulb X
Removing: Open the door on the
corresponding side. X
Press on retaining lug : in the
direction of the arrow until the side turn
signal lamp housing disengages.
X Close the door.
X Use a suitable tool to loosen the side turn
signal lamp housing from the fender.
X Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull it out of the side turn signal
lamp housing.
X Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
X Installing: Insert the new bulb into the
bulb socket.
X Insert the bulb socket into the side turn
signal lamp housing and turn the bulb
socket clockwise.
X Fit the side turn signal lamp housing
onto the fender.
X Press gently onto the side turn signal
lamp housing.
The side turn signal lamp housing must
audibly engage. Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before
you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
X Turn exterior lamp switch to position
$ (Y page 64).
X Switch off the ignition.
Tail lamp unit X
Removing:
Coupé: Open the upper tailgate.
X Open the lower tailgate.
X Cabriolet: Open the rear soft top
(Y page 74).
X Remove the side cover in the cargo
compartment on the corresponding side.
X Fold the damping material forward, if
necessary. Left bulb carrier illustrated as example
:
Retaining tab
; Electrical connector
X Press retaining tab : in the center of
the bulb carrier upwards.
X Pull the bulb carrier out of the tail lamp
housing.182
Replacing bulbs
>> Practical hints.

X
Remove the jumper cables from negative terminals = and ? first.
X Remove the jumper cables from positive terminals : and ;.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
X Remount the positive terminal cover.
X Have the battery checked at the nearest authorized smart center. Towing
About towing
This section offers information on towing
methods for breakdown situations,
emergency towing, and flat towing smart
vehicles. Recommended towing method -
Breakdown situation
smart recommends that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground
using a flatbed carrier truck or
appropriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
X Switch off the tow‑away protection* and
interior motion sensor*
(Y page 49).
! To
prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down the vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts — use only wheel straps
to position and hold down the vehicle.
Improper tie down on a flatbed carrier
truck or trailer can damage suspension
parts and body panels. Emergency towing
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing method, the vehicle
may

be towed with all wheels on the ground
using a strap or tow bar connected to
another vehicle. Only tow the vehicle as far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing method can be employed. G
WARNING
If circumstances require towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
always tow with a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake
system
R there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
A

tow bar is necessary to adequately control
the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, make sure the gear selector
lever is in neutral position N and the
ignition is switched off. G
WARNING
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and
steering* systems. In this case, it is
important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Do not tow the vehicle with the front
axle raised. Doing so may cause serious
damage to the brake system which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
R Do not tow with sling-type equipment
attached

to suspension parts. This may202
Towing
>> Practical hints.
* optional