2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE check engine

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.

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

X
Removing: Fold the wiper arm away from
the
rear window until you feel it engage.
X Fold wiper blade :
away from the wiper
arm in direction of arrow ; until it
disengages from its mounting.
X Detach wiper blade :.
X Installing:
Push the new wiper blade onto
the wiper arm until you feel it engage.
X Fold the wiper blade into a position
parallel to the wiper arm.
X Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the rear window.
Make sure to hold on to the wiper when
folding the wiper arm back.
! Make sure the wiper blade is properly
installed. An improperly installed
wiper blade may cause rear window
damage. Adjusting the washer jet nozzles
:
Front washer jet nozzles
; Rear washer jet nozzles
X Adjusting: Use a needle to move washer
jet nozzles : or ; left, right, up, or
down.
i Check the setting of the washer jet
nozzles at regular intervals. The washer
jet nozzles are correctly set when the
water

jet hits the windshield or the rear
window approximately in the center. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Upon experiencing any type of problem
with the vehicle’s tires, switch on the
hazard warning flasher, carefully slow
down and exit the roadway in a cautious
manner.
X Park the vehicle at a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.
X Make sure the tire valve of the damaged
tire

is located below the horizontal axle
of the wheel hub.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight ahead position.
X Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Remove the key from the starter switch
and take the key with you.
i Open
door only when conditions are safe
to do so.
X Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Using the tire repair kit
! Depending

on the type of damage on the
tire, the tire sealant could damage the
sensor of the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)*. Such damage is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
When having the damaged tire replaced,
also have the TPMS sensors* checked for
proper function. When the sensor is
damaged, the TPMS* will not function
properly. The sensor must then be
replaced at an authorized smart center as
soon as possible.
i Depending on production date of your
vehicle, it will be equipped with version
1 or version 2 of the tire repair kit. 186
Flat tire
>> Practical hints.
* optional

key is in the starter switch. Otherwise
the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an
authorized smart center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized smart center for further
information.
! Never invert the terminal connections! Disconnecting, removing, charging,
reinstalling and reconnecting the
battery
Disconnecting the battery i
If the battery is disconnected or
discharged
R the key will not turn in the starter
switch
R the automatic transmission will
remain in park position P
For more information see “Jump
starting” ( Y page 199).
X Engage the parking brake.
X Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
X Turn off all electrical accessories.
X Turn off the engine.
X Open the passenger door.
X Move the passenger seat to the rear as far
as possible.
X Unscrew the carpet holder in the
passenger footwell (Y page 158).
X Lift the carpet. X
Unscrew fastening screw ;
counterclockwise.
X Pull footrest : sideways out of the
vehicle.
X Read and observe safety instructions and
precautions (Y page 196). !
Always disconnect the battery in the
order described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.
X Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal =.
Make sure the negative lead does not
come
into contact with the positive lead.
X Remove cover ? from the positive
terminal.
X Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery X
Unscrew battery mount A.
X Remove the battery support and bracket.
X Pull out the ventilation hose from the
battery (depending on battery198
Battery
>> Practical hints.

immediately flush affected area with
water, and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive.
Keep flames or sparks away from battery,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Do not tow‑start vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission
which is not covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using
a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized smart
center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and may
present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have
loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch
any other metal part while the other end
is still attached to a battery.
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the fully
charged battery of another vehicle or an
equivalent starter pack. Observe the
following:
R Access to the battery is not possible on
all vehicles. If you cannot access the
battery in your vehicle provide jump start power by an external battery or
starter pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter
are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the
same
voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
Such damage will not be covered by the
smart Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
R Always make sure the jumper cables are
not on or near pulleys, fans or other parts
that move when an engine is started or
running.
R Should the battery be drained
completely, let the donating power
source charge the vehicle for several
minutes before reattempting the
starting process. G
WARNING
Keep flames or sparks away from battery. Do
not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries. 200
Jump starting
>> 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

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