
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.

Vehicle
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions#
The battery
indicator lamp
illuminates
while driving
or does not go
out after the
engine is
started. The alternator is malfunctioning. The battery is no longer
charged.
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 poly-V-belt is broken. The battery is no longer charged.
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. !
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. 168
What to do if ...>> Practical hints.

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

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
Open the driver’s door.
X Press the central locking switch
(Y page 54).
The indicator lamp on the central
locking
switch comes on, when the starter
switch is in position 1.
The indicator lamp on the central
locking switch flashes, when the starter
switch is in position 0.
X Remove the key from the starter switch,
take it with you, and close all doors.
The vehicle is now locked and the anti-
theft warning system* is armed. Closing the rear soft top
If the rear soft top does not lock properly
after being closed, proceed as follows:
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the key is in starter switch
position 1.
X Fold up the rear soft top completely.
The rear soft top stops in the unlocked
position.
X Within one minute, press and hold symbol
G on the retractable soft top switch
for 15 seconds twice.
The rear soft top closes the locking
hooks.
X Close the retractable soft top
completely.
X Have the rear soft top checked at an
authorized smart center. Replacing transmitter battery
Notes
The
remote control’s transmitter battery is
almost spent when the turn signals flash
rapidly nine times in a row when locking
the vehicle. i
If you do not replace the transmitter
battery, after about 100 more times you
will no longer be able to lock or unlock
the vehicle using the remote control.
X Replace the transmitter battery.
or
X Have the transmitter battery replaced at
an authorized smart center. G
WARNING
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive
substances. Therefore keep the batteries
out of reach of children.
If
a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states/provinces
require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling. Replacing battery
Replacement battery: CR 2016 button cell
! Replace the remote control’s
transmitter battery every two years at
the
latest. Otherwise there is a danger of
leakage. The remote control could be
damaged. Replacing transmitter battery
177
>> Practical hints.
* optional Z