2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE warning light

Treadwear indicator
: appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Storing tires !
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible.

Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease and fuels.
Cleaning tires !
Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires.

The intense jet of water can result
in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire. Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading is a U.S.
Government requirement designed to give
drivers consistent and reliable
information regarding tire performance.
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors: treadwear
:,
traction ;, and temperature
resistance =. Although not a Government
of Canada requirement, all tires made for
sale in North America have these grades
branded on the sidewall.
i For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
Quality grades can be found, where
applicable, on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear Traction Temperature
200 AA A
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal

safety requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when

tested under controlled conditions on
a specified U.S. government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1 1
/ 2 ) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
Traction G
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics. 134
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.

(Y page 217), for example when purchasing
new tires.
For
information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(Y page 136).
If you are uncertain about the correct
reading of the information given on a
tire’s sidewall, any authorized smart
center will be glad to assist you.
i For information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “All-season and winter
tires” ( Y page 137). Winter driving instructions
The
most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
For information on driving with snow
chains*, see “Snow chains*” (Y page 142). G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This
could result in drive wheel slip and
reduced

vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS
will not prevent this type of loss of control.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired
braking efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers. G
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure
snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind. G
WARNING
The outside temperature display is not
designed
to serve 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.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(Y page 142). Standing water
! Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth. Before driving
through water, determine its depth.
Never accelerate before driving into
water. The bow wave could force water
into the engine and auxiliary
equipment, thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water,
drive

slowly to prevent water from entering
R the front compartment
R the engine compartment
R the passenger compartment
Water in these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result in 148
Driving instructions
>> Operation.
* optional

Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also
by:
R
Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R Insects
R Bird droppings
R Tree sap, etc.
R Grease and oil
R Brake fluid
R Coolant
R Fuel
R Tar spots
! Failure to remove such dirt
immediately can cause damage to the
paint or the soft top fabric*
.
Environmental influences are not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
Frequent washing reduces and/or
eliminates the aggressiveness and potency
of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough
inspection. Damaged areas need to be re-
undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
smart because of the possibility of
incompatibility
between materials used in
the production process and others applied
later.
We have selected vehicle-care products
and compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain smart approved vehicle-
care products at an authorized smart
center.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion
or damage due to negligent or incorrect
care cannot always be removed or repaired
with the vehicle-care products
recommended here. In such cases it is best
to seek aid at an authorized smart center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to smart approved vehicle-care products. Vehicle care
Contact an authorized smart center for
recommended and approved care products.
i Advice on caring for the soft top
system, see (Y page 154). G
WARNING
After washing the vehicle, the brakes may
still be wet and thus their functionality
impaired. Therefore, when you start off,
brake lightly several times without
endangering traffic. Vehicle care
151
>> Operation.
* optional Z

Exterior Special
considerations Lightly soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washes Heavily soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washes
Wheels and wheel
covers Two-layer metallic
paint (high-gloss) Car shampoo
concentrate, rim
care Car shampoo
concentrate, rim
care
Retractable soft top PAC fabric Car shampoo
concentrate, soft
top cleaner,
impregnation spray Car shampoo
concentrate, soft
top cleaner,
impregnation spray
Removing insects
Remove insect remains before you start to
wash the vehicle.
X
Spray insect remover on.
X Allow insect remover to work in briefly.
X Rub in gently with a soft cloth or sponge.
X Rinse with plenty of water.
X Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.
Removing tar Remove any tar marks before washing the
vehicle.
X
Apply tar remover with a soft cloth.
X Allow tar remover to work in briefly.
X Rub in gently.
X Rinse with plenty of water.
X Treat the cleaned surface with hard wax.
Vehicle washing In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When
washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.
Washing your vehicle by hand
X Wash the vehicle using car shampoo
concentrate and a sponge.
X Rinse with clean water.
X Towel dry the vehicle. !
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. The body panel surfaces and
paint finish may be damaged.
Washing your vehicle in an automatic car
wash
i When running your vehicle through an
automatic car wash, water droplets can
run

down the inside of the side windows.
Unscrew your vehicle’s antenna before
driving into an automatic car wash. X
Removing: Unscrew antenna :
counterclockwise.
X Fitting: Screw antenna : in clockwise.
Power washer G
WARNING
Do not use a round nozzle (dirt grinders) to
powerwash your vehicle, in particular the
tires.

You could otherwise damage the tires
and cause an accident. Vehicle care
153
>> Operation. Z

X
Insert a suitable object such as a coin
into the slot at the eyelet of the key
housing.
X Carefully turn the coin until key housing
top half : is unlatched.
X Open key housing top half : to the side.X
Remove transmitter battery ; from the
board.
! Check the polarity when inserting the
new transmitter battery. You could
otherwise

damage parts of the electrical
system. When inserting the batteries,
make sure they are clean and free of lint.
X Insert the new transmitter battery.
X Press both halves of the key housing
together again.
X Check the operation of the remote
control. Replacing bulbs
About replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is
therefore

essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. Contact an
authorized smart center for headlamp
adjustment. G
WARNING
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow
the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb. Otherwise you could be burned if you
touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:
R touch or move it when hot
R drop the bulb
R scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
i If the headlamps or front fog lamps* are
fogged up on the inside as a result of
high humidity, driving the vehicle a
distance with the lights on should clear
up the fogging.
Notes on bulb replacement:
R Only use bulbs of the same type and with
the specified watt rating.
R Switch the lights off before replacing a
bulb to prevent short circuits.
R Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
R Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
R Avoid touching the glass of the bulb with
bare fingers.
R If the newly installed bulb does not come
on, contact an authorized smart center.
R Have the bulbs for the front fog lamps*
and the LED daytime running lamps*
replaced at an authorized smart center.178
Replacing bulbs
>> Practical hints.
* optional

X
Use a suitable tool to loosen the
corresponding
license plate lamp unit at
jacking point :.
X Carefully unclip the license plate lamp
unit. X
Detach electrical connectors ;.
X Remove bulb =.
X Insert the new bulb.
X Attach electrical connectors ;.
X Fit the license plate lamp unit on the
right and press gently on the left.
The

license plate lamp unit must audibly
engage. Replacing interior lighting lamps
A 12 V/10 W bulb is required. X
Removing: Use a flat object to pry the
lamp

lens : off from the passenger side. X
Detach electrical connector ; from the
interior lamp.
X Remove bulb = from mount ?.
X Installing: Insert the new bulb.
X Attach electrical connector ; to the
interior lamp.
X Fit the lamp lens on the left in the
opening and press gently on the right.
The lamp lens must audibly engage. Replacing wiper blades
About replacing wiper blades
G
WARNING
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers
and remove the key from the starter switch
before replacing a wiper blade. The
windshield wipers could otherwise be set
in motion and cause injury. G
WARNING
Wiper blades are components that are
subject
to wear and tear. Replace the wiper
blades at least twice a year, preferably in
the spring and fall. Otherwise the windows
will not be properly wiped. As a result, you
may not be able to observe surrounding
traffic conditions and could cause an
accident.
! Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force of
the impact from the windshield wiper 184
Replacing wiper blades
>> Practical hints.

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

No. Accessory/Component Amperage Color
F
Engine 15 A Blue
G
ESP
®
control unit 25 A Neutral
H
Cockpit switch module, on-board
diagnostics
socket, turn signal lamp switch,
transmission control unit, exterior lamp
switch, anti-theft warning system, rain-
light sensor, auxiliary instruments, central
locking system, instrument cluster, exterior
rear view mirror heating, Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) 10 A Red
I
— — —
J
Air conditioning compressor 15 A Blue
K
Audio, subwoofer, sound system, soft top
(cabriolet only) 15 A Blue
L
Fuel pump with fuel level sensor 15 A Blue
M
Rear window wiper (coupé only) 15 A Blue
N
ESP
®

control unit, EPS control unit, restraint
system, instrument cluster 10 A Red
O
Engine control unit, on-board diagnostics
socket, transmission control unit, Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 7.5 A Brown
P
Air conditioning system, exterior rear view
mirror

adjustment, washer pump, audio, seat
heating, wiper switch, backup lamps, soft top
switch (cabriolet only) 10 A Red
Q
Auxiliary power outlet 15 A Blue
R
Left low‑beam headlamp 7.5 A Brown
S
Right low‑beam headlamp 7.5 A Brown
T
Brake lamps 15 A Blue
U
Right high‑beam headlamp 7.5 A Brown
V
Left high‑beam headlamp 7.5 A Brown
W
Engine 7.5 A Brown
X
Rear window defroster, radiator fan 40 A Orange
Y
Soft top (cabriolet only) 30 A Green Fuses
209
>> Practical hints. Z