2012 SMART FORTWO COUPE wheel

lamp $ (USA only) or J (Canada
only)
in the instrument cluster comes on. G
WARNING
Getting out of your vehicle with the
transmission not fully engaged in park
position P

is dangerous. When the engine is
shut off and the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely with the gear
selector lever in all positions except park
position P. Also, when parked on an incline,
park position P alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting
people or objects.
Always engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting to park position P.
When parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the curb. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children

unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever from park
position P, either of which could result in
an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Brake pedal The brake pedal has two brake circuits
independent

of each other. A brake servo is
used during braking (when the engine is
running) to increase pedal force. G
WARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of motion.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats*

or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden acceleration or braking
maneuvers, the objects could get caught between or beneath the pedals and restrict
your ability to brake or accelerate. This
could lead to accidents and/or injury.
G
WARNING
Considerably more effort will be required
to apply the brakes if
R the brake servo has failed
R a brake circuit has failed
R the engine is switched off, e.g. for
towing the vehicle
The braking distance is likewise greater.
Make sure the engine is running whenever
the vehicle is rolling. Have the brake
system repaired at an authorized smart
center, if there is a fault in the brake
system. If a brake circuit has failed (
Y page 164),
you must depress brake pedal : further
down to achieve the same effect and the
braking distance is increased.
i The

brake servo will only function with
the engine switched on. G
WARNING
In the event of the vehicle needing to be
towed, a significantly greater amount of
pedal pressure will be required when the
engine is switched off. Driving and parking
81
>> Controls.
* optional Z

control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Shifting procedure
The transmission selects individual gears
automatically, depending on:
R the gear selector lever position D
(Y page 83)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
(Y page 84)
R the vehicle speed
R uphill or downhill grades
Press release button : (Y page 82) to
disengage the gear selector lever lock
when moving the gear selector lever from
R P to R, N, or D
R R to P
R N to R or P
! Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
position P only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. Otherwise, the
drivetrain could be damaged, which is
not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
With manual gearshifting M selected
(Y page 84), you can use the gear selector
lever or steering wheel gearshift control
to change the gears manually. Gear selector lever positions
Effect
B
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked.
Place the gear selector lever
in park position
P only when
the vehicle is stopped. The
park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked.
Rather, the driver should
always engage the parking
brake in addition to placing
the

gear selector lever in park
position P to secure the
vehicle.
The key can only be removed
from the starter switch with
the gear selector lever in park
position P. With the key
removed, the gear selector
lever is locked in park
position P. C
Reverse gear
Shift into reverse gear
R only
when vehicle is stopped. A
Neutral position
No power is transmitted from
the engine to the drive axle.
When the brakes are released,
the vehicle can be moved
freely (pushed or towed).
7
Drive position
The transmission shifts
automatically.
x
Manual gearshifting
System-controlled automatic
gearshifting is switched off.
The driver has to change the
gears manually. Transmission
83
>> Controls. Z

The current gear selector lever position
appears in the transmission position
indicator (Y page 88).
Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle earlier upshifting
More throttle later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
X
Press the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
X Ease up on the accelerator pedal when you
have reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.
Stopping When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic
lights:
X
Leave the transmission in gear.
X Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop for a longer period with the
engine idling and/or on a hill:
X Engage the parking brake.
X Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and move the gear selector
lever to park position P. Otherwise the
vehicle could roll away which could result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Driving on uphill grades Your vehicle has a hill‑start assist system.
G
WARNING
The hill-start assist system is not
designed to function as a parking brake and
does not prevent the vehicle from moving
when parked on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting to park position P.
On uphill grades the hill‑start assist
system maintains the pressure in the brake
system for approximately one second after
you have released the brake pedal.
Therefore, you can start off smoothly
without the vehicle moving immediately
after releasing the brake pedal.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Apply sufficient pressure to the
accelerator pedal.
! After approximately one second, the
hill‑start assist system stops braking
the vehicle, which then can roll
backwards. If you open the driver’s door
within this time, the hill‑start assist
system is deactivated and a warning
signal sounds.
i The

hill‑start assist system is inactive
if you start off with the parking brake
engaged. Manual gearshifting
With manual gearshifting M selected,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by upshifting or downshifting
manually using the gear selector lever or
the steering wheel gearshift control 10
.
10 Model passion and BRABUS only. 84
Transmission
>> Controls.

!
Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gear R or parking
position P only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. Otherwise, the
drivetrain could be damaged, which is
not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty. Activating manual gearshifting
X
Move the gear selector lever to drive
position D (Y page 82).
X Pull one of the shift paddles (Y page 85)
towards you.
or
X Move the gear selector lever to manual
gearshifting M (Y page 82).
System-controlled automatic
gearshifting is switched off.
You
can upshift or downshift through the
gears in succession.
The currently engaged gear appears in the
multifunction display ( Y page 85).Upshifting X
Briefly push the gear selector lever
forward in the + direction (Y page 82).
or
X Pull right shift paddle ; (Y page 85)
towards you.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
i With manual gearshifting M selected,
the transmission shifts up only to
prevent engine overrevving.
Downshifting 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.
X Briefly pull the gear selector lever
backward in the - direction (Y page 82).
or
X Pull left shift paddle : (Y page 85)
towards you.
The

transmission shifts to the next lower
gear.
Kickdown You can use kickdown when you want
maximum acceleration.
X
Press the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
X When you have reached the desired speed,
briefly push the gear selector lever
forward in the + direction (Y page 82).
or
X Pull right shift paddle ; (Y page 85)
towards you.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear. Transmission
85
>> Controls. Z

:
USB socket
; AUX socket smart surround sound system*
The smart surround sound system
supplements the existing speakers with
more powerful and additional speakers
(including a digital amplifier in the
passenger footwell and a passive
subwoofer). Driving systems
Cruise control*
The cruise control maintains the speed you
set for your vehicle automatically. On
downhill grades, the cruise control does
not brake the vehicle via the brake system.
The cruise control can only use the braking
power of the engine. You must apply the
brakes yourself in order to reduce the
vehicle speed. The cruise control will then
be canceled. G
WARNING
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during
vehicle operation. The cruise control
cannot take road, traffic, and weather
conditions into account. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe brake
operation. Do not use the cruise control
R
if the road, traffic, and weather
conditions do not make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed
R on slippery roads
Rapid

changes in tire traction can result
in wheel spin and loss of control.
R when driving in fog
The use of the cruise control is
recommended for driving at a constant
speed for extended periods of time.
With the cruise control is activated and a
speed set, the following message appears
in the multifunction display: U.S. vehicles
:
Cruise control activated
; Speed has been set Canada vehicles
:
Cruise control activated
; Set speed
The cruise control is operated via buttons
on the steering wheel. 100
Driving systems
>> Controls.
* optional

the pedals. This could restrict your ability
to brake or accelerate and could lead to
accidents and injury.
Coin holder The coin holder is located in front of the
gear selector lever.
Example illustration (coupé)
:
Coin holder
Door pockets The door pockets are located in the driver’s
and passenger door.
:
Door pocket
Storage trays next to the steering wheel The storage trays are located to the left and
right of the steering wheel. :
Storage tray
Glove box i
A clamp rail for slips of paper is
located on the outside of the glove box
lid. X
Opening: Pull on glove box lid
release : and fold down the glove box
lid.
X Closing: Lift up the glove box lid with a
bit of force until it engages.
X Locking: Insert the key into the glove box
lock and turn it to position 3.
X Unlocking: Insert the key into the glove
box lock and turn it to position 2.110
Loading and storing
>> Controls.

>> Operation.The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
..............116
At the gas station ............................. 116
Engine compartment .......................... 117
Front compartment ........................... 120
Tires and wheels .............................. 124
Winter driving ................................ 142
Driving instructions ........................143
Driving abroad ................................ 150
Vehicle care ................................... 150

The brake fluid level is correct when it
is between the minimum mark and the
maximum mark.
R
If the brake fluid level has fallen
slightly below the minimum mark,
drive to an authorized smart center.
R If the brake fluid level has fallen
significantly below the minimum
mark, call Roadside Assistance or an
authorized smart center.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 120). Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized smart center for
information on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice
concerning tire service and purchase. G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part. For further
information contact an authorized smart
center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires
are mounted, the wheel brakes or
suspension components can be damaged.
Also, the operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct. G
WARNING
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth,
or if the tires have sustained damage,
replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
smart wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly
an accident.
Retreaded tires are not tested or
recommended by smart, since previous damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
G
WARNING
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has
occurred, you should turn on the hazard
warning flashers, carefully slow down, and
drive

with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest authorized smart center or tire
dealer for repairs. G
WARNING
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire
affects the ability to steer or brake the
vehicle. You could lose control of the
vehicle.

Continued driving with a flat tire
or driving at high speed with a flat tire
will cause excessive heat build-up and
possibly a fire.
Modifications to the brake system and
wheels and the use of brake dust rings are
not permissible. Important guidelines
R Only

use sets of tires and rims of the same
type and make.
R Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
R Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speeds.
R Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can cause
tire pressure loss and damage to the tire
beads.124
Tires and wheels
>> Operation.