authorized smart center about steps you
need to observe.
G
WARNING
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries. Risk of explosion.
Fire, open flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling batteries.
Avoid creating sparks.
Battery acid is caustic.
Do not allow it to come
into contact with skin,
eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective
clothing, especially
gloves, apron and
faceguard.
Wear eye protection.
Rinse any acid spills
immediately with clear
water.
Contact a physician
if necessary. Keep children away.
Follow the instructions in
this Operator’s Manual.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the
environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling. G
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death. Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries.
Never lean over batteries while
connecting, you might get injured.
Battery
fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does,
immediately flush affected area with water
and seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc. G
WARNING
Do not place any metal objects on a battery.
You could otherwise cause a short circuit
and the battery’s highly flammable
chemicals could ignite.
Never
allow any metal object to contact both
battery terminals or the positive terminal
and the vehicle body at the same time. This
might short circuit the battery and ignite
the highly flammable and explosive
hydrogen gas generated by the battery,
causing serious personal injury. G
WARNING
Keep flames or sparks away from battery,
avoid improper connection of jumper
cables, smoking, etc.
R When disconnecting the battery, always
disconnect the negative terminal first,
followed by positive terminal.
R When connecting the battery, always
connect the positive terminal first,
followed by the negative terminal.
R Do not loosen or disconnect the battery
terminal clips while the engine is
running or the key is in the starter
switch.
! Never
loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the Battery
197
>> Practical hints. Z
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.
Jump start assistance
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the passenger footwell below the footrest
(Y page 198).
For jump starting, use the terminals of the battery, keeping the leads connected.
X Make sure the two vehicles do not touch.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Move the gear selector lever to park position P.
X Turn off the engine.
X Get access to the battery in the passenger footwell (Y page 198).
X Remove the positive terminal cover. Position
A represents the charged battery of another vehicle or an equivalent starter
pack.
! Never invert the terminal connections!
X Connect positive terminal : of charged battery A with positive terminal ; of
discharged battery B with a jumper cable. Clamp the jumper cable to positive
terminal : of charged battery A first.
X Start the engine of the vehicle with charged battery A and run at idle speed.
X Connect negative terminal = of charged battery A with negative terminal ? of
discharged battery B with a jumper cable. Clamp the jumper cable to negative
terminal = of charged battery A first.
X Start the engine of the vehicle with discharged battery B and run at idle speed. You
can now switch on the electrical consumers. Do not switch on the headlamps under any
circumstances. Jump starting
201>> Practical hints. Z
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