2013 SMART FORTWO COUPE Owners Manual

Tire load rating
G
WARNING
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR of your vehicle. Otherwise,
tire failure may result and cause an
accident and/or serious personal injury to
you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part. G
WARNING
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information placard on
the driver’s door B‑pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing
a blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
Tire load rating 0028is a numerical code
associated with the maximum load a tire
can support.
For example, a load rating of 91
corresponds to a maximum load of 1356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load” (Y page 130)
where the maximum load associated with
the load index is indicated in kilograms
and lbs.
For additional information on tire load
rating, see “Load identification”
(Y page 136).
Tire speed rating G
WARNING
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the
maximum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others. Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions.
Tire speed rating 0029indicates the
approved maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires Index Speed rating
Q up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...Y above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR...(Y) above 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR above 149 mph (240 km/h)
R
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any
tire with a speed capability above
149 mph (240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in
the size designation (for example:
245/40 ZR18). To determine the maximum
speed capability of the tire, the service
description for the tire must be referred
to.
The service description is comprised of
tire load rating 0028and tire speed rating
0029.
If your tire includes “ZR” in the size
designation and no service description
is given, the tire manufacturer must be
consulted for the maximum speed
capability.
If a service description is given, the
speed capability is limited by the speed Tires and wheels
135>> Operation. Z

symbol in the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed
capability of the tire is limited to
186 mph (300 km/h).
R Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a “ZR” in
the size designation AND the service
description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example:
275/40 ZR 18 (99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating
in parenthesis designates the maximum
speed capability of the tire as being
above 186 mph (300 km/h) .Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.
All-season and winter tires Index Speed rating
Q M+S
7 up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S
7 up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S
7 up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V M+S
7 up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
i
Not all M+S rated tires provide special
winter performance. Make sure the tires
you use show M+S and the mountain/
snowflake marking 0001on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow
traction performance requirements of
the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed
specifically for use in snow conditions. Load identification
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
In addition to the tire load rating, special
load identification 0002may be molded into
the tire sidewall following the letter
designating the tire speed rating 0029
(Y page 135).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at a
specified pressure. DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations require each new tire
manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a
TIN into or onto a sidewall of each tire
produced.
7 or M+S 0001for winter tires. 136
Tires and wheels>> Operation.

The TIN is a unique identifier which
facilitates efforts by tire manufactures to
notify purchasers in recall situations or
other safety matters concerning tires and
gives purchasers the means to easily
identify such tires.
The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s
identification mark” 0003, “Tire size”002B,
“Tire type code” 002A, and “Date of
manufacture” 0028.
i For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
DOT (Department of Transportation) Tire branding symbol
0002which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark Manufacturer’s identification mark
0003
denotes the tire manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four
symbols. For more information on
retreaded tires (Y page 122).
Tire size Code
002Bindicates the tire size. Tire type code Tire type code
002Amay, at the option of the
manufacturer, be used as a descriptive
code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture Date of manufacture
0028identifies the week
and year of manufacture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first
full week of the calendar year. The second
two figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002. Tire ply material
i
For illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehicle
and may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the
sidewall 0002and under the tread 0003. Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, Tires and wheels
137>> Operation. Z

and heater, to the extent that these items
are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width expressed
in percentage.
Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) to
1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) to
1 bar.
Bead The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if
so equipped, air conditioning and
additional optional equipment, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT (Department of Transportation) A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the U.S.
Department of Transportation. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) The GAWR is the maximum permissible axle
weight. The gross vehicle weight on each
axle must never exceed the GAWR for the
front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B‑pillar.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, installed
accessories, passengers and cargo. The
GVW must never exceed the GVWR indicated
on the certification label located on the
driver’s door B‑pillar.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight
of the vehicle including all options,
passengers, fuel, and cargo. It is indicated
on certification label located on the
driver’s door B‑pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds
that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.
Maximum permissible tire inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire.138
Tires and wheels>> Operation.

Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution The distributio
nofoccupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
PSI (Pounds per square inch) A standard unit of measure for air
pressure.
Recommended tire inflation pressure
The recommended tire inflation pressure
for normal driving conditions is listed on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
located on driver’s door B‑pillar and
provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim Am
etal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead. TIN (Tire Identification Number) Unique identifier which facilitates
efforts by tire manufacturers to notify
purchasers in recall situations or other
safety matters concerning tires and gives
purchasers the means to easily identify
such tires. The TIN is comprised of
“Manufacturer’s identification mark”,
“Tire size”, “Tire type code” and “Date of
manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric
in the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the ply
materials in the tire and sidewall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road via
the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road. Tires and wheels
139>> Operation. Z

Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear
bars” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm) of tread remains.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s
traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire
manufacturers using U.S. government
testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
electric drive smart center.
This service includes:
R Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
R Addition of washer concentrate to the
water of the windshield/rear window.
Use a windshield washer concentrate
labeled for winter which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(Y page 212).
R 12 V battery test. The capacity of the
12 V battery test drops with decreasing
ambient temperature.
R Tire change. Winter tires
G
WARNING
Winter tires with a tread depth of less
than 1
/ 6 in (4 mm) must be replaced. They
are no longer suitable for winter
operation.
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45 ¦(7¥) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake marking 0001on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow
traction performance requirements of the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)
and have been designed specifically for
use in snow conditions. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and ESP ®
in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
For information on winter tires for your
vehicle model, see the "Technical data"
section (Y page 210).
Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If
the maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available at your tire
dealer or any authorized electric drive
smart center. Snow chains*
! Remember that snow chains must always
be compatible with the tire sizes of a
vehicle. Snow chains that are approved
by smart are only permitted for the
following tire size: 140
Winter driving>> Operation.
* optional

175/55 R15 on the rear axle.
For safety reasons, smart recommends
that you only use snow chains that have
been approved by smart.
Information on this is available from any
smart center.
Please refer to the separate operating
instructions for detailed information on
mounting the snow chains.
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when drivin gonroads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
R Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(Y page 210).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before mounting
snow chains. G
WARNING
When mounting or removing snow chains,
always park your vehicle on level ground,
engage the parking brake, and switch off
the drive system. The vehicle could
otherwise move and injure yourself or other
road users. G
WARNING
When mounting and removing snow chains,
ensure that you and your vehicle are at a
safe distance from moving traffic. Not
doing so could endanger other road users or
even lead to you being injured by the
vehicles behind you. G
WARNING
The vehicle’s handling changes when
driving with snow chains on any kind of road surface. This means that you should
always adapt your driving style to suit the
current road and weather conditions.
! If snow chains that do not meet
requirements are mounted, they may
scrape against the body or axle
components when the vehicle is in
motion. This could result in damage to
the rim/tire or vehicle. Driving instructions
Drinking and driving
G
WARNING
Do not drink alcohol or take drugs and drive
or allow anyone to drive who has been
drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Even a
small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect
your reflexes, perceptions and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive. Pedals
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. Power assistance
G
WARNING
With the drive system inactive, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering Driving instructions
141>> Operation.
* optional Z

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.
Brakes
G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the hydraulic
brake assistant (Y page 46).
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the ignition must be
switched off when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test
dynamometer. Active braking action
through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously
damage the brake system which is not
covered by the smart Limited Warranty.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the brake system
may be the reason for low brake fluid level
in the brake fluid reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir may be too low if the brake
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on (Y page 21) although the parking
brake is released.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
electric drive smart center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
electric drive smart center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by smart.
Inclines When driving down long and steep grades,
do not depress the brake pedal permanently. Depress it in intervals
instead to reduce the vehicle speed. G
WARNING
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating, thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness and your
ability to stop the vehicle in sufficient
time to avoid an accident.
High and low stresses After hard braking
,it is advisabl eto drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Wet road surface G
WARNING
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
To help prevent brake disc corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to 142
Driving instructions>> Operation.