2013 SMART FORTWO COUPE Owners Manual

parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes. G
WARNING
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Limited braking effect on salted roads Remember that the effect of the brakes can
be limited on salted road surfaces. Alayer
of salt can form on brake discs and brake
pads, considerably reducing the friction
between the brake disc and the brake pad.
The effect is most noticeable after long
trips without braking, e.g. on the highway,
and after the vehicle has been parked for
several hours. G
WARNING
The accumulation of salt on brake discs and
brake pads reduces braking effectiveness
and increases the distance necessary to
come to a complete standstill. This could
potentially cause an accident and/or
personal injury.
To avoid this risk, you should
R brake carefully every now and then on
salted roads in order to remove any layer
of salt on the brake disc and brake pad,
but do so without endangering any other
road users
R keep a good safe distance from the
vehicle in front and drive carefully
R press the brake carefully at the end of the
trip and again when beginning the next
trip in order to remove any salt residues
from the brake disc
New brake pads Only install brake pads recommended by
smart. G
WARNING
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired.
This could result in an accident.
G
WARNING
New brake pads will not achieve their
optimal braking effect until after several
hundred miles (kilometers). This means
that you must compensate for the reduced
braking effect by pressing harder on the
brake pedal and adapt your driving style
accordingly. The same applies after brake
pads or brake discs have been changed. Drive sensibly - save energy
Energy consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save energy you should:
R Drive carefully and maintain a suitable
distance from the vehicle in front.
R Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove carriers* when not in use.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required by
the Maintenance System. Contact an
authorized electric drive smart center.
Energy consumption is also increased by
driving in stop-and-go traffic, on short
trips, and in hilly areas. Tires
G
WARNING
If you feel a sudden significant vibration
or ride disturbance, or you suspect that
possible damage to your vehicle has Driving instructions
143>> Operation.
* optional Z

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 smart center or tire dealer for
repairs.
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of
approximately 1
/ 16 in (1.6 mm), at which
point the tire is considered worn and
should be replaced.
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread. G
WARNING
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately 1
/ 16 in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not allow
your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches 1
/ 8 in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction
varies widely.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if
the tires are subject to high loads (e.g.
high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures). G
WARNING
Do not drive with a flat tire. Aflat tire will
affect your ability to steer or brake and may
cause you to 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.
For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (Y page 122). Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur
resulting in a loss of control, even at low
speeds and with new tires. Reduce vehicle
speed, avoid track grooves in the road and
apply brakes cautiously when it is raining. Tire traction
The safe speed on awet, snow covered or icy
road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point. G
WARNING
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
smart recommends winter tires
(Y page 140) with a minimum tread depth of
approximately 1
/ 6 in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires.
Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
! 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 144
Driving instructions>> Operation.

not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use prudent
driving speeds appropriate to prevailing
conditions. 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.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle
in the “Technical data section”
(Y page 210), 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 134).
If you are uncertain about the correct
reading of the information given on a
tire’s sidewall, any authorized electric
drive smart center will be glad to assist
you.
i For information on speed ratings for
winter tires, see “All-seaso nand winter
tires” (Y page 135). 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. For information on driving with snow
chains*, see “Snow chains*” (Y
page 140).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may becom enecessary 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
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 140). 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.
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 Driving instructions
145>> Operation.
* optional Z

!
Water in these areas could cause
damage to
R electrical components
R electrical wiring
R the drive system
R the high-voltage battery
Any such damage is not covered by the
smart Limited Warranty. Passenger compartment
G
WARNING
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or
sudden maneuvers, loose items thrown
around inside the vehicle may injure
vehicle occupants.
The cargo compartment is the preferred
place to carry objects. Control and operation of radio
transmitters
Radio and telephone G
WARNING
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle
safely. Only operate the radio or
telephone 8
if road, weather and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering adistance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
Telephones and two-way radios G
WARNING
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e.
without being connected to an external antenna) from inside the vehicle while the
drive system is switched on. Doing so could
lead to a malfunction of the vehicle’s
electronic system, possibly resulting in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a mobile phone
or a citizens band unit should only be used
inside the vehicle if they are connected to
an antenna that is installed on the outside
of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna. Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise.
! Excessive coolant temperature causes
the red coolant temperature warning
lamp 0005 in the instrument cluster to
come on.
The drive system should not be operated
with the red coolant temperature
warning lamp 0005illuminated. Doing
so may cause serious damage to the drive
system and the high-voltage battery,
which is not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
For more information on coolant
temperature warning lamp ( Ypage 165). Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive smart service
network at your disposal. If you plan to
drive into areas which are not listed in the
index of your smart center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized electric drive smart center.
8 Observe all legal requirements. 146
Driving abroad>> Operation.

Keep in mind, however, that due to the
technica lrequirements of the smart fortwo
electric drive and its high-voltage power
systems, the vehicle should be serviced
only at an authorized electric drive smart
center.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in
foreign countries, please be aware that:
R Service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available.
R The AC power sockets in some countries,
especially overseas, require different
plugs on the charging cable.
R Charging stations may not be available. Symmetrical low beams
i If you drive in countries where
vehicles drive on the other side of the
road than the country in which the
vehicle is registered, you must have the
headlamps modified for symmetrical low
beams. Relevant information can be
obtained at any authorized electric
drive smart center. Vehicle care
Care tips
Regular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.
smart recommends that you care for the
paintwork at least twice a year (e.g. in the
spring and autumn). G
WARNING
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning
the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
! Follow the care tips. Wash your vehicle
preferably by hand.
While in operation or even while parked,
your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences, which left unchecked
can attack the paint as well as the vehicle
underbody and lead to permanent damage.
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. Vehicle care
147>> Operation.
* optional Z

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 electric
drive 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 electric drive
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 electric drive smart
center for recommended and approved care
products.
i Advice on caring for the soft top
system, see (Y page 151). 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. 148
Vehicle care>> Operation.

Selecting the right cleaning agent
!
To avoid damage to interior equipment and materials: Never rub roughly or use
cleaning spirits on the cloth upholstery, never use strong agents, stain remover etc.
on the leather upholstery. Never scour or use solvent on plastic parts. Never use strong
and aggressive agents on windows, do not touch the inside of the windows with hard
objects such as an ice scraper or ring, doing so may damage the windows. Interior Special
considerations Light soiling Heavy soiling
Cloth upholstery Use
aclean, lint-
free cloth Light soap suds Stain remover (test
on an inconspicuous
place first)
Plastic parts Use a color-fast
cloth Damp, clean cloth,
cockpit spray Damp, clean cloth,
cockpit spray
Leather upholstery Use
aclean, color-
fast cloth Clean cloth with
lukewarm water,
leather care
product Leather care
product
Windows Damp, clean cloth,
microfiber cloth,
glass cleaner Microfiber cloth,
glass cleaner
!
To avoid damage to exterior surfaces never do the following: Use aggressive paint
cleaner, machine polish, abrasive cleanser, acidic, highly alkaline agents, abrasive
sponges, high-pressure or hot water cleaning equipment. Exterior Special
considerations Lightly soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washes Heavily soiled
Hand-/Automatic
car washes
tridion safety cell,
black Powder coated
single-coat paint
finish Car shampoo
concentrate, insect
remover for insect
remains, polish Car shampoo
concentrate, hard
wax, insect remover
for insect remains,
polish
tridion safety cell,
silver Powder coated
single-coat paint
finish and
clearcoat
Highly polished
plastic parts (body
panels) Body panels with
base coat and
clearcoat or
clearcoat only Vehicle care
149>> Operation. 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 insid eofthe side windows.
Unscrew your vehicle’s antenna before
driving into an automatic car wash. X
Removing: Unscrew antenna 0002
counterclockwise.
X Fitting: Screw antenna 0002in 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. 150
Vehicle care>> Operation.