G
WARNING
Engaging the parking brake while the vehi- cle is in motion can cause the rear wheels tolock up. You could lose control of the vehi- cle and cause an accident. In addition, the
vehicle’s brake lights do not light up when
the parking brake is engaged. X
Releasing: Depress the brake pedal.
X Pull up slightly on parking brake
lever ;and press release button :.
X Push parking brake lever ;down as far
as it will go.
When the ignition is switched on, the
brake warning lamp $(USA only) or
J (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster goes out.
X Engaging: Pull up parking brake lever ;
firmly.
When the ignition is switched on, the
brake warning lamp $(USA only) or
J (Canada only) in the instrument
cluster comes on. G
WARNING
Getting out of your vehicle with the trans-
mission not fully engaged in park position P is dangerous. When the drive system is
switched 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 Palone may not pre-
vent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects. Always engage the parking brake in addi-
tion 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 chil- dren 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. When the igni-
tion is switched on, a brake servo is used
during braking 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 ped- als still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden acceleration or braking
maneuvers, the objects could get caught
between or beneath the pedals and restrictyour 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 ignition is switched off, e.g. for tow-
ing the vehicle
The braking distance is likewise greater. 78
Driving and parking>> Controls.
* optional
case if the high-voltage battery is
already fully charged or has not reached
operating temperature. Driving tips
Driving on uphill grades 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 addi-
tion to shifting to park position P.
! When the hill‑start assist system stops
braking the vehicle, it can roll back-
wards.
If you open the driver’s door, the
hill‑start assist system is deactivated
and a warning signal sounds.
Your vehicle has a hill‑start assist system. On uphill grades the hill‑start assist sys-
tem maintains the pressure in the brake
system for approximately one second after
you have released the brake pedal. There-
fore, you can start off smoothly without the
vehicle moving immediately after releas-
ing the brake pedal.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Apply sufficient pressure to the accel-
erator pedal to drive off.
On uphill grades with higher inclination,
the hill-start assist system will release
the pressure in the brake system after
approximately two seconds. A warning sig-
nal sounds and the transmission position
indicator shows a flashing N
N in order to
warn you of the vehicle rolling backwards.
X Press the brake pedal.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Apply sufficient pressure to the accel-
erator pedal to drive off. i
The hill‑start assist system is inactive
if you start off with the parking brake
engaged.
Recuperation If the high-voltage battery is fully
charged or too cold, only limited recuper-
ation power will be available.
The vehicle can not be decelerated or limi-
ted in being decelerated by using the
accelerator pedal, if
R the gearshift selector lever is in posi-
tion Dand the vehicle is rolling back-
wards
R the gearshift selector lever is in posi-
tion Rand the vehicle is rolling for-
wards.
On uphill grades, the vehicle could possi- bly be not or only restricted being held
from the crawler function. Instrument cluster
Charge level and power gauges
:
Charge level gauge
; Power gauge
The gauges can be turned by approximately
90°.
The illumination for both gauges comes on when you switch on the ignition and the
exterior lighting. Instrument cluster
81>> Controls. Z
No recuperation (level 0)
:
Symbol for no recuperation
When this mode is set, there is no recuper-
ation. When you release the accelerator
pedal, the vehicle rolls on unbraked.
Use this mode in situations when driving
without frequent braking, for example on
highways.
Moderate recuperation (level 1) Moderate recuperation occurs when this
mode is set. When you release the acceler-
ator pedal, the vehicle is slightly braked. Gained kinetic energy is converted into
electrical energy by the electric motor.
This energy is stored in the high-voltage
battery.
This mode is set as standard when starting
the drive system.
Use this mode in situations of well-bal-
anced relationship between accelerating
and braking, for example on cross-country
rides. High recuperation (level 2) :
Symbol for high recuperation
High recuperation occurs when this mode is
set. When you release the accelerator
pedal, the vehicle is deeply braked. Energy conversion of kinetic energy to electrical
energy is most effective in this mode.
Use this mode in situations in which you
need to brake frequently, for example while
driving stop-and-go in city traffic. Maximum available power
G
WARNING
When the indicator for the maximum avail- able power is not at its maximal range, the
power output is reduced noticeably. Adapt
your speed and driving accordingly. Oth-
erwise, you could cause an accident. Exer-
cise particular care when passing or accel-
erating. The indicator for the maximum available
power of the drive system contains three
segments
:. The number of dark segments
indicates power that is currently availa-
ble. Control system
85>> Controls. Z
X
Push cap :onto the windshield washer
reservoir.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 123). Brake fluid
G
WARNING
During vehicle operation, the boiling
point of the brake fluid is continuously
reduced through the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely
strenuous operating conditions, this mois-
ture content can lead to the formation of
bubbles in the system, thus reducing the
system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
The brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir may be too low if the brake warn- ing lamp in the instrument cluster comes on(Y page 23) although the parking brake is
released.
! If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the brake
system checked for brake pad thickness
and leaks immediately. Contact an
authorized electric drive smart center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem.
X Remove the service flap and insert it on
the front of the vehicle (Y page 123).
The brake fluid reservoir is located in the
front compartment on the passenger side. Checking brake fluid level
X
Perform a visual check of the brake fluid
reservoir :.
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 electric drive
smart center.
R If the brake fluid level has fallen sig-
nificantly below the minimum mark,
call Roadside Assistance or an author- ized electric drive smart center.
X Remount the service flap and close it
(Y page 123). Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized electric drive smart
center for information on tested and rec-
ommended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and pur-
chase. G
WARNING
Replace rims or tires with the same desig- nation, manufacturer and type as shown on
the original part. For further information
contact an authorized electric drive smart
center. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are mounted, the wheel brakes or suspen- Tires and wheels
127>> Operation.
Z
soft top fabric*. Environmental influen-
ces are not covered by the smart Limited
Warranty.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates 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 fol-
lowed 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 incom-
patibility 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 recommen-
ded here. In such cases it is best to seek aid
at an authorized electric drive smart cen- ter. 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 sys-
tem, see (Y page 157). 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 endan- gering traffic. 154
Vehicle care>> Operation.
* optional
Display messages
The following display messages appear in the multifunction display (Y page 83).
You can confirm certain display messages.
X Confirming messages: Press the OK button on the control lever briefly (Y page 83).Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ?
Switch Off Engine Switch Off Engine The coolant is too hot.
In addition, the
?warning lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up and a warning signal sounds.
X Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Switch off the drive system immediately.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the air supply for the radiator is uninterrupted.
X Only start the drive system again after the display message
disappears. You could otherwise damage the drive system. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
Release Parking Release Parking
Brake Brake You are driving with the parking brake engaged.
In addition, the $(USA only), J(Canada only) warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up and a warning signal sounds.
X Release the parking brake. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
Brake System See
Brake System See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual There is a slight malfunction in the vacuum supply of the brak-
ing system.
X When braking, continue to depress the brake pedal.
X Contact an authorized electric drive smart center. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
Brake Malfunction
Brake Malfunction
Y Service Required
Service Required There is a serious malfunction in the vacuum supply of the
braking system.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.
X Contact an authorized electric drive smart center. 5
Shift Shift
to
toN
Nor
or P
Pto
to
Start
Start You have attempted to start the engine while the automatic
transmission was in reverse gear
Ror drive position D.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park position Por
neutral position N.
X Make sure that Nor Pis shown in the multifunction display. Display messages
161>> Practical hints. Z
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions þ
Drive System Drive System
Y Service Required Service Required There is a malfunction in the drive system, the electric motor
or the high‑voltage battery.
In addition, the yellow þwarning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
X Contact an authorized electric drive smart center. þ
Drive System Drive System
Y Switch
Switch Engine
EngineOff
Off There is a malfunction in the drive train. If the drive system
continues to run, the drive train can become damaged.
In addition, the red
þwarning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up and a warning signal sounds.
X Switch off the drive system.
X Do not continue driving.
X Contact an authorized electric drive smart center. *
Do Not Tow Do Not Tow
(Away)
(Away) Either the drive or the high‑voltage system is faulty.
In addition, the
Nwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
X It is recommended to have the vehicle transported by a
qualified specialist workshop.
Do not tow the vehicle on its own wheels. *
Charging Charging
Not
NotPossi‐
Possi‐
ble
ble There is a malfunction in the on-board charger. The high‑volt-
age battery cannot be charged.
X Contact an authorized electric drive smart center. *
Parking Lock Inac‐ Parking Lock Inac‐
tive tive The gear selector lever is in position
P, but the parking lock is
not detected.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Move the gear selector lever to another position, e.g. to R.
X Move the gear selector lever to Pagain. Ö
Driver´s Door Ajar Driver´s Door Ajar The driver’s door is open.
X Close the driver’s door. Ø
Door Ajar Door Ajar The passenger door is open.
X
Close the passenger door. Õ
Tailgate Open Tailgate Open A tailgate or the rear soft top
9
is open.
X Close the tailgates or the rear soft. 9
cabriolet only. Display messages
163>> Practical hints. Z
Loss of key
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions You lose a key. X
Have the key deactivated at an authorized electric drive
smart center.
X Report the loss of the key to your car insurance company
immediately.
X If necessary, have the mechanical lock replaced.
Your authorized electric drive smart center will be glad to
supply you with a replacement following an identity check. Acoustic warning signals
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M MSolutions A warning signal
sounds while driving. You are driving with the parking brake engaged.
X Release the parking brake (Y page 77).A warning signal
sounds when opening
the driver’s door. You have opened the driver’s door while the exterior lighting
is still switched on.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position $.A warning signal
sounds. The door is opened while a gear is engaged with the drive sys-
tem running and neither the brake nor accelerator pedals are
depressed.
X Close the driver’s and passenger door.
X Move the gear selector lever to park position P.
or
X Switch off the drive system. You open the driver’s door with the key in starter switch posi-
tion 0to remind you not to leave the key in the vehicle.
X Close the driver’s door.
or
X Remove the key from the starter switch. A warning signal
sounds. The seat belts are not fastened when the drive system is star-
ted. For details, see seat belt telltale (Y
page 168).
X Fasten your seat belts. 176
What to do if ...>> Practical hints.