Battery acid is caustic. Avoid con-
tact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Wear suitable protective clothing,especially gloves, apron and face-
guard.
Rinse any acid spills immediately
with clear water. Contact a physi-
cian if necessary.
Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's Manual.
For safety reasons, smart recommends that you
only use batteries which have been tested and
approved specifically for your vehicle by
smart. These batteries provide increased
impact protection to prevent vehicle occu-
pants from suffering acid burns should the
battery be damaged in the event of an acci-
dent.
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Like other batteries, the vehicle battery may discharge over time if you do not use the
vehicle. In this case, have the battery dis-
connected at a qualified specialist work-
shop. To maintain the charge, you can also
charge the battery with a charger recommen-
ded by smart. Contact a qualified specialist
workshop for further information.
Have the battery charge status checked more
frequently if you use the vehicle mainly for
short trips or if you leave it standing idle for
a lengthy period. Consult a qualified spe-
cialist workshop if you wish to leave your
vehicle parked for a long period of time.
When replacing a battery, only use a battery
recommended by smart.
iRemove the SmartKey if you park the vehi-
cle and do not require any electrical con-
sumers. The vehicle will then use very lit-
tle energy, thus conserving battery power.
Charging the battery
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explo- sive gases can escape from the battery.
There is a risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, cre-
ating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is
sufficient ventilation while charging and
jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of
injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash away battery acid immedi-
ately with plenty of clean water and seek
medical attention.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temper-
atures below freezing point. When jump-
starting the vehicle or charging the bat-
tery, gases can escape from the battery.
There is a risk of an explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting.
!Only use battery chargers with a maximum
charging voltage of 14.8 V.
XOpen the service cover (Ypage 151).
XConnect the battery charger to the positive
terminal and ground point in the same
order as when connecting the donor battery
in the jump-starting procedure
(
Ypage 168).
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/
warning lamps in the instrument cluster do
not light up, it is highly likely that the dis-
charged battery has frozen. In this case you
may neither jump-start the vehicle nor
charge the battery. The service life of a
thawed-out battery may be shorter. The start-
ing characteristics can be impaired, partic-
ularly at low temperatures. Have the thawed-
out battery checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
166Battery (vehicle)
>> Breakdown assistance.
Only charge the fitted battery with a battery
charger which has been tested and approved
by smart. A battery charger specially adapted
for smart vehicles, and tested and approved
by smart, is available as an accessory. It per-
mits the charging of the battery in its instal-
led position. Contact a smart center for fur-
ther information and availability. Read the
battery charger's operating instructions
before charging the battery.
Battery (vehicle)167
>> Breakdown assistance.
Z
Jump-starting
GWARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean over
the battery. Keep children away from batteries. Wash away battery acid immediately with
plenty of clean water and seek medical attention.
GWARNING
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a
risk of an explosion.
Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks and smoking. Ensure there is suffi-
cient ventilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
GWARNING
During the charging process, a battery produces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs or
sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
RMake sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with
vehicle parts.
RNever place metal objects or tools on a battery.
RIt is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when con-
necting and disconnecting a battery.
RWhen jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are con-
nected.
RIt is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
RNever connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running.
GWARNING
A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures below freezing point. When jump-starting
the vehicle or charging the battery, gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an
explosion.
Allow the frozen battery to thaw out before charging it or jump-starting.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts. Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be
damaged by the non-combusted fuel.
If, at low temperatures, the indicator lamps/warning lamps in the instrument cluster do not
light up, it is highly likely that the discharged battery has frozen. In this case you may neither
jump-start the vehicle nor charge the battery. The service life of a thawed-out battery may be
shorter. The starting characteristics can be impaired, particularly at low temperatures. Have
the thawed-out battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
168Jump-starting
>> Breakdown assistance.
Do not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
RThe battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
RYou may only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust system are cold.
RDo not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
ROnly jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
ROnly use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
RIf the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start con-
nected for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the battery slightly.
RMake sure that the two vehicles do not touch.
Make sure that:
RThe jumper cables are not damaged.
RBare parts of the terminal clamp do not come into contact with other metal parts while the
jumper cables are connected to the battery.
RThe jump leads cannot come into contact with parts which can move when the engine is
running, such as the wiper rods or the fan.
XSecure the vehicle using the parking brake.
XTurn the key to position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
XSwitch off all electrical consumers, e.g. rear window heating, lighting etc.
XOpen the service cover.
Position number 0083identifies the charged battery of the other vehicle or an equivalent jump-
starting device.
XRemove the protective cover from positive terminal 0043.
XConnect positive terminal0043on your battery to positive terminal 0044of donor battery 0083
using the jump lead. beginning with your own battery.
XStart the engine of the donor vehicle and run it at idling speed.
XConnect negative terminal 0087of donor battery 0083to negative terminal 0085of your battery
using the jump lead. Connect the jump lead to donor battery 0083first.
Jump-starting169
>> Breakdown assistance.
Z
XStart the engine.
XBefore disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine run for several minutes.
XFirst disconnect the jump lead from negative terminal0085and negative terminal 0087and then
from positive terminal 0043and positive terminal 0044. Begin each time at the contacts on your
own vehicle first.
XAttach the protective cover to positive terminal 0043.
XHave the battery checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
iJump-starting is not considered to be a normal operating condition.
iJumper cables and further information regarding jump starting can be obtained at any
qualified specialist workshop.
Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Functions relevant to safety are restricted or no longer available if:
Rthe engine is not running
Rthe brake system or the power steering is
malfunctioning
Rthere is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or the vehicle's electrical system
When your vehicle is towed away or towed
started, you may require considerably more
effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of
an accident.
In such cases, use a tow bar. Before being
towed away or tow started, make sure the
steering moves freely.
GWARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
GWARNING
When towing or tow-starting another vehi-
cle and its weight is greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle, the:
Rthe towing eye could detach itself
Rthe vehicle/trailer combination could
rollover.
There is a risk of an accident.
When towing or tow-starting another vehi-
cle, its weight should not be greater than
the permissible gross weight of your vehi-
cle.
Information on your vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating can be found on the vehicle
identification plate (
Ypage 205).
!Do not use the towing eyes for recovery
purposes as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a
crane.
!Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
!Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
!The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
170Towing and tow-starting
>> Breakdown assistance.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:when
towing a vehicle, the transmission must be in
position N.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock
Rcannot shift the transmission to position N
on vehicles with automatic transmission
iDeactivate the automatic locking feature
(Ypage 55). You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
iVehicles with the basic carrier fitted:
Do not tow away the vehicle with the basic
carrier fitted.
Do not secure the tow cable or tow bar to the
basic carrier.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
XRemove the towing eye from the stowage
space. The towing eye is located in the vehicle
tool kit stowage compartment in the front-
passenger footwell (
Ypage 161).
XCarefully prise out cover 0043using a suit-
able tool, e.g. a plastic wedge.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XUnscrew and remove the towing eye.
XPosition top of cover 0043in the bumper and
press it in at the bottom until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit
stowage compartment in the front-
passenger footwell (
Ypage 161).
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions (
Ypage 170).
!The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP
®could other-
wise damage the brake system.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 69).
XBring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
XVehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
or
XVehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and select
neutral.
XTake the SmartKey with you when you leave
the vehicle.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on the
ground
i
In order to signal a change of direction
when towing with the hazard warning lamps
Towing and tow-starting171
>> Breakdown assistance.
Z
switched on, use the combination switch as
usual. In this case, only the indicator
lamps for the direction of travel flash.
After resetting the combination switch, the
hazard warning lamp starts flashing again.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the
automatic transmission automatically shifts
to position Pwhen you open the driver's or
front-passenger door or when you remove the
key from the ignition lock. In order to ensure
that the automatic transmission stays in
position Nwhen towing the vehicle, you must
observe the following points:
XMake sure that the vehicle is stationary.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion N.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
XLeave the SmartKey in position 2in the
ignition lock.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the parking brake.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 69).
It is important that you observe the safety
instructions when towing away your vehicle
(
Ypage 170).
Transporting the vehicle
!
You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise,
the vehicle could be damaged.
XVehicles with automatic transmission:
turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock (
Ypage 87).
XVehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and select
neutral.
XShift the transmission to position N.
As soon as the vehicle has been loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.
XVehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P.
XVehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal fully and engage
first or reverse gear.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
XSecure the vehicle.
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.
Tow-starting (emergency engine start-
ing)
!
Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
iYou can find information on "Jump-start-
ing" at (Ypage 168).
Before tow-starting:
Rthe battery must be connected
Rthe engine must be cold
Rthe exhaust system has cooled down.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
(Ypage 69).
XInstall the towing eye (Ypage 171).
XSecure the rigid towing bar or the towing
rope.
XDepress and hold the brake pedal.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock.
XDepress the clutch pedal fully, engage sec-
ond gear and keep the clutch pedal fully
depressed.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XTow-start the vehicle.
XRelease the clutch pedal slowly; do not
depress the accelerator pedal while doing
so.
XWhen the engine is started, immediately
depress the clutch pedal fully and select
neutral.
XPull over at a suitable place and stop the
vehicle safely, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away
with the parking brake.
XRemove the rigid towing bar or towing
rope.
172Towing and tow-starting
>> Breakdown assistance.
Tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits
securely on the wheel. There are several steel
wires in the bead to prevent the tire from
coming loose from the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 5 lbs (2.3 kilograms).
These optional extras, such as high-perform-
ance brakes, level control, a roof rack or a
high-performance battery, are not included
in the curb weight and the weight of the
accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
This is a unique identifier which can be used
by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus iden-
tify the purchasers. The TIN is made up of the manufacturer's identity code, tire size, tire
type code and the manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a
code that contains the maximum load bearing
capacity of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the
tires and the road surface.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are dis-
tributed over the tire tread. If the tire tread
is level with the bars, the wear limit of 00CDin
(1.6 mm) has been reached.
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle at
their designated seating positions.
Total load limit
Nominal load and luggage load plus 68 kg
(150 lbs) multiplied by the number of seats in
the vehicle.
Changing a wheel
Flat tire
You can find information on what to do in the
event of a flat tire in the "Flat tire" section
(
Ypage 161).
Rotating the wheels
GWARNING
Never interchange the front and rear wheels
as they have different dimensions, e.g.
size, wheel offset etc. Otherwise, there
could be a negative effect on the road hold- ing and you could endanger yourself or oth-
ers.
!On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are loca-
ted in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the elec-
tronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Various types of steel wheel can be fitted on
your vehicle. Some steel wheels have a red
mark in the hub cap area. The hub cap has to be
removed to see the red mark, see "Raising the
vehicle" in the "Wheel change" section
(
Ypage 197). When changing the wheels,
always fit wheels of the same type on all axles.
Always pay attention to the instructions and
safety notes when changing a wheel
(
Ypage 196).
The wear patterns on the front and rear tires
differ, depending on the operating condi-
tions. Front tires typically wear more on the
shoulders and the rear tires in the center.
Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and
the brake disc thoroughly every time a wheel
is rotated. Check the tire pressure and reac-
tivate the tire pressure monitor if necessary.
196Changing a wheel
>> Wheels and tires.