2016 SMART FORTWO Owners Manual

System self-test
GDANGER
If both the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamps do
not light up during the system self-test, the
system is malfunctioning. The front-
passenger front air bag might be triggered
unintentionally or might not be triggered
at all in the event of an accident with high
deceleration. This poses an increased risk
of injury or even fatal injury.
In this case the front-passenger seat may
not be used. Do not install a child restraint
system on the front-passenger seat. Have
the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
checked and repaired immediately at a
qualified specialist workshop.
GDANGER
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit after the system self-test, the front-passenger front air bag is disa-
bled. It will not be deployed in the event of
an accident. In this case, the front-
passenger front air bag cannot perform its
intended protective function, e.g. when a
person is seated in the front-passenger
seat.
That person could, for example, come into
contact with the vehicle's interior, espe-
cially if the person is sitting too close to
the dashboard. This poses an increased
risk of injury or even fatal injury.
When the front-passenger seat is occupied,
always ensure that:
Rthe classification of the person in the
front-passenger seat is correct and the
front-passenger front air bag is enabledor disabled in accordance with the per-
son in the front-passenger seat
Rthe person is seated properly with a cor-
rectly fastened seatbelt
Rthe front-passenger seat has been movedback as far back as possible
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp remains lit when it should not, the
front-passenger seat may not be used. Do
not install a child restraint system on the
front-passenger seat. Have the Occupant
Classification System (OCS) checked and
repaired immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
Objects between the seat surface and the
child restraint system could affect OCS
operation. This could result in the front-
passenger air bag not functioning as
intended during an accident. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Do not place any objects between the seat
surface and the child restraint system. The
entire base of the child restraint system
must always rest on the seat cushion of the
front-passenger seat. The backrest of the
forward-facing child restraint system
must, as far as possible, be resting on the
backrest of the front-passenger seat.
Always comply with the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
After the system self-test, the PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF or PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator
lamp displays the status of the front-
passenger front air bag (
Ypage 37).
For more information about the OCS, see
"Problems with the Occupant Classification
System" (
Ypage 40).
Occupant safety39
>> Safety.
Z

Problems with the occupant classification system (OCS)
Be sure to observe the notes on "System self-test" (Ypage 39).
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and0050Solutions
The PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp
lights up and remains
lit, even though the
front-passenger seat is
occupied by an adult or
a person of a stature
corresponding to that
of an adult.The classification of the person on the front-passenger seat is
incorrect.
XMake sure the conditions for a correct classification of the
person on the front-passenger seat are met (Ypage 36).
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains lit, the
front-passenger seat may not be used.
XHave the OCS checked at a smart center as soon as possible.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF indicator lamp
does not light up and/or
does not stay on.
The front-passenger
seat is:
Runoccupied
Roccupied with the
weight of a child up
to twelve months old
in a child restraint
system
OCS is malfunctioning.
XMake sure there is nothing between the seat cushion and the
child seat.
XMake sure that the entire base of the child restraint system rests
on the seat cushion of the front-passenger seat. The backrest of
the forward-facing child restraint system must lie as flat as
possible against the backrest of the front-passenger seat. If
necessary, adjust the position of the front-passenger seat.
XWhen installing the child restraint system, make sure that the
seat belt is tight. Do not pull the seat belt tight using the front-
passenger seat adjustment. This could result in the seat belt and
the child restraint system being pulled too tightly.
XCheck for correct installation of the child restraint system.
XMake sure that no objects are applying additional weight onto
the seat.
XIf the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp remains off and/or
the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp lights up, do not
install a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat.
XHave the OCS checked at a smart center as soon as possible.
Deployment of belt tensioners and air
bags
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The air bag parts are hot after an air bag
has been deployed. There is a risk of
injury.
Do not touch the air bag parts. Have a
deployed air bag replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop as soon as possible.
GWARNING
A deployed air bag no longer offers any
protection and cannot provide the intended
protection in an accident. There is an
increased risk of injury.
Have the vehicle towed to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop in order to have a
deployed air bag replaced.
For your own safety and that of your front
passenger, it is important that you have
deployed air bags replaced and faulty air
bags repaired. This will help to make sure the
air bags continue to perform their protective
function for the vehicle occupants in the
event of a crash.
40Occupant safety
>> Safety.

GWARNING
Pyrotechnic Emergency Tensioning Devices
that have been deployed are no longer
operational and are unable to perform
their intended protective function. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even
fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic Emergency
Tensioning Devices which have been trig-
gered immediately replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop.
If Emergency Tensioning Devices are trig-
gered or air bags are deployed, you will hear
a bang, and a small amount of powder may also
be released. The 0075restraint system warn-
ing lamp lights up.
Only in rare cases will the bang affect your
hearing. The powder that is released gener-
ally does not constitute a health hazard, but it may cause short-term breathing difficulties
in people with asthma or other respiratory
problems. Provided it is safe to do so, you
should leave the vehicle immediately or open
the window in order to prevent breathing dif-
ficulties.
Air bags and pyrotechnic Emergency Tension-
ing Devices (ETDs) contain perchlorate mate-
rial, which may require special handling and
regard for the environment. National guide-
lines must be observed during disposal. In
California, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/
HazardousWaste/Perchlorate/index.cfm .
Method of operation
During the first stage of a collision, the
restraint system control unit evaluates
important physical data relating to vehicle
deceleration or acceleration, such as:
Rduration
Rdirection
Rintensity
Based on the evaluation of this data, the
restraint system control unit triggers the
Emergency Tensioning Devices during a fron- tal or rear collision. An Emergency Tensioning Device can only be
triggered, if:
Rthe ignition is switched on
Rthe components of the restraint system are
operational. You can find further informa-
tion under: "Restraint system warning
lamp" (
Ypage 30)
Rthe belt tongue has engaged in the belt
buckle of the respective seat
If the restraint system control unit detects a
more severe accident, further components of
the restraint system are activated independ- ently of each other in certain frontal colli-
sion situations:
RFront air bags as well as driver's and front-
passenger knee bags
RWindow curtain air bag, if the system
determines that deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by
the seat belt
The front-passenger front air bag is activa-
ted or deactivated depending on the person on
the front-passenger seat. The front-
passenger front air bag can only deploy in an
accident if the PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indi-
cator lamp is lit. Observe the information on
the PASSENGER AIR BAG indicator lamps
(
Ypage 30).
Your vehicle has two-stage front air bags.
During the first deployment stage, the front
air bag is filled with propellant gas to
reduce the risk of injuries. The front air bag
is fully deployed with the maximum amount of
propellant gas if a second deployment
threshold is reached within a few millisec-
onds.
The activation threshold of the Emergency
Tensioning Devices and the air bag are
determined by evaluating the rate of vehicle
deceleration or acceleration which occurs at
various points in the vehicle. This process is
pre-emptive in nature. Deployment should
take place in good time at the start of the
collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceler-
ation and the direction of the force are
essentially determined by:
Rthe distribution of forces during the col-
lision
Rthe collision angle
Occupant safety41
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Z

Rthe deformation characteristics of the
vehicle
Rthe characteristics of the object with
which the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a
decisive role in the deployment of an air bag.
Nor do they provide an indication of air bag
deployment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably,
without an air bag being deployed. This is the
case if only parts which are relatively easily deformed are affected and the rate of decel-
eration is not high. Conversely, air bags may
be deployed even though the vehicle suffers
only minor deformation. This is the case if,
for example, very rigid vehicle parts such as longitudinal body members are hit, and suf-
ficient deceleration occurs as a result.
If the control unit of the restraint system
detects a side impact or a vehicle rollover,
the relevant components of the restraint sys-
tem are activated separately depending on
the anticipated type of accident.
RThorax/pelvis air bag on the side of
impact, independently of the Emergency
Tensioning Device and the use of the seat
belt
The thorax/pelvis air bag on the front-
passenger side deploys under the following
conditions:
-the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or
-the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat
RWindow curtain air bag on the side of
impact, independently of the use of the seat
belt and independently of whether the
front-passenger seat is occupied
RWindow curtain air bags on the driver's andfront-passenger side in certain situations
when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer
additional protection to that provided by
the seat belt
REmergency Tensioning Devices, if the sys-
tem determines that deployment can offer
additional protection in this situation
iNot all air bags are deployed in an acci-
dent. The differ ent air bag systems work
independently of each other. How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or
acceleration and the apparent type of acci-
dent:
RFrontal collision
RSide impact
RRollover
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes
If a child younger than 12 years and under 5 ft
(1.50 m) in height is traveling in the vehicle:
Ralways secure the child in a child restraint
system suitable for Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles. The child restraint system must be
appropriate to the age, weight and size of
the child
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes in this section in addition to
the child restraint system manufacturer's
installation instructions
Rbe sure to observe the instructions and
safety notes in "Occupant classification
system (OCS)" (
Ypage 36)
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of
park position Por shift manual trans-
mission into neutral.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle.
GWARNING
If persons, particularly children are sub-
jected to prolonged exposure to extreme
42Children in the vehicle
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heat or cold, there is a risk of injury, pos-
sibly even fatal. Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is subjected to
direct sunlight, parts may get very hot.
Children may burn themselves on these
parts, particularly on the metal parts of the
child restraint system. There is a risk of
injury.
If you leave the vehicle, taking the child
with you, always ensure that the child
restraint system is not exposed to direct
sunlight. Protect it with a blanket, for
example. If the child restraint system has
been exposed to direct sunlight, let it cool
down before securing the child in it. Never
leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Always ensure that all vehicle occupants have
their seat belts fastened correctly and are
sitting properly. Particular attention must
be paid to children.
Read and follow the safety notes on the seat
belt (
Ypage 31) and the notes on correct use of
the seat belts (Ypage 32).
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper seat belt positioning for children
over 41 lbs (18 kg) until they reach a height
where a lap/shoulder belt fits properly with-
out a booster seat.
Special seat belt retractor
GWARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving,
the child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real
draws in a portion of the seat belt. The seat belt cannot be immediately refastened.
There is an increased risk of injury, pos-
sibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor
and secure the child restraint system prop-erly.
The seat belt on the front-passenger side is
equipped with a special seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt retrac-
tor ensures that the seat belt will not slacken once the child restraint system has been
secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
XAlways comply with the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPull the seat belt smoothly from the belt
loop.
XEngage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
XPull the seat belt out fully and let the seat
belt retractor retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you
should hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat belt retractor is activated.
XPress the child restraint system down so
that the seat belt fits tightly and does not
slacken.
Removing a child restraint system and deac-
tivating the special seat belt retractor:
XAlways comply with the child restraint sys-
tem manufacturer's installation instruc-
tions.
XPress the seat belt buckle release button,
hold the belt tongue firmly and guide it
back towards the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is deacti-
vated.
Child restraint system
The use of seat belts and child restraint sys- tems is required by law in:
Rall 50 states
Rthe U.S. territories
Rthe District of Columbia
Rall Canadian provinces
You can obtain further information about the correct child restraint system from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Children in the vehicle43
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Z

GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly on a suitable seat, it cannot
protect as intended. The child cannot then
be restrained in the event of an accident,
heavy braking or sudden changes of direc-
tion. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Make sure that you observe the child
restraint system manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions and the notes on use.
Please ensure, that the base of the child
restraint system is always resting com-
pletely on the seat cushion. Never place
objects, e.g. cushions, under or behind the
child restraint system. Only use child
restraint systems with the original cover
designed for them. Only replace damaged
covers with genuine covers.
GWARNING
If the child restraint system is installed
incorrectly or is not secured, it can come
loose in the event of an accident, heavy
braking or a sudden change in direction.
The child restraint system could be thrown
about, striking vehicle occupants. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even
fatal.
Always install child restraint systems
properly, even if they are not being used.
Make sure that you observe the child
restraint system manufacturer's installa-
tion instructions.
You will find further information on stowing
objects, luggage or loads under "Loading
guidelines" (
Ypage 142).
GWARNING
Child restraint systems or their securing
systems which have been damaged or sub-
jected to a load in an accident can no longer protect as intended. The child cannot then
be restrained in the event of an accident,
heavy braking or sudden changes of direc-
tion. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Replace child restraint systems which have
been damaged or subjected to a load in an
accident as soon as possible. Have the
securing systems on the child restraint
system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, before you install a child
restraint system again.
Securing systems for child restraint systems
include:
Rthe seat belt system
Rthe Top Tether anchorages
iIf you install a child restraint system on
the front-passenger seat, make sure that
the backrest is securely engaged
(
Ypage 63).
iIf a child is carried on the front-
passenger seat, be sure to observe the
information on "Child restraint systems on
the front-passenger seat" (
Ypage 45).
There you will also find information on
disabling the front-passenger front air-
bag.
All child restraint systems must meet the fol-
lowing standards:
RU.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ards 213 and 225
RCanadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found on
an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are
included with the child restraint system.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior and on the child restraint system.
Top Tether
Introduction
Top Tether provides an additional connec-
tion between the child restraint system and
the vehicle. This helps reduce the risk of
injury even further. If the child restraint
44Children in the vehicle
>> Safety.

system is fitted with a Top Tether belt, this
should always be used.
Top Tether anchorages
0043Loop
0044Top Tether anchorage
0044Top Tether anchorage
0087Top Tether hook
0085Top Tether belt
Top Tether anchorage 0044is fitted to the lug-
gage compartment floor.
XRoute Top Tether belt 0085back over the head
restraint, keeping it as central as possi-
ble, into the luggage compartment through
loop 0043.
XHook Top Tether hook 0087of Top Tether belt
0087 into Top Tether anchorage 0044.
Lift up the carpet a little if necessary.
Make sure that:
RTop Tether hook 0087is hooked into Top
Tether anchorage 0044as shown.
RTop Tether belt 0085is not twisted.
XTension Top Tether belt 0085. Always comply
with the child restraint system manufac-
turer's installation instructions when
doing so.
Child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat
General notes
If you secure a child in a child restraint sys-
tem on the front-passenger seat, be sure to
observe the instructions and safety notes on
the "Occupant Classification System (OCS)"
(
Ypage 36).
You can thus avoid the risks that could arise
as a result of:
Ran incorrectly categorized person in the
front-passenger seat
Rthe unsuitable positioning of the child
restraint system, e.g. too close to the dash-
board
Rearward-facing child restraint system
If it is absolutely necessary to fit a rear-
ward-facing child restraint system to the
front-passenger seat, always make sure that
the front-passenger front airbag is disa-
bled. Only if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is permanently lit is the
front-passenger front airbag disabled.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Forward-facing child restraint system
If you secure a child in a forward-facing
child restraint system on the front-
passenger seat, always move the front-
passenger seat as far back as possible. Always
make sure that the shoulder belt strap is cor-
rectly routed from the front-passenger seat
belt guide to the shoulder belt guide on the
child restraint system. The shoulder belt
strap must be routed forwards and downwards
from the front-passenger seat belt guide. If
necessary, adjust the front-passenger seat
accordingly.
Always observe the child restraint system
manufacturer's installation and operating
instructions.
Children in the vehicle45
>> Safety.
Z

Pets in the vehicle
GWARNING
If you leave animals unattended or unse-
cured in the vehicle, they could press but-
tons or switches, for example.
As a result, they could:
Ractivate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
Ractivate or deactivate systems, thereby
endangering other road users
Unsecured animals could also be flung
around the vehicle in the event of an acci- dent or sudden steering or braking, thereby
injuring vehicle occupants. There is a risk
of an accident and injury.
Never leave animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always secure animals properly
during the journey, e.g. use a suitable ani-
mal transport box.
Protection against theft
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct Smart Key.
XTo activate: remove the Smart Key from the
ignition lock.
XTo deactivate: switch on the ignition.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
Smart Key with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
Smart Key that is left inside the vehicle.
iThe immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be star-
ted when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter or call 1-800-367-6372 (in USA) or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
Anti-theft alarm system
Switching on
XMake sure that:
Rthe side windows are closed.
Rno objects, such as mascots, are hanging
from the rear-view mirror or grab han-
dles.
This will prevent false alarms.
XMake sure that:
Rthe doors are closed.
Rthe tailgate is closed
Rthe service cover is closed.
XPress the 0037button on the key.
The alarm system is primed after approx-
imately 30 seconds.
iIf the service cover is open or is not
properly closed, the vehicle will be
locked. The anti-theft alarm system is
primed. To remind you that the service
cover is not secured, a warning tone sounds
for 30 seconds. Ensure that the service
cover is properly closed. Only then is the
anti-theft alarm system correctly primed
and the service cover properly secured.
Switching off
XPress the 0036button on the key.
or
XUnlock the vehicle by using the key in the
emergency lock.
and
Switch on the ignition.
Examples for triggering the alarm
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
Rthe vehicle by using the key in the emer-
gency lock
Ra door
Rthe tailgate
Rthe service cover
46Protection against theft
>> Safety.