Smart fortwo coupe and smart fortwo cabriolet electric drive (2015). Manual

Do not aim directly at

electrical parts

electrical connectors

seals

other rubber parts

The distance should be at least 3.9 in

(10 cm) and the water temperature must

not exceed 140¦ (60¥). Follow the

instructions provided by the power

washer manufacturer on maintaining a

distance between the vehicle and the

nozzle of the power washer.
Always keep the jet of water moving

across the surface.

Powerwashing could damage

the high-voltage battery

the drive system

the engine compartment

Do not powerwash these components.

Decorative foils
!

Decorative foils are permanently

adhered to the painted parts of the vehi-

cle and cannot be removed.

Do not expose the foils to solvents, gas-

oline or diesel.

When cleaning with a power washer, note

the following guideline values:

Water temperature max. 176¦ (80¥)

Minimum distance 11.8 in (30 cm)

Jet of water strike at a right angle

Paintwork care

The frequency with which you care for your

paintwork is dependent on

how much the vehicle is used

where you normally park the vehicle (e.g.

in a garage or under a tree)

the season

weather and environmental influences

Rectifying paintwork damage

You can use a touch-up paint pen to repair

minimal stone chip damage and scratches.
Recommended touch-up paint pens can be

obtained in a smart center.

For any major paintwork damage, please

contact a smart center.

Exterior

Repair options

Plastic parts (body

panels) with clear-

coat

Clearcoat touch-up

paint pen

Body panels with

base coat and

clearcoat

recommended

touch-up paint pen

set in the relevant

color

tridion safety cell recommended

touch-up paint pen

set in the relevant

color

Soft top system (cabriolet only)

Regular care will protect the retractable

soft top and the rear soft top against exter-

nal influences, helping to preserve its

value. Use only an approved soft top

cleaner when removing dirt from the soft

top.

Never clean the soft top using a power

washer, as water could get into the inside

of the vehicle.

Cleaning the soft top fabric
!

Only clean the retractable soft top and

the rear soft top when they are closed.

Dry cleaning

Brush the soft top fabric with a soft

brush, always working in the same direc-

tion, i.e. from front to back.

Vehicle care

157

Operatio

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Where will I find ...
Tire repair kit

The tire repair kit is located in the

passenger footwell under the carpet.

Insert a suitable object such as a coin

into the slot of carpet holder :.

Turn carpet holder : counterclockwise.

Lift the carpet.

;

Tire repair kit

The following is included:

Tire sealant container

Electric air pump with filler hose

Sticker

Operating instructions label (on the

inside of the tire repair kit lid)

The tire sealant container is located

below the tire repair kit.

WARNING

The tire repair kit is a limited repair

device. In case of a breakdown caused by a

flat tire, read through the section flat tire

carefully. When using the tire repair kit

follow the instructions in this section.

Failure to follow these instructions can

result in severe injury or death.

160

Where will I find ...

Practical

hints.

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Display messages

The following display messages appear in the multifunction display (

page 83).

You can confirm certain display messages.

Confirming messages: Press the OK button on the control lever briefly (

page 83).

Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Switch Off Engine

The coolant is too hot.
In addition, the ? warning lamp in the instrument cluster

lights up and a warning signal sounds.

Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.

Switch off the drive system immediately.

Engage the parking brake.

Make sure the air supply for the radiator is uninterrupted.

Only start the drive system again after the display message

disappears. You could otherwise damage the drive system.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

Release Parking

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.

Release the parking brake.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

Brake System See

Operator's Manual

There is a slight malfunction in the vacuum supply of the brak-

ing system.

When braking, continue to depress the brake pedal.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

(USA only)

(Canada only)

Brake Malfunction

Service Required

There is a serious malfunction in the vacuum supply of the

braking system.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Shift

Shift to

to NN or

or PP to

Start

You have attempted to start the engine while the automatic

transmission was in reverse gear R or drive position D.

Shift the automatic transmission into park position P or

neutral position N.

Make sure that N or P is shown in the multifunction display.

Display messages

161

Practical

hints

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Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Transmission Not

in P

The driver's door is open and the gear selector lever is in

position R, N or D.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Move the gear selector lever to P.

Malfunction Serv.

Req.

There is a malfunction in the coolant compressor or in the

heating/coolant circuit.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Battery Power Too

Low

The outside temperature is too low. The full battery capacity is

not available.
The vehicle does not start.

Charge the high‑voltage battery (

page 112).

High-voltage Bat‐

tery at Reserve

Level

The high‑voltage battery has reached reserve level.

Charge the high‑voltage battery (

page 112).

Charge HV Battery

Immediately

The charge level of the high‑voltage battery is below 5 %.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Charge the high‑voltage battery (

page 112).

Engine

Engine Restart

Restart Not

Not

Possible

There is a serious malfunction in the drive system. The drive

system can no longer be started.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Do not restart the drive system.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

High-Voltage Sys‐

tem

Service Required

There is a malfunction in the drive system, the electric motor

or the high‑voltage battery. There is a high‑voltage safety

problem.
In addition, the N warning lamp in the instrument cluster

lights up and a warning signal sounds.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Reduce

Speed

The vehicle speed exceeds 84 mph (135 kmh).
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Reduce the speed.

The message disappears.

162

Display messages

Practical

hints

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Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Drive System

Service Required

There is a malfunction in the drive system, the electric motor

or the high‑voltage battery.
In addition, the yellow þ warning lamp in the instrument

cluster lights up.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Drive System

Switch

Switch Engine

Engine Off

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 þ warning lamp in the instrument clus-

ter lights up and a warning signal sounds.

Switch off the drive system.

Do not continue driving.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Do Not Tow

(Away)

Either the drive or the high‑voltage system is faulty.
In addition, the N warning lamp in the instrument cluster

lights up.

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

Not Possi‐

Possi‐

ble

There is a malfunction in the on-board charger. The high‑volt-

age battery cannot be charged.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Parking Lock Inac‐

tive

The gear selector lever is in position P, but the parking lock is

not detected.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

Apply the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to another position, e.g. to R.

Move the gear selector lever to P again.

Driver´s Door Ajar

The driver’s door is open.

Close the driver’s door.

Door Ajar

The passenger door is open.

Close the passenger door.

Tailgate Open

A tailgate or the rear soft top

is open.

Close the tailgates or the rear soft.

cabriolet only.

Display messages

163

Practical

hints

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Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Charge Cable Con‐

nected

The charging cable is inserted in the vehicle power socket. The

vehicle cannot be moved.
In addition, a warning signal sounds.

To drive off, remove the charging cable from the vehicle

power socket and stow the cable in the vehicle.

Ready to Charge

The vehicle is prepared for the high‑voltage battery to be

charged. It may take 30 seconds for the charging process to

begin.

Malfunction

Despite the charging cable being correctly inserted in the

vehicle power socket, the high‑voltage battery does not

charge. There is a malfunction in the on-board charger.

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

No Charge

The voltage on the vehicle power socket is too low.

Check whether the charging cable is inserted correctly in

the power sockets of both the vehicle and the power source. If

necessary, unplug the charging cable from both sockets and

reinsert it.

If, afterwards, the message is still displayed:

Contact an authorized electric drive smart center.

Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Check

Check Tire

Tire Pressure

Pressure

The tire inflation pressure in at least one tire is signifi-

cantly below the reference value.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt steer-

ing and braking maneuvers.

Check and adjust tire inflation pressure as required

(

page 130).

If necessary, change the wheel (

page 195).

WARNING

Each tire should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-

ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and Loading Information placard. If your

vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading Infor-

mation placard, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring

system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is

significantly underinflated.

164

Display messages

Practical

hints

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Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your

tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly

underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s

handling and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire

maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even

if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire

pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the

system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low

tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for

approximately 1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction

exists. When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect

or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of incom-

patible replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from

functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or

more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and

wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.

Display messages

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

Danger: Ice

(Canada only)

The outside temperature is below 3¥. The road may be icy.

Adjust your driving style to the prevailing road and weather

conditions.

Confirming message: Press the OK button on the control lever

briefly (

page 83).

WARNING

The display message

Danger:

Danger: Ice

Ice

is not designed 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. The road may still be icy, especially in wooded areas or on bridges. Your

vehicle could start to skid if you do not adjust your driving style accordingly.
Therefore, always adjust your driving style to the prevailing road and weather conditions.

Display messages

165

Practical

hints.

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Brake

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

ò (USA only)

! (Canada only)
The ABS indicator

lamp illuminates

while the drive system

is running.

There is a malfunction in the ABS system.

Have the ABS system checked at an authorized electric drive

smart center immediately.

ò (USA only)

! (Canada only)
The ABS indicator

lamp illuminates

together with the

brake warning lamp

$ (USA only) or

J (Canada only)

while the drive system

is running.

The ABS system fails.

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.

Do not continue to drive.

Switch off the drive system.

Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.

Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized electric drive

smart center.

WARNING

When the ABS system is malfunctioning, the wheels may lock during hard braking, reducing

steering capability and extending the braking distance.
When the ABS is switched off due to a malfunction, the ESP

is also switched off. The basic

driving and braking functions are still available.
The risk of your vehicle skidding is then increased in certain situations. You should

therefore always adapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing road and weather

conditions.

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

$ (USA only)

J (Canada only)
The brake warning

lamp illuminates

while the drive system

is running.

You are driving with the parking brake engaged.

Release the parking brake.

The brake circuit fails or the brake fluid level in the brake

fluid reservoir is too low.

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.

Do not continue to drive.

Switch off the drive system.

Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the problem.

Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.

Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized electric drive

smart center.

What to do if ...

167

Practical

hints

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WARNING

Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated can result in an accident. Have your brake

system checked immediately if the brake warning lamp stays on.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system.

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 imme-

diately. Contact an authorized electric drive smart center immediately. Do not add

brake fluid as this will not solve the problem.

Safety systems

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

7 The seat belt

telltale illu-

minates con-

stantly for a

maximum of

6 seconds after

starting the

drive system.

Regardless of whether the seat belt is fastened or not, the seat

belt telltale always comes on and remains lit for 6 seconds

after starting the drive system.

Fasten your seat belts.

7 The seat belt

telltale illu-

minates con-

stantly. An

additional

warning chime

sounds for a

maximum of

6 seconds after

starting the

drive system.

The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.

Fasten your seat belts.

7 The seat belt

telltale flashes

with increas-

ing frequency

of a warning

chime for a

maximum of

60 seconds.

The vehicle speed once exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h), and both the

driver’s and passenger seat belt are unfastened.

Fasten your seat belts.

If the driver’s or the passenger seat belt remains unfastened

after 60 seconds, the warning chime stops sounding. The seat

belt telltale stops flashing but continues to be illuminated.
The seat belt telltale will only go out if both the driver’s and

the passenger seat belt (with the passenger seat occupied) are

fastened, or the vehicle is standing still and a door is opened.

168

What to do if ...

Practical

hints.

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Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

6 Scenario 1:

The SRS indica-

tor lamp illu-

minates when

the ignition is

switched on and

goes out after a

maximum of

4 seconds.

The subsequent self check of the safety systems detected no

malfunction. The supplemental restraint system is opera-

tional.

6 Scenario 2:

The SRS indica-

tor lamp illu-

minates when

the ignition is

switched on and

goes out after a

maximum of

4 seconds for

approximately

1 second, then it

comes on again

and stays on.

There is a malfunction in the supplemental restraint systems.

The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices could deploy

unexpectedly or fail to deploy in an accident.

Do not sit on the passenger seat; this applies particularly to

children.

Have the system checked at an authorized electric drive

smart center.

WARNING

If the SRS indicator lamp does not come on when you switch on the ignition or does not go out

again after a few seconds once the drive system is running or comes on again, the supple-

mental restraint systems are malfunctioning.
In the event that a malfunction of the SRS is indicated as described in scenario 2, the SRS may

not be operational. For your safety, we strongly recommend that you contact an authorized

electric drive smart center immediately to have the system checked; A malfunctioning SRS

system may not deploy when needed in an accident resulting in serious or fatal injury, or it

might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could result in an accident and/or

injury to you or to others.

If the SRS indicator lamp comes on while driving, have the system checked at an

authorized electric drive smart center immediately.
It is possible that the air bag and the emergency tensioning device could be activated

unintentionally or will not function in the event of an accident.

Information on the operating principle of the air bags can be found in the “Safety”

section (

page 33).

What to do if ...

169

Practical

hints

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Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

÷ The ESP

warn-

ing lamp

flashes while

driving.

The ESP

has engaged because of detected traction loss in at

least one tire.

When driving off, apply as little throttle as possible.

While driving, ease up on the accelerator pedal.

Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and

weather conditions.

÷ The ESP

warn-

ing lamp illu-

minates con-

tinuously while

the drive sys-

tem is running.

The ESP

is not operational due to a system failure.

Have the system checked at an authorized electric drive

smart center.

The ESP

is not available.

Have the system checked at an authorized electric drive

smart center.

WARNING

When the ESP

warning lamp is illuminated continuously, the ESP

is not available or not

operational due to a system failure.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions and the non-operating status
of the ESP

It may be possible to clear a system failure by restarting the drive system.

Restart the drive system.

If the warning lamp still does not go out, have the system checked at an authorized

electric drive smart center immediately.

More information on the ESP

can be found in the “Safety” section (

page 47).

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

D The yellow EPS

warning lamp

illuminates

while the drive

system is run-

ning.

The Electronic Power Steering (EPS)* is not available.

Have the EPS checked at an authorized smart electric drive

center immediately.

WARNING

When the EPS is not available a higher degree of effort is necessary to steer the vehicle. Have

the system checked at an authorized electric drive smart center.

170

What to do if ...

Practical

hints

* optional

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Vehicle

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

# The red 12-V-

battery indica-

tor lamp illu-

minates while

driving or does

not go out after

the drive sys-

tem is started.

The 12-V-battery is not being charged.

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.

Do not continue to drive.

Switch off the drive system.

Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.

Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized electric drive

smart center.

N The yellow

high-voltage

battery warn-

ing lamp comes

on while driv-

ing.

There may be a malfunction in the high-voltage system.
Contact an authorized electric drive smart center immediately

and have the high-voltage system checked.

K The high‑beam

headlamp indi-

cator lamp does

not illuminate

when the

high‑beam

headlamps are

switched on or

when using the

high‑beam

flasher.

The high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp has failed.

Have the high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp checked at an

authorized electric drive smart center.

M The low‑beam

headlamp indi-

cator lamp does

not illuminate

when the

low‑beam head-

lamps are

switched on.

The low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp has failed.

Have the low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp checked at an

authorized electric drive smart center.

What to do if ...

171

Practical

hints.

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Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

# !
The turn signal indi-

cator lamp(s) do(es)

not illuminate when

the ignition is

switched on and the

corresponding turn

signal is switched on

or the hazard warning

flasher is switched

on.

The turn signal indicator lamp(s) has (have) failed.

Have the turn signal indicator lamp(s) checked at an author-

ized electric drive smart center.

# !
The turn signal indi-

cator lamp(s) flashes

at double frequency.

One of the turn signals is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible (

page 180).

Have the turn signal checked at an authorized electric drive

smart center as soon as possible.

Drive system

Problem

Possible causes/consequences and M

M Solutions

? The red coolant

temperature

warning lamp

illuminates.

The coolant is too hot. The high-voltage battery and/or the

drive system are not cooled sufficiently.

Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location.

Switch off the drive system.

Engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.

Contact Roadside Assistance or an authorized electric drive

smart center.

172

What to do if ...

Practical

hints.

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Smart fortwo coupe and smart fortwo cabriolet electric drive (2015). Manual - part 10