Smart roadster and smart roadster coupe. Instruction — part 9

On the move 711

Driving

Automated shifting (softouch)*

쮿

In the gearshift plane, press the
softouch button (A).
> The car will perform automated

gearshifts.

> An

A appears in the gear indicator.

To return to softip:

쮿

Press the gearshift lever or the shift
paddles* on the steering wheel towards
+ or , or press the softouch button.

>Note!
When you start the car, instruction shifting
(softip) is selected.
Exception: Brabus vehicles and vehicles
with 60 kW.

Kickdown function
Vehicles with softouch* or vehicles with
cruise control*:
Use the kickdown function when you want
maximum acceleration.

쮿

Depress the accelerator past the
pressure point.
> The transmission downshifts.

쮿

Take your foot slightly off the
accelerator once you have reached the
desired speed.

If you press the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point to make a sports start,
the clutch is not engaged until the engine
has reached a higher speed.

712 On the move

Driving

Parking

쮿

Park the car.

쮿

Apply the footbrake.

쮿

Shift the gearshift lever to position

R.

쮿

Wait until the display shows

R.

쮿

Switch off the engine.

쮿

Apply the handbrake.

쮿

Remove the ignition key.

>Important!
In order to ensure that the turbocharger
can quickly cool down after a fullload
journey, the last few kilometres should be
driven at a slow pace or the engine should
run in neutral for a short period prior to
switching off the engine.

>Note!
The reverse gear

R is not a runaway

protection device (parking lock), and if
the car is parked on a hill with a steep
incline it may still roll away.
The car is only ever 100 % safe when the
handbrake has been applied.

Accident risk!
When you stop the car on a hill or

park it, it must be secured additionally
by means of the handbrake.
The vehicle could otherwise set itself
in motion even with the gearshift
lever in position

R. This could result

in an accident and cause serious or
even fatal injuries.

Danger of injury!
Do not leave children

unsupervised in the car. They could
e.g. release the handbrake This could
result in an accident and cause serious
or even fatal injuries!

Accident risk!
Do not park the car with the

engine running and a gear engaged.
This could allow the car to set itself in
motion and cause an accident.

On the move 713

Driving in winter

Driving in winter

At the beginning of winter, have your
vehicle winterised by a qualified
specialist workshop such as a smart
center.

A qualified specialist workshop such as a
smart center will check
the condition of your winter tyres,
the condition of the engine oil,
the concentration of anticorrosion

agent and antifreeze in the coolant,

the mixture ratio in the washer system,
the state of charge of your battery.
Electronic systems (such as esp) are not
able to overcome the laws of physics.
Adapt your driving style and speed to the
winter road conditions and exercise
caution when accelerating and braking.

Please pay particular attention to the
following notes concerning winter
driving:
Use only wheels and tyres approved by

smart gmbh.

Change over to winter tyres at an early

date, preferably in the autumn.

Drive at low engine speeds.
Avoid extreme load reversals.
Upshift in good time (lowspeed

driving) and take your foot off the
accelerator pedal when shifting gears.

Avoid sudden, jerky movements of the

steering wheel.

Brake your car in good time before

entering a bend.

Accident risk!
Failure to observe the notes on

gear shifting and driving in winter
conditions may result in diminished
operating stability, e.g. the rear end
could break away. lead you to cause an
accident.

Accident risk!
On bends, even electronic

systems are only capable of providing a
limited degree of stabilisation.
Always adapt your driving style to the
weather, road and traffic conditions.
You should therefore reduce your speed
before entering a bend. You could
otherwise cause an accident.

Accident risk!
Electronic control systems such

as esp are only able to stabilise the
vehicle subject to the laws of physics.
Always adapt your speed to the weather,
road and traffic conditions.

714 On the move

Driving with a catalytic converter

Driving with a catalytic converter

Things you need to know

The catalytic converter reduces

exhaust emissions.

The catalytic converter is located at the

rear of the car.

Fill up with leadfree petrol only. Even

small quantities of leaded petrol can
damage the catalytic converter.

Please pay particular attention to the
following items, as there is otherwise a
danger of overheating and the catalytic
converter may be damaged.
Make sure you adhere to the prescribed

service intervals.

Never run the fuel tank empty.
Protective measures are built into the

engine control unit that are activated,
should the engine experience problems.
Please drive slowly to the next qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a smart
center.

If the engine fails to start the first time,

you should not try to start it any more
than three times in succession.

Do not run the starter motor for periods

of more than 4 seconds at a time.

Danger of injury and danger of

burns!

The catalytic converter can get

extremely hot. Coming into contact
with it could result in burns. For this
reason
never remove its protective guard.
do not apply underseal.
when parking the car make sure that

the catalytic converter cannot come
into contact with any flammable
material (e.g. hay or grass). It could
otherwise ignite and cause fire
damage or injury.

On the move 715

Driving notes

Driving notes

The following tricks will help you to save a
substantial amount of fuel with your car.
Not only will you reduce your operating
costs; you also will be helping to protect
the environment.

1. Take five
The following holds true for traffic lights,
rail barriers and when sitting in tailbacks:
always switch the engine off, as you only
need to be stopped for 10 seconds to save
money.

>Important!
Make sure when you are about to drive off
again that
the gearshift lever is in position

N.

the footbrake is applied.
the gear indicator is displaying an

N.

2. Full speed ahead
Driving off expends considerably more
energy than driving at a constant speed.
So when starting off, drive for no more
than two vehicle lengths (approx. 5 m) in
1st gear and accelerate briskly with the
throttle at least three quarters of the way
down.

3. Please shift
Shift gears in good time when the gear
indicator in the display advises you to do
so.

4. Keep on running, look ahead
Frequent braking followed by
accelerating will cause your car to use up
distinctly more fuel than otherwise. For
this reason you should keep your distance
from the vehicle in front and ease off the
accelerator in good time whenever
possible.

5. Letting go
It is always better to let the vehicle roll
with the transmission in gear and to apply
no gas than to roll in neutral. This way,
fuel consumption is zero (deceleration
fuel shutoff).

6. Under pressure
Correct tyre pressures help save fuel,
increase tyre service life and improve
braking safety. Tyre inflation pressures
are given on the inside of the fuel tank flap
for various load and climate conditions.

7. Shedding ballast
A loadedup rear luggage rack will
increase air resistance and in turn the
fuel consumption of your car. Take off the
load if it is not necessary.

716 On the move

Driving notes

8. Travelling light
Unnecessary articles stored in the
luggage compartment will also increase
fuel consumption. We would therefore
advise you to check the luggage
compartment from time to time and
remove any unnecessary articles.

9. The perfect setting
Have your car checked regularly by a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. in a
smart center. Do not exceed the
scheduled service intervals.

Environment!

You will save energy and help to

protect the environment if you refrain
from warming up the engine before
driving off and switch the engine off
when stationary due to a traffic
induced delay.

On the move 717

Cruise control*

Cruise control*

From a speed of 30 km/h, the cruise
control allows you to specify a speed that
you would like to maintain, e.g. in order to
comply with speed limits. The cruise
control then automatically maintains this
speed. The cruise control is activated
using the right control lever.

>Important!
Pressing the button on the control lever
once or pushing the brake pedal will
immediately deactivate the cruise control
function and activate the limiter function.

Labels on the control lever
SET: for setting
CONT: for continuing
CANCEL MODE: clears operating mode

Accident risk!
Only establish the memorised

speed if it is safe to do so.
Otherwise sudden acceleration or
braking could endanger both yourself
and others.

Accident risk!
The cruise control is intended

solely as an aid to easier driving. It
always remains your responsibility to
drive at an appropriate speed and
apply the brakes in good time. The
cruise control is unable to take account
of the road and traffic conditions.
Switch off the cruise control e.g. on icy
roads or in fog.

718 On the move

Cruise control*

To activate the cruise control

쮿

Bring your car up to the desired speed.

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

.

> The desired driving speed is

automatically held and stored.

Altering speed selected via the cruise
control
The set driving speed can be changed with
the ring switch. Decelerating using the
ring switch will bring the speed down only
to 30 km/h.

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

.

> The speed is increased.

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

.

> The speed is reduced.

>Note!
The driving speed set using the ring
switch also can be stored by turning
towards .

On the move 719

Cruise control*

Deactivating the cruise control
The cruise control is switched off:
when braking.
when the esp system is in operation.
when the control lever is pressed one

time.

The driving speed last set with the cruise
control is stored.

>Note!
The speed last memorised is erased when
you turn off the engine.

Resuming the stored driving speed
If you would like to resume the stored
driving speed:

쮿

Turn the ring switch at the end of the
control lever towards

.

> The car is automatically accelerated

or braked to the speed last
memorised.

720 On the move

Speed limiter*

Speed limiter*

The speed limiter enables you to specify
any permissible speed from 30 km/h as
your speed limit, but to vary the speed up
to this limit by accelerating and braking.
The speed limiter function can only be set
if the engine is running.
The speed limiter is activated using the
right control lever.

>Important!
Pressing the button on the control lever
once will immediately deactivate the
limiter function and activate the cruise
control function.

Switching on the speed limiter

쮿

Press the control lever for approx.
2 seconds.
> The speed limiter is now switched on.
> "LIM" and a speed value appear in the

display.

Using for the first time
Three horizontal dashes which flash in
conjunction with "LIM" appear in the
display during initial use and when used
for the first time after the battery has
been reconnected.

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

.

> The speed limiter function is

switched on.

> The display shows a speed that can be

changed with the ring switch.

On the move 721

Speed limiter*

Setting the speed limit

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

or

to set the speed limit.
> The speed changes in increments of

5 km/h.

Driving with a speed limiter
You can accelerate your vehicle up to the
set speed limit.
The engine is governed as soon as it
reaches the upper limit.

Exceeding the specified limit speed
The specified speed limit may be
exceeded if
the car is accelerated while travelling

downhill,

you reduce the set speed limit using the

ring switch, when your actual speed is
higher than the new speed.

If the specified speed limit is exceeded by
at least 10 km/h,
a warning signal sounds,
the speed limiter display starts to flash.
These warning signals cease once the set
speed limit has been reached.

Temporarily switching off the speed
limiter
In certain situations it may be necessary
to temporarily switch off the speed
limiter.

쮿

Press the control lever once.
> The speed limiter function is

switched off.

> Only "LIM" appears in the display.

722 On the move

Speed limiter*

Reactivating the speed limit
You can reactivate the speed limit at any
driving speed.

쮿

Turn the ring switch towards

.

> The speed limit last stored re

appears in the display.

>Note!
The last speed selected for the speed
limiter is stored when you switch off the
engine. It can be called up directly the
next time the engine is started.

>Note!
If you activate the kickdown function with
the accelerator, the speed limiter
function is switched off for safety
reasons. You can exceed the specified
limit if the situation requires.

Switching off the speed limiter

쮿

Press the control lever for 2 seconds.
> The speed limiter is now switched off.
> The cruise control is switched on.

On the move 723

Brakes

Brakes

Handbrake
The handbrake serves to secure the car
against rolling away when it is stationary
or parked.

Operating the handbrake

쮿

Pull the lever upwards.
> The lever engages automatically when

pulled up.

Releasing the handbrake

쮿

Lift the lever up slightly.

쮿

Push lock knob (A).

쮿

Push the lever down.

Footbrake
The footbrake has two brake circuits that
are independent of each other. A brake
servo is used when braking to increase
pedal force.

Accident risk!
When you stop the car on a hill or

park it, it must be secured additionally
by means of the handbrake.
The vehicle could otherwise set itself
in motion even with the gearshift
lever in position

R and cause an

accident.

Danger of injury!
Do not leave children

unsupervised in the car. They could
e.g. release the handbrake This could
result in an accident and cause serious
or even fatal injuries!

724 On the move

Brakes

If a brake circuit fails (see "Brake system
faults" 726),
you must press the brake pedal further

down to achieve the same effect,

the braking distance is longer.

쮿

Immediately park your car away from
moving traffic.

쮿

Secure your car against rolling away if
you have to leave it.

쮿

Do not drive any further.

쮿

Call a breakdown recovery service
such as smartmove Assistance or a
qualified specialist workshop such as a
smart center.

>Note!
The brake servo will function only with the
engine switched on.

Danger of injury!
Never restrict the free movement

of the pedals in any way. Never place
any loose objects in the driver's
footwell. Ensure that there is
sufficient clearance from floor mats or
carpets.
Do not leave children unsupervised in
the car. They could remove a gear that
has been engaged, or release the
handbrake.
This could allow the car to set itself in
motion and cause an accident.

Accident risk!
Considerably more effort will be

required to apply the brakes if
the brake servo has failed,
a brake circuit has failed,
the engine is switched off, e.g. for

towing away.

The braking distance is likewise
greater.
Make sure that the engine is running
whenever the vehicle is rolling. Have
the brake system repaired by a
qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
smart center, if there is a fault in the
brake system.

Accident risk!
In the event of the car needing to

be towed, a significantly greater
amount of pedal pressure will be
required when the engine is switched
off.

On the move 725

Brakes

The mechanicalacoustic brake pad
display
The car is equipped with a mechanical
acoustic brake pad display. If you can
hear a continuous noise from the front
axle when braking, you should take the car
to a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
smart center.

Hydraulic brake assistant
The hydraulic brake assistant is activated
in emergency braking situations.
When you quickly depress the brake pedal,
the hydraulic brake assistant
automatically amplifies the brake force,
thereby decreasing the braking distance.

쮿

Depress and hold the brake pedal until
the emergency braking situation has
passed.
> abs will prevent the wheels from

locking up.

> When you release the brake pedal, the

brakes will function as they normally
would.

> The hydraulic brake assistant is then

deactivated.

Antilock braking system (abs)

The antilock braking system prevents the
wheels from locking up when braking.
Steering control is retained and you can
therefore take evasive action to avoid
obstacles.

>Important!
The abs system has intervened when the

brake pedal starts to pulsate.

abs is only effective during emergency

braking manoeuvres and when at least
one wheel is locked up.

Braking using abs
In emergency situations:

쮿

Quickly depress the brake pedal as
hard as you can.

쮿

Steer around the obstacle.
> The vehicle remains under control.

>Note!
Continue to apply the brakes even when
the pedal starts to pulsate. This way you
will achieve maximum deceleration.

Accident risk!
The risk of accidents increases

if you drive too fast, particularly

into corners,

on wet and slippery surfaces,
if you drive too close to the vehicle

in front.

abs and esp can reduce this risk but not
exclude it entirely. Always adapt your
driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.

726 On the move

Brakes

Brake system faults
A brake system fault has occurred if the
brake system indicator light
does not go out after releasing the

handbrake.

comes on when the car is in motion.
comes on at the same time as the abs

indicator light.

In all three cases

쮿

Immediately park your car away from
moving traffic.

쮿

Secure your car against rolling away if
you have to leave it.

쮿

Do not drive any further.

쮿

Call a breakdown recovery service
such as smartmove Assistance or a
qualified specialist workshop such as a
smart center.

Faults in the abs system
An abs malfunction has occurred if the abs
indicator light
does not go out again when the engine

has started or within 10 seconds of
having started (case 1).

comes on when the car is in motion (abs

emergency) (case 2).

comes on together with the brake

indicator light (abs malfunction) (case
3).

In cases 1 and 2

쮿

Take the car to a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a smart center, without
delay.

In case 3

쮿

Immediately park your car away from
moving traffic.

쮿

Secure your car against rolling away if
you have to leave it.

쮿

Do not drive any further.

쮿

Call a breakdown recovery service
such as smartmove Assistance or a
qualified specialist workshop such as a
smart center.