Driving Instructions - SMART fortwo coupe Operator's Manual

surfaces. This may cause serious damage
to the drive- train which is not covered
by the smart Limited Warranty.
High and low stresses
G
Warning!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes
overheating, thereby significantly
reducing their effectiveness and your
ability to stop the vehicle in sufficient
time to avoid an accident.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Wet road surface
G
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through
water deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
To help prevent brake disc corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to

Driving instructions

parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Limited braking effect on salted roads
Remember that the effect of the brakes can
be limited on salted road surfaces. A layer
of salt can form on brake discs and brake
pads, considerably reducing the friction
between the brake disc and the brake pad.
The effect is most noticeable after long
trips without braking, e.g. on the highway,
and after the vehicle has been parked for
several hours.
G
Warning!
The accumulation of salt on brake discs and
brake pads reduces braking effectiveness
and increases the distance necessary to
come to a complete standstill. This could
potentially cause an accident and/or
personal injury.
To avoid this risk, you should
brake carefully every now and then on
R
salted roads in order to remove any layer
of salt on the brake disc and brake pad,
but do so without endangering any other
road users.
keep a good safe distance from the
R
vehicle in front and drive carefully.
press the brake carefully at the end of the
R
trip and again when beginning the next
trip in order to remove any salt residues
from the brake disc.
New brake pads
Only install brake pads recommended by
smart.
139
Z