Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Fortwo Passion.
The 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion is a passenger car whose powertrain requires exactly 3.5 quarts of engine oil—specified in 0W-30, 5W-30, or 0W-40 viscosities—reflecting the precise maintenance demands of its compact mechanicals. Researchers evaluating this model year must weigh these operating parameters against a notable reliability footprint, as the vehicle has accumulated 100 total owner complaints alongside a single recall. With the power train representing the top complaint area, the 2009 Fortwo occupies a point in the model's history where drivetrain concerns become the defining factor for assessing its long-term viability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1321800110. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 1321800110 |
| Engine air filter | 001094030164 |
| Spark plug | 1321590203 alt 1321590003 |
| Battery | 001982790826 alt 0009827808 |
| Front wiper blades | 4518200045 |
| Thermostat | 1322000015 |
| Cabin air filter | 4518300018 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 106.3 in |
| Overall width | 61.4 in |
| Overall height | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 73.6 in |
| Curb weight | 1852 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 50.4 / 53.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 43/57 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.5 qt of 0W-30 / 5W-30 / 0W-40 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 47.9 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 0W-30 · 5W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.5 qt |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 25 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 47.9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 81 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.21 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 100 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 540 cca |
| Pressure Test | 23.2 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 23.2 psi |
| Engine Compression | 159-218 psi. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 22 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 85 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.118 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.381 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.381 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.315 in |
| Drum Nominal Diameter | 7.99 in |
| Drum Discard at-or-over | 8.05 |
| 1 | 16 ft. lbs. | 16 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 10 degrees. | 10 degrees |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 | 22 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi.
| Every 10,000 mi | Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2009 Smart Fortwo Passion top in one area — the power train, 16 of 100 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the power train, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 11 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 100 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the… Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer…
Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI82.30-P-059239 | 2026-05-19 | Visibility/Wiper | Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper… |
| LI82.10-P-078301 | 2026-04-16 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a… |
| LI33.30-P-056665 | 2025-05-21 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off… |
| LI82.10-P-078896 | 2025-04-28 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural… |
| LI82.10-P-078301 | 2025-04-28 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.5 qt of 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40, 5W50, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.