Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Fortwo Passion Cabrio.
The 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio is a two-door convertible mini car powered by a rear-mounted three-cylinder engine that requires 3.5 quarts of oil with a choice of 0W-30, 5W-30, or 0W-40 viscosity grades for maintenance. This model year represents the third generation of the Fortwo platform and features the Passion trim level, which added enhanced interior appointments and equipment over the base model. In terms of reliability, the 2008 model year recorded 139 owner complaints with engine-related issues being the most frequently cited problem area, alongside two safety recalls issued by the manufacturer. These reliability metrics position the 2008 Fortwo within a broader pattern of engine durability concerns across the model's history, suggesting prospective buyers should prioritize thorough pre-purchase inspections and budget for potential engine-related maintenance.
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 | 1321590003 alt 1321590203 |
| Battery | 001982790826 alt 4519820008 |
| 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 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Cabrio lead in one area — the engine, 27 of 139 reports (19%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the engine are also the target of recall 18V-273 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 7 of the reports describe a crash and 27 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine 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 139 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
SMART USA IS RECALLING 43 MY 2008 FORTWO 451 VEHICLES. A SINGLE BATCH OF PAINT SENT TO THE COMPANY DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. A RE-WORK WAS DONE IN THE PLANT USING DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF PAINTING MATERIALS. AFTER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMART USA AT 1-248-648-2451.
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 48 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.
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.