SmartFortwo2016Overview/smart/fortwo/2016/base/

2016 Smart Fortwo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Fortwo.

Transmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2016 Smart Fortwo pairs its AM6 automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 33 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined. Falling within the 2005–2019 production span, this model year arrives well after the line’s 2008 peak complaint volume of 139 yet several years before the 2019 low of a single reported issue, situating it in the later portion of the generation where reported problems had decreased from historical highs but had not yet reached the final year’s minimum. This placement indicates the 2016 edition occupies a middle-to-late position in the model’s reliability trajectory, operating outside the worst of the documented complaint surge while remaining part of the production era that preceded the final year’s significant reduction in reported issues.

Model year20162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy33/39/35 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tire sizeFRONT P155/60R15; REAR P175/55R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimFRONT 4.5; REAR 5.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine air filter2810900600
Spark plug2811590003
Battery4539820200 alt 4539820108
Front wiper blades4538242100 alt 4518200045
Serpentine belt2819931696
Thermostat2812010180 alt 2812030161
Cabin air filter4538350300 alt 4518300018

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length106.3 in
Overall width65.4 in
Overall height61.4 in
Wheelbase73.6 in
Curb weight2050 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 55.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)45/55

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined33 / 39 / 35 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Fortwo of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.90 sec — 2016 Proxy Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Proxy Coupe 0.9L Turbo I-39.90 sec17.50 sec89 hpRWD
2017Electric Drive Passion Coupe Elec 60-kW 17.6-kWh9.00 sec17.00 sec80 hpRWD
2017Passion Cabriolet 0.9L Turbo I-310.20 sec17.70 sec89 hpRWD
2017Electric Drive Prime Coupe Elec 60-kW 17.6-kWh10.30 sec17.80 sec80 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Mercedes part number A 001 989 51 03 in the differential, SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear OilMercedes part number A 001 989 51 03
Manual Transmission FluidCastrol BOT 328
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.5-5.0
Power Steering FluidEPS

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug47.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts25.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug32.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque17.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerBosch
Spark Plug Gap0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100

Service checks

Pressure Test23.2 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief23.2 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.018-0.021 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque22 / Front: 22; Rear: NA
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque85
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .315; Rear: NA
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 8.051
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .780; Rear: NA
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 8.047

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., 9033 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.4 ft. lbs.18.4 ft. lbs
2270 degrees270 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4515 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4422 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant at 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 25,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Hybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect)
Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 37,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 40,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 50,000 miBrake Wheel Cylinder (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V448000Parking BrakeReported 16/07/2017

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in… Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Fortwo. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Fortwo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Fortwo get?

EPA figures are 33 city / 39 highway / 35 combined mpg.