Regular maintenance intervals and consumables

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Forecourt Information

Information you may need on the forecourt of a garage.

Please ensure this information applies to your specific vehicle and country, as variations can occur.

Important common notes

General awareness about proper fluid selection

• Beware that selecting a suitable / proper fluid (oil, coolant, etc.) is vital for the longevity of the mechanical systems which use those fluids!
  • For example, the longevity of the engine, gearbox, etc. is highly dependent on what exact oil type is used.

• Using a high quality fluid from a good manufacturer is one thing, but equally as important is using a properly matching type of fluid.
• However, selecting a proper fluid type can be a rather tricky endeavor, as there can be significant differences among seemingly unimportant specification details.
• For example, the most common misconception regarding oils is that only the viscosity specification is relevant / important.
  • This means choosing an engine oil only by looking if it's 10W-40 or 5W-30 or etc.
• Oil's viscosity is just one of its attributes.
• Oils have many other chemical attributes which are equally as important.

• Generally, the petrochemical industry and technology is so vastly complicated in discerning all the types, standards, classifications, ranges, compositions, ratings, regulations, gradings and whatnot, that it is very hard even for professional petro-chemists to discern it all.
  • This is additionally made worse by several "moot" standards and classifications in that industry (example are API GL-x classifications).
    • In short, the industry has never settled on properly formulated international standards about many material and chemical characteristics of petrochemical products, so there are various country-level or even "industry jargon" standards in use around.
      • For example, API classifications are an old American industry rating which has not yet been replaced by anything better designed and with world-wide consensus.

Choosing proper fluids

• Luckily, ordinary motor vehicle users do not need to dive deep into all those peculiarities of the petrochemical industry.
  • Otherwise, it would have to be a really deep dive indeed!
• As long as a few specific guidelines are being adhered to, an ordinary user can make a proper fluid selection.

Common notes about motor and transmission oils

• Engine and transmission oils can be of mineral composition, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic.
• There is no formal industry standard or classification for this, so generally any oil (for example: "5W-40 ACEA B3" engine oil) can either be mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic. The only way to determine that is to read the description on oil's container, and one of these three should be written in plain English.
• Mineral oils should be avoided, as they are generally too much susceptible to many things and influences, and they loose their chemical and physical virtues relatively quickly during use.
• Fully synthetic oils should be used whenever possible, as they generally provide the most chemical and material virtues (depending on quality) and have the longest longevity.
• Semi synthetic oils are a very "moot" category, as there is no definition of what a "semi" really represents in terms or percentages or so.
  • In other words, an oil which is 95% mineral and only 5% synthetic is also called "semi synthetic", with equal rights for that "name" as an other oil which is 20% mineral and 80% synthetic.
  • This "vagueness" in definition is usually exploited in the industry.
  • With semi-synthetic oils, the only rough estimation of what percentage of a semi synthetic oil is really synthetic, is to compare its price with its competition.
    • Higher price should mean more synthetic compounds in it.
  • This is why only a fully synthetic oil is a "safe bet".

• Replace engine oil filter whenever engine oil is being replaced.
• Engine oil filter quality is important!
  • Cheap, poor quality oil filters can cause 100 times more expensive damage than the amount of money saved when buying them.

• It was written earlier that viscosity figures ("xW-y") of oil are not the only important parameters.
• With engine oils, equally important characteristics is the exact "ACEA" or "API" category of the engine, or the exact vehicle manufacturer's standard which the oil needs to conform to.
  • Either the ACEA classification, API classification or vehicle manufacturer's own classification will be specified for required engine oil in vehicle's owner's manual.
    • Examples: API SH, API SL, ACEA B3, ACEA C4, Mercedes-Benz 229.3, Renault RN0710, Volkswagen 505.00, etc.
• So, to properly choose a suitable engine oil, you need to watch out for three important parameters:
  1. Suitable viscosity (example: 5W-40);
  2. Suitable chemical characteristic classification (example: ACEA B3, API SL, Renault RN0710, etc.);
  3. After you find engine oils on offer which match the first two criteria, it's then your own choice to choose a mineral, semi synthetic or fully synthetic oil among them.

• With transmission oils (for the gearbox, transfer box and the differential), the other very important parameter (except the viscosity figures) is their API chemical classification.
• Using a transmission oil of wrong API classification can kill the gears in your transmission!
• So, if the vehicle manufacturer has stated to use API GL-4 oil, make your best effort to adhere to that!
• The difficult part here is that API classifications are quite old and they have been poorly defined from technological viewpoint, so many oil manufacturers now produced "combined" or "enhanced" transmission oils which "exceed" the requirements of these classifications.
• The most common example is a transmission oil which is classified as "API GL-4/5" (non standard manufacturer's "classification").
  • This is quite absurd, as API GL-4 and API GL-5 classifications are by definition totally incompatible!
• The other common example is a "classification" called "API GL-4+" which does not exist in any official books.

• In summary, when choosing transmission oils, after selecting a suitable viscosity, make sure to select an exactly matching API classification.
  • Try to avoid any "enhanced" or "combined" classifications like "API GL-4+" or "API GL-4/5" etc.
    • In other words, if it says to use API GL-4 or if it says to use API GL-5, the safest decision is to use only precisely that one (no "+" or "combo" "APIs")!
• The problem is that proper API GL-4 oils (which Jimnys use for the gearbox and the transfer box) are becoming hard to find these days (as Jimnys were designed in the 20th century you know).
• One of tried and recommended API GL-4 transmission oils Ravenol TSG.

Notes about engine coolants

• The situation with suitable engine coolants is the most chaotic of all.
• In the simplest overall terms, just know that there is no common standard whatsoever about types and variants of engine coolants.
• Also be very much aware that a color of an engine coolant does not determine its type!
  • Determining engine coolant's type based on its color is like determining person's religion based on their hair color!

• There are various types and private "standards" of engine coolants, and not all are suitable of just any engine!
• In the simplest terms, most Asian (Japanese, Korean, Chinese etc.) vehicle manufacturers use phosphate based engine coolants and they avoid silicate based coolants like poison.
  • On the other hand, most European vehicle manufacturers use silicate based engine coolants and avoid phosphate based coolants like plague.

• Finding a phosphate based engine coolant in Europe is like finding a pig in Teheran.
• Usually the only sources of phosphate based, silicate free engine coolants in Europe are official service workshops of Japanese vehicle manufacturers, where you should be able to buy OEM Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, Nissan etc. coolants.
  • However these OEM coolants can be quite expensive, or even hardly available.
    • Also, they are usually available only as a pre-diluted mix, which might not be suitable if you want to control a precise mix ratio with distilled water when replacing the coolant.

• No aftermarket engine coolant manufacturer in Europe has been found that produces phosphate-based engine coolants.
  • If you find out about one, please add that info here!

Luckily, there are imperfect, but at least more or less compatible alternatives:

• • German chemical mega factory BASF has their "standard" G30 which is both silicate and phosphate free, so is advertised as a universal formula for both Europe and Japan.
  • German manufacturer Volkswagen also has a similar "standard" VW TL 774 F, which is also called G12+ (note: only one "plus"), which is also both silicate and phosphate free.

Since your main goal is not to introduce silicates in the cooling system, both of these coolant types are at least not outright damaging to your Suzuki engine. The lack of phosphates might not be such a major issue, since both of these coolant types have other (organic) types of additives which should more or less make up for the lack of both silicates and phosphates.

Examples of aftermarket coolants based on BASF G30:

• BASF's own Glysantin G30
• Comma Xstream G30

Examples of aftermarket coolants based on VW G12+ (VW TL 774 F) are plentiful and many.

• However, don't confuse them with G12++ type, which is quite a different type!
• Also, make certain that a G12+ coolant states to be both silicate and phosphate free on the product labeling.

And remember - color of an engine coolant is irrelevant!
But what is relevant is that you perform a thorough flush of the entire coolant system (radiator, expansion tank, engine block, heater core) with plenty of soft or demineralized water before pouring the new coolant in!

Notes on brake fluids

• All Jimnys require brake fluids which comply to a rather old DOT-3 standard.
• However, DOT-4 standard has fully superseded the DOT-3 standard in the meantime.
  • So, if you can not find a DOT-3 brake fluid, it is completely safe and allowed to use any DOT-4 brake fluid (and even recommended).
    • On the other hand, DOT-5 standard is completely incompatible with any of those, so do not use any DOT-5 brake fluid!
• DOT-3 and DOT-4 brake fluid compositions are not super advanced chemistry, so in general any manufacturer's DOT-3 or DOT-4 brake fluids should be of completely acceptable quality.

Fluid specifications and replacement intervals

Important common notes for all the tables

• All stated quantities and specifications are direct copies from original Suzuki's user manuals.

• All replacement intervals are direct copies from original Suzuki's user manuals for normal driving conditions.
• In some cases, this data has been supplemented with advised "practical" intervals from the "community / street experience" (in normal driving conditions).
  • In such cases, it is generally recommended to adhere to advisted "practical" intervals instead to official factory intervals.

• However, replacement intervals for many parts and fluids are significantly shorter if the vehicle regularly endures one or more driving conditions which are classified as "severe".
• In that case, you should consult your original Suzuki user manual (chapter 8 - "Inspection and maintenance"), which contains detailed info about shortened replacement intervals in severe driving conditions.
• Many aspects of all-terrain driving fall under one or more classifications of "severe driving conditions"!

• There are several driving conditions which user manuals classify as "severe conditions":
  1. Repeated short trips;
  2. Driving on rough and/or muddy roads;
  3. Driving on dusty roads;
  4. Driving in extremely cold weather and/or salty roads;
  5. Repeated short trips in extremely cold weather;
  6. Leaded petrol fuel use;
  7. Low quality diesel fuel use;
  8. Towing a trailer (or otherwise working under heavy load);
  9. Also, driving like an ignorant idiot.
• Not each type of condition is applicable to every fluid's or part's shortened replacement interval.
• Read your factory user manual for full info!

• Calculate miles from kilometers by dividing kilometers by 1.61.

• Engine air filter should officially be changed on every 3rd engine oil replacement (and air-blown during the intermediate ones).
• However, driving in dusty or smoggy conditions can severly shorten air filter's service life.
  • Therefore, change the air filter more often (at least every 2nd engine oil change), by evaluating its condition.
    • A dirty air filter causes lower engine power, higher fuel consumption and long term engine damage.

Jimnys with G13BB petrol engine, UK

• G13BB engine has 59 kW / 80 HP of power and 1298 cm3 capacity.
• All Jimnys used this engine from year 1998 to year 2000/2001/2002 (depending on market), when G13BB engine was superseded with M13A engine.
  • However, G13BB engine was still used in many "cabrio" / soft top Jimnys even until year 2005/2006.

Type	Quantity	Specification	Service interval
Engine oil	3.7 l ('1) 4.2 l ('2)	API SH or SJ ('3) Also: SAE 10W-30 (normal climate) or 5W-30 (cold climate) or 10W-40 (hot climate)	15 000 km or 12 months; In practice: 10 000 km or 12 months
Manual gear box oil	1.1 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	45 000 km or 3 years
Automatic gear box oil	1.0 l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	160 000 km; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-4 years
Transfer gear box oil	0.7 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (front)	1.1 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (rear)	1.3 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Engine coolant	4.5 l	Ethylene glycol, strictly non-silicate based, preferably phosphate based	45 000 km or 3 years
Power steering	? l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	Not defined
Brake fluid	~0.9 l ('4)	SAE J1703 or DOT-3	30 000 km or 2 years
Spark plugs, nickel	4 pieces	Denso K20PR-U NGK BKR6E	With O2 sensor: 45 000 km Without O2 sensor: 30 000 km
Engine accessory drive belt(s)	1 or 2 pcs.	Many aftermarket models	V belt: 30 000 km or 2 years V-rib belt: 90 000 km or 6 years
Engine camshaft timing belt	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	100 000 km
Petrol fuel filter	1 piece	?	210 000 km

Notes:

• ('1) Official quantity specification for type 1 Jimnys with G13BB engine;
• ('2) Official quantity specification for type 2 Jimnys with G13BB engine;
• ('3) These are old, deprecated API engine oil classifications.
  • They have been superseded for a long time by any newer API SX classification where "X" is a "later" letter than J (like SL, SM, SN, etc.)
• ('4) Nowhere officially specified - measured in practice.

Jimnys with M13A (non-VVT) petrol engine, UK

• M13A engine has 60 kW / 82 HP of power and 1328 cm3 capacity.
  • Note: Engine capacity is the same as in the newer VVT edition, so be careful not to mix them up!
• This engine was introduced in year 2000/2001 (depending on market) and it was superseded with improved M13A VVT engine in year 2005/2006 (depending on market).
  • Most regular ("closed top" / "tin top") petrol Jimnys used this engine in the specified time period, but many "cabrio" / "soft top" Jimnys still used the older G13BB engine.

Type	Quantity	Specification	Replacement interval
Engine oil	4.0 l	API SJ or SL('1) Also: SAE 10W-30 (normal climate) or 5W-30 (cold climate) or 10W-40 (hot climate)	15 000 km or 12 months; In practice: 10 000 km or 12 months
Manual gear box oil	1.1 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	45 000 km or 3 years
Automatic gear box oil	1.0 l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	165 000 km; In practice: 75 000 km or 4-5 years
Transfer gear box oil	0.8 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (front)	1.1 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (rear)	1.3 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Engine coolant	5.2 l	Ethylene glycol, strictly non-silicate based, preferably phosphate based	45 000 km or 3 years
Power steering	? l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	Not defined / mentioned
Brake fluid	~0.9 l('2)	SAE J1703 or DOT-3	30 000 km or 2 years
Spark plugs, nickel	4 pieces	Denso K20PR-U11 NGK BKR6E-11	With O2 sensor: 45 000 km Without 02 sensor: 30 000 km
Spark plugs, iridium	4 pieces	Denso SK16PR-A11 ('3) NGK IFR5E11 ('4) NGK IFR6E11 ('5) NGK IFR6J11 ('6)	With O2 sensor: 60 000 km Without 02 sensor: 45 000 km
Engine accessory drive belt(s)	1 or 2 pcs.	Many aftermarket models	90 000 km or 6 years
Petrol fuel filter	1 piece	?	210 000 km

Notes:

• ('1) These are old, deprecated API engine oil classifications.
  • They have been superseded for a long time by any newer API SX classification where "X" is a "later" letter than L (like SM, SN, etc.)
• ('2) Nowhere officially specified - measured in practice.
• Factory prefers iridium spark plugs, especially if the vehicle is used in colder climates.
• ('3)('4) Recommended only in factory documentation for type 2 Jimnys with M13A engine.
• ('5)('6) Recommended in factory documentation for type 3 and type 4 Jimnys with M13A engine.
• All things considered, when choosing iridium spark plugs, it would probably be better to use spark plugs ('5) or ('6) instead of ('3) or ('4)
  • Reason: Newer documentation (with more experience from the manufacturer) for the same engine type.
  • To further simplify the choice - use NGK IFR6J11, as that spark plug has been exclusively recommended by Suzuki for M13A engine since year 2006 onwards.

Jimnys with M13A (VVT) petrol engine, UK

• This engine has 63 kW / 86 HP of power and 1328 cm3 capacity.
  • Note: Engine capacity is the same as in the older non-VVT edition, so be careful not to mix them up!
  • Note: Engine power is the same as in K9K 266 diesel engine - do not be an idiot and mix them up!
• This engine was introduced in year 2005/2006, depending on market, and kept being used unchanged until the last produced Jimny in year 2018.
  • All petrol Jimnys from year 2007 to 2018 used exclusively this engine, as did most of those built in 2006, and a few built in 2005.

Type	Quantity	Specification	Replacement interval
Engine oil	4.0 l	API SL or SM ('1) Also: SAE 10W-30 (good) or 5W-30 (better) or 0W-20 (best)	15 000 km or 12 months; In practice: 10 000 km or 12 months
Manual gear box oil	1.3 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-80	150 000 km or 10 years; In practice: 50 000 km or 3 years
Automatic gear box oil	3.7 l ('2) 5.7 l ('3)	Suzuki ATF3317 or Mobil ATF3309 or Dexron III	165 000 km; In practice: 75 000 km or 4-5 years
Transfer gear box oil	1.13 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (front)	1.65 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (rear)	1.35 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Engine coolant	5.2 l ('4) 5.9 l ('5)	Ethylene glycol, strictly non-silicate based, preferably phosphate based	For non-phosphated non-HOAT coolants: 45 000 km or 3 years For phosphated HOAT coolants: 75 000 km or 4 years
Power steering	? l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	Not defined / mentioned
Brake fluid	~0.9 l ('6)	SAE J1703 or DOT-3	30 000 km or 2 years
Spark plugs, nickel	4 pieces	Denso K20PR-U11 NGK BKR6E-11	With O2 sensor: 45 000 km Without 02 sensor: 30 000 km ('7)
Spark plugs, iridium	4 pieces	NGK IFR6J11	With O2 sensor: 60 000 km Without 02 sensor: 45 000 km ('7)
Engine accessory drive belt(s)	1 or 2 pcs.	Many aftermarket models	90 000 km or 6 years
Petrol fuel filter	1 piece	?	210 000 km

Notes:

• ('1) These API engine oil classifications might become obsolete, but newer API engine oil classifications are backwards compatible.
  • So, if by the time you read this, API SM classification becomes obsolete, just use any newer API SX classification, where X is a "later" letter.
  • The current API petrol engine oil classification as of 2018 is SN. In future it could be SO, SP, etc.
• ('2) Official capacity specification for type 6 and type 7 Jimnys with M13A VVT engine.
• ('3) Official capacity specification for type 8 and type 9 Jimnys with M13A VVT engine.
• ('4) Official capacity specification only for type 6 Jimnys with M13A VVT engine.
• ('5) Official capacity specification for type 7 and newer Jimnys with M13A VVT engine.
• ('6) Nowhere officially specified - measured in practice.
• Factory prefers iridium spark plugs, especially if the vehicle is used in colder climates.
• ('7) As far as it is known, all Jimnys with M13A VVT engine have been sold with an O2 sensor (at least in European Union).
  • However, there might be some Jimnys with M13A VVT engine and without an O2 sensor in other world markets.

DDiS Jimnys with K9K 700 diesel engine, continental Europe

• This engine has 48 kW / 63 HP of power and 1461 cm3 capacity.
  • Note: Capacity is the same as in the newer K9K 266 engine, so be careful not to mix them up!
• This engine was introduced in year 2003 and was superseded with K9K 266 engine in late 2005/2006.
  • All diesel Jimnys from year 2003 to year 2004 used exclusively this engine, as did most of those built in 2005, while only a few built/sold in 2006 used it.

Type	Quantity	Specification	Replacement interval
Engine Oil	4.0 l	ACEA B3 or B4 Also: SAE 10W-40 (good) or 5W-40 (better) or 0W-40 (best)	15 000 km or 12 months; In practice: 8000 km or 12 months
Manual gear box oil	1.9 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	45 000 km or 3 years
Transfer gear box oil	1.2 l ('1) 1.13 l ('2)	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (front)	1.65 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (rear)	1.35 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Engine coolant	7.0 l	Ethylene glycol, strictly non-silicate based, preferably phosphate based	30 000 km or 2 years
Power steering	? litres	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	Not mentioned / defined
Brake fluid	~0.9 l ('3)	SAE J1703 or DOT-3	30 000 km or 2 years
Engine accessory drive belt(s)	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	75 000 km or 5 years
Engine camshaft timing belt and tensioner	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	75 000 km or 5 years
Diesel fuel filter	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	45 000 km or 3 years; In practice: 30 000 km or 2 years ('4)

Notes:

• Air filter, oil filter and fuel filter for diesel Jimnys are different than for petrol Jimnys.
• The user manual for DDiS Jimnys strongly warns against using engine oils with "X"W-30 viscosity, as engine damage is promised in that case.
• ('1) Official specification for DDiS K9K-700 engined Jimnys with lever operated transfer box.
• ('2) Official specification for DDiS K9K-700 engined Jimnys with bush button operated transfer box.
• ('3) Nowhere officially specified - measured in practice.
• ('4) If the diesel fuel filter has a water drain valve, drain the water from it during every engine oil change.

DDiS Jimnys with K9K 266 diesel engine, continental Europe

• This engine has 63 kW / 86 HP of power and 1461 cm3 capacity.
  • Note: Capacity is the same as in the older K9K 700 engine, so be careful not to mix them up!
  • Note: Engine power is the same as in the M13A VVT petrol engine - do not be an idiot and mix them up!
• This engine was introduced in year 2005/2006 and was used unchanged until the last produced diesel Jimny in year 2010.
  • All diesel Jimnys from year 2007 to 2010 (or early 2011) used exclusively this engine, as did most of those built in 2006, and a few built in late 2005.

Type	Quantity	Specification	Replacement interval
Engine Oil	4.9 l	ACEA B3 or B4 Also: SAE 10W-40 (good) or 5W-40 (better) or 0W-40 (best)	15 000 km or 12 months; In practice: 8000 km or 12 months
Manual gear box oil	1.9 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	45 000 km or 3 years
Transfer gear box oil	1.13 l	API GL-4, SAE 75W-90	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (front)	1.65 litres	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Differential oil (rear)	1.35 l	API GL-5, SAE 80W-90, hypoid	Never; In practice: 50 000 km or 3-5 years
Engine coolant	7.3 l	Ethylene glycol, strictly non-silicate based, preferably phosphate based	30 000 km or 2 years
Power steering	? l	Dexron IIE or Dexron III	Not defined / mentioned
Brake fluid	~0.9 l ('1)	SAE J1703 or DOT-3	30 000 km or 2 years
Engine accessory drive belt(s)	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	75 000 km or 5 years
Engine camshaft timing belt and tensioner	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	75 000 km or 5 years
Diesel fuel filter	1 piece	Many aftermarket models	45 000 km or 3 years; In practice: 30 000 km or 2 years ('2)

Notes:

• Air filter, oil filter and fuel filter for diesel Jimnys are different than for petrol Jimnys.
• The user manual for DDiS Jimnys strongly warns against using engine oils with "X"W-30 viscosity, as engine damage is promised in that case.
• ('1) Nowhere officially specified - measured in practice.
• ('2) If the diesel fuel filter has a water drain valve, drain the water from it during every engine oil change.

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Page last edited on 19/12/2018 by user Bosanek