First Oil Change Since Buying....

bobojay · 06-12-2009, 11:52 PM

I try to do all my own maintenance if possible. I did my first oil change this evening.
The filter wasn't as bad as I had been led to believe after reading about it on this forum. Tight for sure, but my standard size oil filter strap wrench worked well and it came loose easily. Luckily it wasn't gorilla tight!
When I filled the oil back up, it ended up taking just a little over 5 full quarts to get to the full mark. More than the manual says. Luckily I had some extra.
By the way, I did let the oil drip out for over an hour before plugging it back up and filling. Don't know if that made much difference though on the fill quantity.
I would rate it a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale for difficulty, doing it with ramps on the garage floor.

Next project: transmission and front differential.

ricbrk · 06-13-2009, 07:55 PM

You didn't mention what year it is, but the 08's are easier to change the oil filter than the 07's. You also did not say how many miles on it. The rear differential is more important to change the oil in than the front or transmission on the AWD's. I've found these cars real easy to work on. I installed a remote start in my wifes 08, and was worried when it said I had to splice a wire to a injector wire. It was simple. She wanted a 6 disc cD changer in hers, like I have in my 07, and our friend who works at a junk yard got us one for $100. After you get the two chrome strips off, "their a bastard", it is simple. Plugs right in.

F.B. · 06-13-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobojay

I try to do all my own maintenance if possible. I did my first oil change this evening.
The filter wasn't as bad as I had been led to believe after reading about it on this forum. Tight for sure, but my standard size oil filter strap wrench worked well and it came loose easily. Luckily it wasn't gorilla tight!
When I filled the oil back up, it ended up taking just a little over 5 full quarts to get to the full mark. More than the manual says. Luckily I had some extra.
By the way, I did let the oil drip out for over an hour before plugging it back up and filling. Don't know if that made much difference though on the fill quantity.
I would rate it a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale for difficulty, doing it with ramps on the garage floor.

Next project: transmission and front differential.

You can use the Grand Vitara filter for more capacity. the diffs are easy to do. A good synthetic may get you a few bit more mpg.

jOwaBelz · 06-13-2009, 10:05 PM

job well done!...good luck!...

bobojay · 06-13-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F.B.

You can use the Grand Vitara filter for more capacity. the diffs are easy to do. A good synthetic may get you a few bit more mpg.

The Grand Vitara 4 or 6cyl? Or are they the same?

Amsoil synthetic going in everything as I get to it.....

F.B. · 06-13-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobojay

The Grand Vitara 4 or 6cyl? Or are they the same?

Amsoil synthetic going in everything as I get to it.....

I used the 6 cyl., but I think they are the same. I made a mistake using the catalog at Pep Boys. it was a good mistake.

Jeff L. · 06-21-2009, 10:53 AM

They are not the same between 4 and 6 cylinder motors. The 4 cylinder GV uses the Aerio/SX-4 filter. The 99-08 GV V6 uses it's own filter and the '09 V6 GV uses the 07-09XL7 filter

bobojay · 06-21-2009, 11:06 AM

Yes I know, having been in the automobile business for 45 years or so, that just because a filter looks the same, (but maybe longer), and screws on the same, doesn't make it the same.
For instance, my Grasshopper lawnmower with a 25hp Kohler engine uses the same oil filter, looks and fitment wise as the Geo/Suzuki Metro 3 cyl. I used to have. But using the Geo filter on the Kohler engine can lead to catastrophic engine failure because of heat issue differences with the air cooled engine.
An extreme example I know, but just an example.

F.B. · 06-21-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobojay

Yes I know, having been in the automobile business for 45 years or so, that just because a filter looks the same, (but maybe longer), and screws on the same, doesn't make it the same.
For instance, my Grasshopper lawnmower with a 25hp Kohler engine uses the same oil filter, looks and fitment wise as the Geo/Suzuki Metro 3 cyl. I used to have. But using the Geo filter on the Kohler engine can lead to catastrophic engine failure because of heat issue differences with the air cooled engine.
An extreme example I know, but just an example.

This is what I used. Old filter 14477. New filter 22821

pa_suzuki_tech · 07-30-2009, 10:31 PM

Just a for the record. In no way shape or form do I have anything against people doing there own work BUT. On the past three engines we've done. suzuki is now requiring all records even if the inside of the is clean. meaning if you don't show records of your work done by a professional shop then suzuki will not cover the part under warrenty. I know alot of people will have a problem with me saying this but think of it from there point of view. you can say o ya i change my oil every 4k miles when you really dont and have no way to prove that you do. Grant you to some diy'ers this isn't fair but it also isn't fair for a hurting car company to keep replacing engines due to customer error.