[martin1977]

I just came across your thread and started reading and saw this! I tried using Android Auto on my brand new 2023 Vitara 4G with the same infotainment system and was disappointed it was not working. I did not know I had to enable it. May you please guide me on how to do this?

Great looking ride by the way! 😃

no problem! All info for the software update is available on the following website:

Log in

 

[martin1977]

Been a little while since I’ve updated this thread, so the newest thing to have happened is that I treated the underside of the car with Lanogurad, a type of sealant that I’ve read positive feedback on.. they sell it in both black and clear.
it smells really strongly so use an old cover to catch drips…. Wear old clothes and also wear a hat.
it sprays on really easily and hardens after about 5x days…
Ill do the front suspension and wishbones etc when I’m under there sorting the front Bilstein dampers.. if they ever arrive!!

I checked this today having applied last weekend and it has indeed done a smashing job of coating the underside.
Well worth the £28

 

[C13tay]

Hiya Martin

so if I’m reading this thread correctly, you are currently running the eibach lift springs with standard shocks ?? How are you finding it ….. any negatives to report ?

chris

 

[martin1977]

Hiya Martin

so if I’m reading this thread correctly, you are currently running the eibach lift springs with standard shocks ?? How are you finding it ….. any negatives to report ?

chris

Hi Chris, I’m running the eibach springs on standard front shocks as I’m still awaiting the delivery of the Bilstein B6’s (8x months now), on the rear I have the eibach springs and the Bilstein.
nothing negative to report whatsoever.

 

[C13tay]

Thanks Martin

 

[martin1977]

Finally an update on something cool!
I’ve only waited on these being delivered for 11x months!! After three failed production windows at Bilstein, the front shocks have arrived!!

 

[martin1977]

the sun is out today and the temperature gauge is rocking a balmy 6oC… a fine time to get the winter wheels out and fitted.
although the Michelin Cross Lattitude’s are a fine all season tyre… I still prefer the full winter rubber in the white stuff… Nokias WR G4’s in this case.

its an easy case of 4x wheels off.. 4x back on again. I also switch the rears to Fronts and vice versa. As the Nokian‘s are directional, I can’t switch the tyre side of the car.

The Rota wheels look immense compared to the standard Suzuki items,..really turns a great looking setup back to semi-standard!

 

[martin1977]

righto, some new Bilstein shocks to go with the Eibach 25mm lift kit….
first up is to remove the drop link nut… these can be a PIG … mines are only 8x months old and as such, we’re copper greased when I fitted them.. there are quite a few nuts on this job that need an Allen key to stop the centers spinning so pay attention!

next up you have the brake line bolt and the small ABS wire to remove. You’re then faced with 2x 17mm bolts that hold the suspension to the lower assembly:

Pop the cap off the strut top and undo this nut, note you need an Allen key here to stop it rotating..
once this nut is undone, the strut will fall down! It catches in the lower arm which then allows you to remove it…

the hardest bit (read most risky) is compressing the springs… place each spring clamp either side of the spring and tighten them right up… the coils should be almost touching… you need to be very , VERY careful here as there’s a LOT of trapped energy in that spring. Keep fingers out of coils!!

undo the top nut on the strut, again using an Allen key, and remove all the parts and arrange the various parts in the order you’ll reassemble them..
I always start right to left…..

remove all spring seats from the old shock and reassemble all components on your shiny new shock..
I always put a bit of grease on the spring seats (top and bottom) to aid these settling into place..

reassemble all parts in the reverse order as above… make sure your spring is located in the lower cup hard up againat the bit that catches the spring end.. it’s obvious when you see it.

 

[martin1977]

Once you have the shock absorber together and nice and tight, use the above method in reverse to get it back on the car…

 

[johnhere]

Last day of the year brings a minor repair!
The connection on my USB socket was a bit ‘hit or miss’, more than likely over the 6x years of the cars life.. the small USB tongue part had become worn…
a replacement USB socket was £60 online…
To replace….

View attachment 109307
You reacharound around the trim panels through the gap down beside the pedals…

View attachment 109309

in here…

View attachment 109308

there are two retaining lugs in the socket that are easily pressed in by hand which releases the socket that can then pull through for disconnection and replacement.. all in a 60x second job.

View attachment 109310


all is now working a-okay!

Just a big thanks for posting, I had the same issue and your photos really helped when I replaced. I now have a working USB port. Happy ays

 

[martin1977]

Just a big thanks for posting, I had the same issue and your photos really helped when I replaced. I now have a working USB port. Happy ays

No problem at all. 👍🏽
That’s why we have forums that (hopefully) help others to attempt to solve the same issues and problems.
noce work sir.

 

[Joër]

Great story about your Vitara.
I've seen from your pictures that after mounting und lift springs your rear axle is perfectly horizontal.
How about the front? Are the cv axles also horizontal, just like the rears?

Can you post partnumbers of those springs and shocks?

 

[martin1977]

Great story about your Vitara.
I've seen from your pictures that after mounting und lift springs your rear axle is perfectly horizontal.
How about the front? Are the cv axles also horizontal, just like the rears?

Can you post partnumbers of those springs and shocks?

The photos (beneath the car) aren’t showing how the driveshafts sit… the car is of course jacked up!!
All part numbers are attached below…

 

[Joër]

What a great write up's.
I'm driving the exact same Vitara, except being left hand drive.

I mounted MAD support springs at the rear, works great. But after seeing your job about doing a 25mm lift, I'm considering doing that.
How's your long term experience with the lift?
(I lifted my previous car and that got a wobble because of the front cv's out of angle)
I noted that after mounting the support springs, the rear cv's are perfectly horizontal, can you tell me about the front?

My Vitara has 88000km, so at spring it will be at 90k, seems okay to replace the shocks at the same time as lifting don't you think?

 

[martin1977]

What a great write up's.
I'm driving the exact same Vitara, except being left hand drive.

I mounted MAD support springs at the rear, works great. But after seeing your job about doing a 25mm lift, I'm considering doing that.
How's your long term experience with the lift?
(I lifted my previous car and that got a wobble because of the front cv's out of angle)
I noted that after mounting the support springs, the rear cv's are perfectly horizontal, can you tell me about the front?

My Vitara has 88000km, so at spring it will be at 90k, seems okay to replace the shocks at the same time as lifting don't you think?

I’d read a few reports on the MAD springs causing vibrations, that immediately put me off of installing them. My feedback on the eibach / Bilstein kit is that I haven’t had a single issue. The cv joints are not an issue.
the photograph I uploaded of the rears probably isn’t reflective of how the car sits on the ground as the photo was taken when the car was jacked up.

it DEFINITELY makes sense to replace the shocks at the same time as the labour element would need repeated if you weng back to replace the dampers at a letter date. 👍🏽

 

[Clive Parnell]

A great source of information. I'm looking forward to installing heated seats.
Thanks

 

[martin1977]

With today bringing 5” of powdery white snow, no better time than for a back to back comparison between an ‘all season’ A/T tyre and a full on ‘winter’ tyre…

Your contenders:

Michelin Cross Latitude ATs, 225x55x17 approx 8mm tread
And
Nokian WD4, 225x55x17 approx 6mm tread.

First up, the Michelins… I used these all day going to the gym at 6am and commuting to and from work… they accelerated with little wheel spin considering the conditions… braking was okay but not amazing. Steering feel, again adequate but not fantastic…

The Nokian’s, I fitted once home from work and took out on a 20minute test drive… these despite having a couple of mm less tread depth were a marked improvement in braking and steering feel.
They stopped with much more intent, felt safer steering and also accelerated without issue. Even the local police were impressed…

Of course my testing is limited to powdery white snow and not hard packed ice /slush but in these conditions, there was only one clear winner.
If you can afford to have a second set of tyres, winters DEFINITELY keep you safer.. if you need a one size fits all… the cross climates will do the job adequately. 👍🏽

 

[Hullu]

With today bringing 5” of powdery white snow, no better time than for a back to back comparison between an ‘all season’ A/T tyre and a full on ‘winter’ tyre…

Your contenders:

Michelin Cross Latitude ATs, 225x55x17 approx 8mm tread
And
Nokian WD4, 225x55x17 approx 6mm tread.

First up, the Michelins… I used these all day going to the gym at 6am and commuting to and from work… they accelerated with little wheel spin considering the conditions… braking was okay but not amazing. Steering feel, again adequate but not fantastic…

The Nokian’s I fitted once home from work and took out on a 20minute test drive… these despite having a couple of mm less tread depth were a marked improvement in braking and steering feel.
They stopped with much more intent, felt safer steering and also accelerated without issue. Even the local police were impressed…

Of course my testing is limited to powdery white snow and not hard packed ice /slush but in these conditions, there was only one clear winner.
If you can afford to have a second set of tyres, winters DEFINITELY keep you safer.. if you need a one size fits all… the cross climates will do the job adequately. 👍🏽

View attachment 114332
View attachment 114331
View attachment 114329
View attachment 114330

.
Remember when you brake that the car behind won't be able stop as fast as you can ,so allow for that or you could get rear ended.
Sadly we don't have compulsory winter tyres for all cars driving in snow in the UK yet.
I prefer the Nokians with studs when I'm back in Finland , particularly for driving at warmer temperatures up around plus- minus zero when the ice is still wet and very slippery

 

[Clive Parnell]

Some feedback on the heated seat performance. They work BRILLIANTLY.
The ‘high’ setting heats up in minutes…. I then need to switch to the ‘low’ setting as it’s too warm.
Best thing I’ve done to the car so far was fitting these 👍🏽

Hi Martin

Re the heated seats, did you just use one of the fuse adaptors and split the feed to both seats or did you use two one for each seats?

 

[martin1977]

Hi Martin

Re the heated seats, did you just use one of the fuse adaptors and split the feed to both seats or did you use two one for each seats?

Good question Clive!
the fuse that you piggyback off of has sufficient capacity for both seats. You simply connect both seats to that single supply point. The writing kit that comes with the kit is self explanatory 👍🏽