Suzuki Jimny (1998-2020) Questions & Answers

What psi could I put in my 2009 suzuki Jimny if I don't have power steering

Hey, I bought many years ago a soft top from the Suzuki store online. Usually if you ring the right bloke you'll get the answer you are looking for, just to find him is hard sometimes. But a wrong part will be costly. Good luck.

Thank you!

There is no one answer to question. As there are number of factors involved in this such as as the your driving style, tyre pressure, condition of your engine and drive train,and the list goes on. However the normal fuel consumption should be between 6.5 to 7 lt per 100 km

mine is fairly heavy on fuel consumption,
But I do have big mud tyres fitted. and the automatic may have a higher engine revs?, in top gear. I do find that mine likes 80km/h and 98 octane fuel.

Hi Steve, and welcome to ownership of a great little 4x4.

The Jimny is excellent for driving in sand as its light weight lets it keep moving where heavier 4x4's often bog down. Contrary to TV advertisements that show 4x4's airborne over the sand dunes, the technique is to drive as smoothly as possible and to keep the Jimny moving at a constant sensible speed at LOW revs (around 2000rpm is fine).

From your question, it seems like you were just a little bit too enthusiastic in changing from 1st to 2nd and probably built up a 'wall' of sand in front of each tyre. Try selecting 4WD High Range and then starting off slowly in 1st. Change up at around 2000rpm.

Look well ahead and plan where you want the car to be. You do not want to lose traction so do not accelerate or brake fiercely. Unless you are on very firm sand, do not stop unless you have absolutely no other choice, as the car can sink. If this happens, and you cannot be towed out, you can try releasing air from all 4 tyres - down to around 15psi is OK; this will 'spread' the tyres' footprints and usually let you move on.

Just remember to reinflate to normal pressure when you leave the sand; I keep mine at 35psi for the road and get 60,000kms from a set.

If you are on fairly flat sand you can leave the Jimny in 4WD High Range (Low Range is basically for very slow negotiation of steep, deeply rutted and rocky tracks). Keep the gearbox around 2000rpm in 2nd or 3rd gear and you should be fine. If you are on really hard packed sand with few obstacles to steer around, you can pick 4th gear (still in 4WD High Range) and increase your speed.

I would advise that you always carry a good tyre pressure gauge and a pump. An electric tyre pump is not expensive, and I prefer the older style that connects directly to the car's battery with alligator clips; the more modern ones plug into the cigarette lighter - more convenient, but if the lighter's fuse blows the pump is then totally useless. If you want to go really 'old school' get a foot pump with built-in gauge for around $30 - they work just fine.

Finally Steve, it is your choice but for safety's sake you are better off not exceeding 60km/h in sand, as all 4x4's are very top-heavy designs.

I hope all this helps, and feel free to ask me more.

Cheers
Gary

I always engage 4wd before entering sand or mud I like to keep engine revs between 2000 to 2500. Depending on train I am driving in some times it is a good idea not to change gears but control engine revs. All said and done there is substitute for experience which will come with time.

Round about 4.3 litters.

Suzuki Jimny 4 L, including the oil filter, i asked the question a week ago, its a bit bloody late...now as i have already completed the oil change your site is useless, also Suzuki in the city Adelaide is completely useless, I rang them on a Saturday morning & got a repeated phone message in a loop.....no wonder they say Adelaide is a back-water, an unattended phone in a capital city on a Saturday morning....Disgusting ( in my opinion )

A mechanic should fix this in 5 mins, probably just stuck. It's a very basic mechanism, easy to fix.

I am a mechanic, tried all sorts.

It's pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment and the fluid is cheap.. It will put your mind at ease when you see it come out as clean as the day it went in. If you have the owners manual the interval is in there. I was looking yesterday but as I have an auto I didn't pay much attention. The auto was around two years, 30,000 kms, mine has 65,000 and 5 years and hasn't been done yet, still going OK. If the Jimny hasn't been thru deep water or mud then the gearbox oil should stay good for tens of thousands of km's. There's no combustion products to degrade it, but always follow Suzuki's advice not mine.

Check out the owners forums online for helpful info. These guys have decades of experience with specific vehicles.. Invaluable help.

It depends on what type of gear oil you use and the type driving you do. I like to change mine every 30,000 km. But then again I do a lot of bush tracks. If you use Suzuki Genuine gear oil you could possibly get 75,000 km but please confirm that with Suzuki Motors.

Hi there
I will quote word-for-word from the Jimny Owner's Manual 2015 to answer your question.

"Your vehicle should only be towed from the rear with the rear wheels secured to a towing dolly. Be sure to use proper towing equipment designed for recreational towing and make sure that towing speed does not exceed 90 km/h."

Hope that answers your question.

It depends on the year of production. Jimnys from year 2000 and thereabouts (meaning plus-minus a few years) did not carry aircon. The next iteration which had very minor exterior remodeling and probably a newer model engine did carry aircon. We have two such Jimnys in the family and that's how they are.

Sorry I`ve no idea friend, ask Suzuki. I don`t know what the gearbox/transmission will take. From it`s size point It`s probably a good choice of vehicle for that. I am finding that inspite of it`s shortcomings in space, volume inside, it is good for exploring with a limited load.

I have been advised that current model is not suitable for flat towing. It requires an expensive modification. I was hoping you may know about models before 1999.

Hi, after some research I think I have learned that pre 2005 model is ok to tow. from 2005 they Incorporated an electric switchover which prohibits full neutral in transfer and gearbox. Apparently, to be sure to be sure, One can remove the drive shaft and drive front wheel drive for a while until you require 4wd again or you get to where you will be driving it more. Cheers Dave.

It's personal preference. My mother owns an auto and I own a manual jimny. if you're comfortable driving a manual it does offer some almost negligible advantages with biggest difference being the $2000 price tag extra for auto. Manual has a little more power which is lost in an automatic transmission but it's a small difference. The gearing in the manual is also a little lower so it runs at higher rpm for highway cruising. Offroad they are equal in terms of capability. To be honest I'd be very happy in both the auto or manual jimny but having grown up driving manuals and like being in complete control of shifts. It sounds like the perfect car for what you want to do BTW. I take my jimny to the beach on a regular basis and it's just fantastic on the sand. Unlike a big engined 4x4s you'll need to get used to being in low range but that's no big deal as it offers all the power you need. It will go places the big 4x4's won't due to it's light weight. In fact on fraser island a few years back I hired a sierra and it was the only car which did not get bogged up indian head. Drove up with impunity and no run up required. I was wondering why all these 4x4's were "parked" in the sand and my mate was trying to work out where indian head was on the map as I was driving up it. It was that trip which convinced me to some day buy a jimny. It shouldn't have taken 10 years. Around town it's a very zippy little car, brilliant visibility due to the tall ride height and exceptionally large windows and ofcourse will fit in any small car park (guess why my mother bought one) Light years ahead of the old sierra soft top.

Thank you so much for taking the time and writing back to my question!
Really appreciate if. Your information has been really helpful.
I do drive manual and have always owned a manual. But I was looking forward to buying an auto for a change. Just a little worried the auto Jimny may lack the power or low range through the soft deep sand?
Any thoughts about that?
Thanks

We just bought an auto Jimny and once we learned to use the 3-4 overdrive lock out gearchange, I'm very happy with it. Great offroad too, crawls over logs and rocks, great downhill, holds in Low low.!

Dunno, google it. Most mechanic mate reckoned don't touch it, just check that it's correct level. But most workshops will be happy to take your money. changed mine in the old Sierra once in 120000 kms. Diffs were fine until someone T boned me at an intersection. Did my Jimny a while ago, coz I doubt it had ever been done. Around 1 litre in a Jimny. If you have 2 litres then you'll have enough for the rear then buy some more for the front diff later on.

It`s ideal for shopping and running around town. That said the first thing I did with my brand new Jimny, was to take out the back seats and put in a ply floor. I wanted this to replace a Mazda Bravo double cab. I knew I would loose on space, just how much I didn`t appreciate. A hunting rifle has to go in diagonal which then makes it a real pain to pack hunting/camping gear around it. The fuel consumption is hellish and towing capacity is limited to 350kg., that`s the trailer on its own, gone. The off road capability, look at the suspension arm mounts sticking down. Hit rock out in the back of beyond and you`re in real trouble. It`s a shopping trolley.

It'll be tight for 6 footers at the back of a Jimny I'm afraid. Jimny is a short vehicle so legroom is OK up front but limited in the back. The boot is very small so luggage is limited too. I've been on a road trip with total 3 in our Jimny and it was possible because we used the other back seat for luggage too. It wouldn't have been possible with 4 persons. Jimny is a great adventure vehicle otherwise.

Hi,
There is plenty of headroom in the front, I`m 5'10", I would imagine the back seats will have the same, the first thing I did was to take the back ones out to floor it . I have a Mazda Bravo that is getting elderly, can I trust it in the Victorian high country?, or even get there. I wanted something a bit smaller and less fuel hungry. Having taken the back seats out I have to fit rifles in diagonally, then a pain in the backside to pack hunting and camping gear around them. The Bravo double cab with canopy gave 11+ k`s/ltr., the Jimny gives 13+ k`s/Ltr. Driven gently, if you`r in any hurry that can drop to 8 k`s/ltr, I think it stinks! Considering it`s much smaller and lighter, doesn`t have the space, will tow only 350kg (that`s the trailer empty). I`m hunting on my own, WITH; 1-2 rifles 20rds, two part 4 man tent, that gives me some room for clothing etc, Sleeping bag air bed squashed to nothing, hunting garb,change of clothing for soakings, cooker fry & sauce pan and some food, for two weeks. Sorry chum, your trip of four isn`t going to happen. Borrow or hire one for an overnighter first.

Well I'm a 6 ft Jimny owner and most of my mates are taller than me (around 6"2). Plenty of room in the front seats for anyone up to 6"3 or so. The back has enough leg and head room for someone 6 ft+ too especially if as you say are 5"3 you could have the front seat further forwards. I've happily sat in the back a number of times. No you can't stretch your legs out as much as in the front but your knees aren't bumping the front seat either. A taller person than I would be okay too. BTW is there any reason you can't test drive a demo or used jimny with your mate in the back? That should eliminate any doubts.

BTW my jimny is used as a prospecting rig 3 motnhs of the year in the remote deserts of WA and for a solo traveller it's more than enough room. With back seats out you can even sleep two comfortably. Unlike many cars the front seat back rest reclines flat (headrests removed) It'll even fit a queens size air mattress! One could fit all gear in the jimny but my tip is to take a camper trailer to spread the load and especially if you want to sleep in the car. I have a daxara 158 trailer. It's 135kg so gives me a 215kg payload. With a loaded trailer and empty car it retains it's advantage offroad in soft sand. I usually take 50l water, 40kg food, 40l spare fuel and the rest is tools, clothes detecting equipment etc. I essentially still have the empty Jimny as a comfy bed at night. For two people on remote trips I would probably load some gear into the jimny and perhaps take a tent but would be more than manageable. Four people yes it would work fine with a small trailer and provided you are not planning extended trips away from civilization. .The Jimny is a great car if it fits your needs and you won't be disappointed if you've done your reseaarch and it ticks the boxes. I like having my Jimny as a daily driver when I'm not traveling as it's a small nimble compact around town yet it'll take me most anywhere offroad on weekends and when time allows I can hook up the trailer and go. It's the last stone reliable old tech 4x4 on the new car market too and cheap to service and maintain.

I never towed with mine, but I'd imagine it'd tow a very small trailer OK. As I said in my review, "the only thing that lets the Jimny down is its lack of power". Oh to have one with a turbo !!!!.

The Jimny will tow a lightweight trailer no problems. You won't even see a noticeable increase in gas mileage if you keep the weight down below 350kg and the Jimny will still have enough power to go offroad. The late model Jimny's can legally tow 350kg unbraked or 1300 braked. Find a small trailer under 200kg and you could easily take 150kg of cargo and be within limits let alone a mere 20kg in suitcases.

I have towed an inflatable dinghy on a trailer. Didn't really notice the trailer until I went up a steep hill. Changed down to third then second. Towed fine.

I just carry 2x20l jerry cans in the back which effectively doubles fuel capacity. Good for a total of about 1000km when cruising. The increase in fuel consumption carrying the extra fuel is negligible or so minimal I am unable to measure a difference filling at the pump. I'd imagine if you installed a larger tank and provided it does not interfere with the vehicles aerodynamics you'd come to the same findings.