What Did You Do With Your Kizashi Today?

Anything related to the Kizashi can go here, but please look at the other headings first. Your topic may fit better under something else.
old tech
Posts: 705
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: n/w pennsysvania

That would be great. lets make it sometime next month and whatever day works for you.
KansasKid
Posts: 428
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 2:19 am
Location: Kansas City, Kansas

Not today, but a couple days ago. The AC compressor clutch has been crapped out for about a year on Kitsune. Finally got the replacement AC Compressor ordered along with a replacement expansion valve, and desiccant cartridge/filter, a while back from Rock Auto. They have a convenient option to buy all the pieces as a kit: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.ph ... 7507&jsn=9

I took Kitsune over to my buddy with a garage, a couple lifts, and an AC machine like the shops have. The AC system is pretty intimidating, and it took all day. Removing the serpentine belt is a bitch. Getting the expansion value was a pain in the ass; had to remove the low pressure line completely, and maneuver the high pressure line out of the way. And THEN the o-rings that came with the expansion valve were the wrong size. Getting the filter holding the desiccant cartridge out friggin' sucked too.

On the bright side, it turned out that the turn signal in my passenger-side headlight wasn't broken. It's just that the last time I had the bumper off, apparently, I didn't do a good job of plugging it back in.

And lastly, the plastic cover on the front side of my passenger side wheel well ripped off on my way home... :facepalm:

But it was worth it to have working A/C in Kitsune again. And I never thought, in my life, I'd ever be able to fix the A/C on any car. But now I know why that shops charge so much to fix AC systems, and why you should change all the pieces that wear out all the same time.

Now I just need to find some new under body panels.
My Cars (Their Names)
'93 Ford Escort (Jorge - Prior)
'06 Kia Optima EX (Sakuya - Prior)
'11 Suzuki Kizashi SE AWD (Azumi)
'09 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Base 5MT(Akari - Prior)
'11 Chevy Cruze Eco 6MT (Erika - Prior)
'12 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS AWD (Kitsune)
KlutzNinja
Posts: 286
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2019 6:58 am

KuroNekko wrote: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:42 pm The oil I currently use is the Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic 5W-30 from Costco. It's not actually the Amazon Basics motor oil. I think the discussion involving the two as the same comes from the fact that both of these, in addition to Walmart's SuperTech Full Syn, are made by Warren and are the same synthetic oil formula. What I can tell you is that Kirkland Signature's bottle has a clear window to see the oil level.

I have no complaints about the oil. It appears to hold up well and doesn't burn off in any unusual manner. It might not be the best synthetic motor oil out there but it does the job at a great price. The value is what matters to me because the Kizashi itself is a value-oriented vehicle. You get a lot for the money and you don't need to spend a lot to keep it running well. I think a reputable budget synthetic motor oil is perfect for the Kizashi in the manner I use the car, which is probably more demanding than most people here. I use the car for commuting, work duties, and personal. I want to use synthetic for the more demanding use, better sludge resistance, and longer oil change intervals but can't justify using higher end oils because the Kizashi's engine is rather ordinary and simply doesn't need primo stuff.
In all honesty, I misremembered the whole Amazon/Costco thing lol. Without checking the other thread, I genuinely thought you had Amazon oil.
For the oil change I did a couple weeks ago, I used Pennzoil Platinum again (the only oil I’ve used so far), but almost went with STP synthetic oil (brand carried by AutoZone) because they had a good deal going on last month. I’ve read on Bob is the Oil Guy that it’s decent, as is the store brand oil at O’Reilly’s. Also considered Pennzoil’s standard synthetic. Stayed with PennzPlat because I go a year between changes (driving under 5k miles, however). More importantly it’s to hopefully compensate against how the oil might not have been changed for a while during the period between buying the Kizashi and when I first changed the oil over a year later. Figured the oil might have been changed right before I got it, since the battery and tires were new, but I really don’t know. So the Kizashi might have been running on some real old oil (likely conventional or blend) by the time I changed it. And even then the car seemed to run fine. The filter attached back then was a nice Austrian Mahle filter, of all things.
Do you still use the Mobil M-103 extended use filter? Again I’m just relying on memory, but I thought a lot of folks here used that filter.

Also did a tire rotation when I changed the oil, and checked front brakes (didn’t bother with rears since the pads and rotors were replaced three months earlier). If I used the brake pad reader right, I’m somewhere between the lowest green and tallest yellow. I’m not sure how long that will last me. Honestly I thought that’s where they were 13 months ago when I last checked them.
Current: Blue 2018 Mazda 3 GT 5-Door
Previous: Blue 2010 Ford Focus SES,
Black 2013 Kizashi Sport GTS-L (CVT; FWD)(RIP)
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

KlutzNinja wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:52 am
KuroNekko wrote: Fri Aug 06, 2021 5:42 pm The oil I currently use is the Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic 5W-30 from Costco. It's not actually the Amazon Basics motor oil. I think the discussion involving the two as the same comes from the fact that both of these, in addition to Walmart's SuperTech Full Syn, are made by Warren and are the same synthetic oil formula. What I can tell you is that Kirkland Signature's bottle has a clear window to see the oil level.

I have no complaints about the oil. It appears to hold up well and doesn't burn off in any unusual manner. It might not be the best synthetic motor oil out there but it does the job at a great price. The value is what matters to me because the Kizashi itself is a value-oriented vehicle. You get a lot for the money and you don't need to spend a lot to keep it running well. I think a reputable budget synthetic motor oil is perfect for the Kizashi in the manner I use the car, which is probably more demanding than most people here. I use the car for commuting, work duties, and personal. I want to use synthetic for the more demanding use, better sludge resistance, and longer oil change intervals but can't justify using higher end oils because the Kizashi's engine is rather ordinary and simply doesn't need primo stuff.
In all honesty, I misremembered the whole Amazon/Costco thing lol. Without checking the other thread, I genuinely thought you had Amazon oil.
For the oil change I did a couple weeks ago, I used Pennzoil Platinum again (the only oil I’ve used so far), but almost went with STP synthetic oil (brand carried by AutoZone) because they had a good deal going on last month. I’ve read on Bob is the Oil Guy that it’s decent, as is the store brand oil at O’Reilly’s. Also considered Pennzoil’s standard synthetic. Stayed with PennzPlat because I go a year between changes (driving under 5k miles, however). More importantly it’s to hopefully compensate against how the oil might not have been changed for a while during the period between buying the Kizashi and when I first changed the oil over a year later. Figured the oil might have been changed right before I got it, since the battery and tires were new, but I really don’t know. So the Kizashi might have been running on some real old oil (likely conventional or blend) by the time I changed it. And even then the car seemed to run fine. The filter attached back then was a nice Austrian Mahle filter, of all things.
Do you still use the Mobil M-103 extended use filter? Again I’m just relying on memory, but I thought a lot of folks here used that filter.

Also did a tire rotation when I changed the oil, and checked front brakes (didn’t bother with rears since the pads and rotors were replaced three months earlier). If I used the brake pad reader right, I’m somewhere between the lowest green and tallest yellow. I’m not sure how long that will last me. Honestly I thought that’s where they were 13 months ago when I last checked them.
I'm currently using a different oil filter because I got it online when I ordered other parts. I think it's a Denso oil filter but I generally use a Mobil 1 M-103 because it's so easy to find. My issue with the M-103 filter is that it's a bit small in size so it's harder to remove.
I used to use Pennzoil Platinum for a while in my Mazda3 and the first 60,000 miles of the Kizashi. I like that oil but changed because I opted to buy my oil somewhere else.
I really think that any reputable synthetic oil should serve the Kizashi's engine well. Proper oil change intervals are also key. I recently replaced my valve cover gasket and got a good look at the camshafts. I definitely witnessed the benefits of using synthetic motor oil at suitable change intervals. I'll post a picture soon.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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AirRideFan
Posts: 97
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 10:59 pm
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/224115967078?h ... SwDb5fNJFa - I bought 11 or 12 from this seller (I think, it was over two years ago) -- but cost $44.99 for 11 or 12 of these Tough Guards filters. (AWESOME deal!)
2012 KIZASHI Sport SLS

ExtremeContact DWS Tuned tires on staggered Speedlines! :o
Ecsta V720 235/40's on the OEM 18's
Hakkapeliitta R2 235/45's on Sport Edition KV5 18's <- too heavy
WinterContact 215/55's on Lexus GS 16's this winter!
BLyons
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 12:22 am

A little late in posting this, but I had planned a road trip starting Labor Day weekend. Naturally, the Wednesday before, the car developed a massive oil leak. Luckily I had forgotten something at home before making a two hour trip, and had to turn around to get it when I noticed the puddle in the garage, otherwise it could have been much worse. Turned out to be a failed oil sending unit, which a shop was able to replace in time for my trip.

I hit most of the touristy areas in northern Ohio, but also planned a day to jump across the border to Pennsylvania to stop by Old Tech and have the long pin swap done on my CVT. Great guy, very knowledgeable and hospitable, and everyone at the shop was awesome to talk to. I highly recommend anyone nearby to make the trip, and it's great peace of mind for my transmission.

Also, up to that point I had only seen 2 other Kizashis in my 6+ years with the car. I saw 5 more at the shop, 2 driving around town there, and another in Mansfield, OH. After a major scare before the trip, the only hiccup I had in the 1500ish miles was a loose oil filter that was causing oil to leak onto the exhaust and smoke a bit.
Black 2011 Sport SLS AWD
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SAEED_KIZZY
Posts: 507
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:31 pm

Finally, 100K(160,000km) passed still like a brand new car :D
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n8dogg
Posts: 215
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:20 am

150k mile service. Pretty non eventful, which is to say the Kizashi continues to be a reliable and low maintenance car for me! Oil change and air filters. Using Kirkland Signature synthetic now. Continuing to use Fram Ultra Synthetic oil filters.
'12 Kizashi SLS AWD w/RF sound
easy to chip Vivid Red and 25% window tint
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus II
Power Stop Rotors and Pads
183,xxx miles and still lovin it!
SamirD
Posts: 3074
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:07 pm
Location: HSV and SFO
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The poor Kizashi is in need of a lot of TLC, and I was able to finally do one thing as it was starting to get really bad--cleaned and protected the steering wheel and center arm rest using some lexol.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

This is quite a retro post, but finally posting pictures of my replacement Moog front sway bar end links. After some creaking noises up front that were not resolved with new struts, I decided to check on the sway bar bushings and end links. The bushings looked fine but the end links looked like they needed a replacement at 100,000+ miles. I decided to go with Moog aftermarket parts due to price and availability on RockAuto.com. Having now seen them in person and installed them, I prefer them over the OE part due to the more robust build and the grease nipples at each end. The Moogs fit without issue and has resolved the creaking noise I had for the most part.

I have yet to install the rear end links but they are basically the same design, just much shorter.

Below is the comparison photo. The top part is the old Suzuki OE front sway bar end link. The bottom part is the new Moog front sway bar end link.
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2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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