Kizzy owner observations and questions

[Ronzuki]

I'll be heading to the old zuk dealer / service center soon to get the wife's seat cushion replaced under an recall on her SX4. I'll get with the parts manager and see what we can find out about any part number changes and/or 'upgrades'.

I had forgotten to come back to this thread and post my findings after dealer visit.

The service manger and parts managers both have no knowledge of any "upgrades" for the existing Kizashi CVTs other than the TSB for a re-flash on some early vehicles, which apparently is VIN number dependent. Simply stating all 2010s get the re-flash is not enough. Mine is a 2010, but does not require the re-flash when my VIN was entered.

As I had posted in another thread on here about a year ago, there are (2) different Suzuki CVT assembly p/n's for the Kizashis The filters in them are different, the parts manager pulled them both out of stock for me to take a look at. There are also (4) different TCM's for the CVT Kizashis.

[bdleonard]

As I had posted in another thread on here about a year ago, there are (2) different Suzuki CVT assembly p/n's for the Kizashis The filters in them are different, the parts manager pulled them both out of stock for me to take a look at. There are also (4) different TCM's for the CVT Kizashis.

The online OEM parts look ups show that 2010-2011 has a different CVT part number compared to 2012-2013.

For everything you ever wanted to know about Suzuki Computer modules/versions, you can download the file for free from the Suzuki Pitstop Plus site. You do need to sign up for an account:
https://suzukipitstopplus.com/Products/ ... -list.aspx

It is a PDF (I had to rename the file upon downloading), and is updated regularly with information on all current Suzuki ECM and TCM part numbers, for all models and all markets, as well as software revisions. The latest TCM software revision for all models is 0001 (the original would be 0000). This is CVT only, as there is no TCM on a manual transmission car. For the Kizashi North America TCM The 4 models are:
2010-11 2WD
2010-11 4WD
2012-13 2WD
2012-13 4WD

For North America on the ECM side there are 2 modules used. Again one 2010-11, and one 2012-13. Different software is loaded onto the blank ECU for each model. 1 for the Manual and 1 for the CVT for each year (for a total of 8). For 2010-11 the latest ECM software for all models is 0002, for the 2012-13 the latest is 0000 (aka the original release)

[bootymac]

Thanks for the info bdleonard. You're a huge asset to the community!

[WESHOOT2]

And at 138,201 miles I still haven't done a thing to my CVT.

[bdleonard]

I should add that the CVT part number also differs 2WD or 4WD for a total of 4 different CVTs as well.

There appears to also be a "very early" revision for the 2010 that was quickly superseded by the current 2010-2011 part numbers. I'm not sure if they were ever actually sold on vehicles here in the USA or elsewhere, or if they are just an artifact that lives on in the computer catalogs.

Strangely, Russian parts sites seem to have the most comprehensive catalogs for parts and revisions. No idea why that is. My inability the read any Russian does hamper my ability there, but mostly it is model selection and clicking through parts diagrams.

[nytq]

No problems on mine "knock on wood". I'm at 80K miles. Did do the cvt fluid change at 60K.

[murcod]

Strangely, Russian parts sites seem to have the most comprehensive catalogs for parts and revisions. No idea why that is. My inability the read any Russian does hamper my ability there, but mostly it is model selection and clicking through parts diagrams.

I've noticed the same thing with Suzuki 4WD parts and have numerous Russian parts catalogues in my favourites. Have you used translation sites like what Google provides - they work extremely well on the Russian parts sites I use eg https://translate.google.com/ (you can paste a website address in the box and it will do a whole site.)

[kizzy1]

I called a local oil change facility and they said they could drain and refill the t-case and rear diff. using my fluid...charge would be $60 (having some back problems here and would prefer not to attempt crawling under the car to do it myself). When I mentioned that I'd be using redline gear oil they guy said that it might cause seal leaks due to it being a synthetic fluid. He said he was pretty sure that the fluid in there now was not synthetic (not sure how he knows that considering there probably isn't another one of these cars for 200 miles...most shops have never even heard of the Kizashi). I think he's mistaken here but should I be concerned about using the Redline synthetic gear oil (75W90 as recommended on their site)?

I've always had great luck with Redline fluids...was considering using their CVT fluid as well.

[bdleonard]

I called a local oil change facility and they said they could drain and refill the t-case and rear diff. using my fluid...charge would be $60 (having some back problems here and would prefer not to attempt crawling under the car to do it myself). When I mentioned that I'd be using redline gear oil they guy said that it might cause seal leaks due to it being a synthetic fluid. He said he was pretty sure that the fluid in there now was not synthetic (not sure how he knows that considering there probably isn't another one of these cars for 200 miles...most shops have never even heard of the Kizashi). I think he's mistaken here but should I be concerned about using the Redline synthetic gear oil (75W90 as recommended on their site)?

I've always had great luck with Redline fluids...was considering using their CVT fluid as well.

I've got Redline in my transfer case and rear diff right now with no troubles at all. I even used the thinner 75w85 as a bit of an experiment, though I'd suggest anybody else use a synthetic 75w90 which is proper as far as Suzuki is concerned.

I'm considering the Amsoil CVT fluid, which they tested specifically in NS-2 applications. That is the Nissan name for the fluid used in the Kizashi's JF011E transmission. A curious part of me wants to try the newer low viscosity NS-3 fluid from Nissan, which is speced for their newer Jatco CVT transmissions. It is apparently back-speced by Nissan for at least some NS-2 applications, but I have yet to find an official list.

[KuroNekko]

When I mentioned that I'd be using redline gear oil they guy said that it might cause seal leaks due to it being a synthetic fluid. He said he was pretty sure that the fluid in there now was not synthetic (not sure how he knows that considering there probably isn't another one of these cars for 200 miles...most shops have never even heard of the Kizashi).

This guy is obviously still believing the synthetic oil myth about leaking seals. This was the case back in the 70's when synthetics were new. Now, their formulas don't affect seals. Yet, many folks still believe this myth that synthetics cause leaks when used in old cars or components factory-filled with conventional oil/fluid.

I also want to add that the Suzuki factory-fill manual transmission fluid is a semi-synthetic. MT fluids are essentially gear oils optimized for synchros. In essence, using synthetic in the transfer case or rear diff will not cause leaks or detrimental effects.

I don't have AWD so I don't have a transfer case nor a rear differential. However, my manual transmission is filled with Red Line MT-90 and has been for a while. No leaks, no problems. In fact, all it did was noticeably improve the shifting and gear engagement.