Amazing longevity and reliablity of components
I just completed the 67500 mile service and once again this car amazes me. All components look very good. One in particular, the brakes! Still have 5mm on all 4 wheels. They must be made of titanium LOL. I have kept up all service exactly as the manual states including a cvt fluid change at 60K. I live in the Pocono's of Pennsylvania and drive 60 miles back and forth to work. Lot's of hills and so far this year alot of bad weather. This car wears so much better than any car I've ever owned. Ah! except for tires. Put on 3rd set at 62K. All in all still one of the best cars out there for the price. I have not had one mechanical issue. Knock on wood. Still shocking to hear some of the other nightmares on the post because you would think with a car that did not have that many units made you would think the quality would be in all the models and years, but I guess not. Maybe I just got the one that was put together with care and just happened to have the right mix of components at the time. I don't know but still very happy with the Kizzy.
2011 SE AWD PLATINUM SILVER W/RRM INTAKE AND CUSTOM CAT BACK
My fronts were still good at 92K, but I replaced them anyways due to caliper replacement fears.
My rears lasted 83K. They needed it.
Like I've said, 110,700 and all I've replaced is the two front headlamp bulbs and two license plate bulbs.
My rears lasted 83K. They needed it.
Like I've said, 110,700 and all I've replaced is the two front headlamp bulbs and two license plate bulbs.
This really isn't any surprise to me at all. All of the Japanese built Suzukis I've owned since 1986 are this way. Buy them inexpensively, maintain them (minimal) and they hold up extremely well. And yes, the tires/alignment are going to be the only caveat to that.
Ron
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
)
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)
2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded
) 1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top (
sold)-
PittsburghJoe
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:55 pm
Wow that's impressive life for brake pads. I've replaced a lot of pads but never any that lasted that long. What is the reason to fear caliper replacement. I don't understand how the life of the pads can cause calipers to need replacement. BTW I'm just a self taught shade tree mechanic so this is very likely just something I haven't learned yetWESHOOT2 wrote:My fronts were still good at 92K, but I replaced them anyways due to caliper replacement fears.
My rears lasted 83K. They needed it.
Like I've said, 110,700 and all I've replaced is the two front headlamp bulbs and two license plate bulbs.
Brake pads lasting long is really most dependent on where you live. Sure, 92K out of pads is impressive, but it really depends on your driving style, purpose, and most importantly, location.
I used to live on a mountain at an elevation of 5500 feet. Ascending was extra strain on the engine, transmission, and cooling system. Descending was extra strain on the brakes. Brakes on the cars of mountain people simply did not last nearly as long as "flat landers" because of the mountain driving conditions. You would commonly smell the odor of brakes from other cars going down the mountain.
That being said, Suzuki was serious about making the Kizashi special. From the handling to the brakes, they sought to be better than their contemporaries. Too bad they counted on VW for upscale engines although the Suzuki J24B engine isn't bad.
Akebono is a top tier maker and is the brand trusted by the world famous bullet trains in Japan. Not surprised to hear they last long while delivering great performance.
I used to live on a mountain at an elevation of 5500 feet. Ascending was extra strain on the engine, transmission, and cooling system. Descending was extra strain on the brakes. Brakes on the cars of mountain people simply did not last nearly as long as "flat landers" because of the mountain driving conditions. You would commonly smell the odor of brakes from other cars going down the mountain.
That being said, Suzuki was serious about making the Kizashi special. From the handling to the brakes, they sought to be better than their contemporaries. Too bad they counted on VW for upscale engines although the Suzuki J24B engine isn't bad.
Akebono is a top tier maker and is the brand trusted by the world famous bullet trains in Japan. Not surprised to hear they last long while delivering great performance.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Hybrid
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Sold)
I have burned out calipers (on other brands) from very heavy braking as pad life nears its veryend. I fear the cost of new ones from Suzuki.
I live and drive on the fer-crap roads (over half our roads remain unpaved) in the hills of Vermont.
I live and drive on the fer-crap roads (over half our roads remain unpaved) in the hills of Vermont.
I could see that from baking the rubber piston seals.WESHOOT2 wrote:I have burned out calipers (on other brands) from very heavy braking as pad life nears its veryend. I fear the cost of new ones from Suzuki.
I live and drive on the fer-crap roads (over half our roads remain unpaved) in the hills of Vermont.
Castrol SRF is your friend if you've ever had fluid fade!