What Did You Do With Your Kizashi Today?

[bootymac]

Bought a orbital polisher and gear kit for a top to bottom, inside and out spring detailing next weekend. I can finally get those swirl marks out from previous owner. Don't go to non-touchless car washes, folks!

Great idea about the in-door reflectors too, I'll need to do that myself as I regularly park on the street (at night).

Which products are you going to use? The Kizashi's paint swirls like crazy and I'm wondering how aggressive I should be with my DA polisher

[WESHOOT2]

Today I drove mine in a friggin' snow blizzard.

It was fun.

[glorybound4]

I ordered the pre-cut transparent 3m hood and front bumper vinyl covering from Rvinyl. 60.00 plus rapid prep and 3m edge sealer. I prefer this to a bra or or spoiler.The application is a little involved but you save yourself a few 100 if you diy.

[WESHOOT2]

Today I kept it just barely under 105 MPH.......

[redmed]

I ordered the pre-cut transparent 3m hood and front bumper vinyl covering from Rvinyl. 60.00 plus rapid prep and 3m edge sealer. I prefer this to a bra or or spoiler.The application is a little involved but you save yourself a few 100 if you diy.

I put the transparent vinyl on my Kiz within 100 miles of getting it, after reading of paint chipping on others. Best thing I did. No chips and the dead bugs come off much easier than on the painted surfaces.

[SamirD]

Great info. Thanks.

As for the filter, I agree with bootymac that he's talking about an anti-drainback valve. These are not rare at all if you get high quality filters like Mobil 1, Purolator PureOne, etc. They are clearly visible when you look at an oil filter.
The reason why they matter for the Kizashi is because our oil filters are mounted sideways. They are not necessary for filters mounted opening upward.
Below is a picture of the very Mobil 1 oil filter I use. It's actually the one specified for the Kizashi (M1-103). See the orange thing behind the round holes? That's the anti-drainback valve.


Below is a cut-out diagram of a Purolator PureOne oil filter. It too features an anti-drainback valve.


I have no doubt these filters are superior to OEM Suzuki filters even from their filter media alone. Not saying OEM filters are bad, but you really don't need to go out of your way to get OEM filters when auto parts stores sell better filters that have these features. It's nothing proprietary to Suzuki's filters for the Kizashi. However, a better filter like a Mobil 1 costs more money. For me, it's a convenience matter to get an aftermarket oil filter vs. an OEM one. The fact that they are also better is a bonus.

Interesting that HID kits can affect AM radio signals. I've not tested it out because I don't listen to the radio much, even FM. I was already aware of tints affecting radio reception, but that all depends on the type of tint.
I will see if my AM reception is poor, but I know my FM works great. I personally hate talk radio so would never use my AM radio unless it's an emergency situation like an earthquake or evacuation.

Also, OEM HID bulbs go out, especially when they age. I see cars with OEM HID bulbs out all the time on BMWs, Lincolns, Mercedes, Toyotas, etc. You can always buy a new bulb and replace it. You can get them aftermarket so it's not a really big deal.
That being said, I'd still get an aftermarket kit so I can use the existing headlight. You get the best price performance this way.

I got back in town this weekend and have to leave tomorrow and was able to go to Ray Suzuki since they had the parts in stock and were able to work me in for the rear struts.

Since 4 free oil changes came with a set of new tires and mounting was covered under the warranty for the wheels, I went ahead and picked up a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE760s and got that oil change. I asked to see which filter came off the car since I didn't put it on there and it was the exact same Mobil 1 mi-103 that you've listed in this thread. And it does not have the part in the genuine Suzuki filter that prevents the startup issue. This was verified by Steve himself since we both forgot and were digging in the trash to find the filter. The part that Steve points to looks like it's actually a pressure regulator valve in the rear inside of the filter. In the area that's blue on the Mobil 1 filter picture. With a genuine Suzuki filter and new oil, all of my upper valvetrain noise disappeared. And my oil was only 4100mi and 3mos old.

I'd check that AM reception if you're only intending to use it in an emergency--that's not the time to find out it doesn't work!

Yep, I wouldn't worry about the ballasts and bulbs burning out on an OEM headlight assembly--they're designed for a much higher duty cycle than anything aftermarket.

[SamirD]

I'm still unsure of all the different OEM filters out there. Further research seems to indicate that only 16510-61A31, which superseded 16510-61A30, is intended for the J20B and J24B (Kizashi's) engines. I believe both 16510-61A30/31 are made in Japan. My invoice for my last oil change indicates that 16510-61A31 was used.

I just got back from Ray Suzuki and my oil filter is a 16510-61av1 that costs $5.95.

[bootymac]

Sounds like he's talking about the bypass valve, which can be in different locations for different filters. The bypass valve doesn't help with start up noise though. That's the function of the anti-drainback valve.

My point is while the OEM filter is ideal, it's unlikely that it contains anything different from a quality aftermarket filter.


The quieter start up is probably from the fresh new oil

[SamirD]

Took advantage of the weather we're having and aired up my tires from 34 PSI to the recommended 38 PSI. My girlfriend commented on how the dealership cheaped out on air

I also removed the factory wheel locks and they're for sale here: http://www.kizashiclub.com/forum/viewto ... =10&t=2929

lol. Air and water aren't free.

Why did you take off the locks? Did you not like them?

[bootymac]

Why did you take off the locks? Did you not like them?

Just personal preference. I find them a hassle to deal with and wheel theft isn't a real issue around here