Suzuki Cultus Maintenance Thread

[usmani4all]

true for suzuki. but honda recomends 5w 30 and toyota recomends 10w 30 in pakistan. newer engines are suitable with thinner oil.

absolutely right . For honda and toyota we can consider these types of oil , but for suzuki we need a thick oil even for a new engine.

[usmani4all]

thanks

[khayyam25]

your question is extremely vague.
other people's responses are non-serious@ get used to it and sounds come from suzuki.
sounds should not come from any car.
do not listen to these unkowledgebale ppl and non serious members.
describe ur problem properly

I'll beg to differ. we don't expect a cultus to sound like a corrolla in any case. the absence of soft touch materials amplify this effect. i have a 2013 euro 2,fully company maintained but you'll feel her scream when you rev her up. she's been driven on the best roads you'll find in Punjab but the interior still clicks here and there nonetheless. I've gotten used to it now and have done a few diys to somewhat decrease that. So when you hear someone complain how noisy there vxr is considering its been on the roads for so long it's "somewhat" normal.

[Eddy5]

Well sir, i don't know i own a 2010 vxli , (luxury version 4m suzuki pak) 38,000 driven. not a single sound.
if u r from lahore u can check it out urself
i have a 1999 khyber... brother not a single sound from gearbox.. y? because i replace old n worn out parts

so i differ from you, while at same time you are somewhat right. I guess my approach is different here, and i cannot accept squeaks, cracks thak clank plat , tuk etc. noises. so what i can't accept i remove. simple.

[Eddy5]

thickness or thinness of oil has nothing to do with 'engine'quality.
only type of engineering.

[Eddy5]

Suzuki cultus sf410 air upgrade suggestion.

Install simota, knn cone type free air flow filter with aluminum or without aluminum housing. Go for long ram (as much as possible) .
No increas in fuel consumption. No problem in oil or air filtration. A small boost in hp above 3500 rpm
if needed get a custom or third party exhaust header changed -> from local market or branded from alibab/aliexpress . Your cultus will make u happy with a jumpy boost pick up and will breathe free.

** tested on 2008 vxli for 13 months, no engine weakness or oil excessive oil sludge; clean oil after 50,000 kms driven with above set up**
depending upon the quality or header and experience of fitter you will get enough boost to enjoy the street drive of this car and take on swift jdm in second third gear. (you won't win but swift will get a scare)
estimated cost: 9,000-18000 ( can also get srd header if possible, suzuki racing team) (cost depends on header)

upgrade 2: Install diahatsu curoe brake servo brand new from toyota. Better braking for your cultus vxri/vxli
estimate cost: 15,000 ( or buy used from japanese car from junkyard)
have fun, while keeping ur cultus genuine!

[Eddy5]

by the way... Pakistani corolloa ( & even otherwise) sounds really trashy! i mean the engine sound.
not comparing the built quality of local toyovat vs local suzuki. just engine sound swift, khyber and cultus are better than altis and gli/xli/ corolla x.
suzuki engines are punchier from toyotas'. just saying.

[nasirjavaid]

Good sharing! By the way we were talking about the sounds that come from interior plastic etc.
But overall I am satisfied with my car as it never let me down since I purchased it last year.

[engr.naveed]

Well sir, i don't know i own a 2010 vxli , (luxury version 4m suzuki pak) 38,000 driven. not a single sound.
if u r from lahore u can check it out urself
i have a 1999 khyber... brother not a single sound from gearbox.. y? because i replace old n worn out parts

so i differ from you, while at same time you are somewhat right. I guess my approach is different here, and i cannot accept squeaks, cracks thak clank plat , tuk etc. noises. so what i can't accept i remove. simple.

that is alright as your ride is only driven 38k but what are your views on 1lac 38k driven vehicle especially cultus? Everyone wants his vehicle to be perfect but reality is it can never be!
I was owner of 1991 khyber 3 years back which was a lot quiter than my current ride cultus 2005. there is no way you can make older model cultus quiet or do you?

[nasirjavaid]

thickness or thinness of oil has nothing to do with 'engine'quality.
only type of engineering.

Dear can you explain why thickness of oil is not important? If so why suzuki manual recommend 10w40?

[nasirjavaid]

that is alright as your ride is only driven 38k but what are your views on 1lac 38k driven vehicle especially cultus? Everyone wants his vehicle to be perfect but reality is it can never be!
I was owner of 1991 khyber 3 years back which was a lot quiter than my current ride cultus 2005. there is no way you can make older model cultus quiet or do you?

Dear in these couple of years in have found following person having true knowledge and I real act upon their advice. Xulfiqar, syncview, capsat,ser_gtr and some other valued members.

[nfsmostwanted]

Guys i am an owner of 2000 model cultus , i maintained it well but from last couple of months i am unable to maintain due to some personal timing constraints.
i am getting following issues with it.

1- i recently rebuilt my car's engine (all stock) , i thought i must go for new mountings and i did that , after 2 weeks i started feeling tak tak sound and went to mechanic and swapped new taiwanese mountings , now vibration is less but i can still feel tak tak sound . any suggestions?
2- as my car is a bit old so i am thinking if i can change the door panels, locks and i also want to upgrade my car's door to automatic mirrors and locks (suggestions please along with cost)
3- any suggestions if i could go for the overall paint job (any good painter)
4- i can see leakage on engine cover i don't know why (any suggestion to get rid of it)
5- Overall pick is very good mileage is good (no upgrade is required)
6- i bought new steering (kanghi) for my car but i can feel a bit play in it now. (suggestions + cost)
7- i want to get a chilled AC in my car i already have installed Denso maybe AC is fine but currently its not working (a friend suggested me not to go to Punjab car AC as all experts has already left him (suggestions please)
8- interior is good but i want to change grills (vents) as plastic life is over and i can not use elfie everytime to fix them

thanks your suggestions are warmly welcomed

1: it looks like the car's engine os vibrating or the mountings you've used are HARD , the softer the mounting the lesser the vibration

2: As you're thinking about the door panels (cardboards) changed you can get new ones from mintgomery road for around 1200 max (good ones)
About auto door locks you need to get central locking , will cost you around 3200 (steelmate model i saw there) and about mirrors i have no idea

3: about painter i got my car's doors painted from a painter near mozang and the quality is very good (i'm satisfied) if you say i can provide you with the exact coordinates

4: change the so called "JAIN" its cheap

6: the play may be fixed by tightening a nut in the steering column( kanghi)

7: To get chilled AC disconnect heater pipes , use blinds on windows , no idea about punjab AC but i can refer you to the AC mechanic from where i get the work done , a honest man

8:you can the new AC grills from bilal gunj or any other car shop pretty easily i guess

If there are any more queries feel free to ask i'll try my level best to help

Sent from my iPhone using PW Forums

[engr.naveed]

dear you sound like a novice as u said urself. i m a do it myself guy and have more than 10 years experience with just suzukis. currently i own a bumper to bumper new vxl 2010 , just 38,000 driven.
i am afraif i do not agree with Margallar at all- the advise in good but not correct/best
here are your answers.

ENGINE OIL: USE MOBIL SUPER 2000 10w 40 API SN . It is expensive but best. do not use ZIC. Zic is primaliry just a workshop promotion oil. many users and some labs claim zic will shorten ur long life of engine. Either Use Mobil super 2000 or if u can't afford then REPSOL or Shell 10w 40. do NOT USE 10W 30. USE THE MOBIL OIL FOR 5,500 KMS AND OTHER SHELL OR TOTAL FOR 4,500 KMS.

COOLANT: READ UR CARS MANUAL. CHANGE IT AT 40,000 - DO NOT USE WATER IN ANY CAR. IF U ADD WATER ALWAYS ADD AGS BATTERY WATER. USE SUZUKI GENUINE COOLANT ONLY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO IT URSELF IF U DONT KNOW HOW MUCH TO PUT OR MIX. TAKE IT TO AUTHORIZED DEALER AND GET IT DONE. IT IS JUST ABOUT 1,100 RS.

GEAR OIL: 40,000: USE GENUINE SUZUKI GEAR OIL.
BRAKE OIL: 50,000 : CHANGE IT. DOT 3 ONLY. AGAIN IF U CAN AFFORD PUT LIQUI MOLY (GERMAN) OR THEN GUARD

BRAKES: ONLY USE GENUINE SUZUKI BRAKES FROM AUTHORIZED DEALER. DEPENDS ON WEAR AND TEAR, UR DRIVING STYLE. SO GER BRAKES INSPECTED BY AUTHORIZED DEALER. IF U R FROM LAHORE, TAKE THEM TO SUZUKI TOWNSHIP MOTORS. YOU CAN CONTACT MR. ADEEL THERE SERVICE MANAGER
GENERALLY SPEAKING . FRONT DISCS @ 35000-40000 KMS AND ALMOST SAME FOR BRAKE SHOES.
BRAKE SERVICE INTERAL: 5000-6000 KMS. (DO IT EVERY OIL CHANGE)

STEERING: A NEW CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM! THERE IS AN ADJUSTMENT NUMT AT STEERING RACK, ONLY MECHANIC CAN DO IT. GET IT ADJUSTED TO LOOSER SETTING. BEFORE THAT GET UR STEERING INSPECTED.
THIS IS STANDARD STEERING NO FLUID, ONLY RACK HAS GREESE. IF U HAVE TO GET UR STEERING REPAIRED. THEN MAKE SURE TO PUT GENUINE/ OR BRANDED HEAVY GREASE. TAKE ADVISE FROM FOREMAN WHICH ONE TO USE. AGAIN TRY TO TAKE TO AUTHORIZE DEALER ONLY

make sure u read ur owners user manual carefully.
keep a small diary in ur car or record in ur phone of ur vehicles maintenance.

hope i was helpful.
any more question, please ask!

wow sir you are genius. Thanks for the detailed information. just one query from your quote. I have been using ZIC products for a while so just curious to know name of users or those labs that claim zic will shorten long life of engine. In what ways is it harmful?

[Eddy5]

maybe local assembly has just gone down in quality.
but again i have had 3 khybers. still have 1989 JDM which is souped up with a g15b block turbo. even that one is soundless..
i have a 1999 khyber... trust me its is not having clank clank ker ker choon choon at all.
so once again my point is.. if u have passion a bit of madness and determination u can keep or refurbish ur car and make it soundless or at least more than decent.
true a suzuki will age not as good as a toyota.
but bro have you noticed that Hondas age worse than most suzukis... i mean if we assume that both are kept with equal care.
its my observation + experience. I sold a 1998 vti and it had gone a bit bad with dashboard sounds and gear noises and perhaps the repair just could not get it back.
this is also true that suzuki 's (local) have lower quality fittings and clamps , so that once u open it . it has high chance of having a troubled fitting.. which eventually leads to noise. but restoration with original parts or good quality maintenance can make it come back at least decently
if your cultus makes sounds... you can start by fixing/replacing things.. bushes rubber parts ( buy RGR or Pakistan rubber genuine or get from suzuki dealer) and slowly you can even refurbish your gearbox ( not expensive to do) or put in thicker oil.. buy kabli.
point is again... my approach is. it can be done
cost of ownership of a car model is a different chapter.
i prefer suzuki over toyota for its engine power.

[Eddy5]

i met a guy at a large oil store he was from a company collecting samples from retailers for more than 20 types of oils and viscosity. Unfortunately i just do not know name of that lab or company. since i was just over hearing entire conversation.
it has been told to me by more than 2, 3 retailers about shortening engine life.
let me share with you how i look at it.
let us say a pack of 4 liter zic is lets say 2300 rs. they used to give 150 to 500 gift coupons to end customers and about 800 promotion to workshop owner. what is left? 2300-500 -> 1800 , less 800 leaves 1000. what is quality of that 1000 worth product? COMPARED TO E.G. MOBIL? REPSOL? CALTEX?. which are NOT workshop promotion oils.
if you like Zic stick with it, dont change. but point is Zic is not for long term usage.
there is no need for debate of comparison with Zic of Mobil (best oil in world) or Repsol or Performa. these are all racing accredited MB< VW BMW accredited oils.
go with manufacturer specs! if u have suzuki use genuine suzuki. why? least chance of adulteration. if u have proper retailer... and can afford Go for Mobil.
there is no substitute for experience.
so happy with Zic? keep going its not a pathetic oil - just make sure after 80,000 in ur suzuki you change to 20w 50. AFTER consulting with a reliable advisor/ ( NOT MECHANIC... SERVICE ADVISOR)

[Eddy5]

BY THE WAY... if steering rack (kanghi) has any problem or play.
best way is get new kabuli or brand new.. u will love the new kanghi. kabuli /second hand is NOT expensive. if it is non power steering.
repair will never give u same handling! NEVER.
option2: if kanghi has problem , u have money, u have reliable "experienced" person buy electronic power steering motor with stering Cross from junkyard/second hand.
ager repair na hua ho, tu that e-power will last 10 years. NO PROBLEM AT ALL.
est cost: 6500-8800. (lahore estimate) Pindi and Peshawar is bit cheaper

[Eddy5]

heater pipes disconnection has nothing to do with cooling.
if disconnection improves cooling that means those heat/cold pipe mechanism is now rusted. and needs to be changed or cleaned .
dismantling rubber pipes unnessarily is not advised.
some mechanics take out the thermo-valve. which is very wrong things to do. it is juggar. and a mess up
FOR BEST MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CAR AC ( ANY AC) ALWAYS SWITCH OFF AC 1 MNT BEFORE REACHING DESTINATION. IT DE-MOISTS THE AC EVAPORATOR WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.
REST IS ALL GOOD! RIDE AND SHINE

[Eddy5]

I DID NOT SAY.. not important at all .

i said.. engine quality is not determined by how thick or thin manufacturer recommendation is.
it depends on type of engineering used . for suzuki they have run tests like all others and they find 10w - 40 optimal for their engineering, to maximize engine life.
similarly toyota and others have other recommendations.
so go with the logo! lets'do what they say. only do it with Mobil

[Eddy5]

there must be some way to solve it or improve it. nuts loose or rusted... plastic melted
well suzukis are a Pain to keep fit once old. suzukis are suzkis we all know it. and not everybody wants to take that pain.
so you can always sell it to a buy a newer one or less used one

[nasirjavaid]

heater pipes disconnection has nothing to do with cooling.
if disconnection improves cooling that means those heat/cold pipe mechanism is now rusted. and needs to be changed or cleaned .
dismantling rubber pipes unnessarily is not advised.
some mechanics take out the thermo-valve. which is very wrong things to do. it is juggar. and a mess up
FOR BEST MAINTENANCE OF YOUR CAR AC ( ANY AC) ALWAYS SWITCH OFF AC 1 MNT BEFORE REACHING DESTINATION. IT DE-MOISTS THE AC EVAPORATOR WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.
REST IS ALL GOOD! RIDE AND SHINE

Same is my point that we have a switch right on dash board to shift to hot or cool so we should not go for disconnecting heater pipes.