Specs, fluids & service · 1998–2018
Suzuki Jimny JB23 / JB43 specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | JB23 (kei) · JB33 · JB43 · JB53 |
|---|---|
| PRODUCTION | 1998–2018 (Brazil to 2022) |
| ASSEMBLY | Iwata, Japan · Linares, Spain (Santana) · Bogotá, Colombia (GM) · Brazil |
| BODIES | 3-door hardtop · 2-door canvas top (Santana, 1999–2009) |
| WHEELBASE | 2,250 mm (88.6 in) |
| LENGTH × WIDTH | Kei 3,395 × 1,475 mm · Wide 3,675 × 1,600 mm |
| SUSPENSION | Solid axles, coil springs front and rear |
| DRIVE | Part-time 4WD, low range, vacuum front hubs |
| ENGINES | K6A turbo · G13BB · M13A · M13A VVT · K9K diesel |
| CURB WEIGHT | Kei 930–1,000 kg · Wide 960–1,155 kg |
| US SALES | Never sold new; 25-year imports only |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2018 | JB23 (Japan kei) | K6A 658 cc turbo I3 | 64 PS | Kei-sized with no fender flares. Arrived October 1998; these right-hand-drive turbos dominate US imports. |
| 1998–2001 (to 2005 in Spanish soft tops) | JB33 Jimny Wide | G13BB 1.3 SOHC 16v I4 | 80 PS (59 kW) | The first third-gen Jimny on sale, January 1998. Timing belt. |
| 2000–2005 | JB43 Wide / Sierra | M13A 1.3 DOHC I4 | 82 PS (60 kW) | Japan from January 2000; other markets 2000–2002. Lever-shift transfer case. |
| 2005–2018 | JB43 Sierra / Jimny | M13A VVT 1.3 DOHC I4 | 85–86 PS (63 kW) / 110 Nm | Push-button 4WD, new interior and the R72 gearbox. Facelifts in 2012 and 2014. Brazil built it until 2022. |
| 2004–2011 | JB53 DDiS (Europe) | Renault K9K 1.5 turbo-diesel I4 | 65 PS, then 86 PS | Built in Japan and by Santana. The early K9K 700 is the troublesome one. Never sold in the UK or Ireland. |
| 1998–2014 | JM23 Mazda AZ-Offroad | K6A 658 cc turbo I3 | 64 PS | Rebadged kei JB23 sold by Mazda in Japan. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Specs below are from the Suzuki owner's-manual tables BigJimny reproduces for UK-market M13A VVT trucks, with earlier-engine differences noted. A US import may be a kei JB23 with the K6A turbo, which has its own specs, so confirm your model code first. BigJimny's advice for any secondhand Jimny without history: change every fluid and filter, and the belts, straight away.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | M13A: 4.0 L, API SL/SM or newer, 5W-30 or 10W-30 · G13BB: 3.7–4.2 L depending on type | Suzuki: 15,000 km / 12 months; BigJimny suggests 10,000 km | Factory filter for the VVT engine is Suzuki 16510-61A31 (16510-61A01 and -61A20 also fit). Replace the sump-plug gasket each time.Sump Plug Gasket · BigJimny ↗ |
| Air filter | Suzuki 13780-81A00 | Suzuki: 45,000 km / 3 years; BigJimny: 25,000–30,000 km, sooner in dust | Check it at every oil change on a truck that sees gravel roads.Air Filter, Genuine Suzuki (Gen3) · BigJimny ↗ |
| Cabin filter | Not every Jimny has one fitted | No factory interval; BigJimny suggests about 20,000 km or two years | Purely for the occupants, but worth doing on a dusty import.Cabin Filter · BigJimny ↗ |
| Spark plugs | M13A VVT: NGK BKR6E-11 / Denso K20PR-U11 (nickel) or NGK IFR6J11 (iridium) | Nickel 45,000 km, iridium 60,000 km (with O2 sensor) | Suzuki prefers iridium plugs, especially in cold climates.Spark Plugs (Iridium) · BigJimny ↗ |
| Coolant | M13A VVT: 5.2–5.9 L by type · ethylene glycol, silicate-free | 45,000 km / 3 years (non-HOAT) | From 2005 Suzuki's manuals specify silicate-free coolant, and BigJimny applies that to every gen 3. Flush an unknown truck.Water Pump, M13AA · BigJimny ↗ |
| Manual gearbox | API GL-4 75W-90 · 1.3 L (VVT), 1.1 L (earlier) | BigJimny: 50,000 km / 3 years | On an R72 box, a furry drain plug or metal flakes is the early warning of bearing failure. |
| Automatic gearbox | VVT: Suzuki ATF3317, Mobil ATF3309 or Dexron III · 3.7 L or 5.7 L depending on type | BigJimny: 75,000 km / 4–5 years | BigJimny: the autos 'love fresh ATF'; poor shifts and a top gear that won't select follow neglect. |
| Transfer case | API GL-4 75W-90 · 1.13 L (VVT), 0.7–0.8 L (earlier) | Suzuki: never; BigJimny: 50,000 km / 3–5 years | Check the push-button actuator cover for water ingress while you're under there.Transfer Box Filler plug · BigJimny ↗Transfer Box Drain plug · BigJimny ↗ |
| Front & rear differentials | API GL-5 80W-90 hypoid · front 1.65 L, rear 1.35 L (VVT); 1.1 L / 1.3 L earlier | Suzuki: never; BigJimny: 50,000 km / 3–5 years | Milky oil after water crossings means the breathers or seals let water in.Differential Filler Gasket · BigJimny ↗ |
| Kingpins & steering knuckles | Heavy-duty waterproof grease, not oil | Inspect now; rebuild if there's play or leakage | BigJimny: the lower bearing can rust solid on trucks that sat for years and show no play at all, so inspect inside on an unknown truck.Kingpin Bearing Kit (Premium, Koyo) · BigJimny ↗Waterproof Grease · BigJimny ↗ |
| Power steering & brake fluid | PS: Dexron IIE or III · brakes: DOT 3 / SAE J1703 | Brakes: 30,000 km / 2 years | Suzuki doesn't define a power-steering interval; refresh it if it's dark. |
| Belts | G13BB timing belt 12761-70C00 · M13A uses a chain | G13BB belt 100,000 km; V-ribbed drive belts 90,000 km / 6 years | Whirring or squealing on an M13A is usually a drive belt, tensioner or alternator bearing (BigJimny's noise guide).Timing Belt Kit (G13BB) · BigJimny ↗Power Steering Tensioner (M13A) · BigJimny ↗ |
| 4WD system & vacuum hubs | Exercise 4WD and low range | BigJimny: use it from time to time so parts don't seize | Test hub engagement on a loose surface; dormant vacuum hubs are the usual failure.Vacuum Hub Tool · BigJimny ↗ |
| Underbody rust protection | Clean to bare metal where rusty, then coat and wax cavities | Thoroughly now, then check and touch up yearly | BigJimny: wash the underbody regularly in winter, then drive it dry. |
Capability
| Towing | 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) braked / 500 kg (1,102 lb) unbraked 2017 Jimny Sierra, New Zealand spec |
|---|---|
| Gross vehicle mass | 1,420 kg (3,131 lb) 2017 Sierra |
| Fuel tank | 40 L (10.6 US gal) |
| Ground clearance | 190 mm (7.5 in) unladen |
| Approach / departure | 34° / 46° 2017 Sierra |
| Fuel economy | 7.1 L/100 km combined (about 33 US mpg) Suzuki claim, 2017 manual |
| Curb weight | 1,062 kg (2,341 lb) 2017 Sierra manual; kei JB23 930–1,000 kg |
| Turning circle | 9.8 m (32.2 ft) |
| Engine output | 63 kW (86 PS) / 110 Nm at 4,100 rpm M13A VVT |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 205/70R15 on 15x5.5 alloy (JB43 Jimny Sierra, e.g. 2017 New Zealand market) |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 5x139.7 (5x5.5") |
| Center bore | 108.1 mm |
| Lug thread | M12x1.25 |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 215/75R15 |
| Biggest tire · 2 in | 235/75R15 |
| Biggest tire · 3 in | 265/75R15 (≈31 in) |
Open the Suzuki Jimny JB23 / JB43 in the tire fitment tool →
Common Suzuki Jimny JB23 / JB43 repairs
- Replace the kingpin bearings and halfshaft sealDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Chase down a death wobble that isn't the kingpinsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Fix vacuum front hubs that won't engageDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Revive the push-button transfer-case actuatorDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Repair rotten floors, sills and radius-arm bracketsDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Renew radius-arm bushes and check the axle mountsDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Rebuild a noisy R72 gearboxDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
- Change the G13BB timing belt (1998–2001 JB33)DIFFICULTY 3 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.