Suzuki›Equator RMZ-4›2009›4.0L/suzuki/equator-rmz-4/2009/4-0l/

2009 Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 — 4.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Equator RMZ-4 4.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 4.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2009 Suzuki Equator RMZ‑4 is a compact passenger‑car platform powered by a 4.0‑liter engine that requires 5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, paired with a 4‑speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Its modest powertrain and drivetrain make it a practical choice for everyday commuting, while the relatively low fuel consumption reflects Suzuki’s focus on efficiency in this segment. In terms of reliability, the model year registers a moderate total of 48 owner complaints, with air‑bag issues cited as the most common, and a handful of three recalls, positioning the RMZ‑4 as a vehicle that generally performs well but warrants attention to its safety‑related components.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnPARKOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	220.9 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	70.1 in
Wheelbase	139.8 in
Curb weight	4519 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	89 cu ft
Cargo volume	9 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10.9
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.2 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-85 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.1

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	98 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	101 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Timing	15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43-1.65 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1
Engine Compression	142-185 PSI @ rpm. 14 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.012 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	136 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.020
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Finish	1.024 μin / 0.63 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

14 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., step 2: 84

33 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.	90 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

5 ft. lbs., step 2: 21 ft. lbs., step 3: intake collector: 8

5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2009 Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 dominate in one area — the air bags, 21 of 48 reports (44%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 13V-405 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 5 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21

Air Bags,Seats2

Tires2

Steering2

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Air Bags,Engine1

Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V405000Air BagsReported 06/09/2013

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are…

10V513000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 19/10/2010

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SUZ_016008	2022-07-08	Suspension	Reminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-045	2018-11-20	Suspension	This Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
SUZ_013377	2016-10-14	Power Train	THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…
TS-01-02260R2	2013-04-02	Air Bags	SUZUKI: DUE TO CHANGE IN LOAD ON PASSENGER SEAT WITH SHIFTING OF WEIGHT AND OBJECTS IN…
ASMC-009375	2013-01-01	Air Bags	SUZUKI: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC B1318. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Equator RMZ-4. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Equator RMZ-4 4.0L take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Equator RMZ-4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 4.0L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.