SuzukiEquator RMZ-42012Overview/suzuki/equator-rmz-4/2012/base/

2012 Suzuki Equator RMZ-4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Equator RMZ-4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Suzuki Equator RMZ‑4 is a passenger‑car‑type vehicle that employs an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and a 4.9‑quart oil capacity lubricated by 5W‑30 API‑rated oil. It posts EPA fuel‑economy figures of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, the model generated 40 total owner complaints, most of which centered on steering, and it was subject to three recalls, indicating a modest but manageable issue profile for that year.

Model year201220112010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/29/25 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

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 29 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.9 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 FluidNissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.9
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.9 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts11 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts98 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.020
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Finish1.024 μin / 0.63 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8.31.5 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14 ft. lbs., Step 3:9020 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
173 ft. lbs.73 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts.
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
475 degrees.75 degrees
575 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 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
15 ft. lbs., step 2: 21 ft. lbs., step 3: intake collector: 85 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 at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2012 Suzuki Equator RMZ-4 dominate in one area — the steering, 14 of 40 reports (35%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the steering are also the target of recall 18V-804 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering 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.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering14
Air Bags11
Power Train4
Seats2
Steering,Engine1
Electrical System,Structure1
Air Bags,Seats1
Steering,Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V804000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:PumpReported 14/11/2018

Suzuki Motor America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 vehicles. The power steering pump may seize causing a loss of steering assist. Remedy: Suzuki has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki…

14V811000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)Reported 22/12/2014

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 SX4 vehicles manufactured July 16, 2009, to November 1, 2012, and 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 13, 2009, to October 31… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift knob, free of charge. The recall began January 16…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
suz_0137272017-07-06Power TrainThis bulletin describes corrective action needed to address complaints of reduction in…
SUZ_0133772016-10-14Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Equator RMZ-4 take?

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

Does the 2012 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 Equator RMZ-4 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpg.