SuzukiEsteem GLX1996Overview/suzuki/esteem-glx/1996/base/

1996 Suzuki Esteem GLX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Esteem GLX.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Suzuki Esteem GLX, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requires 3.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and delivers EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined. Owner-reported data reveals just five complaints, all centered on tires, and no recalls. This record places the 1996 model year among the most trouble-free in the Esteem’s history.

Model year2001199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque62 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 440 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 26R · 440 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.4 in
Overall width65.7 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase98 in
Curb weight2143 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume12 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 3.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 62 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings26 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts57-58 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Main Bearings39-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts62 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub127 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub127 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 750, AT: 800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,100-15,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance440 cca

Service checks

Pressure TestSedan 12.8 psi; wagon, 15.6 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0-44.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12-13 @ 68 degreesF MFI ohms
Engine Oil Pressure48-62 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0050-0.0070 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.120
Rotor Runout Limit0.0039 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.788 in
Rotor Finish0.709 μin
Drum Maximum Machining7.88 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
240 ft. lbs..40 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
425 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
549.5 ft. lbs.49.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs. Step 2: 40 ft. lbs.. Step 3: Loosen all bolts. Step 4: 25 ft. lbs. Step 5: 49.525 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 every 30,000 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.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miDoor Stop (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Shift Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)
At 90,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 120,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (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 1996 Suzuki Esteem GLX lead in one area — the tires, 1 of 5 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the tires 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.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Tires1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Power Train,Electrical System1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Air Bags1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
01091932003-09-11Service Brakes, HydraulicSERVICE MANUAL UPDATE - IMPROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. *TT
SW072000-05-04Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES…
0210063Electrical SystemSERVICE MANUAL UPDATE-INCORRECT WIRING DIAGRAM OF THE WIPER/WASHER COMBINATION SWITCH. *SC
0204145Engine And Engine CoolingCORRECT COOLANT USAGE. *EH

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

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VIN
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Recalls
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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 1996 Esteem GLX take?

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

Does the 1996 Esteem GLX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Esteem GLX get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.