SuzukiReno2008Overview/suzuki/reno/2008/base/

2008 Suzuki Reno

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Reno.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Suzuki Reno is a passenger car that uses a 4.2‑qt engine lubricated with 5W‑30 API oil and is paired with an automatic 4‑speed transmission. It achieves EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. In its reliability record the model records 23 owner complaints, the lowest count in a five‑year span that peaked at 63 complaints in 2006, and it carries a single recall, reflecting a comparatively lower complaint level for the 2008 model year.

Model year200820072006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque66-92 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 610 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 86 · 610 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 66-92 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts66-92 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.37-1.46 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type150
Oil Capacity7.44 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance610 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13-17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature189 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0-57.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure55-67 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0090-0.0110 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle70 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.280; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0001 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.95 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Finish0.87 μin / 0.315 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep M10 Bolts:

138 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
259.5 ft. lbs.59.5 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
438 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
574.5 ft. lbs.; M6 Bolts:74.5 ft. lbs
18
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.90 degrees
490 degrees.90 degrees

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 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 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 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
At 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 22,500 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
Every 90,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 150,000 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.

The 2008 Suzuki Reno shows a marked decline in complaints compared to its predecessors, dropping from 63 in 2006 to 23 in 2008, while recalls fell to one, the lowest in the five‑year span. The 2008 model’s complaint pattern is dominated by power‑train issues (7 of 23), with air‑bag and engine‑related concerns following, and no investigations recorded that year. In contrast, 2004 had no complaints but one recall, 2005 saw a spike to 32 complaints and three recalls, and 2006 peaked at 63 complaints and four recalls before easing in 2007. The 2008 vehicle’s lower complaint count and single recall suggest it sits at the trough of the trend, indicating improved reliability over the earlier years. With only two crash complaints and one fire complaint, the 2008 Reno appears to be a comparatively safer choice within its generation, making it a solid option for a used purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7
Air Bags2
Power Train,Engine2
Unknown Or Other1
Engine1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Visibility/Wiper1
Exterior Lighting1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V262000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 19/05/2014

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles, and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat… Remedy: Suzuki will replace the signal switch and add a jumper relay kit and will replace the DRL Module in teh instrument panel harness. Suzuki distributed to owners an interim letter on…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 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_0131752016-05-18Air BagsTHIS SERVICE BULLETIN UPDATES A BULLETIN ORIGINALLY ISSUED ON MAY 18, 2016, CONCERNING A…
TS-30-062632013-08-08EngineSUZUKI: SUZUKI HAS REPLACEMENT OIL PUMPS THAT HAVE A THREADED PLUG. THE THREADED PROVES…
TB-22-02041R2011-04-01Engine And Engine CoolingSUZUKI VEHICLE: COUNTER MEASURE PROCEDURE FOR DTC P2135. MIL LIGHT IS ON; DTC P2135…

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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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 2008 Reno take?

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

Does the 2008 Reno have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Reno get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.