SuzukiSidekick JS1998Overview/suzuki/sidekick-js/1998/base/

1998 Suzuki Sidekick JS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Sidekick JS.

The 1998 Suzuki Sidekick JS is characterized by an engine requiring 4.5 quarts of oil compatible with 15W-40, 15W-50, or 10W-40 API viscosity grades. Reliability records for this model year show zero recalls alongside a total of 28 owner complaints, with air bags identified as the top complaint area. This data positions the 1998 JS as a stable model year free of factory campaigns, indicating that researchers should prioritize the air bag system over factory-mandated repairs.

Model year199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 15W-50 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque58-79 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 390 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 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length140.6 in
Overall width65.4 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase86.6 in
Curb weight2480 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 55.1 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 15W-40 / 15W-50 / 10W-40 API engine oil, 75W-80 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-79 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-80 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil15W-40 · 15W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil15W-40 · 15W-50 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings26 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings42 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts57-58 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts51 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts58-79 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.7-1.1 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance13,000-18,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.032 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.33 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca
Standard BCI Group Number85
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)35.0-43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)29.0-37.0 psi

Brakes

Other4 Door / 2 Door
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.275
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.120
Other4 Door / 2 Door
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.669 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
240 ft. lbs.40 ft. lbs
349.5 ft. lbs.49.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
138.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
261 ft. lbs.61 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
438.5 ft. lbs.38.5 ft. lbs
576 ft. lbs.76 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs. Step 2: 40 ft. lbs. Step 3: 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 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Locking Hub (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 45,000 miTransmission Oil Cooler Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)
Every 80,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)
At 90,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Powertrain Control System Sensors (inspect)

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 1998 Suzuki Sidekick JS dominate in one area — the air bags, 9 of 28 reports (32%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 9 of the reports describe a crash and 1 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.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
28
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Electrical System2
Tires1
Suspension,Engine & Engine Cooling,Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1
Suspension1

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 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…
SW072000-05-04Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES…
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 1998 Sidekick JS take?

4.5 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 15W-40 OR 15W-50 API, ABOVE -4 degrees F: 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API, -4 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 86 degrees F: 5W-30 API (STARBURS, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Sidekick JS have open recalls?

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