SuzukiSwift DLX1997Overview/suzuki/swift-dlx/1997/base/

1997 Suzuki Swift DLX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Swift DLX.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1997 Suzuki Swift DLX, equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission, delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 31 highway, and 28 combined. With only four total owner complaints on file, primarily concentrated in the power train, and a single recall, this model year stands out as a notably trouble-free entry in the Swift’s history, signaling a dependable choice for researchers evaluating this era.

Model year199819971996

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque48 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/31/28 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

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length149.6 in
Overall width62.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase93.3 in
Curb weight1872 lb
Track (front / rear)55.1 / 53.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 31 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 48 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts12 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsFinal torque: 51-54 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsFinal torque: 51-54 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts42-47 ft-lbs
Main Bearings37-41 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-28.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts48 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug13.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub127 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.35-1.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance22,100-29,900 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance440 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Injector Primary Resistance0.5-1.5 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure48-62 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0090-0.0110 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0102-0.0118 in

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.236; Rear: 0.236 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront, ex. GTI: .590; Front, Sedan: .590
Maximum Drum Diameter7.170
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .590; Rear: .315
Maximum Rotor Runout.0039
Maximum Drum DiameterHatchback: 7.170; Sedan: 7.958

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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
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)
At 105,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 120,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miTiming Belt (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 1997 Suzuki Swift DLX dominate in one area — the power train, 3 of 4 reports (75%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the power train are also the target of recall 98V-225 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 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train 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.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Power Train3
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

98V225002Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchReported 06/10/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. THE SHIFT LEVER APPEARS TO BE IN "PARK," BUT CAN EASILY BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITHOUT THE USE OF THE KEY, TRANSAXLE LEVER DETENT… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, OWNERS ARE ADVISED WHEN SHIFTING TO "PARK," ALWAYS APPLY THE PARK BRAKE BEFORE RELEASING THE SERVICE…

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…
SW072000-05-04Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN CONTAINS THE REVISED CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT BATTERIES…
TS318100781998-01-01Power TrainSPEICAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITING A CONDITION WITH THE AUTOMATIC…
TS318100781998-01-01Power TrainREMOVAL PROCEDURES FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. *YC
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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Swift DLX. 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

Does the 1997 Swift DLX have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Swift DLX get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg.