SuzukiSX42008Overview/suzuki/sx4/2008/base/

2008 Suzuki SX4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 SX4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Suzuki SX4 is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 22/30/25 mpg. This model utilizes 4 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. Within the model's 2000-2013 history, the 2008 year marks the highest volume of owner complaints at 101, specifically highlighting air bags as the top concern alongside three recalls.

Model year20132010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque62 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 700 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 24 · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height62.2 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2646 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume9 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 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 62 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.8
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-80 · 75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts62 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-.99 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.71 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure55-67 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0063-0.0094 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0123-0.0153 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle43.5 ft-lbs / 61.5 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.354 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Finish0.315 μin / 0.787 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 4511 ft. lbs
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
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 15 ft. lbs., Step 4: 26 ft. lbs., Step 5: 40 degrees, Step 6: 4037 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 60,000 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 Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 45,000 miTransmission Oil Cooler Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel 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.

The 2008 Suzuki SX4 sits at the peak of a complaints spike within this generation, recording 101 complaints—nearly 40% more than 2007 (73) and more than double 2009 (48). This represents the highest complaint volume in the entire dataset, with Air Bags dominating at 55 complaints (over half of all submissions). The year carries forward the single NHTSA investigation opened in 2007 and adds three recalls, while crash complaints (10) and fire complaints (2) are also present. Notably, complaints decline sharply after 2008, falling to 48 in 2009 and 21 in 2010, suggesting the 2008 model year may have encountered specific manufacturing or design issues that were subsequently addressed. The air bag predominance is particularly noteworthy given the safety critical nature of that system. **This data indicates 2008 is the least favorable year in the generation to purchase—it bears the highest complaint burden, ongoing investigation, and safety-related defect signals that subsequent model years appear to have resolved.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
101
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 101 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags55
Air Bags,Seat Belts5
Engine3
Suspension2
Air Bags,Seats2
Electrical System,Air Bags2
Power Train2
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V405000Air BagsReported 06/09/2013

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are…

10V513000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 19/10/2010

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 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_0133772016-10-14Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…
ABE-ZA-1204182012-07-25Air BagsSUZUKI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 'AIR BAG'…
TSB-TS-02-052222012-06-12Air BagsSUZUKI: DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM CIRCUIT LOCATED…

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 SX4. 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 2008 SX4 take?

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

Does the 2008 SX4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SX4 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.