SuzukiX1998Overview/suzuki/x/1998/base/
90 platform

1998 Suzuki X

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Suzuki X rides on the 90 platform and routes power through a four-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 20 city, 25 highway, and 22 combined mpg — solid numbers for a compact of this era. Reliability-wise, this model year sits near the cleaner end of the X's history, with zero recalls and just a single owner complaint on record, though that lone complaint spans both the engine/engine cooling and electrical systems, the two areas most worth watching as these vehicles age. For researchers evaluating long-term ownership prospects, the 1998's minimal complaint volume and recall-free record point to a largely trouble-free model year, even if the few issues that have surfaced cluster in systems that can be expensive to service.

Model year199819971996

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque69 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 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 / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.4 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase97.6 in
Curb weight2227 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 56.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
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 69 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
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 Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts69 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
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
Spark Plug Torque21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.33 lbs
Oil TypePAG
Oil Capacity3.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance440 cca

Service checks

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
Injector Primary Resistance12-17 na MFI, RWD ohms
Engine Oil Pressure48-62 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.100 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.394 in
Rotor Finish0.315 μin
Drum Maximum Machining8.668 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

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) · 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 X dominate in one area — the engine & engine cooling,electrical system, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling,electrical system 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
3
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1

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 3 of 3 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…

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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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 1998 X have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the X get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.