ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
........................................................................................... Suzuki M13AA ............................................................. Four, straight arangement ................................................................................................... 1 328 cc ............................................ Multi-point fuel injection, petrol ............................................................. Normal, no turbocharger ...................................... Double overhead camshafts (DOHC) ................................... 16 valves with variable valve timing (VVT) ........................................................... 78 mm and 69,5 mm .................................................................................... 9,5: 1 ................................................................. 7 200 rpm ......................................................................................................... Water ................................................................................... 5-speed manual
So I guess it’s not too bad.
My Jimny can maintain 120 km/h on a level highway, but I have to downshift to drive up the slightest hill. The Jimny’s top speed is 140 km/h, but I seldom see that.
My favourite mechanic, who I’ve been going to for the past six years after the factory warranty expired, says my vehicle requires very little maintenance thanks to the low mass that puts little pressure on parts. With the latest service, at the time of writing this article, the fan and alternator belts plus the brake shoes were replaced for the first time in the 10 years that I’ve owned it.
The BFGoodrich tyres were coincidentally replaced in the same week – they also lasted for 10 years, but they were toast! The tread depth was still legal, but the rubber had begun to perish due to their age. I don’t expect the General Grabber AT3 tyres that I had fitted to last 10 years as well, but they
cost a third of what BFs do nowadays.
My Jimny has gone through two batteries and one set of windscreen wipers, but otherwise it has required nothing else. A typical service cost me R800 six years ago (the service plan ran out after four years), and due to inflation I now pay around R1 200 for a service done by my independent mechanic.
The body paint has held up nicely and hasn’t faded noticeably. The other day,
I pulled off an old ZA sticker and found that the colour under the sticker still looked the same as the paint around it.
The engine’s aluminium block has a white rust layer, but that’s understandable seeing as I live near the coast. The rubber hoses and plastic inside the engine bay hasn’t yet started to perish and actually look remarkably good still.
My daughter will be going to university in seven years’ time and I am confident that the Jimny will serve her dutifully until she can afford her own first car.