Everything included in a Suzuki service plan in South Africa

Nearly all Suzuki vehicles in South Africa are sold with a service plan that stipulates when and for how long the car will be serviced under contract by the manufacturer.

The cost of the after-sales agreement is generally factored into the car’s purchase price and usually stretches between two and four years as standard.

According to the automaker, all services completed at authorised Suzuki dealers include the following:

• Rust inspection
• Wheel alignment
• Suspension tests
• Tyre tread checks
• Oil and oil filter change
• Several other essential inspections
• A visual inspection of the car’s maintenance
• Top up of washer fluid, brake fluid, and steering fluid

Full and major services may further include checkups and, where required, replacement of the oil, oil filter, brake fluid, coolant, windscreen wash, brakes, and power steering fluid, as well as an inspection of the steering system, shock absorbers, suspension, lights, windscreen wipers, wheel alignment, charging systems, exhaust, battery, tyre tread, and tyre pressure.

The time it takes for a basic service varies between 60 minutes and 90 minutes, while full and major service times could extend to several hours depending on how busy the workshop may be.

The different types of services

There are three different services carried out by Suzuki comprising lubrication services, intermittent services, and full services, the type of which depends on your car’s age or mileage.

The first service generally takes place between 10,000-15,000km or within the first year of ownership, and takes care of minor items such as an oil change, oil filter replacement, a general vehicle inspection, and a checkup of the coolant, brake fluid, and windscreen washer fluid.

The second service is usually set at 30,000km (or two years), by which time it’s necessary to replace the air filters, check safety critical items such as steering and brakes, scan the exhaust for leaks, and address other issues noted and discussed with the owner.

At 45,000km, the third service will take care of the replacement of the timing belt and brakes, and for automatic cars, the gearbox fluid and filter will be changed.

At 96,000km, the technician repeats the same tasks they did at the previous service, in addition to replacing the spark plugs and going over the suspension, steering components, and shock absorbers to look for any requisite maintenance.

When the odometer eclipses 144,000km, many of the above tasks are performed once again, and a comprehensive inspection of the entire vehicle is completed including the drive belts, the differential and transfer case, and coolant hoses.

Beyond 160,000km, problems on the car will be addressed as they arise and regular maintenance practices will continue including oil changes and inspections.

However, keep in mind that these are just general guidelines for car services and that your model’s specific requirements may differ.

“Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual and consult with a qualified mechanic at your dealership for the most accurate information regarding your car’s service schedule,” said Suzuki.

“Regular maintenance helps ensure the longevity and reliability of your vehicle, and it’s essential to address issues promptly to prevent more significant problems in the future.”