Skip to content
CarCareTruth

Coming Soon

Suzuki Sidekick 1st Generation

1989–1998 · suv

Joint-venture Suzuki/GM small SUV — sold concurrently as the Geo/Chevy Tracker. Replaced the Samurai's leaf front with coil-sprung independent suspension while keeping a solid rear axle. Engines: 1.6L G16 (8-valve 80 hp, later 16-valve 95 hp) and a late 1.8L. The 4-door arrived for 1991 — first 4-door mini-SUV in the US market.

Watch out: Rust on frame outriggers and rocker panels is the make-or-break item. Stock 4-cylinder is slow on highways; many owners do engine swaps. Watch for prior off-road abuse (bent control arms, leaky transfer case).

What your Sidekick takes

The parts and fluids that fit this generation. Specs we publish are confirmed against two independent sources; the rest fill in as we verify them.

  • Wiper blades17" driver · 17" passenger · 15" rear✓ VerifiedView
  • Tire sizeNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Engine oilNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Oil filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Engine air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Cabin air filterNot catalogued yetFind yours
  • Spark plugsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Headlight bulbsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • BatteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • CoolantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Transmission fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Tire pressureNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Key fob batteryNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Power steering fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Differential fluidNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Serpentine beltNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake padsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Wheel fitmentNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Brake rotorsNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • ThermostatNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • A/C refrigerantNot catalogued yetFind yours soon
  • Fuel filterNot catalogued yetFind yours soon

Full clubhouse — owner Garage Lineage, common problems, year-by-year notes, and product picks — is on the build list.

← Back to all vehicles