Suzuki Sidekick & Geo Tracker Info

Suzuki Sidekick & Geo Tracker (1989–1998)

First-generation Vitara platform as sold in the U.S.: Suzuki Sidekick and its GM twin, the Geo Tracker.

Tech specs Capacities Torque specs Trims & body styles Fuel economy Colors Brochures

Tech specs

Item	Specification
Engines	1.6 L SOHC 8-valve I4 (G16A, 1,590 cc); 1.6 L SOHC 16-valve I4 (G16B); 1.8 L DOHC 16-valve I4 (J18, Sport models 1996–1998)
Power / torque, 1.6 8-valve	80 hp @ 5,400 rpm / 94 lb-ft (127 N·m) @ 3,000 rpm
Power / torque, 1.6 16-valve	95 hp @ 5,600 rpm / 98 lb-ft (133 N·m) @ 4,000 rpm
Power / torque, 1.8 (Sport)	120 hp @ 6,500 rpm / 114 lb-ft (155 N·m) @ 3,500 rpm
Bore × stroke	1.6: 2.95 × 3.54 in (75 × 90 mm); 1.8: 3.31 × 3.27 in (84 × 83 mm)
Transmissions	5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic; 4-speed automatic
Transfer case	Part-time 2H / 4H / 4L (4WD models)
Wheelbase	2-door 86.6 in (2,200 mm); 4-door 97.6 in (2,480 mm)
Fuel tank (1992)	11.1 US gal (42 L)
Spark plugs	NGK BKR6E / ND K20PR-U, gap 0.028–0.031 in (0.7–0.8 mm)

Fluid capacities

Capacities are approximate refill amounts from Suzuki factory service manual data. Always fill to the level/check plug or dipstick, not just by volume.

System	Capacity	Fluid
Engine oil with filter (1992 1.6)	4.8 qt (4.5 L)	API SG or better
Manual transmission (4WD)	3.2 US pt (1.5 L)	75W-90 GL-4/GL-5
Manual transmission (2WD, 1996)	4.0 US pt (1.9 L)	75W-90 GL-4/GL-5
Transfer case	3.6 US pt (1.7 L) (1996+); 3.2 pt (1992)	75W-90 gear oil
Front differential	2.1 US pt (1.0 L)	Hypoid gear oil
Rear differential	3.2 US pt (1.5 L) (1996+)	Hypoid gear oil
Automatic (3-speed, pan removal)	5.3 US pt (2.5 L)	ATF — check dipstick

Torque specs

Safety first — verify with your service manual. These figures are transcribed from Suzuki factory service manual data for the model shown. Specs can change by year, engine and body style. Always confirm the figure in the service manual for your exact vehicle before final tightening, use a calibrated torque wrench, tighten wheel nuts in a star pattern and re-check them after the first 50 miles. Replace one-time-use fasteners and sealing washers where specified. Torque settings marked as a range: tighten within the range.

Fastener	Torque
Wheel lug nuts (1996 factory data)	37–58 lb-ft (50–79 N·m)
Engine oil drain plug (1992 1.6)	22–28.5 lb-ft (30–39 N·m)
Engine oil drain plug (1.8)	26 lb-ft (35 N·m)
Oil pan bolts (1.8)	8 lb-ft (11 N·m)
Cylinder head cover bolts (1.8)	8 lb-ft (11 N·m)
Crankshaft pulley bolt (1.8)	108 lb-ft (146 N·m)
Camshaft timing pulley bolt (1.8)	44 lb-ft (60 N·m)
Flywheel bolts (1.8)	51 lb-ft (69 N·m)
Spark plugs	18–20 lb-ft (24–27 N·m)
Manual transmission drain plug	14–20 lb-ft (19–27 N·m)
Transfer case to transmission	14–20 lb-ft (19–27 N·m)
Front strut nut	50–75 lb-ft (68–102 N·m)
Strut bracket nuts	58–75 lb-ft (79–102 N·m)
Control arm front nut / rear nut	51–75 lb-ft (69–102 N·m) / 65–101 lb-ft (88–137 N·m)
Ball joint stud castle nut	33–50 lb-ft (45–68 N·m)
Tie rod end castle nut	22–39 lb-ft (30–53 N·m)
Brake caliper bolts	51–75 lb-ft (69–102 N·m)
Locking hub bolts	15–22 lb-ft (20–30 N·m)
Rear shock absorber nuts	58–72 lb-ft (79–98 N·m)
Rear trailing rod / upper arm nuts	58–72 lb-ft (79–98 N·m)
Propeller shaft nuts	29–43 lb-ft (39–58 N·m)

Trims & body styles (U.S.)

Years	Version	Notes
1989	JA, JX, JLX 2-door	JA with 1.3 L; JX/JLX with 1.6 L
1990–1995	2-door and 4-door, 2WD and 4WD	JLX dropped for 1990; 95 hp 16-valve 1.6 L introduced for 1992
1996–1998	Sport 4-door added (1.8 L)	Sport: dual airbags, two-tone paint, 16-in alloys
1997 (example)	JS 2-door soft top 2WD; JX 2-door soft top 4WD; JS 4-door 2WD; JX 4-door 4WD; JSS 4-door 2WD (1.8); JXS 4-door 4WD (1.8); JLX 4-door 4WD (1.8)	From the factory service manual model list
1989–1997	Geo Tracker (GM twin)	Convertible, hardtop and 4-door versions sharing Sidekick mechanicals

Fuel economy (EPA)

U.S. EPA estimates in miles per gallon, as currently published on fueleconomy.gov (older models are shown on the revised 2008 EPA method, so they are lower than the original window sticker). To convert: L/100 km = 235.2 ÷ mpg.

Model year	EPA listing	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Comb
1989	Sidekick Convertible	1.3 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1989	Sidekick Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1989	Sidekick Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1989	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1989	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1989	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1989	Tracker Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1989	Tracker Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	24	26	25
1990	Sidekick	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	23	26	24
1990	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	23	22
1990	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	26	24
1990	Sidekick Soft-top	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	23	22
1990	Sidekick Soft-top	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	26	24
1990	Tracker	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	23	22
1990	Tracker	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	26	24
1990	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	23	22
1990	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	23	26	24
1991	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	19	21	20
1991	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	23	22
1991	Sidekick Soft-top	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	25	23
1991	Tracker	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	22	21
1991	Tracker	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1991–1993	Sidekick	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	22	24	23
1991–1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	22	21
1991–1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1991–1993	Sidekick Soft-top	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	22	21
1991–1993	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	22	21
1991–1994	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	22	24	23
1991–1994	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1992–1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	21	24	22
1992–1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	4WD	19	24	21
1992–1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	24	22
1992–1993	Sidekick Soft-top	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1992–1993	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	2WD	20	22	21
1992–1993	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	22	21
1992–1994	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1993	Sidekick	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	2WD	20	22	21
1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	20	24	21
1993	Sidekick Hardtop	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	20	24	21
1994	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	22	24	23
1994	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	22	24	23
1994	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	20	24	21
1994	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	20	24	21
1994	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	22	21
1994, 1996, 1997	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	2WD	21	22	21
1994, 1996, 1997	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	22	21
1994, 1996, 1997	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	2WD	21	22	21
1994, 1996, 1997	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	21	24	22
1994, 1996, 1997	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	21	22	21
1994, 1996, 1997	Tracker Convertible	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	24	22
1994, 1996, 1997	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	24	22
1994, 1996, 1997, 1998	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	21	24	22
1994, 1996, 1997, 1998	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	24	22
1994, 1998	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	2WD	19	24	21
1994, 1998	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	4WD	19	24	21
1996–1997	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	2WD	19	23	21
1996–1997	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	21	24	22
1996–1997	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	4WD	19	23	21
1996–1997	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	21	24	22
1996–1997	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	2WD	19	23	21
1996–1997	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	21	24	22
1996–1997	Tracker Van	1.6 L	Auto 4-spd	4WD	19	23	21
1996–1998	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Auto 4-spd	4WD	19	22	20
1996, 1998	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	20	23	21
1997	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	19	23	21
1997	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	19	23	21
1997–1998	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Auto 4-spd	2WD	19	22	20
1998	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	4WD	20	23	21
1998	Sidekick 2Door	1.6 L	Auto 3-spd	2WD	20	23	21
1998	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	4WD	20	24	22
1998	Sidekick 4Door	1.6 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	20	24	22
1998	Sidekick Sport	1.8 L	Manual 5-spd	2WD	20	23	21

Factory colors & paint codes

Swatch colors are approximate screen representations. Always match paint by the color code on your vehicle’s paint code label (usually on the driver door jamb, firewall or inner pillar), not by the swatch. Availability varied by body style and year (U.S. market).

2-door

Polar White

Code 26U · 89–98

Charcoal metallic

Code 38B · 89–90

Fantasy Black

Code 07B · 89–90

Midnight Black metallic

Code 0DG · 91–92

Satin Black

Code 1SC · 93–98

Apple Red

Code 37V · 89–92

Flash Red

Code 15P · 93–95

Victory Red

Code Z07 · 96–97

Crimson metallic

Code 1VB · 93–94

Royal Plum metallic

Code Y06 · 95

Toreador Red metallic

Code Z0A · 98

Mist Green metallic

Code 24T · 89–90

Bermuda Green metallic

Code 1ZB · 95

Jade Green metallic

Code Y34 · 98

Frosty Blue metallic

Code 38C · 89–90

Ocean Ice metallic

Code 1FH · 92–93

Quasar Blue metallic

Code 0SH · 94

Bright Teal metallic

Code Z06 · 96–97

Twilight Blue metallic

Code 0AA · 89–90

Sapphire Blue metallic

Code Y05 · 96–98

4-door

Polar White

Code 26U · 91–98

Charcoal metallic

Code 38B · 91–94

Gray Sable metallic

Code Y45 · 95–98

Satin Black

Code 1SC · 96–98

Pearl Red

Code 0FT · 91–93

Crimson metallic

Code 1VB · 94–95

Flash Red

Code 15P · 95

Victory Red

Code Z07 · 96–98

Oregon Green metallic

Code Z1D · 98

Hunter Green metallic

Code 0VP · 92–95

Jade Green metallic

Code Y34 · 96–98

Sapphire Blue metallic

Code Y05 · 95

4-door Sport

Polar White

Code 26U · 96–98

Midnight Black metallic

Code 0DG · 96–98

Crimson metallic

Code 0FT · 96–97

Mars Red metallic

Code Z2A · 98

Alpine Green metallic

Code Y33 · 96–97

Oregon Green metallic

Code Z1D · 98

Baltic Blue metallic

Code Y29 · 96–97

Deep Space Blue metallic

Code Z1Z · 98

Factory brochures

Original U.S.-market Suzuki sales brochure pages, shown for reference (specs and colors in brochures were subject to change during the model year).

1989 Suzuki factory sales brochure, cover — 1989 · cover

1989 Suzuki factory sales brochure, specifications / colors page — 1989 · specifications / colors page

1995 Suzuki factory sales brochure, cover — 1995 · cover

1996 Suzuki factory sales brochure, cover — 1996 · cover

1997 Suzuki factory sales brochure, cover — 1997 · cover

1998 Suzuki factory sales brochure, cover — 1998 · cover

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