What type of oil is suitable for the New Alto?
2 Answers
The original oil brand for the New Alto is Suzuki. If you want to change the oil during later maintenance, you can choose brands such as Shell, Mobil, Castrol, or Total. The oil models recommended in the official manual for the New Alto are 0W-20 and 5W-20. Any oil model that meets these two specifications can be used. The viscosity of the oil changes with temperature, so special attention should be paid to its performance under low and high temperatures. For example, in 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature fluidity. 5W means it can withstand low temperatures of -30°C. The smaller this number, the better the low-temperature fluidity, making the car's cold start smoother. The latter number represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 100°C. The higher the value, the better it can maintain viscosity under high temperatures, which can also be understood as better lubrication performance under high temperatures. The method for changing the oil in the New Alto is as follows: Wait for the engine temperature to drop, allowing the oil to flow back into the oil pan. Use a wrench to loosen the oil drain plug and place an oil pan to catch the old oil until no more oil flows out. Start the engine and let it run for 30 seconds to allow the oil in the main oil passage to drain. Use a special wrench to remove the oil filter. Apply oil to the oil seal of the new oil filter and tighten it clockwise by hand. Add the new oil through the oil filler cap on the engine valve cover. Generally, fill about three-quarters of a bottle. Start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes. Check for oil leaks around the oil drain plug and oil filter. If there are any leaks, perform necessary repairs. After stopping the engine, pull out the oil dipstick and check that the engine oil level is within the standard range.
As a regular owner of a new Alto for five years, with most of the mileage coming from daily commuting to work, based on my experience, the best choice is a 5W-30 full synthetic oil, such as brands like Shell or Mobil. It provides responsive power, smooth starts in winter without hesitation, and no worries about thinning in summer heat. I've tried mineral oil before, but it resulted in increased engine noise and higher fuel consumption. Semi-synthetic oil is a balanced choice with good cost-performance, but full synthetic offers better protection. Changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers keeps the car running smoothly. The Alto's engine is compact, and using the wrong oil viscosity can easily lead to carbon buildup, affecting its lifespan. Therefore, sticking to the manual's recommendation of 5W-30 avoids unnecessary trouble.
