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Autopapyrus · Suzuki Jimny III generation (JB)
https://autopapyrus.com/guides/suzuki/jimny/brake-fluid-replacement/
Compiled automatically from service literature and owner experience. Specs are for the typical configuration — check them against your exact car before you start.

Suzuki Jimny III generation (JB): Brake Fluid Replacement

Brake fluid in the Suzuki Jimny should be replaced every 2 years or 60,000 km, whichever comes first. The time limit matters most because the fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs moisture and loses its properties. On manual transmission models, the brake and clutch systems share the same fluid. The procedure requires a helper or a vacuum pump for bleeding.

Difficulty: Medium Time: 1-1.5 hours Steps: 15 Tools: 8 mm wrench, clear hose 6-8 mm, container for old fluid (0.5-1 L (0.5-1.1 qt)), jack, lug wrench, syringe or turkey baster for removing old fluid from the reservoir

Part

  • 🔩 Brake fluid DOT 3 or DOT 4 (SAE J1703, FMVSS 116 specification). Quantity needed for replacement: 0.9-1.0 L (0.95-1.06 qt)
There's a full repair manual for this car Every system, wiring diagrams and torque specs — not just this job. Haynes and 3 more. See manuals →

Step by step

15 steps
  1. Park the vehicle on level ground and apply the parking brake.
  2. Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir to the left of the brake booster. Remove the cap and take out the mesh filter.
  3. Use a syringe or turkey baster to remove the old fluid from the reservoir down to the bottom, then wipe the reservoir walls with a clean rag.
  4. Fill with fresh fluid to the MAX mark. Keep checking the level throughout bleeding. Do not let the reservoir run dry, or air will enter the system and you will have to start over.
  5. Raise the rear left corner of the vehicle and remove the wheel (or work through the opening in the wheel).
  6. Locate the bleeder screw on the rear left wheel cylinder (on top or on the side of the drum) and clean off any dirt. Attach the clear hose to the bleeder screw and put the other end into a container with a small amount of clean fluid, so the end stays submerged and you can see air bubbles.
  7. Your helper presses the brake pedal 4-5 times at 1-2 second intervals, then holds the pedal down. Use the 8 mm wrench to open the bleeder screw half a turn to three-quarters of a turn. Fluid and air will flow into the hose, and the pedal will sink to the floor.
  8. Close the bleeder screw while the pedal is still pressed down. Then your helper releases the pedal. Repeat steps 7-8 until clean, light-colored fluid with no bubbles comes out of the hose (usually 3-5 cycles). Top up the reservoir after every 2-3 pedal presses.
  9. Tighten the bleeder screw to 6-8 N·m (4.4-5.9 lb-ft) (hand-tight plus a quarter turn with the wrench). Put the rubber cap back on.
  10. Repeat the procedure for the front left wheel (the bleeder screw is on the caliper, usually on top or at the rear).
  11. Repeat for the front right wheel.
  12. Note: the rear right brake has no bleeder screw (a design feature of the Jimny III). It is bled through the common circuit.
  13. After bleeding all wheels, reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle. Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark, then install the filter and cap.
  14. Start the engine and press the brake pedal 15-20 times. The pedal should feel firm, with no sinking. If the pedal feels soft, repeat the bleeding (air remains in the system).
  15. Check the bleeder screws and connections for leaks. There should be no seepage.

Common mistakes and warnings

  • Do not mix different types of brake fluid. DOT 3 and DOT 4 are compatible with each other, but do NOT use DOT 5, which is silicone-based. Keep brake fluid off the paint, because it eats away the finish (rinse it off with water immediately). Wear gloves. Dispose of used fluid as hazardous chemical waste and do not pour it down the drain. If you have no experience bleeding brakes, take the vehicle to a repair shop. Mistakes lead to air in the system and reduced braking effectiveness.
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