There are no roads in Russia - only directions.
Napoleon Bonaparte

... Off-road to overcome is not a thing,
But how to overcome the road?
(song from the movie "Midshipmen, forward!")

Surely every driver is familiar with the sensation, which is commonly called “the heart bleeds”, when, having driven off the asphalt, you pass a bump or branch between the wheels, and a “chirp” is heard under the car. Immediately you draw pictures of damage to yourself, you regret not walking, and you envy the owners of SUVs with good ground clearance. However, almost any car can be slightly "raised" with absolutely no harm to the suspension and transmission elements, and without seriously affecting handling. A little - this is 2-5 cm. However, this is quite enough to easily wade forest paths for mushrooms, fishing or a summer cottage in a car.

The increase in the clearance of SUZUKI cars is made by installing spacers between the body and the spring. A "raised" car has the following positive qualities:

the ability to safely drive without touching, where previously "scruffled" the bottom
spectacular appearance
the possibility of installing wheels of larger diameter
the car sags less when fully loaded

Suzuki CX4 ground clearance or clearance like for any other passenger car is an important factor on our roads. It is the condition of the road surface or its complete absence that makes Russian motorists interested in the clearance of the Suzuki SX4 and the possibility of increasing ground clearance using spacers or even reinforced springs.

To begin with, it's worth honestly saying that real ground clearance Suzuki CX4 may seriously differ from that declared by the manufacturer. The whole secret is in the method of measurement and the place of measurement of the ground clearance. Therefore, you can find out the real state of affairs only by yourself armed with a tape measure or a ruler. Official ground clearance Suzuki CX4 different generations differ depending on the type of drive and the type of body. Indeed, in addition to the new hatchbacks, SX4 sedans were also brought to the Russian market several years ago.

Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2006 - from 160 to 175 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 4WD since 2006 - 190 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 sedan since 2007 - 165 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2012 - 175 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2015 - 175-180 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 restyling since 2016 - 180 mm

Some manufacturers go for the trick and declare the size of the ground clearance in an "empty" car, but in real life we have a full trunk of all sorts of things, passengers and a driver. That is, in a loaded car, the clearance will be completely different. Another factor that few people have in mind is the age of the car and the wear and tear of the springs, their "subsidence" from old age. The issue is solved by installing new springs or buying spacers under sagging springs Suzuki CX4... The spacers allow you to compensate for the spring sag and add a couple of centimeters of ground clearance. Sometimes even a centimeter in the parking lot at the curb plays an important role.

But do not get carried away with the "lift" of the Suzuki CX4's ground clearance, because the spacers to increase the clearance are focused only on springs. If you do not pay attention to the shock absorbers, the travel of which is often very limited, then self-modernization of the suspension can lead to loss of control and damage to the shock absorbers. In terms of cross-country ability, high ground clearance in our harsh conditions is good, but at high speeds on the track and in corners, there is a serious buildup and additional body roll.

Video measurement real ground clearance of the new Suzuki SX4 under engine protection.

On the back of the Suzuki CX4, a spring spacer is usually installed (see the photo below).

The front is a little more difficult, because there you have to tinker with the counter. In addition to installing spacers under the strut cushion, you will have to lengthen the shock absorber rod, otherwise the front suspension cannot be assembled. Photo of spacers with detailed dimensions below.

Front struts rod extensions.

Photos are clickable.

When designing a suspension and choosing the amount of ground clearance, any car manufacturer is looking for a middle ground between handling and cross-country ability. Perhaps the easiest, safest and most unpretentious way to increase clearance is to install wheels with “high” tires. Changing wheels makes it easy to increase the ground clearance by another centimeter. Remember that a major change in ground clearance can damage the CV joints of your Suzuki SX4. After all, "grenades" will have to work from a slightly different angle.

Tuning SuzukiSX4 - Not an easy task, if only because this car is made with love and care. The Italians, the great connoisseurs of automod, have had a hand in creating an attractive appearance for the mini-crossover. The Japanese, who can express any idea through the image of a young girl, brought Italian design closer to the style of a manga girl.

As a result Suzuki SH4 appeared before the European consumer as a miniature beauty with wide-open eyes, graceful figure outlines, mouth-watering bulges and touching hollows. Here's what to tune in such a beauty?

But the Russian car enthusiast is not like that to retreat in front of difficulties! Tuning Suzuki SX4, made with your own hands, really able to improve the Japanese damsel! In most cases...

We will tell you about them.

Engine tuning

Technically advanced powertrain SuzukiSX4 does not need the fine tuning that is practiced for less successful cars. Install lightweight pistons and a forged crankshaft, mount a sports camshaft, grind the intake manifold to improve dynamic performance to the owner Suzuki CX4 not that not necessary at all ... Not desirable!

A much less traumatic (for a car) way to realize the hidden potential of the motor is preferable. Carrying out Chip tuning Suzuki SX4 dispenses with without reducing the service life to critical levels.

The operation consists in reprogramming the electronic unit that controls the operation of the engine. To carry it out on its own, you need special equipment, a solid amount of knowledge and practical skills in the field of programming.

Given these circumstances, the implementation of the motor chip should be entrusted to trusted specialists - unless the task of mounting and connecting an autonomous control unit is on the agenda. Such tuning kits are created with the expectation of independent installation of the device by car owners and require a minimum of locksmith skills.

In any corner of Russia, it is easy to find a specialized company offering a high-quality chip Suzuki SX4 engine tuning... The customer is waiting for a wide selection of programs that optimize one or another group of technical characteristics of the power unit.

In addition to increasing power and torque, high-quality flashing significantly reduces the "appetite" of the motor. Owners of chip crossovers Suzuki SX4

note the appearance of special elasticity in the operation of the motor. The increase in the speed of the engine response to pressing the gas pedal is also encouraging.

In some cases, chip tuningSuzukiSX4 helps to adapt the motor for transporting trailers and heavy loads in off-road conditions. The program, modified for the sake of increased thrust, increases engine power not only at high rpm with fully open throttle, but also in urban operation (low and medium range of crankshaft speeds).

According to the testimony of motorists, after a successful flashing Suzuki SX4 such unpleasant problems as twitching and failures in the operation of the motor are eliminated. The hitherto sluggish acceleration dynamics "invigorates", automatic transmission jerks disappear, a bad start at low temperatures goes into the irrevocable past.

Owners SuzukiSX4 with faulty lambda probes and remote catalysts, programs are usually offered that clear error codes without compromising the performance of the car.

Duration of the procedure chip tuning Suzuki SX4 reaches three hours. As a rule, the customer is handed a saved version of the factory software. Serious tuning studios offer their customers a month to test the updated driving characteristics of the car (in reasonable and safe modes and operating conditions). If the car owner's expectations are not met, the money is returned to him, and the original version of the software is put on the electronics.

Prices on chip tuningSuzukiSX4 cannot be called transcendental. But the increase in power and torque is impressive (on average from 9 to 12%)!

Turbo acceleration

Some tech enthusiasts tuning Suzuki SX4 the engine is equipped with a turbocharger (low pressure turbine 0.2-0.4 bar). Such a solution does not require modification of the cooling system, special flashing of the electronics and deep modernization of the power unit. The increase in power of the turbocharged engine is a little over forty horsepower in the range from 3000 to 5500 rpm.

Opponents of introducing a turbine into a power unit Suzuki SH4 give the following arguments:

The high cost of parts and work (about $ 1,500 in total);

Rapid reduction in the service life of a turbocharged engine.

Alternatively, they offer for the same money to put on a car a used engine of a larger displacement, since engines with a combustion chamber volume of up to 2500 cm 3 under the hood of the crossover Suzuki SX4 fit without much difficulty.

I would like to note that the driving style has a much greater impact on the "health" of the car than the actual presence of certain improvements.

External tuning

Suzuki SX4- the car is massive and popular. In an effort to get away from annoying uniformity, many owners are trying to add a slight charm of individuality to the look of their car. There are plenty of opportunities to realize this noble goal. Even a cursory glance at the list of accessories for body tuningSuzukiSX4 , you can pick up a dozen cute and original "gizmos".

A complex and relatively inexpensive solution that transforms the appearance of a Japanese crossover - a plastic body kit. It visually makes the model heavier, makes the profile of a production car solid.

Complementing the plastic "armor" of the body kit with original alloy wheels, you will bring the expressiveness of the car to the highest limit. Headlamp trims serve the same purpose. For the sake of increasing the aesthetics of the front of the car body, you can go for a small correction of the light flux.

"Kenguryatnik" is not a very functional (in domestic conditions) element body tuningSuzukiSX4 ... However, together with the chrome-plated footpeg pipes, it gives the car the serious seriousness of a jeep.

Even without installing a body kit and chrome-plated metal, you will make your car recognizable in the traffic flow if you order the original body airbrushing. Army camouflage paint Suzuki SX4- a win-win option not only for fishermen and hunters, but also for all fans of the military style.

Instead of airbrushing, you can use a film "carbon", requiring only one neatness and some care when gluing.

Carbon film looks equally good when applied continuously and when used as a finish on small bodywork Suzuki SH4 such as door pillars, rear bumper or hood.

A simple mesh adaptation procedure will make an invaluable contribution to body tuningSuzukiSX4, making your car even more attractive.

Salon tuning

Despite the good consumer reputation of all Japanese small cars, the salon SuzukiSX4 becomes even more comfortable after tuning. The car has a small inherent problem - not particularly effective soundproofing. The problem disappears after the total pasting of the underbody, doors, roof and dashboard with noise-insulating material.

If you are going to perform soundproofing work, read the article on the page, select high-quality materials and master the cutting skills.

Experts recommend using Vizomat 1 mm thick for sound and vibration isolation of the floor in combination with 10 mm Penolon. Vibroplast "TEAC 1" is suitable for the trunk and doors. The function of protection against squeaks of the plastic of the dashboard will be successfully performed by Bitoplast 10 in combination with vibroplast.

Feels like the owners who were not too lazy to make tuning the soundproofing of the cabin SuzukiSX4 , on a country road, the external noise background is reduced by half, and on an asphalt road - by a third.

About important

Experienced crossover users Suzuki SH4 note: the softish front suspension of the car makes the car "nod off" when braking, and the roll when cornering is too big.

The problem can be easily eliminated by installing slightly longer and stiffer springs, however, the car's handling at high speeds on uneven roads may deteriorate from such alteration. Therefore, the masters of the amateur technical tuning Suzuki SX4 They offer a plus to the standard front suspension springs to install polymer inserts up to 30 millimeters high.

The engineering service of our resource warns against such innovations. Only certified lift kits for Suzuki SX4- including sets of adjustable suspension ...

Provide technically problem-free vehicle operation while maintaining high safety parameters. The installation of springs of an off-design size and arbitrary stiffness, the installation of all kinds of "extensions", "spacers", "extension cords" and "bushings" entails the danger of losing control over the car on difficult sections of the road.

In recent years, all kinds of body struts, previously used only inside the salons of racing cars, have become fashionable. Rigid structures of complex shape are somehow attached to the body parts, ostensibly to reduce the stress on the welded seams and for the sake of reducing the aging rate of the metal.

Having set out to buy a complete set of spacers for Suzuki SH4, you can significantly increase the weight of the body. New ways to stretch the car are invented every month!

Meanwhile, handicraft struts do not save from a decrease in the strength of the body as a result of cyclic deformations, but only change the place of concentration of microdamages in body parts. The protective function of the struts is revealed only in emergency situations - and even then it is not too noticeable.

The beauty of the engine compartment is useful both aesthetically and technically. The perfect is never ugly! Turn the engine compartment of your crossover into a "candy" and - you will see - it will certainly respond!

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Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2006 - from 160 to 175 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 4WD since 2006 - 190 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 sedan since 2007 - 165 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2012 - 175 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 since 2015 - 175-180 mm
Ground clearance Suzuki CX4 restyling since 2016 - 180 mm

Video measurement real ground clearance of the new Suzuki SX4 under engine protection.

On the back of the Suzuki CX4, a spring spacer is usually installed (see the photo below).

Front struts rod extensions.

Photos are clickable.

Today we will learn how to make do-it-yourself replacement of the front levers in a Suzuki CX4 car.

We lift the car, unscrew the wheels. Using a metal brush, we clean the metal part of the bolt securing the ball joint of the front arm to the steering knuckle, spray it with WD-40. With the head 17, unscrew the nut of the bolt securing the ball joint of the front lever to the steering knuckle:

You can make it easier to remove the bolt with light hammer blows.

Unscrew the bolt with a 17 head:

If necessary, we facilitate the subsequent removal of the ball joint pin by very carefully opening the terminal with a chisel and hammer:

We unscrew the bolt of the front fastening of the suspension arm to the subframe with a head of 17:

Then the rear mounting bolt:

We remove the front lever, if necessary, carefully knocking out the ball joint pin from the terminal connection of the steering knuckle. Until we put the lever, we "drive" the thread, facilitating the subsequent tightening. We have new levers from Febest 0724-SX4RH (right) and 0724-SX4LH (left). Before installation, we lubricate all threaded connections with copper or graphite grease. Install the new front arm in place, starting with the rear mount (do not tighten). We install the ball joint pin into the terminal connection of the steering knuckle. If necessary, carefully drive through a wooden block:

We put the front mount of the lever in the place of its installation, you may need a support (transmission rack or something from the materials at hand). We tighten the bolt of the front fastening of the lever, but without tightening it to the end:

Using the transmission rack (or a support made of scrap materials), we bring the suspension to the working position. We substitute the rack under the ball joint

We tighten the bolt of the rear fastening of the lever. We tighten the bolt of the front fastening of the lever to the end. Using a head and a 17 key, we tighten the bolt that fixes the ball joint in the steering knuckle.