SUZUKI Philippines assistant supervisor for service dealer development Kennedy Adia
Finally, the perfect engine oil for Suzuki.
After years of pedantic research and development, Suzuki Motors Corp., in partnership with Total, held the Philippine launch of the Suzuki Genuine Oil (SGO), specifically the SAE 5W30 engine oil variant made for the Japanese brand’s vehicle lineup.
There were several oil companies worldwide that took part in the search for the Suzuki oil in the past few years but it was Total’s formula that made the grade and suited to the quality specifications of each and every Sukuzi car that rolls out of the plant.
“Total hit it right on the dot. The oil they developed and tested fitted Suzuki with perfection,” said Rommel Cabanela, automobile service department manager of Suzuki Philippines Inc. in an exclusive interview with the Inquirer at Suzuki Biñan in Laguna.
Cabanel, who has had extensive experience in the automobile industry in the oil-rich Saudi Arabia where he worked for 15 years, said the SGO was part of Suzuki Motor’s long-term commitment of providing quality products to ensure the car’s safety and efficiency.
The viscosity rating of 5W30 and API rating of SG+, three times higher than the standard SE, met the requirements of the engines in compacts Alto, Celerio and Swift; stylish Swift and
A SERVICE technician uses Suzuki Genuine Oil.
SX4; family’s choice APV; and trio offroaders Jimny, Grand Vitara and Bravo.
That 5W30, Cabanel said, means that it can be comparable to the more expensive synthetic oil but the former is just mineral-based premium lubricating oil. It is lighter than the regular 20W50 variant, thus making it circulate better in newer but more compact engines.
“Since the oil is light, it can easily penetrate the small valve clearances inside the engine. With it, the oil is evenly and quickly distributed and that makes the car to be fuel-efficient and have a ‘brand new’ feel with faster acceleration response,” he also said.
An efficient engine translates into more savings. One complete application of the oil will last up to 7,500 kilometers, more than the 5,000-km recommendation in the owner’s manual.
Unconfirmed reports have it that some Suzuki owners who tested the oil months prior to the launch found their engines still performing well despite having changed oil only after 10,000 to 15,000 km.
“I believe that 7,500 km would be the maximum,” Cabanel said.
SUZUKI Auto Laguna holds its Service Camp with free checkups to all unit owners.
Assistant supervisor Kennedy Adia of the technical service department, meanwhile, explained that oil has a “friction modifier” which, in turn, maximizes fuel economy.
“When there’s less friction in the valves, the engine operates at an optimum. As they say, a well-oiled machine is the best,” Adia said.
As to its lightness, he added to Cabanel’s explanation: “The oil easily moves up and down, thereby eliminating sludge formation that may cause the clogged valves. In fact, even if you leave the car overnight in a cold weather like Baguio City’s, it is easy to start the engine.”
It sounds high-profile but the product is actually earth-friendly. He said, “The environmentalists need not worry, too, because the use of the 5W30 reduces pollutant emissions as part of the R & D of Total.”
The SGO will be available at an affordable price of a little less than P200 per liter and about P150 per liter on bulk purchase.
In conjunction with the SGO launch, Suzuki Philippines likewise reintroduced the Service Camp with the aim of erasing the wrong notion that having a car maintained in a “casa” or dealer is expensive and tedious.
“Before, just mention casa and the owner will look for other places to find parts or services. But with our Service Camp, everything will change with our top-rate program and trained technicians,” said Ricardo Barraquia Jr. of Suzuki Biñan.
Barraquia explained in detail Suzuki’s 23-point inspection list including vehicle condition (lights, horn, dashboard instruments, A/C, windows, brakes, power locks, battery, etc.),
TECHNICIANS inspect the underchassis and the brakes.
underchassis (tires, bearings, leaks, etc.) and under the hood (oil, coolant, filter, etc.).
And because they value the time of Suzuki owners, the inspection would only last for 30 minutes after which the service adviser will then explain in full to the customer the recommendations either for repair or replacement.
If the customer readily agrees to the recommended service, he will be given a 15-percent discount on parts and 10-percent discount on labor. If he decides on a later date, the exclusive promo will last for a month.
“As our slogan says ‘Way of Life,’ we hope that our loyal owners keep using Suzuki parts and oil to maintain their cars. In return for their loyalty, we promise to give them 100-percent satisfaction,” he said.