Wheel rattle on my 2012 Suzuki Alto

There are a lot of things that can cause a rattle in the front end of a car on a rough road. Fundamentally, there’s something that’s loose and that’s causing the rattle as the suspension moves up and down on the uneven road. When you touch the brakes, everything compresses and tenses up either under the strain of slowing the car or because more weight has been thrown on to the front suspension. At that point, whatever is loose tightens up and the rattle goes away. Start with the basics. That means bushes, ball-joints, springs, dampers, wheel bearings and the brakes. A mechanic will be able to do a quick inspection and locate what’s loose and what needs replacing. But don’t ignore it, as anything loose in the front end of a car is a serious safety issue. It could be something as simple as a loose brake backing plate, but even a worn bush or ball-joint is not difficult or expensive to replace.

Is it possible to 'plug and play' ECUs in a 2011 Suzuki Alto?

The description `plug and play’ is used to describe a replacement ECU which is designed to simply plug into the car and immediately offer full functionality without requiring additional coding or set-up. That’s why they include things such as ignition keys and sensors; it’s to avoid having to code your existing components to the new ECU. You simply replace the lot and – hopefully – turn the key and enjoy. So, yes, it’s possible, but you need to make sure you’re getting every component necessary for the swap and that the unit is correct for your car in every detail. The are detail differences between the ECU for a car with an automatic transmission and the same car with a manual, for instance. And always buy from a known source so you can get tech support if it doesn’t all go exactly to plan. Buying from an online clearing house is unlikely to provide the same level of after-sales service.

Best second-hand city runaround?

I wouldn't consider any of the European brands, they're too expensive and cost too much to run. That rules out the Up. Asian brands, particularly the better-known and well-respected Japanese brands are a much better bet, which rules in the Echo. The Asian brands tend to be more reliable and cost much less to run. Another to look at in your situation is the Suzuki Alto.

Alto suitable for freeway?

The Alto generally has a surprising amount of punch and should be fine for driving on the freeway, but if you're concerned about it you should test-drive one and decide for yourself if it has the power you need for the sort of driving you do.

IF YOU want to update to a smaller, safer and more efficient car, look at a VW Polo diesel. It'll be more economical than your current car. It will also be safer and give you a good 10 years of service.

Suzuki Alto 2011 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Suzuki Alto 2011 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Suzuki Alto recall tally rises to 13,000

25 Jul 2013 · by Karla Pincott

Suzuki has recalled 13,216 Alto models from 2009 onwards for a heating system fault. The recall notice says the Alto’s heater blower motor may jam, causing the resistor fuse to overheat and cut out, ...

Used Suzuki Alto review: 2009-2011

20 Jun 2013 · by Graham Smith

The on-going quest to reduce fuel consumption was always going to throw up a car like the Suzuki Alto, a tiny hatch with a miniscule engine that could provide the answer for anyone looking to slash ...

Suzuki Alto fuel consumption

Answered by CarsGuide 8 Dec 2011

The fuel Suzuki recommends is Premium, or a minimum of 95 octane, which means it's been tuned for that fuel and that's the one you should use to get the best out of it.

Engine

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Suzuki Alto 2011 Problems

Suzuki Alto recall tally rises to 13,000

Used Suzuki Alto review: 2009-2011

Suzuki Alto fuel consumption

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Complete Guide to Suzuki
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