Equator Road Trip

[Joe Callimachus]

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I just got back from a vacation with my Equator. We traveled from South Jersey to the Outer Banks of NC. The ride was uneventful except for the problem with the AC that I mentioned before. Even though there is a dial to control the AC it does not do anything. We ended up turning the fan down to the first position, closing the outboard vents and stuffing napkins over the center vents. It felt less like an ice box in the cab. This in 90 degree weather.

For the whole trip I averaged 21.38 mph, more that I thought I would for the V6 4X4.

I really was looking forward to driving on the beach in the Outer Banks. (South Jersey is still of tourists and it will be another month before we can drive on the beaches. I've driven several cars and trucks in sand over the years and I can say that the Equator does it easily. With 18 pounds pressure in the tires it floats over the sand. Following are 2 pictures of my truck and the famous Corolla Horses. As you can see, even with 18 pounds there is still plenty of ground clearance to follow the ruts.

[SuperEQ]

If I knew I could get that kind of mileage with 4wd I wouldn't have gotten the 2wd. I got thinking I would do better. But you are doing better than I am now.

I have not been to the Outer Banks in a long time. My family use to go on Turkey Day and surf fish. We used a 1975 Scout II.
When I had my TJ I almost worked it out but too many things going on.
Looks like a great trip.

[Joe Callimachus]

It shocked me too. The first tankful, I though maybe I did not fill it up. But after 5 tankfuls thats what it turned out to be. And that's with driving about 25 miles in sand.

I seem to get from 17-18 around town.

[Joe Callimachus]

Well as I said before I was having trouble with my AC/Heater control. AC stuck on full cold, heat stuck on 120+. I finally took it in for the first service and told them a couple of weeks ago. The dealer had to call Suzuki to determine that it was the heater control head. Suzuki (the company) doesn't stock that part and has to find one. They estimate that it will be a month before I get it fixed. I'll let you all know.

[Andy]

Hey Joe!

Wow, what a great trip! Thank you for sharing it with us! The fuel economy is very impressive. I would love a pickup that got me that good of fuel economy.

I'm sorry to hear about your heater troubles. Kinda goofy that they are having such a hard time getting that part.

It's a beautiful truck, Joe!

[Joe Callimachus]

Well it's been about a month and the dealership finally got the part in that Suzuki told them they need. But of course now they need a different part, the heater control motor. I think that that's what opens the blend door between hot and cold air to produce the temp you want. Through it all, Patti, their service manager, was great. She would let me know exactly what was going on and how long it would take.

So now I'm waiting for the motor thingee and driving around in a Suzuki Valero, quite a nice car, maybe the smoothest small car I have driven.

I'll keep ya all posted.

Joe

[Joe Callimachus]

Just got the word. It will be at least December 2 before they might get the part from Suzuki. Interestingly they have 4 2011 Equators in the showroom. So it's not like it's being discontinued like some people thought.

I still like everything about the truck except for the parts availability.

[Andy]

Gotcha... it sounds like a great truck! Surprising about the parts... They need to put a diesel in it!

[Joe Callimachus]

Suzuki finaly sent the parts to the dealer. Took them two months. Dealer called right away and gave me a loaner car. Now my heater works great. I can finally get WARM air.

Still love the truck, but I don't know what will hapen with parts down the road. I am going to e-mail several people at Suzuki and ask them.

[Andy]

Did the dealer's original reaction to your part seem like that was a common thing with all the parts? Or did it sound like this was a rare occurrence?