Basic Jimny 2003 Lube Advice for Novice

Thanks for the warning on WD40 !! Much appreciated!

With the exception of the engine oil every 9 thousand miles and the brake fluid every 2 years the rest of the fluids on the Jimny are given as inspection items. Unless you are operating the car in severe conditions such as very dusty, regular deep water crossing, extensive periods of heavy towing, and things like that then the service intervals become very much shorter. It's all laid out in the owners hand book.

In Bonaire I would suggest you replace the engine oil at a much shorter interval than 9000 miles - I would go as low as every 3000 - short trips are considered severe service.

Thanks, but the only books that came with the used car (2003 model bought 3 years ago) are in Japanese!

Thanks for that great suggestion! I am wary of trusting the island mechanics do even an oil change and oil filter change (if they can find the proper oil filter)....worried they could do more harm than good. Any chance they could do more damage than good help by just changing the oil and filter? The car's working well now except for the radiator leak at the top crimps...and I'd hate to go for an oil change only to have more problems show up later.

Difficult for us to say if your island mechanics will do more harm than good performing an oil change, but it's one of the simpler jobs to do yourself if you don't trust them. They shouldn't if they are mechanics, but fitting wrong parts or incorrect oil levels could damage things.
Do you know anyone who can help you that enjoys working on vehicles?
If you don't trust them and don't have the confidence to do it yourself then the best option is to leave everything alone. Just check the oil level (dip stick) and add some if required.