1999 SUZUKI BALENO Owners Manual

60G-74E
BEFORE DRIVING

WINDOWS

60G-03-009E

Electric window controls (if equipped)

The driver's door has switches ®,®,© & ©

to operate the driver's window, front

passenger's window, rear right and rear left

passenger's window respectively.

The passenger's door only has a switch ©

to operate the passenger's window. The

electric windows can only be operated when

the ignition switch is in the "ON" position.

To open a window with the driver's door

switches, push the top part of the switch and

to close the window lift up the top part

of the switch.
6OG-O3-010E

The driver's window has an "auto-down"

feature for added convenience (at toll booths

or drive-through restaurants, for example).

This means you can open the window without

holding the window switch in the "Down"

position. Press the driver's window

switch completely down and release it. To

stop the window before it reaches the

bottom, lift up the switch briefly.
To open or to close a window with the

passenger's door switch, push down or push

up the switch.

19

3-6

BEFORE DRIVING

60G-74E

60G-03-011E

The driver's door also has a lock switch for

the passenger's window. When you push in

the lock side of the switch, the passenger's

windows can not be raised or lowered by

operating either of the switches ®,@,® & ©.

To restore normal operation, push the unlock

side of the switch.
60G-03-012

You should always push the lock side

of the lock switch when there are

children in the vehicle. Children can be

seriously injured if they get part of their

body caught by the window during

operation.
NOTE:

The rear side door windows are not designed

to open fully. They can be opened about 2/3

of the way down.

3-7
20
CAUTION

Since the electric windows consumes

a large amount of electricity, the same

should not be used excessively with

engine in "OFF" condition.

60G-74E

BEFORE DRIVING

MIRRORS

60G-03-013

Day-Night Rearview Mirror (if equipped)

To adjust the interior rearview mirror, set the

selector tab to the day position, then move

the mirror up, down, or sideways to obtain the

best view.

When driving at night, you can move the

selector tab to the night position to reduce

glare from the headlights of vehicles behind

you.
Always adjust the mirror with the

selector set to the day position.

Only use the night position if it is

necessary to reduce glare from the

headlights of vehicles behind you. Be

aware that in this position you may

not be able to see some objects that

could be seen in the day position.
Outside Rearview Mirrors

Adjust the outside rearview mirrors so you can

just see the side of your vehicle in the mirrors.

A WARNING

Be careful when judging the size or

distance of a vehicle or other object

seen in the side convex mirror (if

equipped). Be aware that objects look

smaller and appear farther away than

when seen in a flat mirror.

21

3-8

BEFORE DRIVING
6OG-74E

FRONT SEAT ADJUSTMENT

60G-03-014

Electric Mirrors (If equipped)

The switch to control the electric mirrors is

located on the instrument panel.You can only

adjust the mirrors when the ignition switch is

in the "ON" position. To adjust the mirrors:

1) Move the selector switch to the left or right

to select the mirror you wish to adjust.

2) Press the outer part of the switch that

corresponds to the direction in which you

wish to move the mirror.

3) Return the selector switch to the centre

position to help prevent unintended

adjustment.
72F-03-016

Never attempt to adjust the driver's seat

or seatback while driving. The seat or

seatback could move unexpectedly,

causing loss of control. Make sure that

the driver's seat and seatback are

properly adjusted before you start

driving.
72F-03-013

Adjusting Seat Position

The adjustment lever for each front seat is

located under the front of the seat, on the

inboard side. To adjust the seat position, pull

up on the adjustment lever and slide the seat

forward or rearward. After adjustment, try to

move the seat forward and rearward to ensure

that it is securely latched.

3-9
22

60G-74E
BEFORE DRIVING

DRIVER SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTER

(if equipped)
ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINTS

(if equipped)

606-03-015

If the driver's seat is equipped with a seat

height adjuster knob on the outboard side of

the seat, adjust the seat to the proper height

by turning the adjuster knob.

WARNING
72F-03-014

Adjusting Seatbacks

The seatbacks can be adjusted to different

angles. To adjust the seatback angle, pull up

the lever on the outboard side of the seat,

move the seatback to the desired position, and

release the lever to lock the seatback in place.

Seatbacks should always be in an

upright position when driving, or seat

belt effectiveness may be reduced. Seat

belts are designed to offer maximum

protection when seatbacks are in the

fully upright position.
70F-01-019

WARNING

Head restraints are designed to help reduce

the risk of neck injuries in the case of an

accident. Adjust the head restraint to the

position which places the top of the head

restraint closest to the top or your ears.

23

3-10

BEFORE DRIVING

60G-74E

SEAT BELTS

60G-03-016

To raise the head restraint, pull upward ort the

restraint until it clicks. To lower the restraint,

push down on the restraint while holding in

the lock lever. If a head restraint must be

removed (for cleaning, replacement, etc.),

push in the lock lever and pull the head

restraint all the way out.
70F-01-022E

Wear your Seat Belts at All Times.

WARNING

Never allow persons to ride in the

cargo area of a vehicle. In the event

of an accident, there is a much

greater risk of injury for persons who

are not riding In a seat with their seat

belt securely fastened.

Seat belts should always be adjusted

so the lap portion of the belt is worn

low across the pelvis, not across the

waist. Shoulder straps should be
WARNING

1 worn on the outside shoulder only,

and never under the arm. Seat belts

should never be worn with the straps

twisted and should be adjusted as

tightly as is comfortable to provide

the protection for which they have

been designed. A slack belt will

provide less protection than one

which is snug.

Make sure that each seat belt buckle

is inserted into the proper buckle

catch. It is possible to cross the

buckles in the rear seat.

Do not wear your seat belt over hard

or breakable objects in your pockets

or on your clothing. If an accident

occurs, objects such as glasses,

pens, etc. under the seat belt can

cause injury.

Never use the same seat belt on

more than one occupant and never

attach a seat belt over an infant or

child being held on an occupant's

lap. Such seat belt use could cause

serious injury in the event of an

accident. _K

3-11
24

60G-74E

BEFORE DRIVING

Pregnant women should use seat

belts, although specific recommen-

dations about restraint use should

be made by the woman's medical

advisor.

Periodically inspect seat belt

assemblies for excessive wear and

damage. Seat belts should be replaced

if webbing becomes frayed,

contaminated, or damaged in any way.

It is essential to replace the entire seat

belt assembly after it has been

stressed in an impact, even if damage

to the assembly is not obvious.

Infants and small children should never

be transported unless they are properly

restrained. Restraint systems for

infants and small children can be

purchased locally and should be used.

Make sure that the system you

purchase meets applicable safety

standards. Read and follow all the

directions provided by the

manufacturer.
Avoid contamination of seat belt

webbing by polishes, oils, chemicals,

and particularly battery acid. Cleaning

may safely be carried out using mild

soap and water.

For children, if the shoulder belt

irritates the neck or face, move the child

closer to the center of the vehicle.

A WARNING

Be sure to inspect all seat belt

assemblies after any collision. Any seat

belt assembly which was in use during

a collision (other than a very minor one)

should be replaced, even if damage to

the assembly is not obvious. Any seat

belt assembly which was not in use

during a collision should be replaced

if it does not function properly or is

damaged in any way.
70F-01-021

There are two types of seat belt, "Lap-shoulder

belt" and "Lap belt".

To fasten the seat belt, sit up straight and well

back in the seat, pull the buckle tongue

attached to the seat belt across your body and

slide it into the buckle catch on the opposite

side until you hear a "click".

25

3-12

BEFORE DRIVING
60G-74E

70F-01-022E

To reduce the risk of sliding under the belt

during a collision, position the lap portion of

the belt across your lap as low on your hips

as possible and adjust the belt to a snug fit

using the proper method for each type of the

belt as described below. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.
70F-01-023E

To unfasten the belt, press the release button

on the buckle catch.
70F-01-024E

To Adjust the Belt

• Lap-shoulder belt

Pull the shoulder portion of the belt

upwards through the tongue plate.

The length of the diagonal shoulder strap

adjusts itself to allow freedom of movement.

The seat belt has an emergency locking

retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock the

seat belt only during a sudden stop or impact.

3-13
26

60Q-74E
BEFORE DRIVING

70F-01-025

Your vehicle is equipped with the shoulder

anchor height adjusters for the front seat belts,

adjust the shoulder anchor height so that the

shoulder belt rides on the center of the

outboard shoulder. To adjust the shoulder

anchor height, slide the anchor up or down

while pulling the lock knob out. After

adjustment, make sure that the acnhor is

securely locked.

No modifications or additions of any

sort should be made to the seat belt or

its operating mechanism.
60G-03-017

Seat Belt Hanger (if equipped)

When you move a seatback, make sure

the belt webbing is hooked in the belt

hangers so the seat belts are not

caught by the seatback, seat hinge, or

seat latch. This helps prevent damage

to the belt system.
60G-03-018E

Lap belt

On this belt the adjuster is incorporated in

the tongue unit.

To tighten the belt, pull the free end of the

belt across alongside the lap strap until it

is adjusted to a snug comfortable position.

27

3-14

BEFORE DRIVING

60G-74E

60G-03-019E

To lengthen, release the tongue from the

buckle unit, pull the tongue (adjuster) in the

direction of the arrow, at right angles to the

belt. The tongue should then be refitted into

the buckle unit and the belt tightened as

previously described.
60G-03-020E

NOTE:

To identify the center seat belt buckle catch

and tongue in the rear seat, "CENTER" is

moulded on the buckle catch and tongue of

the center lap belt. The buckle catches are

designed so a buckle tongue can not be

inserted into the wrong buckle catch.
70F-01-030

Child Restraint Systems

MARUTI highly recommends that you use a

child restraint system to restrain infants and

small children. Many different types of child

restraint systems are available; make sure that

the restaint system you select meets

applicable safety standards.

All child restraint systems are designed to be

secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the

lap portion of lap-shoulder belts. Whenever

possible, Maruti recommends that child

restraint systems be installed on the rear seat.

According to accident statistics children are

safer when properly restrained in rear seating

positions than in front seating positions.

3-15
28

60G-74E
BEFORE DRIVING

If you must use a front-facing child restraint in

the front passenger's seat, adjust the

passenger's seat as far back as possible.

Children could be endangered in a

crash if their child restraints are not

properly secured in the vehicle. When

installing a child restraint system, be

sure to follow the instructions below.

Be sure to secure the child in the

restraint system according to the

manufacturer's Instructions.
60G-03-021E

Installation with lap-shoulder seat belts

Note:

The lap-shoulder belts of your vehicle have

emergency locking retractors (ELRs) that can

not function as an automatic locking retractor

(ALR). Use the installation method described

in the instructions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer that does not

require the ALR function.

Install your child restraint system according

to the instructions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer. Make sure that

the seat belt is securely latched.
70F-01-031

Try moving the child restraint system in all

directions, to make sure it is securely installed.

Tighten the belt if necessary.

29

3-16

BEFORE DRIVING
60G-74E

70F-01-032E

Installation with a lap belt

Install your child restraint system according

to the instructions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

To lengthen or tighten the belt, refer to the "Lap

belt" item in this "SEAT BELTS" section. After

making sure that the seat belt is securely

latched, try moving the child restraint system

in all directions, to make sure it is securely

installed. If you need to tighten the belt, pull

the free end of the webbing.

3-17
30

60G-74E

STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS

STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS

ignition Switch 4.1

Lighting/Tum Signal Control Lever 4-2

Windscreen Wiper and Washer Lever 4-4

Horn 4.5

Rear Wiper and Washer(lf equipped) 4-5

31

STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
60G-74E

IGNITION SWITCH

60G-04-001E
70F-02-002

To avoid possible injury, do not operate

controls by reaching through the

steering wheel.
The ignition switch has the following four

positions:

Do not use any locally made key.

Should you require duplicate key,

place your order with MARUTI dealer

only.
60G-04-002E

LOCK

This is the normal parking position. It is the

only position in which the key can be removed.

You must push in the key to turn it to the

"LOCK" position. The "LOCK" position locks

the ignition, and prevents normal use of the

steering wheel after the key is removed.

To release the steering lock, fully insert the

key and turn it clockwise to one of the other

positions. If you have trouble turning the key

to unlock the steering, try turning the steering

wheel slightly to the right or left while turning

the key.

4-1
32

6OG-74E
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS

ACC

Accessories such as the radio can operate,

but the engine is off.

ON

This is the normal operating position. All

electrical systems are on.

START

This is the position for starting the engine using

the starter motor. The key should be released

from this position as soon as the engine starts.

Never remove the ignition key while

the vehicle is moving. The steering

wheel will lock and you will not be

able to steer the vehicle.

Do not leave children alone In a

parked vehicle. Unattended children

could cause accidental movement of

the vehicle, which could result in

severe personal Injury.

Always remove the key when parked

to prevent unintentional operation of

the vehicle and to improve security.
LIGHTING/TURN SIGNAL

CONTROL LEVER

CAUTION

Do not use the starter motor for

more than 15 seconds at a time. If

the engine does not start; wait 15

seconds before trying again. If the

engine does not start after several

attempts, check the fuel and ignition

systems or consult your MARUTI

dealer.

Do not leave the ignition switch in

the "ON" position if the engine is not

running as the battery will

discharge.
60G-04-003

This control lever is located on the outboard

side of the steering column. Operate the lever

as described below.

Lighting Operation

To turn the lights on or off, twist the knob on

the end of the lever. There are three positions:

in the "OFF" position all lights are off; in the

middle position the front parking lights, tail-

lights, registration plate light, and instrument

lights are on, but the headlights are off; in the

third position the headlights come on in

addition to the other lights.

33

4-2

STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
60G-74E

With the headlights on, push the lever forward

to switch to the high beams (main beams) or

pull the lever toward you to switch to the low

beams. When the high beams (main beams)

are on, a light on the instrument panel will

come on. To flash the high beams (main

beams) pull the lever slightly towards you and

release it.

Lights "On" Reminder (if Equipped)

A buzzer/chime sounds to remind you to turn

off the lights if they are left on when the ignition

key is removed and the driver's door is opened.
Turn Signal Operation

With the ignition switch in the "ON" position,

move the lever up or down to activate the left

or right turn signals.

Normal Turn Signal

Move the lever clockwise until it clicks to signal

a right turn or anticlockwise to signal a left

turn. When the turn is completed, the signal

will cancel and the lever will return to its normal

position.
6OG-04-006

Lane Change Signal

Some times, such as when changing lanes,

the steering wheel is not turned far enough

to cancel the turn signal. For convenience,

you can flash the turn signal by moving the

lever part way and holding it there. The

lever will return to its normal position when

you release it.

4-3
34
60G-04-006

60G-04-005

60G-04-004E