1999 SUZUKI BALENO brakes

60G-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

SPARK PLUGS

60G-09-010E

CAUTION

The air cleaner element should be

replaced every 40,000 km. More

frequent replacement is necessary

when you drive under dusty conditions.
60G-09-011E

You should inspect spark plugs periodically

for carbon deposits. When carbon

accumulates on a spark plug, a strong spark

may not be produced. Remove carbon

deposits with a wire or pin and adjust the spark

plug gap.
60G-09-012E

CAUTION

When disconnecting the spark plug

cables, pull on the boot, not on the

cable itself. Pulling on the cable can

damage it.

When installing the spark plugs,

screw them in with your fingers to

avoid stripping the threads.Tighten

with a torque wrench to 2.0-3.0 kgm

(20.0-30.0 N-m, 15.0-22.0 Ib-ft). Do

not allow contaminants to enter the

engine through the spark plug holes

when the plugs are removed.

Never use spark plugs with the

wrong thread size or length.

97

9-14

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

60G-74E

BRAKES

70F-07-026E

CAUTION

When replacing spark plugs, you

should use the brand and type

specified for your vehicle. For the

specified plugs, refer to the

"SPECIFICATIONS" section at the end

of this book.
60G-09-013E

NOTE:

If you experience some firing problem of spark

plugs, such as, hard engine-starting, misfire

etc., the cause may be located not only on

spark plugs but also on deteriorated ignition

wiring (generally, used for more than 80,000

km or five years). If spark plug replacement

does not solve the problem, have the ignition

wiring and other ignition system inspected by

your MARUTI dealer.
60Q-09-014E

Brake Fluid

Check the brake fluid level by looking at the

reservoir in the engine compartment. Check

that the fluid level is between the "MAX" and

"MIN" lines. If the brake fluid level is near the

"MIN" line, fill it up to the "MAX" line with SAE

J1703 or DOT-3 brake fluid.

Failure to follow the guidelines below

can result in personal injury or serious

damage to the brake system.

• If the brake fluid in the reservoir

drops below a certain level, the brake

warning light on the instrument

9-15
98

60G-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

70F-07-029
Do not use any fluid other than SAE

J1703 or DOT-3 brake fluid. Do not

use reclaimed fluid or fluid that has

been stored in old or open

containers. It is essential that foreign

particles and other liquids are kept

out of the brake fluid reservoir.

CAUTION

The brake fluid should be replaced

every two years or 20,000 km.

panel will come on (the engine must

be running with the parking brake

fully disengaged). Should the light

come on, immediately ask your

MARUTI dealer to inspect the brake

system.

A rapid fluid loss Indicates a leak in

the brake system which should be

inspected by your MARUTI dealer

immediately.

Brake fluid can harm your eyes and

damage painted surfaces. Use

caution when refilling the reservoir.
NOTE:

With disc brakes, the fluid level can be

expected to gradually fall as the brake pads

wear.

99
70F-07-030

Brake Pedal

Check if the brake pedal stops at the regular

height without "spongy" feeling when you

depress it. If not, have the brake system

inspected by your MARUTI dealer. If you doubt

the brake pedal for the regular height, check

it as follows:

With the engine running, measure the distance

between the brake pedal and floor wall when

the pedal is depressed with approximately 30

kg (66 lbs) of force. The minimum distance

required is 80 mm (3.1 in). Since your vehicle's

brake system is self-adjusting, there is no need

for pedal adjustment. If the pedal to floor wall

distance as measured above is less than the

minimum distance required, have your vehicle

inspected by your MARUTI dealer.

9-16

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

60G-74E

STEERING

60G-09-015E

NOTE:

When measuring the distance between the

brake pedal and floor wall, be sure not to

include any floor covering in the measurement.

If you experience any of the following

problems with your vehicle's brake

system, have the vehicle inspected

immediately by your MARUTI dealer.

Poor braking performance

Uneven braking (Brakes not working

uniformly on all wheels.)

Excessive pedal travel

Brake dragging

Excessive noise

Pedal pulsation (Pedal pulsates

when depressed.)
63B-09-00SE

Parking brake

Check the parking brake for proper adjustment

by counting the number of clicks made by the

ratchet teeth as you slowly pull up on the

parking brake lever to the point of full

engagement. The parking brake lever should

stop between the 3rd and 5th ratchet tooth

and the rear wheels should be securely locked.

If the parking brake is not properly adjusted

or the brakes drag after the lever has been

fully released, have the parking brake

inspected and/or adjusted by your MARUTI

dealer.
60G-09-016

Check the play of the steering wheel by gently

turning it from left to right and measuring the

distance that it moves before you feel slight

resistance. The play should be between 0 -

30
mm
(0.0 -1.2 in).

Check that the steering wheel turns easily and

smoothly without rattling by turning it all the

way to the right and to the left while driving

very slowly in an open area. If the amount of

free play is outside the specification or you

find anything else to be wrong, an inspection

must be performed by your MARUTI dealer.

9-17

100

EMERGENCY SERVICE

60G-74E

CAUTION

Vehicle equipped with electronic fuel

injection system will not start by

pushing or towing as the fuel pump

will not work in this condition. This

starting method could also result in

permanent damage to the catalytic

converter. Use jump leads to start a

vehicle with a weak or flat battery.

60G-10-004E

When jump starting your vehicle, use the

following procedure:

1) Use only a 12 volt battery to jump start

your vehicle. Position the good 12V battery

close to your vehicle so that the jump leads

will reach both batteries. When using a

battery installed on another vehicle, DO

NOT LET THE VEHICLES TOUCH. Apply

the parking brakes fully on both vehicles.

2) Turn off all vehicle accessories, except

those necessary for safety reasons (for

example, headlights or hazard lights).
3) Make jump lead connections as follows:

a) Connect one end of the first jump lead

to the positive (+) terminal of the flat

battery.

b) Connect the other end to the positive

(+) terminal of the booster battery.

c) Connect one end of the second jump

lead to the negative (-) terminal of the

booster battery.

d) Make the final connection to an

unpainted, heavy metal part of the

engine of the vehicle with the flat

battery.

Never connect the jump lead directly

to the negative (-) terminal of the

discharged battery, or an explosion

may occur.

10-3
4) If the booster battery you are using is fitted

to another vehicle, start the engine of the

vehicle with the booster battery. Run the

engine at moderate speed.

5) Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat

battery.

6) Remove the jump leads in the exact

reverse order in which you connected

them.

118

60G-74E
EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOWING

If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact

a professional service.

CAUTION

To help avoid damage to your vehicle

during towing, proper equipment and

towing procedures must be used.

Manual Transmission

Whenever possible, your vehicle should be

towed from the front with the front wheels lifted.

If the steering and drivetrain are in good

condition, your vehicle may be towed from the

rear with the rear wheels lifted and the front

wheels on the ground. Before towing, make

sure the steering is unlocked and the

transmission is in neutral.
EMERGENCY REMEDIES

If the Starter Does Not Operate:

1) Try turning the ignition switch to the

"START" position with the headlights

turned on to determine the battery

condition. If the headlights go excessively

dim or go off, it usually means that either

the battery is flat or the battery terminal

contact is poor. Recharge the battery or

correct battery terminal contact as

necessary.

2) If the headlights remain bright, check the

fuses. If the reason for failure of the starter

is not obvious, there may be a major

electrical problem. Have the vehicle

inspected by your authorized MARUTI

dealer.

If the Engine is Flooded

If the engine is flooded with petrol, it may be

hard to start. If this happens, press the

accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and

hold it there while cranking the engine. (Do

not operate the starter motor for more than

15 seconds). Release the accelerator as soon

as the engine has started.
If the Engine Overheats

The engine could overheat temporarily under

severe driving conditions. If the engine coolant

temperature gauge indicates overheating

during driving:

1) Turn off the air conditioner, if equipped.

2) Take the vehicle to a safe place and park.

3) Let the engine run at normal idle speed

for a few minutes until the indicator is within

the normal, acceptable temperature range

between "H" and "C".

If you see or hear escaping steam, stop

the vehicle in a safe place and

Immediately turn off the engine to let it

cool. Do not open the bonnet when

steam is present. When the steam can

no longer be seen or heard, open the

hood to see if the coolant is still boiling.

If it is, you must wait until it stops

boiling before you proceed.

119

10-4

60G-74E
BODY WORK CARE

Store your vehicle in a dry, well-ventilated

area.

Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly

ventilated area. If you often wash your vehicle

in the garage or if you frequently drive it in

when wet, your garage may be damp.The high

humidity in the garage may cause or

accelerate corrosion. A wet vehicle may

corrode even in a heated garage if the

ventilation is poor.

Do not apply additional undercoating

or rust preventive coating on or around

exhaust system components such as

the exhaust pipes, etc. A fire could be

started if the undercoating substance

becomes overheated.

Cover your vehicle

If you cannot regularly park your vehicle in a

garage, we recommend you use a vehicle

cover. Years of exposure to midday sun can

cause the colours in paint, plastic parts, and

fabrics to fade. Covering your vehicle with a

high-quaiity, "breathable" vehicle cover can

help protect the finish from the harmful UV

rays in sunlight, and can reduce the amount

of dust and air pollution reaching the surface.

125
VEHICLE CLEANING

When cleaning the interior or exterior

of the vehicle, NEVER USE flammable

solvents such as lacquer thinners,

petrol, benzene or cleaning materials

such as bleach or strong household

detergents. The materials could cause

personal injury or damage to the

vehicle.

Cleaning the Interior

Vinyl upholstery

Prepare a solution of soap or mild detergent

mixed with warm water. Apply the solution to

the vinyl with a sponge or soft cloth and let it

soak for a few minutes to loosen dirt. Rub the

surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove

dirt and the soap solution. If some dirt still

remains on the surface, repeat this procedure.

Fabric upholstery

Remove loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner. Using

a mild soap solution, rub stained areas with a

clean damp cloth. To remove soap, rub the

areas again with a cloth dampened with water.

Repeat this until the stain is removed, or use a

commercial fabric cleaner for tougher stains. If

you use a fabric cleaner, carefully follow the

manufacturer's instructions and precautions.
Seat Belts

Clean seat belts with a mild soap and water.

Do not use bleach or dye on the belts. They

may weaken the fabric in the belts.

Vinyl floor mats

Ordinary dirt can be removed from vinyl with

water or mild soap. Use a brush to help loosen

dirt. After the dirt is loosened, rinse the mat

thoroughly with water and dry it in the shade.

Carpets

Remove dirt and soil as much as possible with

a vacuum cleaner. Using a mild soap solution,

rub stained areas with a clean damp cloth.To

remove soap, rub the areas again with a cloth

dampened with water. Repeat this until the

stain is removed, or use a commercial carpet

cleaner for tougher stains. If you use a carpet

cleaner, carefully follow the manufacturer's

instructions and precautions.

11-2

BODY WORK CARE

60G-74E

Cleaning the Exterior

CAUTION

It is important that your vehicle be kept

clean and free from dirt. Failure to keep

your vehicle clean may result in fading

of the paint or corrosion to various

parts of the vehicle body.

Washing

Never attempt to wash and wax your

vehicle with the engine running.

When cleaning the underside of the

body and fender, where there may

be sharp-edged parts, you should

wear gloves and a longsleeved shirt

to protect your hands and arms from

being cut.

After washing your vehicle, carefully

test the brakes before driving to

make sure they have maintained

their normal effectiveness.
When washing the vehicle, follow the

instructions below:

1) Flush the underside of body and wheel

housings with pressurized water to remove

mud and debris. Use plenty of water.

CAUTION

When washing the vehicle, avoid

directing steam or hot water of more

than 80°C (176°F) on plastic parts.

2) Remove dirt and mud from the body

exterior with running water. You may use

a soft sponge or brush. Do not use hard

materials which can scratch the paint.

3) Wash the entire exterior with a mild

detergent or car wash soap using a

sponge or soft cloth. The sponge or cloth

should be frequently soaked in the soap

solution.

CAUTION

When using a commercial car wash

product, observe the cautions specified

by the manufacturer. Never use strong

household detergents or soaps.
4) Once the dirt has been completely

removed, rinse off the detergent with

running water.

5) After rinsing, wipe off the vehicle body with

a wet chamois or cloth and allow it to dry

in the shade.

6) Check carefully for damage to painted

surfaces. If there is any damage,

"Touchup" the damage following the

procedure below:

a) Clean all damaged spots and allow

them to dry.

b) Stir the paint and "touchup" the

damaged spots lightly using a small

brush.

c) Allow the paint to dry completely.

Waxing

After washing the vehicle, waxing and

polishing are recommended to further protect

and beautify the paint.

• Only use waxes and polishes of good

quality.

• When using waxes and polishes, observe

the precautions specified by the

manufacturers.

11-3
126