1999 SUZUKI BALENO warning light

S0G-74E
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Exhaust Gas Warning 7-1

Daily Inspection Checklist 7-1

Starting the Engine 7-2

Using the Transmission 7-3

Braking 7-4

Running-in 7-5

Catalytic Converter (if equipped) 7-6

Improving Fuel Economy 7-7

Trailer Towing 7-7

OPERATING YOUR VECHILE

60G-74E

EXHAUST GAS WARNING
DAILY INSPECTION CHECKLIST

60G-07-001E

Avoid breathing exhaust gases.

Exhaust gases contain carbon

monoxide, a potentially lethal gas that

is colourless and odourless. Since

carbon monoxide is difficult to detect

by itself, be sure to take the following

precautions to help prevent carbon

monoxide from entering your vehicle.

• Do not leave the engine running in

garages or other confined areas.

• Do not park with the engine running

for a long period of time, even in an

open area. If it is necessary to sit for

a short time in a parked vehicle <=>
with the engine running, make sure

the air intake lever is set to "FRESH

AIR" and the fan is at high speed.

To allow proper operation of your

vehicle's ventilation system, keep

the air inlet grille in front of the

windscreen clear of snow, leaves, or

other obstructions at all times.

Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear

of snow and other material to help

reduce the buildup of exhaust gases

under the vehicle.This is particularly

important when parked in blizzard

conditions.

Have the exhaust system inspected

periodically for damage and leaks.

Any damage or leaks should be

repaired immediately.

7-1
70F-05-007

Before driving:

1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lights,

and reflectors are clean and unobstructed.

2) Check the tyres.

3) Look for fluid and oil leaks.

NOTE:

It is normal for water to drip from the air

conditioning system after use.

4) Adjust the seat/head restraint.

5) Check the brake pedal and the parking

brake lever.

6) Adjust the mirrors.

7) Make sure that you and passengers have

properly fastened your seat belts.

8) Make sure that all warning lights come on

as the key is turned to the "ON" or "START'

position.

9) Check all gauges.

10) Make sure that the brake fluid level

warning light is off when the parking brake

is released with the ignition switch in "ON"

position.

66
65

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

EMERGENCY SERVICE

60G-74E

WARNING TRIANGLE (TYPE-1)

If the temperature indication does not come

down to within the normal, acceptable range:

1) Turn off the engine and check that the

water pump belt and pulleys are not

damaged or slipping. If any abnormality is

found, correct it.

2) Check the coolant level in the reservoir. If

it is found to be lower than the "LOW" line,

look for leaks at the radiator, water pump,

and radiator and heater hoses. If you

locate any leaks that may have caused the

overheating, do not run the engine until

these problems have been corrected.

3) If you do not find a leak, carefully add

coolant to the reservoir and then the

radiator, if necessary. (Refer to "ENGINE

COOLANr in the "INSPECTION AND

MAINTENANCE" section.)
K is dangerous to remove the radiator

cap when the water temperature is

high, because scalding fluid and steam

may be blown out under pressure. The

cap should only be taken off when the

coolant temperature has lowered.

To help prevent personal Injury, keep

hands, tools and clothing away from the

engine cooling fan and airconditioner

fan (if equipped). These electric fans

can automatically turn on without

warning.
843-10-004

In case of vehicle break-down or during

emergency stopping where your vehicle could

become a potential traffic hazard, please keep

the warning triangle, provided with your

vehicle, on the pathway (road) behind the

vehicle so as to warn the approaching traffic,

at an approximate distance of 5-15 m, such

that reflecting side of the triangle faces the

rear. Please activate the hazard warning lamps

before alighting the vehicle to keep the warning

triangle.

10-5
120

60G-74E
EMERGENCY SERVICE

WARNING TRIANGLE (TYPE-2)

In case of vehicle breakdown or during

emergency stopping where your vehicle

could become a potential traffic hazard,

keep the warning triangle, provided with

your vehicle, on the road free from any

obstacles behind your vehicle so as to warn

the approaching traffic, at an approximate

distance of 50-100 m, the reflecting side of

the triangle should face the on coming

traffic. Please activate the hazard warning

lamps before alighting the vehicle to keep

the warning triangle.
Remove the warning triangle

carefully from the box as shown by arrow

1.

Open both the reflector arms as shown

by arrows and lock arms with each other

with the clip provided in the right arm.

Open the bottom stand in counter clock-

wise direction as shown by arrow 3.

Position the warning triangle behind the

vehicle on a plain surface.

Reverse the removal procedure

keeping inside the box.
for

121

10-6

60G-74E

MODIFICATION WARNING

60G-00-004

The circle with a slash in this manual

means "Don't do this" or "Don't let this

happen".
Do not modify this vehicle. Modification

could adversely affect safety, handling,

performance, or durability and may

contravene regulations. In addition,

damage or performance problems

resulting from modification may not be

covered under warranty.
Improper installation of mobile

communication equipment such as

cellular talephones or CB (Citizen's

Band) radios may cause electronic

interference with your vehicle's ignition

system, resulting in vehicle

performance problems. Consult your

MARUTI dealer or qualified service

technician for advice on installing such

mobile communication equipment.

0-2
Copying, quoting or reproduction of any

part of this manual is not permitted without

explicit approval by MARUTI UDYOG

LIMITED.

60G-74E

WARRANTY POLICY

WARRANTY POLICY

Maruti Udyog Limited (hereinafter called "Maruti"), warrants that each

new Maruti vehicle distributed in India by Maruti and sold by an

authorised Maruti dealer will be free, under normal use and service,

from any defects in material and workmanship at the time of

manufacture SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND

CONDITIONS:

(1) Qualification:

To qualify for this warranty:

(a) The Maruti vehicle must be delivered by Maruti authorised

dealer and set-up, serviced by Maruti authorised dealer/

service station.

(b) The warranty registration card in respect of each vehicle

must be completed by the dealer at the time of delivery

of the vehicle and dealer should retain the same.

(2) Term:

The term of the warranty shall be twenty four (24) months

or 40,000 kilometers (whichever occurs first) from the date

of delivery to the first owner.

(3) Maruti's Warranty Obligation:

If any defect(s) should be found in a Maruti vehicle within the

term stipulated above, Maruti's only obligation is to repair or

replace at its sole discretion any part shown to be defective,

with a new part or the equivalent at no cost to the owner for

parts or labour, when Maruti acknowledges that such a defect

is attributable to faulty material or workmanship at the time of

manufacture. The owner is responsible of any repair or

replacements which are not covered by this warranty.
(4) Limitation:

This warranty shall not apply to:

(a) normal maintenance service required other than the three

free services, including without limitation, oil and fluid

changes, headlight aiming, fastener retightening, wheel

balancing, wheelalignment and tyre rotation, cleaning of

injectors, adjustments of carburettor, ignition timing, clutch

and valve clearance.

(b) the replacement of normal wear parts including without

limitation, bulbs, battery, tyres and tubes, spark plugs, belts,

hoses, filters, wiper blades, brushes, contact points, fuses,

clutch disc, brake shoes, brake pads, cable and all rubber

parts (except oil seal and glass run).

(c) any vehicle which has been used for competition or racing.

(d) any repairs or replacement required as a result of accidents

or collision.

(e) any defects caused by misuse, negligence, abnormal use or

insufficient care.

(f) any vehicle which has been modified or altered, including

without limitation, the installation of performance accessories.

(g) any vehicle on which parts or accessories not approved by

Maruti have been used.

(h) any vehicle which has not been operated in accordance with

the operating instructions in the Maruti Owner's Manual,

(i) any vehicle which has not received, during the warranty

term, the service inspections prescribed in the Maruti

Owner's Manual.

G) any vehicle which has been assembled, disassembled,

adjusted or repaired by other than an Maruti authorised

2-1