1999 SUZUKI BALENO check transmission fluid

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
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel

tank, perform the following under-bonnet

checks:

1) Engine oil level.

2) Coolant level.

3) Brake fluid level.

4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level.

5) Windscreen washer fluid level.

6) Battery solution level.

7) Bonnet latch operation.

Pull the bonnet release handle inside the

vehicle. Make sure that you can not open

the hood all the way without releasing the

secondary latch. Be sure to close the hood

securely after checking for proper

operation. See "All Latches, Hinges &

Locks" of "PERIODIC MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULE" in the "INSPECTION AND

MAINTENANCE" section for lubrication

schedule.

Make sure the bonnet is fully closed

and latched before driving. If it is not,

it can fly up unexpectedly during

driving, obstructing your view and

resulting in an accident.
STARTING THE ENGINE

Before starting the engine:

1) Make sure the parking brake is applied

fully.

2) Manual Transmission - Shift into "N"

(neutral) and depress the clutch pedal all

the way to the floor. Hold it while starting

the engine.

Make sure that the parking brake is

applied fully and the transmission is in

Neutral before attempting to start the

engine.

CAUTION

Stop turning the starter immediately

after the engine has started or the

starter system can be damaged.

Do not crank the engine for more

than 15 seconds at a time. If the

engine doesn't start on the first try,

wait about 15 seconds before trying

again.
Starting a Cold Engine

Engine which is started after 6 hours should

be treated as cold engine.

For Electronic fuel injection models

• With your foot off the accelerator pedal,

crank the engine by turning the ignition

key to "START1. Release the key when the

engine starts.

• If the engine does not start after 15

seconds of cranking, wait about 15

seconds, then press down the accelerator

pedal to 1/3 of its travel and try cranking

the engine again. Release the key and

accelerator pedal when the engine starts.

• If the engine still does not start, try holding

the accelerator pedal all the way to the

floor while cranking. This should clear the

engine if it is flooded.

Starting a Warm Engine

For Electronic fuel injection models:

Use the same procedure as for "Starting a cold

Engine".

67

7-2

OPERATING YOUR VECHILE

60G-74E

USING THE TRANSMISSION

70F-04-005E

Starting off

To start off, depress and maintain pressure

upon the clutch pedal and change into 1st

gear. After releasing the parking brake,

gradually release the clutch. When you hear

a change in the engine's sound (speed), gently

apply pressure to the accelerator to keep the

engine sound (speed) constant whilst

continuing to gradually release the clutch.
Gear changing

All forward gears are synchronized, which

provides for quiet, easy changing. Always

depress the clutch pedal fully before changing

gears.The following table shows the maximum

allowable speed for each gear.
GEAR

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth
MAXIMUM SPEED

50 km/h

95 km/h

140 km/h

Top Speed

Top Speed

7-3
68

60G-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

POWER STEERING (if equipped)

CLUTCH PEDAL

60G-09-017

Check the steering box case, vane pump and

hose connections for leaks or damage.

Power steering fluid

Check the fluid level by looking at the reservoir

in the engine compartment when the fluid is

cold (about room temperature).

Check that the fluid level is between the

"UPPER" and "LOWER" lines. If the fluid level

is near the "LOWER" line, fill it up to the

"UPPER" line with an automatic transmission

fluid equivalent to DEXRON»-IIE or

DEXRON'-III. Do not overfill.
63B-09-00SE

Power steering belt

The tension of the belt should be such that

there is a deflection of 8-10mm (0.31 -0.39 in.)

when you press your thumb midway between

the pulleys.

The belt should also be examined to ensure

that it is not damaged. If necessary, have the

belt adjusted or replaced by your MARUTI

dealer.
70F-07-034

Measure the clutch pedal piay by moving the

clutch pedal with your hand and measuring

the distance it moves until you feel slight

resistance. The play in the clutch pedal should

be between 15-20 mm (0.6 - 0.8 in). If the

play is more or less than the above, or clutch

dragging is felt with the pedal fully depressed,

have the clutch inspected by your MARUTI

dealer.

101

9-18

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

60G-74E

TYRES

60G-09-018

The front and rear tyre pressure specifications

for your vehicle are listed on the Tyre Inflation

Pressure Label and in the "SPECIFICATIONS"

section at the end of this book. Both the front

and rear tyres should have the specified tyre

pressure.

Tyre Inspection

Inspect your vehicle's tyres periodically by

performing the following checks:

1) Measure the air pressure with a tyre

gauge. Adjust the pressure if necessary.
Air pressures should be checked

when the tyres are cold or you may

get inaccurate readings.

Check the inflation pressure from

time to time while inflating the tyre

gradually, until the specified

pressure is obtained.

Never underinf late or overinf late the

tyres.

Underinflation can cause unusual

handling characteristics or can

cause the rim to slip on the tyre

bead, resulting in an accident or

damage to the tyre or rim.

Overinflation can cause the tyre to

burst, resulting in personal injury.

Overinflation can also cause

unusual handling characteristics

which may result In an accident.
70F-07-037E

2) Check that the depth of the tread groove

is more than 1.6 mm (0.06 in). To help you

check this, the tyres have moulded in tread

wear indicators in the grooves. When the

indicators appear on the tread surface, the

remaining depth of the tread is 1.6 mm

(0.06 in) or less and the tyre should be

replaced.

3) Check for abnormal wear, cracks and

damage. Any tyres with cracks or other

damage should be replaced. If any tyres

show abnormal wear, have them inspected

by your MARUTI dealer.

9-19
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