
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5983K
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
5-4
Parking Brake Lever
83K-03-006
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Never drive your vehicle with the
parking brake on: rear brake effec-
tiveness can be reduced from over-
heating, brake life may be
shortened, or permanent brake
damage may result.
If the parking brake does not hold
the vehicle securely or does not (1) To apply
(2) To release
(3) To release
The parking brake lever is located between
the seats. To apply the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down and pull the parking
brake lever all the way up. To release the
parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
pull up slightly on the parking brake lever,
push the button on the end of the lever with
your thumb, and lower the lever to its origi-
nal position.
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Always apply the parking brake fully
before leaving your vehicle or it may
move, causing injury or damage.
When parking, make sure the gearshift
lever is in 1st gear or “R” (Reverse).
Remember, even though the
transmission is in gear, you must
apply the parking brake fully.fully release, have your vehicle
inspected immediately by MARUTI
SUZUKI authorized dealer.
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When parking the vehicle on a slope,
the following procedure should be
used:
1) Apply the parking brake.
2) Shift the transmission into reverse
or first gear.
3) With the engine off, get out of the
vehicle and put chocks under the
wheels.
4) Release the parking brake.
When you return to your vehicle,
you must remember to first apply
the parking brake, then remove the
wheel chocks.
EXAMPLE
PedalManual transaxle
83K-03-007
EXAMPLE
Automatic transaxle
83K-03-008
EXAMPLE
Clutch Pedal (1)
(For manual transaxle)The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages the
clutch.
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Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear, clutch damage,
or unexpected loss of engine braking.

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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
5-8
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle when
the vehicle is parked or when starting the
engine. Shift into Park only when the vehicle
is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle from
stop. Make sure that vehicle is completely
stationary before shifting into Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if the
engine stalls and you need to restart it while
the vehicle is moving. You may also shift into
Neutral and depress the brake pedal to hold
the vehicle stationary during idling.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving. With
the gearshift lever in “D” range you can get
an automatic downshift by pressing the
accelerator pedal. The higher the vehicle
speed is, the more you need to press the
accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can be
used in this position. The transaxle shifts up
only to 3rd gear.2 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum power
when climbing steep hills or driving through
deep snow or mud, or to provide maximum
engine braking when going down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transaxle will not actually downshift until
your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
NOTICE
Be sure to take the following
precautions to help avoid damage to
the automatic transaxle:
Make sure that the vehicle is
completely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
Do not rev the engine with the
transaxle in a drive position (“R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L”) and the front
wheels not moving.
If You Cannot Shift Automatic Tran-
saxle Gearshift Lever Out of “P”
(PARK)
83K-03-011C
Vehicles with an automatic transaxle have
an electrically operated park-lock feature. If
the vehicle’s battery is discharged, or there
is some other electrical failure, the
automatic transaxle cannot be shifted out of
Park in the normal way. Jump starting may
correct the condition. If not, follow the
procedure described below. This procedure
will permit shifting the transaxle out of Park.
NOTICE
Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the
vehicle’s brakes.
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly
applied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the engine.
3) Make sure the key is in the “ON” or
“ACC” position.

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w WARNING
If water gets into the brake drums,
brake performance may become poor
and unpredictable.
After driving through water or wash-
ing the underside of the vehicle, test
the brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have maintained
their normal effectiveness. If the
brakes are less effective than normal,
dry them by repeatedly applying the
brakes while driving slowly until the
brakes have regained their normal
effectiveness.
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Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the
vehicle by pressing the brake pedal
harder than normally required. How-
ever, the stopping distance may be
longer.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
5-9Braking
83K-03-012
EXAMPLE4) With pushing the release button (1), shift
the gearshift lever to the desired
position.
This procedure is for emergency use only.
If repeated use of this procedure is
necessary, or the procedure does not work
as described, take the vehicle to your dealer
for repair.
The distance needed to bring any vehicle
to a halt increases with the speed of the
vehicle. The braking distance needed, for
example, at 60 km/h (37 mph) will be
approximately 4 times greater than the
braking distance needed at 30 km/h (19
mph). Start to brake the vehicle when there
is plenty of distance between your vehicleand the stopping point, and slow down
gradually.
Power Assisted Brakes (if
equipped)Your vehicle has power assisted brakes. If
power assistance is lost due to a stalled
engine or other failures, the system is still
fully operational on reserve power and you
can bring the vehicle to a complete stop by
pressing the brake pedal once and holding
it down. The reserve power is partly used
up when you depress the brake pedal and
reduces each time the pedal is pressed.
Apply smooth and even pressure to the
pedal. Do not pump the pedal.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
(if equipped)ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It will
also help you maintain steering control when
braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard.
The ABS works automatically, so you do not
need any special braking technique. Just
push the brake pedal down without
pumping. The ABS will operate whenever it
senses that the wheels are locking up. You
may feel the brake pedal moves a little
while the ABS is operating.NOTE:
The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is
under about 10 km/h (6 mph).

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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
5-10
(1) ABS warning light
(2) Brake system warning light
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If the ABS warning light (1) on the
instrument panel comes on and
stays on while driving, there may be
a problem with the ABS system.
Ask your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the ABS system immedi-
ately. If the ABS system becomes
inoperative, the brake system will
function as an ordinary brake sys-
tem that has no ABS.
If the ABS warning light (1) and the
Brake system warning light (2) on
the instrument panel simultaneously
stays on or comes on when driving,
both anti-lock function and rear
brake force control function
(Proportioning valve function) of the
ABS system may have failed. If so,
the rear wheels may easily skid or
the vehicle can even spin in the
83K-03-013
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The ABS may not work properly if
tyres or wheels other than those
specified in the owner’s manual are
used. This is because the ABS works
by comparing changes in wheel
speed. When replacing tyres or
wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.worst case when braking on a
slippery road or when hard braking
even on a dry paved road. Contact
your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the ABS system immediately.
Drive carefully, avoiding hard braking
as much as possible.How the ABS WorksA computer continuously monitors wheel
speed. The computer compares the
changes in wheel speed when braking. If
the wheels slow suddenly, indicating a
skidding situation, the computer will change
braking pressure several times each second
to prevent the wheels from locking. When
you start your vehicle after a stop you may
hear a momentary motor noise as the
system checks itself.
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On some types of loose surfaces
(such as gravel, snow-covered
roads, etc.) the stopping distance
required for an ABS-equipped vehi-
cle may be slightly greater than for
a comparable vehicle with a con-
ventional brake system. With a
conventional brake system, skidding
tyres are able to “plow” the gravel
or snow layer, shortening the
stopping distance, ABS minimizes
this resistance effect. Allow for extra
stopping distance when driving on
loose surfaces.
On regular paved roads, some driv-
ers may be able to obtain slightly
shorter stopping distances with
conventional brake systems than
with ABS.
In both of the above conditions,
ABS will still offer the advantage of
helping you maintain directional
control. However, remember that
ABS will not compensate for bad
road or weather conditions or poor
driver judgment. Use good judgment
and do not drive faster than
conditions will safely allow.

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DRIVING TIPS
6-4
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Do not allow anyone to stand near the
vehicle when you are rocking it, and
do not spin the wheels faster than an
indicated 40 km/h (25 mph) on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/ or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
CAUTION
83K-04-007
Do not continue rocking the vehicle
for more than a few minutes. Pro-
longed rocking can cause engine
overheating or transmission damage.
Under wet road conditions you should drive
at a lower speed than on dry roads due to
possible slippage of tyres during braking.
When driving on icy, snow-covered, or
muddy roads, reduce your speed and avoid
sudden acceleration, abrupt braking, or
sharp steering movements.If Your Vehicle Gets StuckIf your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Change back and forth between first
gear and reverse. This will create a
rocking motion which may give you
enough momentum to free the vehicle.
Press gently on the accelerator to keep
wheel spinning to a minimum wheel rpm.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
while changing gear.
Do not race the engine. Excessive wheel
spin will cause the tyres to dig deeper,
making it more difficult to free the
vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, get another vehicle
to pull your vehicle out.
CAUTION
When driving on wet roads, avoid
driving through large amount of
standing water on the road. Large
amount of water entering the engine
compartment may cause damage to
the engine and or electrical
components.
If stuck in deep water, do not start
till water level drops
Water is incompressible substance,
water inside the engine is harmful
to the engine.DRIVING ON WET ROADS

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Starting
1. Adjust the driver’s seat for the proper
driving posture.
2. Adjust the rear view mirror so as to
obtain the best possible rear view.
83K-04-008
83K-04-009
2. Always follow other vehicles at a safe
distance in order to prevent a rear-end
collision, should the vehicle ahead make
a sudden stop.
3. Turn ON the turn signal at least 30
meters before making a turn or changing
the lane so as not to be hit from behind.
DRIVING TIPS
6-5
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SAFE
DRIVINGExercise care in handling your vehicle. Be
conscious of not only your own safety but
also the safety of others on the road, and
thus enjoy the best and most comfortable
driving experience.
This section contains basic rules for safe
driving. Read it carefully for good
understanding of the content so that you
can enjoy safe and pleasant driving in your
Maruti Suzuki vehicle.3. Before moving off, look forward and back
to confirm safety.
4. Don’t start quickly, for it is dangerous
and wastes fuel.
General driving
1. Be sure to stop before the stop light and
stop sign. When moving into the
intersection without any traffic lights or
signs, drive slowly to confirm safety.
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In addition to following the driving tips
in this section, it is important to
observe the following precautions.
Make sure your tyres are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tyre pressure. Refer to
“Tyres” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
Do not use tyres other than those
specified by MARUTI SUZUKI. Never
use different sizes or types of tyres on
the front and rear wheels. For
information regarding the specified
tyres, refer to the Tyre Information
Label located on the driver’s door pillar.
Never use oversized tyres or special
shock absorbers and springs to raise
(jack up) your vehicle. This will
change the handling characteristics.
Oversized tyres may also rub against
the fender over bumps, causing
vehicle damage or tire failure.
After driving through water, test the
brakes while driving at a slow speed
to see if they have maintained their
normal effectiveness. If the brakes
are less effective than normal, dry
them by repeatedly applying the
brakes while driving slowly until the
brakes have regained their normal
effectiveness.

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OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
7-4Using the wrong refrigerant may
damage your air conditioning system.
Use R-134a only. Do not mix or replace
the R-134a with other refrigerants.
CAUTION
NOTE:
If you need maximum demisting:
set the air flow selector to “DEMIST”,
set the blower speed selector to HIGH,
adjust the temperature selector to the
HOT end,
turn on the “A/C” switch, and
adjust the side outlets so the air blows
on the side windows.MaintenanceIf you do not use the air conditioner for a
long period, such as during winter, it may
not give the best performance when you
start using it again. To help maintain opti-
mum performance and durability of your air
conditioner, it needs to be run periodically.
Operate the air conditioner at least once a
month for one minute with the engine idling.
This circulates the refrigerant and oil and
helps protect the internal components.NOTE:
Your vehicle uses the air conditioning
refrigerant HFC-134a, commonly called “R-
134a”. Only R-134a should be used in your
vehicle.
Audio System (if equipped)Refer supplementary manual for audio
system (if equipped), provided along with
the vehicle.Radio Antenna
83K-05-013
To avoid damage to the radio antenna:
Remove the antenna when using an
automatic car wash.
Remove the antenna when the
antenna hits anything such as a low
ceiling in a parking garage or
putting a car cover over your car.
CAUTION
Remote Audio Controls
(if equipped)
83K-05-014
You can control basic functions of the audio
system with the switches on the steering
wheel.
To control the volume:
To increase the volume, push the switch
(1).
To decrease the volume, push the switch
(2).
To mute, push the switch (3).
To select the mode, push the switch (4).
You can also turn on the audio system by
pushing the switch (4). The radio antenna on the roof is removable.
To remove the antenna, turn it coun-
terclockwise. To reinstall the antenna, turn
it clockwise firmly by hand.

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VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
TOWING INSTRUCTION TABLE
DRIVE TRANSAXLE TOWING
TRAIN METHOD2WDA/T
(AUTO)
M/T
(MANUAL)A
A B
Towing an automatic transaxle vehicle
with four wheels on the ground can
result in damage to the automatic
transaxle.
83K-06-001
NOTICE
A: 2WD VEHICLES WITH MANUAL
TRANSAXLE OR AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLE1) Secure the front wheels on a towing
dolly according to the instructions
provided by the dolly manufacturer.
2) Release the parking brake.
83K-06-002
TOWING METHOD AFROM THE FRONT:
FRONT WHEELS ON A DOLLY
AND REAR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
B: 2WD VEHICLES WITH MANUAL
TRANSAXLE1) Shift the manual transaxle lever into
neutral.
2) Turn the ignition key to the “ACC”
position to unlock the steering wheel.
3) Release the parking brake.
83K-06-003
TOWING METHOD BFROM THE FRONT:
FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
NOTICE
The steering column is not strong
enough to withstand shocks
transmitted from the front wheels
during towing. Always unlock the
steering wheel before towing.
8-2