5-7 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z03-03E
Engine OilIf the oil pressure light appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to
check your engine oil level right away.
For more information, see “Oil Pressure
Light” in section 3.
You should check your engine oil level reg-
ularly; this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get an
accurate reading, the oil must be warm
and the vehicle must be on level ground.Use the engine oil dipstick to check the oil
level. The dipstick’s handle will be a yellow
ring. See “Engine Compartment Overview”
in this section for the location of the engine
oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If
you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all
the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip
down and check the level.
When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is at or below the MIN mark, then
you’ll need to add at least one quart of oil.
But you must use the right kind. This sec-
tion explains what kind of oil to use. For
engine oil crankcase capacity, see “Capac-
ities and Specifications” in this section.
CAUTION
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets
above the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range, your engine
could be damaged.
L3U5011A
1.0 L
Checking Things Under the Hood:
5-31 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z03-03E
Glossary of Tire TerminologyAir Pressure:
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:
This means the combined weight of
optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are automatic trans-
mission, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, and air con-
ditioning.
Aspect Ratio:
The relationship of a tire’s height to its
width.
Belt:
A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread.
Cords may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead:
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Bias Ply Tire:
A pneumatic tire in which the plies are laid
at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to
the centerline of the tread.Cold Inflation Pressure:
The amount of air pressure in a tire, mea-
sured in pounds per square inch (psi)
before a tire has built up heat from driving.
Curb Weight:
This means the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil
and coolant, but without passengers and
cargo.
DOT Markings:
A code molded into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in compliance with
the U.S. Department of Transportation
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification Num-
ber (TIN), an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire manufac-
turer, production plant, brand and date of
production.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
This is the maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all occupants, accessories and cargo).
GAWR:
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
This is the maximum permissible weight on
an individual axle.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:
The side of an asymmetrical tire that must
always face outward when mounted on a
vehicle.Kilopascal (kPa):
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:
A tire used on light duty trucks and some
multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:
An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure:
The maximum air pressure to which a cold
tire may be inflated. The maximum air
pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:
The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:
The sum of curb weight; accessory weight;
vehicle capacity weight; and production
options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:
The number of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg).
Occupant Distribution:
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as
specified in the third column of Table 1
(shown below).
Outward Facing Sidewall:
The side of a asymmetrical tire that has a
particular side that faces outward when
Tires:
5-35 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z03-03E
Tire Inflation PressureThe Tire and Loading Information label
shows the correct inflation pressures for
your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means
your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile
(1.6 km). See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
section 4.
When to Check
Check your tires each time you fill your fuel
tank or at least once a month using a tire
pressure gauge.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It
should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to check
Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. You can’t tell if your
tires are properly inflated simply by looking
at them. Radial tires may look properly
inflated even when they’re under inflated.
Check the tire’s inflation pressure when the
tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle has
been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Remove the valve cap from the tire valve
stem. Press the tire gauge firmly onto the
valve to get a pressure measurement. If
the cold tire inflation pressure is low, add
air until you reach the recommended pres-
sure.
If you overfill the tire, release air by push-
ing on the metal stem in the center of the
tire valve. Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the
valve stems. They help prevent leaks by
keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and RotationInspect your vehicle’s tires at least once a
month.
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles
(12,000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate
your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged
tires or wheels. See “When It Is Time for
New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement” in
this section for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to
achieve more uniform wear for all tires on
the vehicle. The first rotation is the most
important. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services” in section 6, for scheduled rota-
tion intervals. Tire
Pressure195/55R15
(Sedan)Front30 psi
(210 kPa)
Rear30 psi
(210 kPa)
195/55R15
(Wagon)Front32 psi
(220 kPa)
Rear32 psi
(220 kPa)
T125/70D15
(Temporary)Front60 psi
(420 kPa)
Rear60 psi
(420 kPa)
WARNING
Air pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold or you may
get inaccurate readings.
Check the inflation pressure from
time to time while inflating the tire
gradually, until the specified pres-
sure is obtained.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Never underinflate or overinflate
the tires.
Underinflation can cause unusual
handling characteristics or can
cause the rim to slip on the tire
bead, resulting in an accident or
damage to the tire or rim.
Underinflation can also cause tires
to overheat, leading to tire failure.
Overinflation can cause the tire to
burst, resulting in personal injury.
Overinflation can also cause
unusual handling characteristics
which may result in an accident.
Tires:
7-3 GENERAL INFORMATION
85Z03-03E
On-Board Vehicle Computers
and Event Data RecordersYour vehicle is equipped with on-board
computer systems which monitor and
control several aspects of vehicle per-
formance, including the following:
Emission-related components and
engine parameters such as engine
speed and throttle position are moni-
tored to provide emissions control
and to provide optimum fuel econ-
omy. Your vehicle also has an on-
board diagnostic system which mon-
itors and records information about
emission-related malfunctions.
Signals from various sensors are
monitored to provide air bag deploy-
ment.
If your vehicle is equipped with
antilock brakes, conditions such as
vehicle speed and brake perfor-
mance are monitored, so that the
ABS system can provide effective
antilock braking. If your vehicle has
an Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®) system, conditions such as
yaw rate, lateral acceleration, and
brake fluid pressure are monitored,
so that the ESP
® system can help
the driver control the vehicle in diffi-
cult driving situations.
Some information may be stored by
the on-board computers during normaloperation of the vehicle. This stored
information can assist technicians in
repairing the vehicle when malfunc-
tions occur. Other information is stored
only in the event of crash, by computer
systems that are commonly called
Event Data Recorders (EDRs).
In a crash event, EDRs such as the
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Mod-
ule (SDM) in your vehicle may record
information about the condition of the
vehicle and how it was operated, such
as data related to airbag readiness,
airbag performance, safety belt usage,
and the severity of the collision. These
data can help provide a better under-
standing of the circumstances in which
crashes and injuries occur and lead to
the designing of safer vehicles. The
SDM in your vehicle does not collect
or store personal information.
To read the stored information, special
equipment is needed and access to
the vehicle or storage device is
required. SUZUKI will not access infor-
mation about a crash event or share it
with others other than with the consent
of the vehicle owner or lessee, in
response to an official request from
the police or similar government office,
as part of SUZUKI’s defense of litiga-
tion through the discovery process, or
as required by law.In addition, once SUZUKI collects or
receives data, SUZUKI may use the
data for research conducted by
SUZUKI, make the data available for
outside research if need is shown and
confidentiality is assured, or make
summary data which does not identify
specific vehicles available for outside
research.
Others, such as law enforcement per-
sonnel, may have access to the spe-
cial equipment that can read the
information if they have access to the
vehicle or storage device.
8-1 INDEX
88
85Z03-03E
INDEXAAccessory Power Outlet
.....................................................3-11
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
..........5-1
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
....1-32
Additives
..............................................................................5-2
Add-On Electrical Equipment
.............................................5-49
Air Bag Readiness Light
.....................................................3-20
Antenna
................................................................................2-25
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
..........................................4-3
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
............................3-21
Appearance Care
.................................................................5-45
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
..........................................3-11
Audio System
.......................................................................3-28
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...........................................5-10
Automatic Transmission Operation
...................................2-13
BBattery
..................................................................................5-20
Before Driving
......................................................................2-11
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
...........................................4-11
Brake System Warning Light
..............................................3-21
Brakes
...................................................................................5-18
Braking .................................................................................4-3
Bulb Replacement
...............................................................5-23
Buying New Tires ................................................................5-37
CCalifornia Fuel
......................................................................5-1
Capacities
.............................................................................5-54
Capacities and Specifications
............................................5-54CD CHANGER OPERATION (Optional)
............................. 3-44
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (Sedan) ........................ 5-25
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (Wagon) ...................... 5-25
Central Door Locking System
............................................ 2-5
Changing a Flat Tire
........................................................... 5-39
Charging System Light ....................................................... 3-20
Checking Things Under the Hood
..................................... 5-4
Checking Your Restraint Systems .................................... 1-34
Chemical Paint Spotting
..................................................... 5-48
Child Restraint Systems ..................................................... 1-19
Child Restraints
.................................................................. 1-16
City Driving
.......................................................................... 4-10
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-45
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle ............................... 5-46
Climate Control System
..................................................... 3-13
Climate Controls
................................................................. 3-13
Clock
.................................................................................... 3-12
Control of a Vehicle
............................................................ 4-2
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
.................................... 5-14
Cooling System
................................................................... 5-15
Correcting the Tire Pressure
............................................. 5-34
Cruise Control
..................................................................... 3-7
Cruise Control Light
........................................................... 3-25
Cupholder(s)
........................................................................ 2-22
DDaily Inspection Checklist
................................................. 2-11
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
.......................... 3-26
Defensive Driving
................................................................ 4-1
8-3 INDEX
85Z03-03E I
Identification Numbers
........................................................7-1
If a Tire Goes Flat
................................................................5-39
Ignition Positions ................................................................2-12
Infants and Young Children
................................................1-17
Instrument Panel Cluster
....................................................3-18
Instrument Panel Overview (Sedan)
..................................3-1
Instrument Panel Overview (Wagon) .................................3-2
Interior Lamps
......................................................................3-10
JJump Starting
......................................................................5-20
KKeys
......................................................................................2-1
LLap-Shoulder Belt
................................................................1-11
Leaving Your Vehicle
..........................................................2-6
License Plate Lamps ...........................................................5-27
Liftgate (Wagon)
..................................................................2-8
Loading Your Vehicle
..........................................................4-17
Lockout Protection
..............................................................2-6
Loss of Control
....................................................................4-7
Low Fuel Warning Light
......................................................3-25
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children
(LATCH System)
..................................................................1-23
Luggage Compartment Cover (Wagon only)
....................2-25
Luggage Compartment Lamp
.............................................5-26
MMaintenance
.........................................................................6-2
Maintenance Recommended under Normal Driving
Conditions
............................................................................6-2Maintenance Recommended under Severe Driving
Conditions
........................................................................... 6-6
Maintenance Record
........................................................... 6-10
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............................................... 3-22
Manual Lumbar
................................................................... 1-2
Manual Rearview Mirror
..................................................... 2-21
Manual Seats (With Sliding Storage Tray)
........................ 1-1
Manual Seats (Without Sliding Storage Tray)
.................. 1-1
Manual Transmission Fluid
................................................ 5-11
Manual Transmission Operation
....................................... 2-16
Manual Windows
................................................................. 2-8
Mirrors
.................................................................................. 2-21
NNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA)
............................................................................... 7-4
New Vehicle Break-In
.......................................................... 2-12
OOff-Road Recovery
............................................................. 4-6
Oil Pressure Light ............................................................... 3-24
Older Children
..................................................................... 1-16
On-Board Vehicle Computers and Event Data
Recorders
............................................................................ 7-3
Outlet Adjustment
............................................................... 3-17
Outside Convex Mirror
....................................................... 2-22
Outside Heated Mirrors ...................................................... 2-22
Outside Manual Mirror ........................................................ 2-21
Outside Power Mirrors ....................................................... 2-21
PParking Brake
...................................................................... 2-17
Parking Over Things That Can Burn
................................. 2-19
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
.................. 2-19