2007 SUZUKI XL7 mirror

4-8 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
into the right lane again. A simple maneu-
ver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a potentially dan-
gerous move, since the passing vehicle
occupies the same lane as oncoming traf-
fic for several seconds. A miscalculation,
an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to
frustration or anger can suddenly put the
passing driver face to face with the worst of
all traffic accidents – the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
 Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If
you have any doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a bet-
ter time.
 Watch for traffic signs, pavement mark-
ings, and lines. If you can see a sign up
ahead that might indicate a turn or an
intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it is all right
to pass, providing the road ahead is
clear. Never cross a solid line on your
side of the lane or a double solid line,
even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
 Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you are awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following too
closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you are following a larger
vehicle. Also, you will not have adequatespace if the vehicle ahead suddenly
slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
 When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay in
the right lane and do not get too close.
Time your move so you will be increas-
ing speed as the time comes to move
into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a running start that
more than makes up for the distance you
would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to can-
cel your pass, you need only slow down
and drop back again and wait for another
opportunity.
 If other vehicles are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone is not trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow vehi-
cle. Remember to glance over your
shoulder and check the blind spot.
 Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance
over your shoulder, and start your left
lane change signal before moving out of
the right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to
see its front in your vehicle’s inside mir-
ror, activate the right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
Remember that your vehicle’s passen-
ger side outside mirror is convex. The
vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is. Try not to pass more than one vehicle at
a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
 Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps
are not flashing, it may be slowing down
or starting to turn.
 If you are being passed, make it easy for
the following driver to get ahead of you.
Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of ControlLet us review what driving experts say
about what happens when the three con-
trol systems – brakes, steering, and accel-
eration – do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep
trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to exist-
ing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always pos-
sible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your vehicle’s three control systems. In the
braking skid, your wheels are not rolling. In
the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in the

4-9 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
acceleration skid, too much throttle causes
the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system
helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If
your traction system is off, then an acceler-
ation skid is also best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal. Refer to
“Traction Control System (TCS)” and
“Electronic Stability Control” in this section.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your
foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly
steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If
you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on
the road. For safety, you will want to slow
down and adjust your driving to these con-
ditions. It is important to slow down on slip-
pery surfaces because stopping distance
will be longer and vehicle control more lim-
ited.
While driving on a surface with reduced
traction, try your best to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration, or braking, including
reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize
the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues– such as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a mirrored sur-
face – and slow down when you have any
doubt.
If you have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), remember: It helps avoid only the
braking skid. If you do not have ABS, then
in a braking skid, where the wheels are no
longer rolling, release enough pressure on
the brakes to get the wheels rolling again.
This restores steering control. Push the
brake pedal down steadily when you have
to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at NightNight driving is more dangerous than day
driving. One reason is that some drivers
are likely to be impaired – by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
 Drive defensively.
 Do not drink and drive.
 Adjust the inside rearview mirror to
reduce glare from headlamps behind
you.
 Since you cannot see as well, you may
need to slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles. Slow down, especially on higher speed
roads. Your vehicle’s headlamps can
light up only much road ahead.
 In remote areas, watch for animals.
 If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the
daytime. But as we get older these differ-
ences increase. A 50-year-old driver may
require at least twice much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect
your night vision. For example, if you
spend the day in bright sunshine you are
wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if
you are driving, do not wear sunglasses at
night. They may cut down on glare from
headlamps, but they also make a lot of
things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching headlamps. It can take a sec-
ond or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes to re-adjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare, as from a
driver who does not lower the high beams,
or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps,
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly
into the approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all the glass on
your vehicle clean – inside and out. Glare
at night is made much worse by dirt on the
glass. Even the inside of the glass can

4-12 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same speed most of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic
flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a
passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you
expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge
into the gap at close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors, and glance over your shoul-
der as often as necessary. Try to blend
smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-
ing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane
unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there is not another vehicle in your blind
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable fol-
lowing distance. Expect to move slightly
slower at night.When you want to leave the freeway, move
to the proper lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit, do not, under any circum-
stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long TripMake sure you are ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you are not
fresh – such as after a day’s work – do not
plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you
keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready
to go. If it needs service, have it done
before starting out. Of course, you will find
experienced and able service experts in
dealerships all across North America.
They will be ready and willing to help if you
need it.Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
 Windshield Washer Fluid:
Is the reservoir full? Are all windows
clean inside and outside?
 Wiper Blades:
Are they in good shape?
 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
 Lamps:
Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:
They are vitally important to a safe, trou-
ble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all
inflated to the recommended pressure?
 Weather Forecasts:
What is the weather outlook along your
route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
 Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as high-
way hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling
asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-
nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you
sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it

4-13 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and you could crash
and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
vehicle’s mirrors and instruments fre-
quently.
 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a
rest, service, or parking area and take a
nap, get some exercise, or both. For
safety, treat drowsiness on the highway
as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
806088
Driving on steep hills or mountains is differ-
ent from driving in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if
you are planning to visit there, here are
some tips that can make your trips safer
and more enjoyable.
 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transaxle. These
parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know is this: let your
engine do some of the slowing down.
Shift to a lower gear when you go down
a steep or long hill.
 Know how to go uphill. You may want to
shift down to a lower gear. The lower
gears help cool your engine and tran-
saxle, and you can climb the hill better.
 Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Do
not swing wide or cut across the center
WARNING
If you do not shift down, the brakes
could get so hot that they would not
work well. You would then have poor
braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to
let the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
WARNING
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down. They could
get so hot that they would not work
well. You would then have poor brak-
ing or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and your vehicle in
gear when you go downhill.

4-24 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is now
a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety chains, elec-
trical connector, lamps, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-
ing and then apply the trailer brake control-
ler by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lamps and any trailer brakes are still work-
ing.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving your
vehicle without a trailer. This can help you
avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up
ahead when you are towing a trailer. And,
because you are a good deal longer, you
will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the
left, just move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you are turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer will not strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to
have extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also flash, telling other drivers
you are about to turn, change lanes or
stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if
the bulbs on the trailer are burned out.
Thus, you may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure
the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you do not shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work
well.
Parking on Hills
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, do the following:
1) Apply your regular brakes, but do not
shift into PARK (P) yet.
2) Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3) When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
CAUTION
Making very sharp turns while traile-
ring could cause the trailer to come
in contact with the vehicle. Your vehi-
cle could be damaged. Avoid making
very sharp turns while trailering.
WARNING
You really should not park your vehi-
cle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be
injured, and both your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.

5-54 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block is located
on the passenger’s side of the center con-
sole, to the left of the glove box near the
floor.
1708445
Remove the console cover to access the
fuse block.
1808062
Fuses Usage
1 Sunroof
2 Rear Seat Entertainment
3 Rear Wiper
4 Liftgate
5 Airbags
6 Heated Seats
7 Driver’s Side Turn Signal
8 Door Locks
9Automatic Occupant
Sensing Module
10 Power Mirrors
Fuses Usage
11Passenger’s Side Turn
Signal
12 Amplifier
13Steering Wheel Illumina-
tion
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
14 Infotainment
15Climate Control System,
Remote Function Actuator
16 Canister Vent
17 Radio
18 Cluster
19 Ignition Switch
20 Body Control Module
21 Not Used
22Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp, Dimmer
23 Interior Lights

8-1 INDEX
88
78J00-03E
INDEXAAccessories and Modifications
..........................................5-1
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
.................................................3-10
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
..........5-1
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .....1-42
Additional Required Services
.............................................6-11
Additional Required Services except CANADA
................6-6
Additives
..............................................................................5-2
Add-On Electrical Equipment
.............................................5-53
Airbag Readiness Light
......................................................3-16
Airbag System
.....................................................................1-33
All-Wheel Drive ....................................................................5-22
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
..........................................4-6
All-Wheel Drive Disabled Light ..........................................3-25
Aluminum Wheels
...............................................................5-50
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
..........................................4-4
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
............................3-20
Appearance Care
.................................................................5-48
Assist Handles
.....................................................................2-22
At Each Fuel Fill ...................................................................6-14
At Least Once a Month
........................................................6-14
At Least Once a Year
...........................................................6-14
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
..........................................3-73
Audio System(s)
..................................................................3-39
Automatic Climate Control System
...................................3-10
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror ................................2-20
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass
.......2-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................................................5-10Automatic Transaxle Operation
......................................... 2-14
BBattery
.................................................................................. 5-18
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................................ 3-9
Battery Warning Light
........................................................ 3-19
Before Driving
..................................................................... 2-11
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.......................................... 4-12
Brake System Warning Light
............................................. 3-19
Brakes
.................................................................................. 5-17
Braking ................................................................................. 4-3
Bulb Replacement
............................................................... 5-23
Buying New Tires ................................................................ 5-34
CCalifornia Fuel
..................................................................... 5-2
California Proposition 65 Warning
.................................... 5-1
Capacities and Specifications
........................................... 5-57
Care of Safety Belts
............................................................ 5-49
Care of the CD and DVD Player
......................................... 3-74
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
.............................................. 3-74
Cargo Lamp
......................................................................... 3-9
Carrier Assembly-Differential (Rear Drive Module)
......... 5-22
Center Console Storage Area
............................................ 2-22
Change Engine Oil Light
.................................................... 3-24
Changing a Flat Tire
........................................................... 5-38
Checking the Restraint Systems
....................................... 1-42
Checking Things Under the Hood ..................................... 5-5
Chemical Paint Spotting
..................................................... 5-51
Child Restraint Systems ..................................................... 1-21

8-3 INDEX
78J00-03E
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
................................................5-53
GGasoline Octane
..................................................................5-2
Gasoline Specifications
......................................................5-2
Gate Ajar Light
.....................................................................3-25
Glove Box
.............................................................................2-21
HHalogen Bulbs
.....................................................................5-23
Hazard Warning Flashers
...................................................3-3
Head Restraints
...................................................................1-4
Headlamps
...........................................................................3-7
Heated Seats ........................................................................1-2
Highbeam On Light
.............................................................3-25
Highway Hypnosis ...............................................................4-12
Hill and Mountain Roads
.....................................................4-13
Hood Release
.......................................................................5-5
Horn
......................................................................................3-3
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
..........................................1-38
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
....................................1-11
IIdentification Numbers
........................................................7-1
If a Tire Goes Flat
................................................................5-37
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
........4-16
Ignition Positions
................................................................2-12
Infants and Young Children
................................................1-19
Inflation – Tire Pressure
......................................................5-30
Instrument Panel Brightness
..............................................3-8
Instrument Panel Cluster
....................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Overview ................................................3-1
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces
.......5-49
JJump Starting
...................................................................... 5-19
KKeys
..................................................................................... 2-1
LLeather
................................................................................. 5-49
Level Control
....................................................................... 4-21
License Plate Lamp
............................................................ 5-24
Liftgate
................................................................................. 2-7
Loading Your Vehicle
......................................................... 4-16
Lockout Protection
............................................................. 2-6
Loss of Control
................................................................... 4-8
Low Fuel Warning Light
..................................................... 3-26
Lower Anchors
.................................................................... 1-26
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
......... 1-26
Luggage Carrier
.................................................................. 2-22
MMaintenance Record except CANADA
.............................. 6-18
Maintenance Requirements
............................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
....................................................... 6-1
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............................................... 3-21
Manual Lumbar
................................................................... 1-2
Manual Rearview Mirror
..................................................... 2-20
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
.............................................. 1-2
Manual Seats
....................................................................... 1-1
Manual Shift Mode (MSM) (Automatic Transaxle)
............ 2-16
Map Lamps
.......................................................................... 3-9
Mirrors
.................................................................................. 2-20
Multi-Band Antenna
............................................................ 3-74