2007 SUZUKI XL7 Drive belt

4-1 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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Your Driving, the Road, and
Your VehicleDefensive DrivingThe best advice anyone can give about
driving is: Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety
device in your vehicle: Buckle up. Refer to
“Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone” in
“Safety Belts” in the “Seats and Restraint
Systems” section.
Drunken DrivingDeath and injury associated with drinking
and driving is a national tragedy. It is the
number one contributor to the highway
death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone
needs to drive a vehicle:
 Judgment
 Muscular Coordination
 Vision
 Attentiveness
Police records show that almost half of all
motor vehicle-related deaths involve alco-
hol. In most cases, these deaths are the
result of someone who was drinking and
driving. In recent years, more than 16000
annual motor vehicle-related deaths have
been associated with the use of alcohol,
with more than 300000 people injured.
Many adults – by some estimates, nearly
half the adult population – choose never to
drink alcohol, so they never drive after
drinking. For persons under 21, it is
against the law in every U.S. state to drink
alcohol. There are good medical, psycho-
logical, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading
highway safety problem is for people never
to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if
people do? How much is “too much” if
someone plans to drive? It is a lot less than
WARNING
Defensive driving really means “Be
ready for anything.” On city streets,
rural roads, or expressways, it means
“Always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other
drivers are going to be careless and
make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. Rear-end col-
lisions are about the most prevent-
able of accidents. Yet they are
common. Allow enough following
distance. Defensive driving requires
that a driver concentrate on the driv-
ing task. Anything that distracts from
the driving task makes proper defen-
sive driving more difficult and can
even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do
these things, or pull off the road in a
safe place to do them. These simple
defensive driving techniques could
save your life.

4-7 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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favorable conditions you will want to go
slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you
approach a curve, do it before you enter
the curve, while your front wheels are
straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable,
steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you
are out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-Suzuki accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. Refer to
“Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser-
vice” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be
more effective than braking. For example,
you come over a hill and find a truck
stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly
pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out
from between parked cars and stops right
in front of you. You can avoid these prob-
lems by braking – if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot; there is not
room. That is the time for evasive action –
steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in
emergencies like these. First apply your
brakes.
Refer to “Braking” in this section. It is bet-
ter to remove as much speed as you canfrom a possible collision. Then steer
around the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
811539
An emergency like this requires close
attention and a quick decision. If you are
holding the steering wheel at the recom-
mended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly with-
out removing either hand. But you have to
act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations
are always possible is a good reason to
practice defensive driving at all times and
wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road RecoveryYou may find that your vehicle’s right
wheels have dropped off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while you are driv-
ing.
810696
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly
below the pavement, recovery should be
fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge of the
pavement. You can turn the steering wheel
up to one-quarter turn until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn
your steering wheel to go straight down the
roadway.PassingThe driver of a vehicle about to pass
another on a two-lane highway waits for
just the right moment, accelerates, moves
around the vehicle ahead, then goes back

4-25 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
4) Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply
your parking brake, and then shift to
PARK (P).
5) Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1) Apply your regular brakes and hold the
pedal down while you do the following:
1. Start your engine.
2. Shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
2) Let up on the brake pedal.
3) Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4) Stop and have someone pick up and
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you are pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle
fluid, engine oil, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help you
find them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a
good idea to review these sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts
and bolts are tight.

5-35 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with
those that do not have a TPC Spec num-
ber, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and construction
type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your
vehicle’s original tires.Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitor-
ing system may give an inaccurate low-
pressure warning if Non-TPC Spec rated
tires are installed on your vehicle. Non-
TPC Spec rated tires may give a low-pres-
sure warning that is higher or lower than
the proper warning level you would get
with TPC Spec rated tires. Refer to “Tire
Pressure Monitor System” in this section.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are
listed on the Tire and Loading Information
Label. This label is attached to the vehi-
cle’s center pillar (B-pillar). Refer to “Load-
ing Your Vehicle” in “Your Driving, the
Road, and Your Vehicle” in the “Driving
Your Vehicle” section, for more information
about the Tire and Loading Information
Label.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a differ-
ent size than your original equipment
wheels and tires, this may affect the way
your vehicle performs, including its brak-
ing, ride and handling characteristics, sta-
bility and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction
control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be
affected.Refer to “Buying New Tires” and “Accesso-
ries and Modifications” in this section for
additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tempera-
ture A
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration (NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and temperature per-
formance. This applies only to vehicles
sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passen-
ger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG) system does not apply to
WARNING
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires
of different sizes, brands, or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and
you could have a crash. Using tires
of different sizes, brands, or types
may also cause damage to your vehi-
cle. Be sure to use the correct size,
brand, and type of tires on all wheels.
It is all right to drive with your com-
pact spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle.
Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” in this
section.
WARNING
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehi-
cle, the wheel rim flanges could
develop cracks after many miles of
driving. A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on
your vehicle.
WARNING
If you add different sized wheels,
your vehicle may not provide an
acceptable level of performance and
safety if tires not recommended for
those wheels are selected. You may
increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only
use Suzuki specific wheel and tire
systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a
Suzuki certified technician.

6-4 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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Service Instruction Maintenance I Maintenance II
Inspect engine air cleaner fil-
ter. If necessary, replace filter. Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in “Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and Appearance Care” section.
 If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.•
Inspect suspension and steer-
ing components. Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts, signs of wear.
 Inspect power steering cables for proper hook-up, binding,
cracks, chafing, etc. (if equipped).•
Inspect engine cooling sys-
tem. Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
 Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace parts as needed.
 To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator
and air conditioning condenser is recommended at least once a
year.•
Inspect wiper blades. Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
 Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged or that streak
or miss areas of the windshield.•
Inspect restraint system com-
ponents. Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buck-
les, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
 Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
 If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
 Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
 Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings, and have
them repaired or replaced.
 The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.•

6-7 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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Service InstructionMiles (Kilometers)
25000
(40000)50000
(80000)75000
(120000)100000
(160000)125000
(200000)150000
(240000)
Engine cooling system service (or
every five years, whichever occurs
first). An Emission Control Ser-
vice. Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system.
 This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer
perform this service.
 Refer to “Engine Coolant” in
“Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section for
what to use.
 Inspect hoses.
 Clean radiator, condenser, pres-
sure cap, and filler neck.
 Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.•
Inspect engine accessory drive
belt. An Emission Control Service. Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage.
 Replace belt if necessary.•

6-9 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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Service Instruction Maintenance
Inspect engine air cleaner fil-
ter. If necessary, replace filter. Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in “Checking Things Under the Hood” in the
“Service and Appearance Care” section.
 If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil
change.•
Inspect suspension and steer-
ing components. Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose,
or missing parts, signs of wear.
 Inspect power steering cables for proper hook-up, binding, cracks, chafing, etc.
(if equipped).•
Inspect engine cooling sys-
tem. Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated.
 Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace parts as needed.
 To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and pres-
sure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.•
Inspect wiper blades. Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
 Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.•
Inspect restraint system com-
ponents. Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
 Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
 If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired.
 Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
 Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings, and have them repaired or
replaced.
 The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.•

6-12 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
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Service InstructionKilometers
40000 80000 120000 160000 200000 240000
Engine cooling system service (or
every five years, whichever occurs
first). An Emission Control Ser-
vice. Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system.
 This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer
perform this service.
 Refer to “Engine Coolant” in
“Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section for
what to use.
 Inspect hoses.
 Clean radiator, condenser, pres-
sure cap, and filler neck.
 Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.•
Inspect engine accessory drive
belt. An Emission Control Service. Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage.
 Replace belt if necessary.•