4-7 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
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
4-21 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
the ground. It can be towed with car carrier
equipment.Level ControlYour vehicle may have this feature. This
self-adjusting type of level control is fully
automatic and will provide a better leveled
riding position as well as better handling
under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. The system is activated when
sufficient weight is added to the vehicle,
and will automatically adjust vehicle height
thereafter. A hydraulic pump inside each
rear shock absorber raises the rear of the
vehicle to the proper height, based on
inputs from the road surface, while the
vehicle is being driven. It takes approxi-
mately two miles (3.2 km) of driving for the
leveling to complete, depending on the
road surface conditions.
If the loaded vehicle is not moved for
approximately twelve hours, the leveling
system may bleed down to a lower height.
This can be especially apparent if a trailer
is left attached to a parked vehicle for long
periods of time. The vehicle must be driven
to re-level the vehicle. If a self-equalizing
hitch is being used, the vehicle should be
driven approximately two miles (3.2 km)
with the trailer prior to adjusting (leveling)
the hitch.
Towing a TrailerTo identify the trailering capacity of your
vehicle, you should read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in
this section. Trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy. Suc-cessful, safe trailering takes correct equip-
ment, and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this section. In it are
many time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are impor-
tant for your safety and that of your pas-
sengers. So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure your rig will be
legal, not only where you live but also
where you will be driving. A good source
for this information can be state or pro-
vincial police.
Consider using a sway control. Refer to
“Hitches” later in this section.
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is
driven. Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
During the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at
full throttle. This helps your engine and
other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
WARNING
If you do not use the correct equip-
ment and drive properly, you can lose
control when you pull a trailer. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the brakes may not work well – or
even at all. You and your passengers
could be seriously injured. Pull a
trailer only if you have followed all
the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle.
CAUTION
Pulling a trailer improperly can dam-
age your vehicle and result in costly
repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Always follow the
instructions in this section and check
with your dealer for more information
about towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle.
5-2 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
FuelUse of the recommended fuel is an impor-
tant part of the proper maintenance of your
vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and
maintain optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline advertised
as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.Gasoline OctaneUse regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, you may
notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
Gasoline SpecificationsAt a minimum, gasoline should meet
ASTM specification D 4814 in the United
States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada.
Some gasolines contain an octane-
enhancing additive called methylcyclopen-
tadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
We recommend against the use of gaso-
lines containing MMT. Refer to “Additives”
in this section for additional information.California FuelIf your vehicle is certified to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to
operate on fuels that meet California spec-
ifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California emissions stan-
dards, your vehicle will operate satisfacto-
rily on fuels meeting federal specifications,
but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail
a smog-check test. Refer to “Malfunction
Indicator Lamp” in “Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators” in the “Instrument Panel”
section. If this occurs, return to your autho-
rized dealer for diagnosis. If it is deter-
mined that the condition is caused by the
type of fuel used, repairs may not be cov-
ered by your warranty.
AdditivesTo provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain
additives that will help prevent engine and
fuel system deposits from forming, allow-
ing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not
have to add anything to your fuel. How-
ever, some gasolines contain only the min-
imum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
regulations. To help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean, or if your vehicle expe-
riences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, look for gasoline that is advertised
as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer has additives that will help cor-
rect and prevent most deposit-related
problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gas-
olines may be available in your area. We
recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% eth-
anol) and other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles
that were not designed for those fuels.
5-9 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
system to work properly, you must reset
the system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil
life has been diminished, it will indicate
that an oil change is necessary. A change
engine oil light and a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message will come on. Refer to
“Change Engine Oil Light” in “Warning
Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in the
“Instrument Panel” section and “DIC Warn-
ings and Messages” in “Driver Information
Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument Panel”
section. Change your oil as soon as possi-
ble within the next 600 miles (1000 km). It
is possible that, if you are driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system may not
indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer has trained service people
who will perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you
must change your oil at 3000 miles (5000
km) since your last oil change. Remember
to reset the oil life system whenever the oil
is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life Sys-
tem
The Engine Oil Life System calculates
when to change your engine oil and filter
based on vehicle use. Anytime your oil ischanged, reset the system so it can calcu-
late when the next oil change is required. If
a situation occurs where you change your
oil prior to a change engine oil light or
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message
being turned on, reset the system.
1) Turn the ignition key to RUN with the
engine off.
2) Fully press and release the accelerator
pedal three times within five seconds.
The change engine oil light will flash
while the system is resetting.
3) When the light stops flashing, turn the
key to LOCK.
If the light or message comes back on and
stays on when you start your vehicle, the
engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements
that may be unhealthy for your skin and
could even cause cancer. Do not let used
oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or
a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used
engine oil. See the manufacturer’s warn-
ings about the use and disposal of oil prod-
ucts.
Used oil can be a threat to the environ-
ment. If you change your own oil, be sure
to drain all the oil from the filter before dis-
posal. Never dispose of oil by putting it inthe trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water.
Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil. If you have a prob-
lem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station, or a
local recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/FilterThe engine air cleaner/filter is located in
the engine compartment on the passen-
ger’s side of the vehicle. Refer to “Engine
Compartment Overview” in this section for
more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Mainte-
nance II intervals and replace it at the first
oil change after each 50000 mile (83000
km) interval. Refer to “Scheduled Mainte-
nance” in “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter remove the
filter from the vehicle and lightly shake the
filter to release loose dust and dirt. If the fil-
ter remains caked with dirt, a new filter is
required.
5-13 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning, but
see or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1) In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is
safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2) Set the climate controls to the highest
heat setting and fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warn-
ing, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warning
does not come back on, you can drive nor-
mally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can
idle the engine for three minutes while you
are parked. If you still have the warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to
get service help right away.
Overheated Engine Protection Operat-
ing Mode
This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in
an emergency situation. If an overheated
engine condition exists, an overheat pro-
tection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a significant
loss in power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light on the instrument panel will come on
to indicate the vehicle has entered over-
heated engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gage will also indicate an
overheat condition exists. Drivingextended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Cooling SystemWhen you decide it is safe to lift the hood,
here is what you will see:
1733770
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty. Refer to
“Overheated Engine Protection Oper-
ating Mode” in this section for infor-
mation on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
CAUTION
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating mode, to
avoid engine damage, allow the
engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of cool-
ant loss, change the oil and reset the
oil life system. Refer to “Engine Oil”
in this section.
5-18 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front and rear disc
brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indica-
tors that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and
new pads are needed. The sound maycome and go or be heard all the time your
vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal firmly.
Some driving conditions or climates may
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with your
brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications.
Brake pads should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is arapid increase in pedal travel. This could
be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or
without the vehicle moving, your brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is com-
plex. Its many parts have to be of top qual-
ity and work well together if the vehicle is
to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality
brake parts. When you replace parts of
your braking system – for example, when
your brake pads wear down and you need
new ones put in – be sure you get new
approved replacement parts. If you do not,
your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake
pads that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear
brakes can change – for the worse. The
braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
BatteryYour vehicle has a maintenance free bat-
tery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number
shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
® replacement
battery.
WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake system, the brakes may not
work well, or they may not even work
at all. This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake fluid.
CAUTION
Using the wrong fluid can badly
damage brake system parts. For
example, just a few drops of min-
eral-based oil, such as engine oil,
in the brake system can damage
brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong
kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehi-
cle’s painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Be careful
not to spill brake fluid on your vehi-
cle. If you do, wash it off immedi-
ately. Refer to “Washing Your
Vehicle” in this section.
WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to an acci-
dent. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
CAUTION
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
5-28 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
C. Aspect Ratio:
A two-digit number that indicates the
tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect
ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the
illustration, it would mean that the
tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as high as
it is wide.
D. Construction Code:
A letter code is used to indicate the
type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the letter B
means belted-bias ply construction.
E. Rim Diameter:
Diameter of the wheel in inches.
F. Service Description:
These characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the tire.
The load index represents the load
carry capacity a tire is certified to
carry. The load index can range from
1 to 279. The speed rating is the max-
imum speed a tire is certified to carry
a load. Speed ratings range from A to
Z.
Tire Terminology and DefinitionsAir 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/transaxle, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, and
air conditioning.
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 Tire Pressure:
The amount of air pressure in a tire, mea-
sured in pounds per square inch (psi) orkilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up
heat from driving. Refer to “Inflation – Tire
Pressure” in this section.
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
(DOT) motor vehicle safety standards. The
DOT code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire manufac-
turer, production plant, brand, and date of
production.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Refer to
“Loading Your Vehicle” in “Your Driving,
the Road, and Your Vehicle” in the “Driving
Your Vehicle” section.
GAWR FRT:
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle. Refer to “Loading Your Vehicle” in
“Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle”
in the “Driving Your Vehicle” section.
GAWR RR:
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle.
Refer to “Loading Your Vehicle” in “Your
5-32 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS will illuminate the low
tire pressure warning symbol on the instru-
ment panel cluster, and at the same time a
message to check the pressure in a spe-
cific tire will appear on the Driver Informa-
tion Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning symbol on the instru-
ment panel cluster and the check tire pres-
sure message will appear at each ignition
cycle until the tires are inflated to the cor-
rect inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and dis-
plays refer to “DIC Operation and Dis-
plays” and “DIC Warnings and Messages”
in “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the
“Instrument Panel” section.
The low tire pressure warning light may
come on in cool weather when the vehicle
is first started, and then turn off as you
start to drive. This may be an early indica-
tor that the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information Label,
attached to your vehicle, shows the size of
your vehicle’s original equipment tires and
the correct inflation pressure for your vehi-
cle's tires when they are cold. Refer to
“Loading Your Vehicle” in “Your Driving,the Road, and Your Vehicle” in the “Driving
Your Vehicle” section, for an example of
the Tire and Loading Information Label
and its location on your vehicle. Also refer
to “Inflation - Tire Pressure” in this section.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition but it
does not replace normal tire maintenance.
Refer to “Tire Inspection and Rotation” and
“Tires” in this section.
The TPMS will not function properly if one
or more of the TPMS sensors are missing
or inoperable. If the system detects a miss-
ing or inoperable sensor, an error mes-
sage SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
will be shown on the DIC display. If you
have replaced a tire/wheel assembly with-
out transferring the TPMS sensors, the
error message will be displayed. Once you
re-install the TPMS sensors, the error
message should go off. See your SUZUKI
dealer for service if all TPMS sensors are
installed and the error message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identifi-
cation code. Any time you replace one ormore of the TPMS sensors or rotate the
vehicle’s tires, the identification codes will
need to be matched to the new tire/wheel
position. The sensors are matched, to the
tire/wheel positions, in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side front
tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your SUZUKI dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors may also be matched
to each tire/wheel position by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure. When
increasing the tire’s pressure, do not
exceed the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match each
tire and wheel position. If it takes longer
than two minutes to match any tire and
wheel position, the matching process
stops and you will need to start over.
The TPMS matching process is outlined
below:
1) Set the parking brake.
2) Turn the ignition switch to RUN with the
engine off.
3) Using the DIC, press the vehicle infor-
mation button until the TIRE LOCA-
TIONS PRESS TO LEARN message
displays.
4) Press the set/reset button to allow the
system to learn the tire positions. The
horn will sound twice to indicate the
receiver is ready, and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message displays.
CAUTION
Do not use a tire sealant if your vehi-
cle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The
liquid sealant can damage the tire
pressure monitor sensors.