2007 SUZUKI XL7 tires

4-14 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
of the road. Drive at speeds that let you
stay in your own lane.
 As you go over the top of a hill, be alert.
There could be something in your lane,
like a stalled car or an accident.
 You may see highway signs on moun-
tains that warn of special problems.
Examples are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones, a falling rocks area,
or winding roads. Be alert to these and
take appropriate action.Winter Driving
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Here are some tips for winter driving:
 Have your vehicle in good shape for win-
ter.
 You may want to put winter emergency
supplies in your vehicle.Also refer to “Tires” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or
broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid,
a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small
shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a cou-
ple of reflective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you properly
secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the
tires meet the road probably have good
traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between
the tires and the road, you can have a very
slippery situation. You will have a lot less
traction, or grip, and will need to be very
careful.
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What is the worst time for this? Wet ice.
Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard
to drive on. But wet ice can be even more
trouble because it may offer the least trac-
tion of all. You can get wet ice when it is
about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing
rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until salt and sand crews can get
there.
Whatever the condition – smooth ice,
packed, blowing, or loose snow – drive
with caution.
Traction control improves your ability to
accelerate when driving on a slippery road.
But you can turn the traction system off if
you ever need to. You should turn the trac-
tion system off if your vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. Refer to
“If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow” in this section. Even though your

4-16 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
able from the cold. But do it as little as pos-
sible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get out of the
vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exer-
cises every half hour or so until help
comes.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or SnowIn order to free your vehicle when it is
stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but
you do not want to spin your wheels too
fast. The method known as rocking can
help you get out when you are stuck, but
you must use caution.For information about using tire chains on
your vehicle, refer to “Tire Chains” in
“Tires” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front
wheels. If your vehicle has traction control,
you should turn the traction control system
off. Refer to “Traction Control System
(TCS)” in this section. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a for-
ward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in
gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it may need to be
towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, refer to “Towing Your Vehicle”
in this section.
Loading Your VehicleIt is very important to know how much
weight your vehicle can carry. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certifica-
tion label.
WARNING
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could
cause an engine compartment fire or
other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible.
Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedom-
eter.
CAUTION
Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires. If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting the transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
Refer to “Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out” in this section.
WARNING
Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum front
or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change
the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.

4-17 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
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A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label is attached to the vehicle’s
center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s
door open, you will find the label attached
below the door lock post (striker). The tire
and loading information label lists the num-
ber of occupant seating positions (A), and
the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B)
in kilograms and pounds. The vehicle
capacity weight includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-
installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label
also lists the tire size of the original equip-
ment tires (C) and the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures (D). For more infor-
mation on tires and inflation, refer to “Tires”
in the “Service and Appearance Care” sec-tion and “Inflation - Tire Pressure” in “Tires”
in the “Service and Appearance Care” sec-
tion.
There is also important loading information
on the Certification/Tire label. It tells you
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for the front and rear axles. See “Certifica-
tion/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit
1) Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2) Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3) Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4) The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehi-
cle, the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400
– 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5) Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
the load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this man-
ual to determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, refer to
“Towing a Trailer” in this section for impor-
tant information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules, and trailering tips.

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78J00-03E
Certification Label
52D059
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is
found on the rear edge of the driver’s door.
The label shows the size of your original
tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle. This is called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occu-
pants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also tells you
the maximum weights for the front and rear
axles, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to
a weigh station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure
to spread out your load equally on both
sides of the centerline.Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle
or the GAWR for either the front or rear
axle.
If you put things inside your vehicle – like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else – they will go as fast as the vehicle
goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they will keep going.
WARNING
Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum front
or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change
the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
WARNING
Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty. Do not over-
load your vehicle.
WARNING
Things you put inside your vehicle
can strike and injure people in a sud-
den stop or turn, or in a crash.
 Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
 Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
 Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
 When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever you
can.
 Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.

4-22 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
 Weight of the trailer
 Weight of the trailer tongue
 Weight on your vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Your vehicle can tow up to 2,900 lbs (1300
kg) with up to five occupants or up to 3,500
lbs (1575 kg) with up to two occupants. But
even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature and how much your
vehicle is used pull a trailer are all impor-
tant. It can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle,
and the amount of tongue weight vehicle
can carry. Refer to “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more infor-
mation.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the tow vehi-
cle and it has all the required trailering
equipment. The weight of additional
optional equipment, passengers and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from
the maximum trailer weight.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can write us
at our Customer Assistance Offices.Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an
important weight to measure because it
affects the total or gross weight of your
vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle. If you have
a lot of options, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight
your vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can
tow. And if you will tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the GVW because
your vehicle will be carrying that weight,
too. Refer to “Loading Your Vehicle” in this
section for more information about your
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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If you are using a weight-carrying or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue
weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15 per-cent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
tongue weight for your vehicle (400 lbs/181
kg).
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue, separately,
to see if the weights are proper. If they are
not, you may be able to get them right sim-
ply by moving some items around in the
trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to
the upper limit for cold tires. You will find
these numbers on the Certification/Tire
Label at the rear edge of the driver’s door,
or refer to “Loading Your Vehicle” in this
section. Then be sure you do not go over
the GVW limit for your vehicle, including
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going
by and rough roads are a few reasons why
you will need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
 If you will be pulling a trailer that, when
loaded, will weigh more than 2000 lbs
(900 kg), be sure to use a properly
mounted, weight-carrying hitch and sway
control of the proper size. This equip-
ment is very important for proper vehicle
loading and good handling when you’re
driving.

4-24 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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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.

SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
5
78J00-03E
SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CAREService ................................................................................. 5-1
Fuel ....................................................................................... 5-2
Checking Things Under the Hood ..................................... 5-5
All-Wheel Drive .................................................................... 5-22
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 5-23
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement .............................. 5-25
Tires ...................................................................................... 5-26
Appearance Care ................................................................. 5-48
Vehicle Identification .......................................................... 5-52
Electrical System ................................................................ 5-53
Capacities and Specifications ........................................... 5-57

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.