4-15DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z04-03E
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine,
make it go a little faster than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses
less fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle,
and possibly for signaling later on with your
headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the
window almost all the way to preserve the
heat. Start the engine again and repeat
this only when you feel really uncomfort-
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 You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is
stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but
you don’t want to spin your wheels too fast.
The method known as “rocking” can help
you get out when you’re stuck, but you
must use caution.For information about using tire chains on
your vehicle, see “Tire Chains” in section 5.Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around your
front wheels. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear (or with a manual transmission,
between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as lit-
tle as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transmis-
sion is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse direc-
tions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to
be towed out. If you do need to be towed
out, see “Towing Your Vehicle” in the fol-
lowing section.
WARNING
If you let your tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or
others could be injured. And, the
transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could
cause an engine compartment fire or
other damage. When you’re stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible.
Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedom-
eter.
CAUTION
Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires. If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your trans-
mission. See “Rocking Your Vehicle
To Get It Out.”
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle:
5-11SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z04-03E
4) Remove filler plug.
5) Make sure the fluid reaches the bottom
edge of the filler plug hole.
6) If the level is low, add fluid until it begins
to run out the filler hole.
7) After filling to the correct level, reinstall
the plug securely.
Recommend Automatic Transmission
Fluid and Maintenance Schedule
Change both the fluid and filter every
37,500 miles (60,000 km) if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F
(32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
For business uses such as taxi, police or
delivery service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in section 6 for the proper fluid to
use.
Manual Transmission FluidChecking Transmission Fluid Level1) Turn the engine off.
2) Allow the transmission to cool. It must
be cool enough for you to rest your fin-
gers on the transmission case.
3) Remove filler plug.
4) Make sure the fluid reaches the bottom
edge of the filler plug hole.
5) If the level is low, add fluid until it begins
to run out the filler hole.
6) After filling to the correct level, reinstall
the plug securely.
7) Visually check the transmission case
for leaks or damage.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in section 6 for the proper fluid to
use.
CAUTION
Use of automatic transmission fluid
labeled other than ESSO LT 71141 or
TOTAL ATF H50235 may damage your
vehicle, and the damages may not be
covered by your warranty. Always
use ESSO LT 71141 or TOTAL ATF
H50235 labeled automatic transmis-
sion fluid.
WARNING
This work requires special skill and
equipment. Before attempting to do
the work, be sure you are fully
acquainted with doing this job.
Have your SUZUKI dealer do this
work if you are not confident you can
complete the task safely.
Otherwise, you could be injured or
could damage the vehicle.
Checking Things Under the Hood:
5-40
SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z04-03E
The following steps will tell you how to use
the jack to change a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
A. Jack
B. Wrench
C. Jack Handle
D. S c r e w d r i ve r
The compartment spare tire and tools
you’ll need are located in the trunk.
1) Remove the trim cover from the floor of
the cargo area by pulling up on the tab.
2) Remove the foam tray that contains the
tools.
3) Turn the retainer on the compact spare
tire counterclockwise and remove the
retainer.
WARNING
Changing a tire can cause an injury.
The vehicle can slip off the jack and
roll over you or other people. You and
they could be severely injured. Find a
level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing:
1) Set the parking brake firmly.
2) Put an automatic transmission
shift lever in PARK (P), or shift a
manual transmission to FIRST (1)
or REVERSE (R).
3) Turn off the engine and do not
restart while the vehicle is raised.
4) Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle
won’t move, you should put blocks at
the front and rear of the tire farthest
away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other
side, at the opposite end of the vehi-
cle.
WARNING
Only use the jack for lifting this car
during an emergency tire change.
Tires:
5-54
SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z04-03E
Capacities and SpecificationsThe following approximate capacities are
given in English and metric conversions. CapacitiesSpecifications
EngineChassis
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning
Refrigerant R-134a1.41 lbs 0.64 kg
Brake/Clutch Fluid 0.53
quarts0.5 L
Engine Coolant 7.9
quarts7.4 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.2
quarts4.0 L
Fuel Tank 14.5
gallons55.0 L
Power Steering Fluid 1.2
quarts1.1 L
Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid
(Complete Overhaul)7.3 ± 0.2
quarts6.9 ±
0.2 L
Manual Transmission
Fluid (Complete Drain
and Refill)1.9
quarts1.8 L
Wheel Nut Torque 81 lb-ft 110 N.m
All capacities are approximate. When
adding, be sure to fill to the approximately
level, as recommended in this manual. Engine 2.0 L DOHC (L6)
VIN Code Z
Type 4-Cylinder / In-Line
Valve Train DOHC 16 Valve
Displacement 121.9 in
3 (1,998 cc)
Bore x stroke 3.39 in x 3.39 in
(86 mm x 86 mm)
Compression Ratio 9.6 : 1
Octane Rating 87 (Ron 91) or
higher
Spark
plugType FLR8LDCU
Gap 0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Battery Rating 12V – 55AH
Cold
Cranking
Ampere610 CCA
Front Suspension Type McPherson
Strut Type
Rear Suspension Type Dual Link
Ty p e
Alignment
(Curb
Weight)Front Camber –0°33’ ± 45’
Rear Camber –1°00’ ± 45’
Caster 4°00’ ± 45’
Front Toe-in 0°00’ ± 10’
Rear Toe-in 0°12’ ± 10’
6-4
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
85Z04-03E
Chassis and BodyMaintenance
IntervalKilometers (miles) or time in months, whichever comes first
Months 6 1218243036424854606672788490
Maintenance
Itemx 1,000 miles 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60 67.5 75 82.5 90 97.5 105 112.5
x 1,000 km 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156 168 180
Air Filter (A/C) RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Exhaust Pipe & Mountings I* I* I* I* I* I* I*
Brake/Clutch Fluid I R I R I R I
Front Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Rear Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Parking Brake IIIIIII
Brake Line & Connections
(Including Booster)IIIIIII
Manual Transmission Fluid I I I
Automatic Transmission Fluid IIIIIII
Chassis and Underbody Bolts and
Nuts Tight/SecureIIIIIII
Tire Condition & Inflation Pressure IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Tire Rotation Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Steering Wheel & Linkage I I I I I I I
Power steering Fluid & Lines I I I I I I I
Drive Shaft Boots IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Safety Belts, Buckles & Anchorages I I I I I I I
Lubricate Locks, Hinges & Hood Latch I I I I I I I
6-5MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
85Z04-03E
Chassis and Body (continued)Maintenance
IntervalKilometers (miles) or time in months, whichever comes first
Months 96 102 108 114 120 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180
Maintenance
Itemx 1,000 miles 120 127.5 135 142.5 150 157.5 165 172.5 180 187.5 195 202.5 210 217.5 225
x 1,000 km 192 204 216 228 240 252 264 276 288 300 312 324 336 348 360
Air Filter (A/C) RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Exhaust Pipe & Mountings I* I* I* I* I* I* I* I*
Brake/Clutch Fluid R I R I R I R I
Front Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Rear Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Parking Brake IIIIIIII
Brake Line & Connections
(Including Booster)IIIIIIII
Manual Transmission Fluid I I I I
Automatic Transmission Fluid IIIIIIII
Chassis and Underbody Bolts and
Nuts Tight/SecureIIIIIIII
Tire Condition & Inflation Pressure IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Tire Rotation Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Steering Wheel & Linkage I I I I I I I I
Power steering Fluid & Lines I I I I I I I I
Drive Shaft Boots IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Safety Belts, Buckles & Anchorages I I I I I I I I
Lubricate Locks, Hinges & Hood Latch I I I I I I I I
6-8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
85Z04-03E
Chassis and BodyMaintenance
IntervalKilometers (miles) or time in months, whichever comes first
Months 3 6 9 121518212427303336394245
Maintenance
Itemx 1,000 miles 3.75 7.5 11.25 15 18.75 22.526.25 30 33.75 37.5 41.25 45 48.75 52.5 56.25
x 1,000 km 6 1218243036424854606672788490
Air Filter (A/C) RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Exhaust Pipe & Mountings I* I* I*
Brake/Clutch Fluid I R I R I R I
Front Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Rear Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Parking Brake I I I
Brake Line & Connections
(Including Booster)III
Manual Transmission Fluid I
Automatic Transmission Fluid I I R I
Chassis and Underbody Bolts and
Nuts Tight/SecureIII
Tire Condition & Inflation Pressure I I I I I I I
Tire Rotation Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Steering Wheel & Linkage I I I
Power steering Fluid & Lines I I I
Drive Shaft Boots IIIIIII
Safety Belts, Buckles & Anchorages I I I
Lubricate Locks, Hinges & Hood Latch I I I
6-9MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
85Z04-03E
Chassis and Body (continued)Maintenance
IntervalKilometers (miles) or time in months, whichever comes first
Months 48 51 54 57 60 63 66 69 72 75 78 81 84 87 90
Maintenance
Itemx 1,000 miles 60 63.75 67.5 71.25 75 78.75 82.5 86.25 90 93.75 97.5
101.25
105
108.75
112.5
x 1,000 km 96 102 108 114 120 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180
Air Filter (A/C) RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Exhaust Pipe & Mountings I* I* I* I*
Brake/Clutch Fluid R I R I R I R I
Front Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Rear Brake Pads & Discs IIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Parking Brake I I I I
Brake Line & Connections
(Including Booster)IIII
Manual Transmission Fluid I I
Automatic Transmission Fluid I R I I R
Chassis and Underbody Bolts and
Nuts Tight/SecureIIII
Tire Condition & Inflation Pressure I I I I I I I I
Tire Rotation Rotate every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Steering Wheel & Linkage I I I I
Power steering Fluid & Lines I I I I
Drive Shaft Boots IIIIIIII
Safety Belts, Buckles & Anchorages I I I I
Lubricate Locks, Hinges & Hood Latch I I I I