2008 SUZUKI FORENZA oil

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SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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1) Park the vehicle on a level surface. You
can remove the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pres-
sure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap
slowly counterclockwise (left) about two
or two and one-half turns. If you hear a
hiss, wait for that to stop. This will allow
any pressure still left to be vented out
the discharge hose.
WARNING
Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out and
burn you badly. They are under pres-
sure, and if you loosen the coolant
surge tank pressure cap – even a lit-
tle – they can come out at high
speed. Wait for the cooling system
and coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to loosen the
pressure cap.
WARNING
Adding only plain water to your cool-
ing system can be dangerous. Plain
water, or some other liquid such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you
wouldn’t get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you
or others could be burned. Use a 60/
40 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and a proper coolant.
L3U5019A
CAUTION
In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater
core and other parts. Use the recom-
mended coolant and the proper cool-
ant mixture.
WARNING
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot engine parts. Coolant con-
tains ethylene glycol and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot enough.
Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
Checking Things Under the Hood:

5-19SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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When your brake fluid falls to a low level,
your brake warning light will come on. See
“Brake System Warning Light” in section 3.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid. Use new brake fluid
from a sealed container only. See “Recom-
mended Fluids and Lubricants” in section
6.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap
and the area around the cap before remov-
ing it. This will help keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.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 may
come 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 SUZUKI torque specifica-
tions.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in section
6.
WARNING
If you have too much brake fluid, it
can spill on the engine. The fluid will
burn if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged.
WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in your
brake system, your 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 your brake system can damage
brake system parts so badly that
they’ll have to be replaced. Don’t let
someone put in the wrong kind of
fluid.
 If you spill brake fluid on your vehi-
cle’s painted surfaces, the paint fin-
ish can be damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately.
See “Appearance Care” in the
Index.
WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon your brakes won’t
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.
Checking Things Under the Hood:

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Glossary of Tire TerminologyAir 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, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, and air con-
ditioning.
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 Inflation Pressure:
The amount of air pressure in a tire, mea-
sured in pounds per square inch (psi)
before a tire has built up heat from driving.
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
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification Num-
ber (TIN), an alphanumeric designator
which can also identify the tire manufac-
turer, production plant, brand and date of
production.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
This is the maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all occupants, accessories and cargo).
GAWR:
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
This is the maximum permissible weight on
an individual axle.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:
The side of an asymmetrical tire that must
always face outward when mounted on a
vehicle.Kilopascal (kPa):
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:
A tire used on light duty trucks and some
multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:
An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure:
The maximum air pressure to which a cold
tire may be inflated. The maximum air
pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:
The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:
The sum of curb weight; accessory weight;
vehicle capacity weight; and production
options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:
The number of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg).
Occupant Distribution:
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as
specified in the third column of Table 1
(shown below).
Outward Facing Sidewall:
The side of a asymmetrical tire that has a
particular side that faces outward when
Tires:

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SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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4) Insert the jack handle and the wheel
wrench into the jack.
5) Raise the vehicle by turning the jack
handle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far
enough off the ground so there is
enough room for the compact spare tire
to fit underneath the wheel well.
6) Remove all of the wheel nuts by turning
them counterclockwise.
7) Remove the flat tire.8) Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting surfaces and spare
wheel.9) Place the compact spare tire on the
wheel-mounting surface.
10)Reinstall the wheel nuts with the
rounded end of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each wheel nut by turn-
ing it clockwise with your hand until the
wheel is held against the hub.
11)Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel
handle counterclockwise. Lower the
jack completely.
12)Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a criss-
cross sequence as shown.
WARNING
Raising your vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage
the vehicle and even make the vehi-
cle fall. To help avoid personal injury
and vehicle damage, be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
WARNING
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make the wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from the places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emer-
gency, you can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this, but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
WARNING
Never use oil or grease on studs or
nuts. If you do, the nuts might come
loose. Your wheel could fall off, caus-
ing a serious accident.
Tires:

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Appearance CareRemember, cleaning products can be haz-
ardous. Some are toxic. Others can burst
into flames if you strike a match or get
them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some
are dangerous if you breathe their fumes in
a closed space. When you use anything
from a container to clean your vehicle, be
sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you are cleaning
the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
 Gasoline
 Benzene
 Naphtha
 Carbon Tetrachloride
 Acetone
 Paint Thinner
 Turpentine
 Lacquer Thinner
 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous – some more
than others – and they can all damage
your vehicle, too.
Do not use any of these unless this manual
says you can. In many uses, these will
damage your vehicle:
 Alcohol
 Laundry Soap
Bleach
 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your VehicleUse a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather,
plastic and painted surfaces with a clean,
damp cloth.
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet
Your SUZUKI dealer has cleaners for the
cleaning of fabric and carpet. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
You can get SUZUKI approved cleaning
products from your SUZUKI dealer. See
“Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials” later
in this section.
Here are some cleaning tips:
 Always read the instructions on the
cleaner label.
 Clean up stains as soon as you can –
before they set.
 Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
 Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change
to a clean area often. A soft brush may
be used if stains are stubborn.
 If a ring forms on fabric after spot clean-
ing, clean the entire area immediately or
it will set.Using Cleaner on Fabric
1) Vacuum and brush the area to remove
any loose dirt.
2) Always clean a whole trim panel or sec-
tion. Mask surrounding trim along stitch
or welt lines.
3) Follow the directions on the container
label.
4) Apply cleaner with a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material and don’t
rub it roughly.
5) As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove any excess
cleaner.
6) Wipe cleaned area with a clean, water-
dampened towel or cloth.
7) Wipe with a clean cloth and let dry.
Specific Fabric Cleaning Problems
Stains caused by such things as catsup,
coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk,
soft drinks, vomit, urine and blood can be
removed as follows:
1) Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool water.
2) If a stain remains, follow the cleaner
instructions described earlier.
3) If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or
urine, treat the area with a water/baking
soda solution: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of bak-
ing soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm
water.
4) Let dry.
Appearance Care:

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SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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Stains caused by candy, ice cream, may-
onnaise, chili sauce and unknown stains
can be removed as follows:
1) Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2) First, clean with cool water and allow to
dry completely.
3) If a stain remains, follow the cleaner
instructions described earlier.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove
dirt. You may have to do this more than
once.
 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish
will stain if you don’t get them off quickly.
Use a clean cloth and vinyl cleaner. See
your SUZUKI dealer for this product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a
mild soap or saddle soap and wipe dry
with a soft cloth. Then, let the leather dry
naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
 For stubborn stains, use a leather
cleaner.
 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based
or abrasive cleaners, furniture polish or
shoe polish on leather.
 Soiled or stained leather should be
cleaned immediately. If dirt is allowed to
work into the finish, it can harm the
leather.Cleaning the Top of the Instrument
Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the
top surfaces of the instrument panel.
Sprays containing silicones or waxes may
cause annoying reflections in the wind-
shield and even make it difficult to see
through the windshield under certain con-
ditions.
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on
a soft cloth or sponge. Commercial clean-
ers may affect the surface finish.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. SUZUKI
Glass Cleaner or a liquid household glass
cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke
and dust films on interior glass. See
SUZUKI Vehicle Care/Appearance Materi-
als in this section.Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Weather-stripsSilicone grease on weather-strips will
make them last longer, seal better, and not
stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease with
a clean cloth at least every six months.
During very cold, damp weather more fre-
quent application may be required. Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehi-
cleThe paint finish on your vehicle provides
beauty, depth of color, gloss retention and
durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s fin-
ish is to keep it clean by washing it often
with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays
of the sun. Use a car washing soap. Don’t
use strong soaps or chemical detergents.
Be sure to rinse the vehicle well, removing
all soap residue completely. You can get
approved cleaning products from your
CAUTION
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals on the inside
rear window, since they may have to
be scraped off later. If abrasive clean-
ers are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element
may be damaged. Any temporary
license should not be attached
across the defogger grid.
WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If
you do, it may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection. Clean
safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Appearance Care:

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SUZUKI dealer. See “Vehicle Care/
Appearance Materials” later in this section.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petro-
leum based, or that contain acid or abra-
sives. All cleaning agents should be
flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the fin-
ish with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cot-
ton towel to avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft
cloth and a car washing soap to clean
exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instruc-
tions under Washing Your Vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of
your vehicle by hand may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint finish. You
can get SUZUKI-approved cleaning prod-
ucts from your SUZUKI dealer. See “Vehi-
cle Care/Appearance Materials” later in
this section.
Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clear coat”
paint finish. The clear coat gives more
depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/
clear coat paint finish.Foreign materials such as calcium chloride
and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil
and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc., can damage
your vehicle’s finish if they remain on
painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If necessary, use non-
abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to
aging, weather and chemical fallout that
can take their toll over a period of years.
You can help to keep the paint finish look-
ing new by keeping your vehicle garaged
or covered whenever possible.
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer, or if the wiper blade
chatters when running, wax, sap or other
material may be on the blade or wind-
shield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
full-strength glass cleaning liquid. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.Grime from the windshield will stick to the
wiper blades and affect their performance.
Clean the blades by wiping vigorously with
a cloth soaked in full-strength windshield
washer solvent. Then rinse the blades with
water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as
necessary; replace blades that look worn.
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean
cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with
clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry
with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to
the painted surface of your vehicle. Don’t
use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive pol-
ishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on them
because you could damage the surface.
Do not use chrome polish on aluminum
wheels.
Don’t take your vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash that has silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes. These brushes can
also damage the surface of these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with
tire cleaner.
CAUTION
Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish may dull the finish or
leave swirl marks.
Appearance Care:
Vehicle Identification:
Electrical System:

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SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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Sheet Metal DamageIf your vehicle is damaged and requires
sheet metal repair or replacement, make
sure the body repair shop applies anti-cor-
rosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts
will provide the corrosion protection while
maintaining the warranty.Finish DamageAny stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the finish should be repaired
right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly
and may develop into major repair
expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired
with touch-up materials available from your
SUZUKI dealer. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your SUZUKI
dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody MaintenanceChemicals used for ice and snow removal
and dust control can collect on the under-
body. If these are not removed, acceler-
ated corrosion (rust) can occur on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor pan and exhaust system even though
they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials
from the underbody with plain water. Clean
any areas where mud and debris can col-
lect. Dirt packed in close areas of the
frame should be loosened before being
flushed. Your SUZUKI dealer or an under-
body car washing system can do this for
you.Chemical Paint SpottingSome weather and atmospheric conditions
can create a chemical fallout. Airborne pol-
lutants can fall upon and attack painted
surfaces on your vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discol-
orations, and small, irregular dark spots
etched into the paint surface.Vehicle Care/Appearance MaterialsSee your SUZUKI dealer for more informa-
tion on purchasing the following products.
CAUTION
When applying a tire dressing,
always take care to wipe off any over-
spray or splash from all painted sur-
faces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products
may damage the paint finish and
tires.
Description Usage
Polishing Cloth
Wax-TreatedInterior and exterior
polishing cloth.
Tar and Road
Oil RemoverRemoves tar, road oil
and asphalt.
Chrome
Cleaner and
Po l i s hUse on chrome or
stainless steel.
White Sidewall
Tire CleanerRemoves soil and
black marks from
whitewalls.
Vinyl Cleaner Cleans vinyl tops,
upholstery and con-
ver tible tops.
Glass Cleaner Removes dirt, grime,
smoke and finger-
prints.
Chrome and
Wire Wheel
CleanerRemoves dirt and
grime from chrome
wheels and wire
wheel covers.
Finish
EnhancerRemoves dust, finger-
prints, and surface
contaminants, Spray
on wipe off.
Electrical System: