2008 SUZUKI FORENZA Owners Manual

2-17FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
(2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):
Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and
FIFTH (5), the same way you do for SEC-
OND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and
press the brake pedal. Just before the
vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and
brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:
Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):
To back up, press down the clutch pedal,
lift up the ring on the shift lever and shift
into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the
parking brake, for parking your vehicle.Shift Speed
Parking BrakeThe parking brake lever is located between
the bucket seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake
pedal down and pull up on the parking
brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking brakelever up until you can press the release
button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Winter parking tip
Under cold weather conditions, the parking
brake can freeze in the engaged position.
This is most likely to happen if the brakes
are wet.
If there is a risk that the parking brake may
freeze after driving through water deep
enough to wet brake components or after
having the vehicle washed:
1) Apply the parking brake only tempo-
rarily while you put the gear selector
lever in PARK (P) (for automatic tran-
saxle) or in first or reverse gear (for
manual transaxle).
2) Block the rear wheels with wedge
blocks.
3) Release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Shift into REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped. Shifting into
REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving could damage your transmis-
sion. The repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty.
WARNING
If you skip a gear when you down-
shift, you could lose control of your
vehicle. You could injure yourself or
others. Don’t shift down more than
one gear at a time when you down-
shift.
N4U2016A
CAUTION
Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat.
You may have to replace them, and
you could also damage other parts of
your vehicle. Verify that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:

2-18
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)1) Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2) Move the shift lever into PARK (P) posi-
tion.
3) Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4) Remove the key and take it with you. If
you can leave your vehicle with the igni-
tion key in your hand, your vehicle is in
PA R K ( P ) .Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine
Running
If you have to leave your vehicle with the
engine running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your parking brake is firmly
set before you leave it. After you’ve moved
the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regu-
lar brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pushing the button. If you can,
it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully
locked into PARK (P).To r q u e L o c k
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t
shift your transmission into PARK (P) prop-
erly, the weight of the vehicle may put too
much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is
called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting
Into Park (P)” in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the
shift lever out of PARK (P) before you
release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to
have another vehicle push yours a little
uphill to take some of the pressure from
the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)Your vehicle has a brake transmission shift
interlock system which locks the shift lever
in PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
LOCK position. You have to apply your reg-
ular brakes before you can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the ON position.
See “Automatic Transmission Operation” in
this section.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P) while
you hold the brake pedal down, try this:
1) Set the parking brake fully.
WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake
firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. Don’t
leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you
have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To be sure
your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, use the
steps that follow.
WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave your
vehicle with the engine running. Your
vehicle could move suddenly if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and
even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle
with the engine running.
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:

2-19FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
2) Turn the key to LOCK and remove the
key from the ignition switch.
3) Remove the hole cover from the shift
lock slot with a screwdriver
4) Insert the key into the shift lock slot and
press and hold it.
5) Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
6) Remove the key from the slot, insert it
into the ignition switch and start the
engine.
7) Apply and hold the regular brake fully
and release the parking brake.
8) Shift to the drive gear you want.
9) Have your vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)Before leaving your vehicle, do the follow-
ing:
1) Hold the brake pedal down and firmly
apply the parking brake.
2) Fully press in the clutch pedal and
place the shift lever into the appropriate
position as stated below:
– When parking on level ground, place
the shift lever into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
– When parking downhill, place the shift
lever in REVERSE (R).
– When parking uphill, place the shift
lever in FIRST (1).
3) After shifting to the appropriate posi-
tion, turn the ignition key to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
Parking Over Things That Can Burn
N4U2017A
WARNING
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Don’t park over papers,
leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
L3U2020A
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:

2-20
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You Are
Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine run-
ning. But if you ever have to, here are
some things to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into Park
(P)” or “Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission)” in this section.
WARNING
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains
the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which
you can’t see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
 Your exhaust system sounds
strange or different.
 Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
 Your vehicle was damaged in a col-
lision.
 Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the
road or over road debris.
 Repairs weren’t done correctly.
 Your vehicle or exhaust system had
been modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is com-
ing into your vehicle:
 Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
 Have your vehicle fixed immedi-
ately.
WARNING
Idling the engine with the climate
control system off could allow dan-
gerous exhaust into your vehicle. See
the earlier Warning under “Engine
Exhaust.”
Also, idling in a closed-in place can
let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into
your vehicle even if the climate con-
trol fan is at the highest setting. One
place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust – with CO – can come in eas-
ily. NEVER park in a garage with the
engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a bliz-
zard. See “Winter Driving” in the
Index.
WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) or the appropriate position
with the parking brake firmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. To determine
the appropriate position, see “Park-
ing Your Vehicle”. Don’t leave your
vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P) or the appropriate position
as described under “Parking Your
Ve h i cl e ” .
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:
Mirrors:

2-21FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
MirrorsManual Rearview MirrorWhen you are sitting in a comfortable driv-
ing position, adjust the mirror so you can
see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip the
mirror in the center to move it up or down
and from side to side.
The day/night adjustment allows you to
adjust the mirror to avoid glare from any
headlamps behind you. Push or pull the
tab for daytime/night use.
Outside Manual MirrorThe outside rearview mirrors should be
adjusted so you can see a little of the side
of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Adjust the outside mirrors with the control
levers on the driver’s and passenger’s
doors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded
flat against the side of the vehicle by push-
ing them toward the vehicle.
Outside Power MirrorsIf your vehicle has this feature, the control
for the power mirrors is located on the
driver’s side door trim.
Move the outside power mirror control to
“L” to adjust the left mirror and to “R” to
adjust the right mirror. If you place the con-
trol in the center position, no movement of
the mirror will occur. To adjust a mirror,
press the corresponding edges located on
the four-way control pad to move the mirror
in the direction that you want it to go. The
ignition must be to ON to adjust the mir-
rors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded
flat against the side of the vehicle by push-
ing them toward the vehicle.
L3U2021A
N4U2018A
N4U2019A
Mirrors:

2-22
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
Outside Convex MirrorYour passenger’s side mirror is convex. A
convex mirror’s surface is curved so you
can see more from the driver’s seat.Outside Heated MirrorsIf your vehicle has this feature, when you
operate the rear window defogger, the
heated driver’s and passenger’s outside
power mirrors are warmed to help clear
them of ice and snow. See “Rear Window
and Outside Mirror Defogger” under “Cli-
mate Control System” in section 3 for more
information.
Storage AreasGlove BoxThe glove box is located in front of the pas-
senger’s seat on the instrument panel.
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom
of the handle upward. Close the glove box
with a firm push.
Cupholder(s)The cupholders are located in the center
console and in the rear seat center arm-
rest.
To use the front cupholder, move the inner
support forward or backward. If your vehi-
cle has rear cupholders, push down the
rear seat center armrest to use them.
WARNING
A convex mirror can make things
(like other vehicles) look farther away
than they really are. If you cut too
sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on your right. Check
your inside mirror or glance over
your shoulder before changing lanes.
WARNING
Never drive with the glove box lid
open. It could cause injury if an acci-
dent occurs.
S4U2020A
N4U2021A
Storage Areas:

2-23FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
Sunglasses Storage CompartmentThe sunglasses storage compartment is
located above the driver’s door.
To open the sunglasses storage compart-
ment, pull down and hold the upper part of
the cover. To close the compartment, let go
of the cover and the compartment will
automatically close.
Front Storage AreaYour vehicle may have a sliding storage
tray located under the front passenger
seat. To use the tray, pull up on the end of
the tray and pull it toward the instrument
panel. Push the tray toward the seat to
return it to its original position.
Front Armrest Storage AreaYour vehicle has a front armrest storage
area. To open the storage area, pull up on
the lift lever and raise the lid. To close the
storage area, lower the lid and push it
down until it latches securely.Rear Seat ArmrestYour vehicle’s rear seat armrest may con-
tain two cupholders. To access the cup-
holders, pull the armrest down from the
rear seatback.
S4U2026A
N4U2022A
N4U2023A
Storage Areas:

2-24
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z04-03E
Floor Net (Wagon only)If your vehicle has a floor net, the floor net
can help keep small loads from moving
during sharp turns or quick starts and
stops.
Hang the four net hooks in the metal rings
on the each corner of the floor.
Side Storage Box (Wagon only)Side storage boxes are located in the left
and right side of luggage area.
To open the side storage box, pull the han-
dle on the side storage box door.
To close it, firmly push the door.
Under Floor Bins (Wagon only)There are various bins under the luggage
compartment floor.
To access the floor bins, pull the floor mat
handle upward.
N5U2002A
N5U2003A
CAUTION
Do not allow items in the bins to
extend above the top of the bin. Oth-
erwise, the bin or luggage floor may
be damaged.
N5U2004A
Storage Areas: