2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA tow

2-35BEFORE DRIVING
66J22-03E
not attach the top strap to the luggage
restraint loops (if equipped).
86G032
4) When routing the top strap, be sure to
pass it between the head restraint and
the rear seatback as shown. (Refer to
“Head Restraints” section for details onhow to raise or lower the head
restraint.)
5) Make sure that cargo does not interfere
with routing of the top strap.
Seat Belt Extender
65D613
(1) Center of body
(2) Less than 152 mm (6 inches)
(3) Open end of extender buckle
If a seat belt cannot be fastened securely
because it is not long enough, see your
authorized SUZUKI dealer for a seat belt
extender. Seat belt extenders are available
for each seating position except for the
rear center position. After inspecting the
relationship between the seat belt length,
the occupant’s body size, and the seat
adjustment (the driver’s seat should always
be adjusted as far back as possible while
still maintaining control of the vehicle, andother adjustable seats should be adjusted
as far back as possible), your dealer can
select the appropriate seat belt extender.
 A seat belt extender should only be used
for the person, vehicle and seating loca-
tion it was provided for.
 When using the extender, ensure that
both ends are latched securely. Do not
use the extender if the open end of the
extender’s buckle is within 152 mm (6
inches) of the center of the occupant’s
body (See diagram). Use of the extender
when the buckle is too close to the cen-
ter of the body could increase the risk of
abdominal injury in the event of an acci-
dent, and could cause the shoulder belt
to be positioned incorrectly.
 Make sure to use the correct buckle cor-
responding to your seating position.
 Seat belt extenders are not intended for
use by pregnant women, and should
only be used upon approval by their
medical advisors.
 Remove and stow the extender when it
is not being used.
WARNING
Do not attach the child restraint top
strap to the luggage restraint loops
(if equipped). Incorrectly attached top
strap will reduce the intended effec-
tiveness of the child restraint system.Ty p e 2 Ty p e 1
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 14

2-36
BEFORE DRIVING
66J22-03E
Seat Belt Pretensioner System
(for front seat belt only)
52D011
Your vehicle is equipped with a seat belt
pretensioner system at the front seating
positions. You can use the pretensioner
seat belts in the same manner as ordinary
seat belts.
The seat belt pretensioner system works
with the SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (advanced air bags). The crashsensors and the electronic controller of the
air bag system also control the seat belt
pretensioners. The pretensioners are trig-
gered only when the air bags are triggered
and the seat belts are fastened. If the seat
belts are not fastened, the respective pre-
tensioner system will not be activated. For
precautions and general information
including servicing the pretensioner sys-
tem, refer to the “Supplemental Restraint
System (air bags)” section in addition to
this “Seat Belt Pretensioner System” sec-
tion, and follow all those precautions.
The pretensioner is located in each front
seat belt retractor. The pretensioner tight-
ens the seat belt so the belt fits the occu-
pant’s body more snugly in the event of a
frontal crash. The retractors will remain
locked after the pretensioners are acti-
vated. Upon activation, some noise will
occur and some smoke may be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle.
The driver and all passengers must be
properly restrained by wearing seat belts
at all times, whether or not a pretensioner
is equipped at their seating position, to
minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a crash. Sit fully back in the
seat; sit up straight; do not lean forward or
sideways. Adjust the belt so the lap portion
of the belt is worn low across the pelvis,
not across the waist. Please refer to the
“Seat Adjustment” section and the instruc-
tions and precautions about the seat belts
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of injury in a
crash.
 Only use an extender for the per-
son, vehicle and seating position it
was provided for.
 Do not use if open end of
extender’s buckle is within 152 mm
(6 inches) of center of occupant’s
body (See diagram).
 Remove and stow the extender
when it is not being used.
WARNING
This section of the owner’s manual
describes your SUZUKI’s SEAT BELT
PRETENSIONER SYSTEM. Please
read and follow ALL these instruc-
tions carefully to minimize your risk
of severe injury or death.
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 14
Supplemental Restraint System (air bags): 3, 9, 12

3-6
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
Lighting Operation
66J024
This control lever is located on the out-
board side of the steering column. Operate
the lever as described below.
To turn the lights on or off, twist the knob
on the end of the lever. There are four posi-
tions: in the “OFF” (1) position all lights are
off; in the second (2) position the front
parking lights, tail-lights, license plate light
and instrument lights are on, but the head-
lights are off; in the third (3) position the
headlights come on in addition to the other
lights; in the “AUTO” (4) position, refer to
“Auto-On Headlight System” for details.
66J025
With the headlights on, push the lever for-
ward to switch to the high beams or pull
the lever toward you to switch to the low
beams. When the high beams are on, a
light on the instrument panel will come on.
To momentarily activate the high beams as
a passing signal, pull the lever slightly
toward you and release it when you have
completed the signal.
Auto-On Headlight System
66J026
The Auto-on headlight system automati-
cally turns on all lights that are operated by
the lighting control lever on the steering
column, when the following four conditions
are all met.
Conditions for Auto-on headlight system
operation:
1) It is dark around the light sensor (5).
2) The lighting control lever in the “AUTO”
position.
3) The ignition switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion.
4) The parking brake is released.
This system is operated by the signal from
the light sensor (5) on the right end of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor
(5). If you do, the system will not work cor-
rectly.
(1)(2) (3) (4)
HIGH
LOW
PASS
(5)
Lighting/Turn Signal Control Lever: 7, 8

3-8
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
Windshield Wiper and Washer
LeverWindshield Wipers
63J283
To turn the windshield wipers on, move the
lever up and down to one of the four oper-
ating positions. In the “INT” position (if
equipped), the wipers operate intermit-
tently. The “INT” position is very convenient
for driving in mist or light rain. In the “LO”
position, the wipers operate at a steady
low speed. In the “HI” position, the wipers
operate at a steady high speed. To turn off
the wipers, move the lever back to the
“OFF” position.
Move the lever up and hold it to the “MIST”
position, the windshield wipers will turn on
continuously at low speed.
63J284
If the lever is equipped with the “INT TIME”
control, turn the control forward or rear-
ward to adjust the intermittent wiper opera-
tion to the desired interval.
Windshield Washer
63J285
To spray windshield washer fluid, pull the
lever toward you. The windshield wipers
will automatically turn on at low speed if
they are not already on and if the “INT”
position is equipped.
MIST
OFF
INT
LO
HI
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WARNING
 To prevent windshield icing in cold
weather, turn on the defroster to
heat the windshield before and dur-
ing windshield washer use.
 Do not use radiator antifreeze in
the windshield washer reservoir. It
can severely impair visibility when
sprayed on the windshield, and can
also damage your vehicle’s paint.EXAMPLE
Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever: 8

4-5INSTRUMENT PANEL
66J22-03E
Brake System Warning Light
65D477
This light comes on briefly when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position.
The light also comes on under the follow-
ing conditions: 1) when the parking brake
is engaged, and 2) when the fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir falls below the speci-
fied level. The light should go out after fully
releasing the parking brake, if the fluid
level in the brake fluid reservoir is ade-
quate.
If the brake system warning light comes on
while you are driving the vehicle, it may
mean that there is something wrong with
the vehicle’s brake system. If this happens,
you should:
1) Pull off the road and stop carefully.
2) Test the brakes by carefully starting and
stopping on the shoulder of the road.3) If you determine that it is safe, drive
cautiously at low speed to the nearest
dealer for repairs,
or
4) Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer for repairs.
NOTE:
Because the disc brake system is self-
adjusting, the fluid level will drop as the
brake pads become worn.
Replenishing the brake fluid reservoir is
considered normal periodic maintenance.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
65D529
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly so
you can check that the light is working. If
the light stays on, or comes on when driv-
ing, there may be something wrong with
the ABS.
If the ABS light and the brake system
warning light stay on, or come on simulta-
neously when driving, then there may be
something wrong with both the rear brake
proportioning valve function and anti-lock
function of the ABS system.
If one of these happens, have the system
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer. If the
ABS becomes inoperative, the brake sys-
tem will function as an ordinary brake sys-
tem that has no ABS.
For details of the ABS, refer to “Anti-Lock
Brake system (ABS)” in the “OPERATING
YOUR VEHICLE” section.
WARNING
Remember that stopping distance
may be longer, you may have to push
harder on the pedal, and the pedal
may go down farther than normal.
WARNING
If any of the following conditions
occur, you should immediately ask
your SUZUKI dealer to inspect the
brake system.
 If the brake system warning light
does not go out after the parking
brake has been fully released.
 If the brake system warning light
does not come on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
 If the brake system warning light
comes on at any time during vehi-
cle operation.
Warning and Indicator Lights: 8

5-4
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
66J22-03E
Folding SeatsFolding Rear SeatsTo fold the rear seats forward:
1) Remove the luggage compartment
cover.
66J211
2) Stow the seat belt buckles of the center
and left seating position into the pocket
of the seat cushion as shown in the
illustration.3) Lower the adjustable head restraint
fully.
64J087
4) Pull the release lever forward on the top
of each split seat, and fold the seat-
backs forward.
WARNING
Gasoline is extremely flammable. Do
not smoke when refueling, and make
sure there are no open flames or
sparks in the area.
WARNING
If you need to replace the fuel cap,
use a genuine SUZUKI cap. Use of an
improper cap can result in a malfunc-
tion of the fuel system or emission
control system. It may also result in
fuel leakage in the event of an acci-
dent.
CAUTION
When you fold the rear seatback for-
ward, stow the seat belt buckles of
the center and left seating position
into the pocket first. This helps pre-
vent being caught by the seat and
being damaged.
CAUTION
Make sure the belt webbing is not
caught by the seat.
Fuel Filler Cap: 5
Folding Seats: 14

5-6
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
66J22-03E
To return the seat to the normal position,
follow the procedure below.
64J175
1) Unhook the strap from the head
restraint and stow the strap to the back
of the seat cushion.
64J091
2) Pull down the seat cushion until it locks
into place.
64J092
3) Raise the seatback until it locks into
place.
After returning the seat, try moving the
seat and seatback to make sure they are
securely latched.
WARNING
Luggage or other cargo should be
stowed in the luggage compartment
with the rear seat in an upright posi-
tion, whenever possible. If you need
to carry cargo in the passenger com-
partment with the rear seat back
folded forward, be sure to secure the
cargo or it may be thrown about,
causing injury. Never pile cargo
higher than the seatbacks.
WARNING
When returning the rear seat cushion
to the normal position, be careful that
your finger is not caught between the
lock and the floor.
CAUTION
 When returning the rear seat cush-
ion to the normal position, make
sure that there is nothing around
the striker. This prevents the seat
cushion from being locked
securely.
 When returning the rear seat cush-
ion to the normal position, make
sure that there is nothing under the
seat cushion. This prevents dam-
age to the seat cushion.
Folding Seats: 14

5-18
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
66J22-03E
Frame hooks are provided at the front and
rear of the vehicle.
To access the front hook, unhook the
lower part of the cover (1) and then
remove the cover (1).
Tire Changing Tool
64J124
The jack, wheel brace and jack handle are
stowed in the rear left corner of the lug-
gage compartment. Remove the cover to
access the tools.
To remove the jack, turn its shaft counter-
clockwise and pull the jack out of the stor-
age bracket. To stow the jack, place it in
the storage bracket and turn the shaft
clockwise until the jack is securely held in
place.
WARNING
Do not use the frame hooks to tow
another vehicle or to have your vehi-
cle towed on the road or highway.
The hooks are designed for use in
emergency situations only, such as if
your vehicle or another vehicle gets
stuck in deep mud or snow.
WARNING
The jack should be used only to
change wheels. It is important to read
the jacking instructions in the
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section of
this manual before attempting to use
the jack.
WARNING
After using the jack, extension rod
and lug wrench, be sure to stow them
securely, or they could be thrown
about in an accident, causing injury.
Frame Hooks: 5, 6
Tire Changing Tools: 3, 5