9-28
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
66J22-03E
damage should be replaced. If any tires
show abnormal wear, have them
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer.
4) Check for loose wheel nuts.
5) Check that there are no nails, stones or
other objects sticking into the tires.
Uniform Tire Quality GradingThe U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration has developed a grading
system for evaluating the performance of
passenger car tires. The following informa-
tion will help you understand the grading
system, which applies to vehicles sold in
the U.S. Consult your SUZUKI dealer or
tire retailer for help in choosing the correct
replacement tires for your vehicle.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ADOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll Passenger Car Tires Must Conform To
Federal Safety Requirements in Addition
To These Grades
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however and may depart significantly from
WARNING
Hitting curbs and running over rocks
can damage tires and affect wheel
alignment. Be sure to have tires and
wheel alignment checked periodically
by your SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Your SUZUKI is equipped with tires
which are all the same type and size.
This is important to ensure proper
steering and handling of the vehicle.
Never mix tires of different size or
type on the four wheels of your vehi-
cle. The size and type of tires used
should be only those approved by
SUZUKI Motor Corporation as stan-
dard or optional equipment for your
vehicle.
WARNING
Replacing the wheels and tires
equipped on your vehicle with certain
combinations of aftermarket wheels
and tires can significantly change the
steering and handling characteris-
tics of your vehicle. Oversized tires
may also rub against the fender over
bumps, causing vehicle damage or
tire failure. Therefore, use only those
wheel and tire combinations
approved by SUZUKI Motor Corpora-
tion as standard or optional equip-
ment for your vehicle. For
information regarding the specified
tires, refer to the Tire Information
Label located on the driver’s side
door pillar or the “SPECIFICATIONS”
section.
CAUTION
Replacing the original tires with tires
of a different size may result in false
speedometer or odometer readings.
Check with your SUZUKI dealer
before purchasing replacement tires
that differ in size from the original
tires.
Tires: 6
9-29INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
66J22-03E
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the FederalMotor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Tire Rotation4-tire rotation
65D459
To avoid uneven wear of your tires and to
prolong their life, rotate the tires as illus-
trated. Tires should be rotated as recom-
mended in the periodic maintenanceschedule. After rotation, adjust front and
rear tire pressures to the specification
listed on your vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information Label.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation or exces-
sive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make 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
places where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency, 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.
Tires: 6
15-5
INDEX66J22-03E
Tire Rotation
........................................................................9-29
Tire Sidewall Labeling
.........................................................9-24
Tire Size
................................................................................9-25
Tires
......................................................................................9-24
Towing a Disabled Vehicle
.................................................10-4
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing)
.......................8-7
Traction Control System
.....................................................6-18
Trailer Towing
......................................................................8-2
Transfer Position Indicator Light
.......................................4-10
Transfer Switch
....................................................................4-17
Tripmeter
..............................................................................4-11
Troubleshooting
..................................................................4-53
Turn Signal Indicators
.........................................................4-9
Turn Signal Operation .........................................................3-7
UUnderfloor Bins
...................................................................5-23
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
.............................................9-28
Using the Transfer Switch
..................................................6-7
Using the Transmission
......................................................6-5
VVehicle Cleaning
..................................................................11-3
Vehicle Identification Number
............................................12-1
Vehicle Loading
........................................................... 8-1
, 9-33
Vehicle With Keyless Start System
............................ 3-2
, 6-3
Vehicle Without Keyless Start System
..............................3-1
WWarning and Indicator Lights
.............................................4-3
Warranties
............................................................................12-2
Washing
................................................................................11-4
Waxing ..................................................................................11-4
Windows ...............................................................................2-14Windshield Washer Fluid
................................................... 9-19
Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever
................................ 3-8
Wiper Blades
....................................................................... 9-44