2008 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Owners Manual

3-4
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
64J216
If the gearshift lever can not be shifted out
of “P” (Park) in the normal way, removing
the cover (1) and pushing the release but-
ton using a key or some other flat end
object with the key in the “ON” or “ACC”
position will permit movement of the gear-
shift lever out of “P” (see “If You Can Not
Shift Automatic Transmission Gearshift
Lever Out of “P” (PARK)” in the INDEX).
The gearshift lever can be moved back to
“P” without pushing the release button.
To release the steering lock, insert the key
or use the keyless start system and turn
the ignition switch clockwise to one of the
other positions. If you have trouble turning
the key to unlock the steering, try turning
the steering wheel slightly to the right or
left while turning the key.
(1)
WARNING
 For manual transmission vehicles,
never return the ignition switch to
the “LOCK” position and remove
the ignition key while the vehicle is
moving. The steering wheel will
lock and you will not be able to
steer the vehicle.
 Always carry the ignition key and
the remote controller (if equipped)
when leaving the vehicle even if for
a short time. Also do not leave chil-
dren or pets alone in a parked vehi-
cle. Unattended children could
cause accidental movement of the
vehicle or could tamper with power
windows or a power sunroof. Chil-
dren or pets could also suffer from
heatstroke in warm or hot weather,
which could result in severe injury
or even death.
CAUTION
 Do not turn the starter motor for
more than 15 seconds at a time. If
the engine does not start, wait 15
seconds before trying again. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, check the fuel and igni-
tion systems or consult your
SUZUKI dealer.
 Do not leave the ignition switch in
the “ON” position if the engine is
not running or the battery will dis-
charge.
Ignition Switch: 8, 10

3-5STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
Lighting/Turn Signal Control
Lever
66J023
52D166
Your vehicle’s lighting system is controlled
by three main systems: the Lighting switch,
the Auto-On Headlight System (when the
lighting switch is in the “AUTO” position)
and the Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.)
system.
The three systems work together to oper-
ate your lights as shown in the following
chart:
(1)
(2) (3)(4)
E/G: Engine
IG: Ignition switch
ON: Lights ON
LIGHT: When it is light around the light sensor (5).
DARK: When it is dark around the light sensor (5).
Lighting
switch
positionMain lights to
be operatedIG OFF IG ON
E/G OFF E/G OFF E/G RUNNING
LIGHT DARK LIGHT DARK LIGHT DARK
(1) OFFD.R.L. ––––ONON
Parking lights,
Tail lights––––––
Head lights ––––––
(2) MiddleD.R.L. ––––ONON
Parking lights,
Tail lightsON ON ON ON ON ON
Head lights ––––––
(3) ThirdD.R.L. ––––––
Parking lights,
Tail lightsON ON ON ON ON ON
Head lights ONONONONONON
(4) AUTOD.R.L. ––––ON–
Parking lights,
Tail lights–––ON–ON
Head lights – – – ON – ON
Lighting/Turn Signal Control Lever: 7, 8

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

3-7STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
NOTE:
This system does not react to all types of
ambient light. As the sensor is infrared
type, it will not work correctly with ambient
lights that do not contain infrared rays.
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.)
SystemThe headlights light, but are dimmer than
the low beam, when the following three
conditions are all met. Also, the D.R.L. indi-
cator light on the instrument panel comes
on.
Conditions for D.R.L. system operation:
1) The engine is running.
2) The parking brake is released.
3) The lighting switch is in either the “OFF”
or the “Second” position: or The lighting
switch is in the “AUTO” position and it is
light around the light sensor.
NOTE:
Be sure to turn the lighting switch to the
third position at night or at any time of the
day when driving or weather conditions
require the headlights to operate at full
brightness and the taillights to be on.
Lights “On” reminder
A buzzer sounds to remind you to turn off
the lights if they are left on when the igni-
tion key is removed and the driver’s door is
opened.
Turn Signal OperationWith the ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion, move the lever up or down to activate
the right or left turn signals.
66J027
Normal turn signal
Move the lever all the way up to signal a
right turn or all the way down to signal a
left turn. When the turn is completed, the
signal will cancel and the lever will return to
its normal position.
Lane change signal
In some turns, such as changing lanes, the
steering wheel is not turned far enough to
cancel the turn signal. For convenience,
you can flash the turn signal by moving the
lever part way and holding it there. The
lever will return to its normal position when
you release it.
WARNING
It takes about 5 seconds for the light
sensor to react to a change in light-
ing conditions. To help avoid an acci-
dent due to reduced visibility, turn on
your headlights before driving into a
tunnel, parking structure or the like.
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

3-9STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Switch
63J286
To turn the rear wiper on, twist the rear
wiper switch on the end of the lever for-
ward to the “ON” position. If your vehicle is
equipped the “INT” position, the rear wiper
operates intermittently when you twist the
switch forward to the “INT” position. To turn
the rear wiper off, twist the switch rearward
to the “OFF” position.
With the rear wiper in the “OFF” position,
twist the switch rearward and hold it there
to spray window washer fluid.
With the rear wiper in the “ON” position,
turn the switch forward and hold it there to
spray window washer fluid.
CAUTION
To help prevent damage to wind-
shield wiper and washer system
components, you should take the fol-
lowing precautions:
 Do not continue to hold in the lever
when there is no windshield
washer fluid being sprayed or the
washer motor can be damaged.
 Do not attempt to remove dirt from
a dry windshield with the wipers or
you can damage the windshield
and the wiper blades. Always wet
the windshield with washer fluid
before operating the wipers.
 Clear ice or packed snow from the
wiper blades before using the wip-
ers.
 Check the washer fluid level regu-
larly. Check it often when the
weather is bad.
 Only fill the washer fluid reservoir
3/4 full during cold weather to allow
room for expansion if the tempera-
ture falls low enough to freeze the
solution.
EXAMPLE
Wiper
Intermittent wiper
Washer
CAUTION
Clear ice or snow from the rear win-
dow and rear wiper blade before
using the rear wiper. Accumulated ice
or snow could prevent the wiper
blade from moving, causing damage
to the wiper motor.
Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever: 8
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Switch: 8

3-10
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
Tilt Steering Lock Lever
64J037
The release lever is located under the
steering column. To adjust the steering
wheel height:
1) Pull up the lock lever to unlock the
steering column.
2) Adjust the steering wheel to the desired
height and lock the steering column by
pulling down the lock lever.
3) Try moving the steering wheel up and
down to make sure it is securely locked
in position.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
66J192
The cruise control system allows you to
maintain a steady speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal. The
controls for operating the cruise control
system are on the steering wheel. You can
use the cruise control system at speeds of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or higher.
52D113
When you push the “ON/OFF” switch, the
system is on and a “CRUISE” indicator
light on the instrument cluster will be on.
65D474
When the vehicle’s speed is controlled by
the cruise control system, a “SET” indica-
tor light on the instrument cluster will be
on.
WARNING
Never attempt to adjust the steering
wheel height while the vehicle is
moving or you could lose control of
the vehicle.
UNLOCK
EXAMPLELOCK
WARNING
To help avoid loss of vehicle control,
do not use the cruise control system
when driving in heavy traffic, on slip-
pery or winding roads, or on steep
downgrades.
Tilt Steering Lock Lever: 6
Cruise Control: 7, 8

3-11STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
66J22-03E
66J193
To Set Cruising SpeedTurn on the cruise control system by push-
ing the “ON/OFF” switch (1). Accelerate to
the desired speed and push the “SET/
COAST” switch (3). Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and the set speed will be
maintained.
With the cruise control on, you can
increase speed for passing by using the
accelerator pedal. When you take your foot
off the pedal, your vehicle will return to the
set speed.To Change Cruising SpeedTo reset the cruise control to a slower
speed, hold in the “SET/COAST” switch (3)
until the vehicle has slowed to the desired
speed, then release the switch. The new
speed will be maintained.To reset the cruise control to a faster
speed, use either of the following proce-
dures:
 Hold in the “RES/ACC” switch (4). Vehi-
cle speed will steadily increase. When
you release the switch, the new speed
will be maintained.
 Accelerate to the desired speed using
the accelerator pedal and push the
“SET/COAST” switch (3). The new
speed will be maintained.
To C a n c e lTo cancel cruise control operation, use one
of the following procedures:
 Slightly depress the brake pedal or
clutch pedal, or push the “CANCEL”
switch (2). Cruise control operation will
be canceled until you reset a cruising
speed by pushing the “SET/COAST”
switch (3) or “RES/ACC” switch (4).
 Push the “ON/OFF” switch (1). Cruise
control operation will be canceled until
you turn on the system by pushing the
“ON/OFF” switch (1) again and reset a
cruising speed by pushing the “SET/
COAST” switch (3).
Cruise control operation will also be can-
celed any time the vehicle speed falls
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
To “Resume” a Previously Set
SpeedAfter canceling cruise control operation
without turning off the “ON/OFF” switch
(1), you can “resume” a previously set
speed, by holding the “RES/ACC” switch
(4) for about one second. When you
release the switch, the vehicle will acceler-
ate to and maintain the previously set
speed.
NOTE:
If the “ON/OFF” switch (1) is turned off, the
set speed in the memory is cleared and
you can not use the Resume feature. In
this case, reset your CRUISE speed.
(1) (2)
(4)(3)
Cruise Control: 7, 8