2008 SUZUKI RENO Owners Manual

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85Z14-03E
vehicle to cool down. It also helps the sys-
tem to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1) Press the recirculation button.
2) Press the A/C button.
3) Select the coolest temperature on the
temperature control knob.
4) Select the highest fan speed on the fan
control knob.
Using these settings together for long peri-
ods of time may cause the air inside of
your vehicle to become too dry. To prevent
this from happening, after the air in your
vehicle has cooled, turn off the recircula-
tion mode by pressing the button again.
The air-conditioning system removes mois-
ture from the air, so you may sometimes
notice a small amount of water dripping
underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of
high humidity (moisture) condensing on
the cool window glass. This can be mini-
mized if the climate control system is used
properly. There are two modes to clear fog
or frost from your windshield and side win-
dows. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. For best results, clear all
snow and ice from the windshield before
defrosting. Turn the air distribution knob to
select the defog or defrost mode.(Defog):
This mode directs air to the windshield,
side window outlets and floor outlets.
When you select this mode, the system
runs the air-conditioning compressor. To
defog the windows faster, turn the temper-
ature control knob clockwise to the warm-
est setting.
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Climate Controls:

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(Defrost):
This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield, with some air directed to the
side window outlets. When you select this
mode, the system runs the air-conditioning
compressor. To defrost the windows faster,
turn the temperature control knob clock-
wise to the warmest setting.
Rear Window and Outside Rearview
Mirror DefoggerYour vehicle may have a rear window and
outside mirror defogger.
The rear window defogger uses a warming
grid to remove fog or frost from the rear
window. This feature will only work when
the ignition is in ON.
(Rear):
Press the button to turn the rear window
and outside mirror defogger on or off. The
defogger will turn off approximately 10 min-
utes after the button is pressed. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible. An indicator light on the button
will come on to let you know that the fea-
ture is activated.
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CAUTION
Don’t use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do,
you could cut or damage the warm-
ing grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license,
tape, a decal or anything similar to
the defogger grid.
Climate Controls:

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Outlet AdjustmentUse the lever located in the center of each
outlet to change the direction of the airflow.
Use the thumbwheel located next to the
outlets to turn them on and off.
Operation Tips
 Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from
the air inlets at the base of the vehicle
that may block the flow of air into your
vehicle.
 Use of non-SUZUKI approved hood
deflectors may adversely affect the per-
formance of the system.
 Keep the path under the front seats clear
of objects to help circulate the air inside
of your vehicle more effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air FilterYour vehicle may be equipped with a pas-
senger compartment air filter. It is located
on the passenger side under the glove box.
The filter traps most of the pollen from air
entering the module. Like your engine’s air
cleaner/filter, it may need to be changed
periodically.
To change the passenger compartment air
filter, use the following steps:
1) Remove the four screws from the filter
cover located below the glove box.
2) Remove the filter cover.3) Remove the old passenger compart-
ment air filter.
4) Then reverse the steps to install the
new air filter.
Ensure that the new filter is inserted in
the proper orientation.
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Climate Controls:
Warning Lights, Gauges and Indicators:

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Warning Lights, Gauges and
IndicatorsThis section describes the warning lights
and gauges that may be on your vehicle.
The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gauges can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes seri-
ous enough to cause an expensive repair
or replacement. Paying attention to your
warning lights and gauges could also save
you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may
be or is a problem with one of your vehi-
cle’s functions. As you will see in the
details on the next few pages, some warn-
ing lights come on briefly when you start
the engine just to let you know they’re
working. If you are familiar with this sec-
tion, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.
Gauges can indicate when there may be or
is a problem with one of your vehicle’s
functions. Often gauges and warning lights
work together to let you know when there’s
a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on
and stays on when you are driving, or
when one of the gauges shows there may
be a problem, check the gauge that tells
you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can
be costly – and even dangerous. So pleaseget to know your warning lights and
gauges. They’re a big help.
Instrument Panel ClusterYour instrument panel cluster is designed
to let you know at a glance how your vehi-
cle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re
going, how much fuel you’re using and
many other things you’ll need to drive
safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this instrument panel
cluster, which includes indicator warning
lights and gauges that are explained on the
following pages.Speedometer and OdometerYour speedometer lets you see your speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and kilome-
ters per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle
has been driven, in miles.
Trip OdometerThe trip odometer can record the number
of kilometers or miles traveled for up to two
trips.
The trip odometer button is located in the
lower right area of the speedometer.
There are two independent trip odometers,
which measure the distances your vehicle
has traveled since you last reset this func-
tion.
You can switch the trip odometer display
between Trip A and Trip B by pressing the
trip odometer button.
To reset each trip meter to zero, press and
hold the trip odometer button until it resets.
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CAUTION
Keep track of your odometer reading
and check the maintenance schedule
regularly for required services.
Increased wear or damage to certain
parts can result from failure to per-
form required services at the proper
mileage intervals.
Warning Lights, Gauges and Indicators:

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TachometerThe tachometer shows your engine speed
in revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder LightWhen the key is turned to ON, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts, unless
the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light will also come on and
stay on until the driver’s safety belt is buck-
led.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, nei-
ther the chime nor the light will come on.
Safety Belt Reminder ToneIf your vehicle has this feature, a tone
(instead of a chime) will sound for several
seconds when the ignition is ON to remind
people to fasten their safety belts. The tone
will not sound if the driver’s safety belt is
fastened.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the red area, or engine
damage may occur. The damage
would not be covered by your war-
ranty.
WARNING
It is absolutely essential that the
driver and passengers wear their seat
belts at all times. Persons who are
not wearing seat belts have a much
greater risk of injury if an accident
occurs. Make a regular habit of buck-
ling your seat belt before putting the
key in the ignition.
Warning Lights, Gauges and Indicators:

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Air Bag Readiness LightThere is an air bag readiness light on the
instrument panel. The air bag readiness
system checks the air bag’s electrical sys-
tem for malfunctions. The light tells you if
there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensor, the air
bag modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag Systems” in section 1.
This light will come on when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for a few seconds.
Then the light should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after
you start the vehicle or comes on or
flashes when you are driving, the air bag
system may not work properly. Have your
vehicle serviced right away.The air bag readiness light should be illu-
minated for a few seconds when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If the light doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System LightThe charging system light will come on
when you turn on the ignition, and the
engine is not running, as a check to show
you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light
should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are
driving, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate
that you have a loose generator drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the
light on, be certain to turn off all your
accessories, such as the radio and air con-
ditioner.
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WARNING
If the air bag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the air bag system may not be work-
ing properly. The air bags in your
vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or
they could even inflate without a
crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the air bag readiness
light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
Warning Lights, Gauges and Indicators:

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Brake System Warning LightYour vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is
divided into two parts. If one part isn’t
working, the other part can still work and
you will be able to stop the vehicle. For
good braking, though, you need both parts
working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a
brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
This light should come on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t
come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will also come on when you
set your parking brake. The light will stay
on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If the lights stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You
may notice that the pedal is harder to
push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for ser-
vice. See “Towing Your Vehicle” in section
4.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
LightIf your vehicle has an anti-lock brake sys-
tem, the ABS warning light comes on
briefly when you turn the ignition ON. This
indicates that the system is performing a
self-check and the indicator bulb is operat-
ing properly. The light should go out after
several seconds.
Contact your SUZUKI dealer for repairs if
the ABS warning light does any of the fol-
lowing:
 Does not come on when the ignition is
turned ON.
 Does not go out after several seconds.
 Comes on while driving.
If the ABS warning light comes on while
driving, your vehicle may have an ABS
malfunction. Although your vehicle will
operate normally without ABS, have your
SUZUKI dealer check the system and
make any necessary repairs as soon as
possible.
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 engine
has been started and 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
If the brake system warning light
comes on, 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 Lights, Gauges and Indicators:

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Speed Sensitive Power Steering
(SSPS) Warning LightIf your vehicle has Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS), this warning light will
come on briefly when you turn the ignition
to ON as a check to show you the bulb is
working.
Then it should go out after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not come on, have
it fixed so it will be able to warn you if there
is a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on
while you are driving, the SSPS system
may not be working. If this happens, see
your SUZUKI dealer for service.
Hold Mode LightIf your vehicle has this feature, this light will
come on when the Hold mode is active.
If the HOLD mode light flashes, have your
vehicle checked.
See “Hold Mode” under “Automatic Trans-
mission Operation” in section 2 for addi-
tional information on this feature.
Engine Coolant Temperature GaugeYour vehicle is equipped with an engine
coolant temperature gauge. With the igni-
tion in the ON position, this gauge shows
the engine coolant temperature.
If the gauge pointer moves into the red
area, your engine is too hot! It means that
your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you
should pull off the road, stop your vehicle
and turn off the engine as soon as possi-
ble.
See “Engine Overheating” in section 5.
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Warning Lights, Gauges and Indicators: