2008 SUZUKI RENO ignition

4-12
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z14-03E
 Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good
enough for long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated to the recommended
pressure?
 Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a
major storm system?
 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as “high-
way hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling
asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-
nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you
sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does,
your vehicle can leave the road in less than
a second, and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your rear-
view mirrors and your instruments fre-
quently. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a
rest, service or parking area and take a
nap, get some exercise, or both. For
safety, treat drowsiness on the highway
as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain RoadsDriving on steep hills or mountains is differ-
ent from driving in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if
you’re planning to visit there, here are
some tips that can make your trips safer
and more enjoyable.
 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system and transmission. These
parts can work hard on mountain roads.
 Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know is this: let your
engine do some of the slowing down.Shift to a lower gear when you go down
a steep or long hill.
 Know how to go uphill. You may want to
shift down to a lower gear. The lower
gears help cool your engine and trans-
mission, and you can climb the hill bet-
ter.
 Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains.
Don’t swing wide or cut across the cen-
ter of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
WARNING
If you don’t shift down, your brakes
could get so hot that they wouldn’t
work well. You would then have poor
braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
WARNING
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
Your brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing you down. They
could get so hot that they wouldn’t
work well. You would then have poor
braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have
your engine running and your vehicle
in gear when you go downhill.
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle:

4-16
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z14-03E
TowingTowing Your VehicleConsult your SUZUKI dealer or a profes-
sional towing service if you need to have
your disabled vehicle towed.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle for recreational purposes
(such as behind a motorhome), see the fol-
lowing section, “Recreational Vehicle Tow-
ing”.Recreational Vehicle TowingRecreational vehicle towing means towing
your vehicle behind another vehicle – such
as behind a motorhome. The two most
common types of recreational vehicle tow-
ing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing
your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground) and “dolly towing” (towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a
“dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equip-
ment, many vehicles can be towed in these
ways. See the following sections, “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing”.Here are some important things to con-
sider before you do recreational vehicle
towing:
 What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehi-
cle manufacturer’s recommendations.
 How far will you tow? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
 Do you have the proper towing equip-
ment? See your SUZUKI dealer or traile-
ring professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.
 Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just
as you would prepare your vehicle for a
long trip, you’ll want to make sure your
vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
“Before Leaving on a Long Trip” in this
section.
Dinghy Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed
with all four wheels on the ground. If your
vehicle must be towed, you should use a
dolly. See “Dolly Towing” that follows for
more information.Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To
tow your vehicle using a dolly, follow these
steps:
1) Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2) Put the vehicle in PARK(P) for auto-
matic transaxle and NEUTRAL (N) for
manual transaxle.
3) Set the parking brake and then remove
the ignition key.
4) For a vehicle with an automatic tran-
saxle, remove the hole cover from the
shift lock release slot, insert the key,
WARNING
Always use a safety chain when tow-
ing your vehicle and be sure to
observe federal, state, and local
requirement for trailer hitches, tow
bars, lights, etc.
CAUTION
Towing your vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground will damage
drivetrain components. The repairs
would not be covered by your war-
ranty.
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
with the front wheels on the road.
This could cause severe transmis-
sion damage.
Towing:

5-21SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z14-03E
2) Get the vehicles close enough so the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure
the vehicles aren’t touching each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground con-
nection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles
rolling, set the parking brake firmly on
both vehicles involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (P) or a manual transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL before setting the
parking brake.3) Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories
plugged into the cigarette lighter or in
the accessory power outlet. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that aren’t needed.
This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save your
radio!
4) Open the hoods and locate the batter-
ies. Find the positive (+) and negative
(–) terminal locations on each vehicle.
Your vehicle’s positive (+) terminal is
located under a red tethered cap on the
battery. The negative (–) terminal is
located under a black tethered cap on
the battery. See “Engine Compartment
Overview” in this section for more infor-
mation on location. Flip the caps up to
access the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals.
5) Check that the jumper cables don’t
have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) or to a
remote positive (+) terminal if the vehi-
cle has one. Negative (–) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (–) terminal if the
vehicle with the dead battery has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to negative
(–) or you’ll get a short that would dam-
CAUTION
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt sys-
tem with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only use
vehicles with 12-volt systems with
negative grounds to jump start your
vehicle.
CAUTION
If you leave your radio or other acces-
sories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged.
The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. Always turn off your
radio and other accessories when
jump starting your vehicle.
WARNING
An electric fan under the hood can
start up and injure you even when the
engine is not running. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode. People
have been hurt doing this, and some
have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You don’t need to add water to
the battery installed in your new vehi-
cle. But if a battery has filler caps, be
sure the right amount of fluid is
there. If it is low, add water to take
care of that first. If you don’t, explo-
sive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can
burn you. Don’t get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, flush the place with water
and get medical help immediately.
Checking Things Under the Hood:

5-32
SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z14-03E
Speed Rating:
An alphanumeric code assigned to a tire
indicating the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.
Tr a c t i o n :
The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tr e a d :
The portion of a tire that comes into con-
tact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators:
Narrow bands, sometimes called “wear
bars,” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains.
UTQGS:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a
tire information system that provides con-
sumers with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The rat-
ings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:
The number of designated seating posi-
tions multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus the
rated cargo load.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:
The load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its share
of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and
dividing by two.Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire:
The load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its share
of the curb weight, accessory weight, and
normal occupant weight (distributed in
accordance with Table 1 shown below) and
dividing by 2.
TABLE 1 – Occupant Loading and Dis-
tribution For Vehicle Normal Load For
Various Designated Seating Capacities
Vehicle Placard:
A label permanently attached to a vehicle
showing the original equipment tire size
and recommended inflation pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
SystemIf your vehicle is equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system, it uses pressure
sensors containing a unique identification
code to monitor the inflation pressure of
the tires. When the inflation pressure of
one or more tires indicates significant
under-inflation, the tire pressure warning
light comes on. If the warning light blinks,
for approximately one minute and then illu-
minates continuously, the monitoring sys-
tem may not be working. For more
information, see “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System Warning Light” in section 3.
The tire pressure monitoring system does
not replace normal tire maintenance. See
“Inflation – Tire Pressure & Correcting the
Tire Pressure” in this section for more
information.
Designated
seating capac-
ity, number of
occupantsVehicle nor-
mal load, num-
ber of
occupantsOccupant
distribution in
a normally
loaded vehicle
2 through 4 2 2 in front
5 through 10 32 in front, 1 in
second seat
WARNING
If the tire pressure warning light does
not come on when the ignition is
turned to the “ON” position, or
comes on and blinks while driving
there may be a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system. Have
your vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized dealer.
Tires:

5-52
SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
85Z14-03E
Fuses Usages
HEAD LAMPS Head Lamp
ECMEngine Control
Module
I/P FUSEInstrument Panel
Fuse
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
A/C Air Conditioning
HORN Horn
HI BEAMHead Lamp
High-Beam
DRIVER’S PWR
WNDWDriver’s Power
Window
STOP LAMPS Stop Lamps
DR/LCK Door Lock
MIR HTD Heated Mirror
FRT FOG Front Fog
ILLUM LTLicense Plate Lamp,
Parking Lamp Left
INJ Injector
ENG SNSREVAP Canister Purge
Solenoid, HO2S,
Cooling Fan Relay,
CMP Sensor
Fuses Usages
LOW BEAM LTHead Lamp
Low-Beam Left
ILLUM RTIllumination
Circuit, Parking Lamp
Right
LOW BEAM RTHead Lamp
Low-Beam Right
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
BATT PWR Battery Power
ABSAntilock Brake
System
HVAC BLWR HVAC Blower
IGN 2 Ignition 2
IGN 1 Ignition 1
FUSE PLR Fuse Puller
COOL FAN LOW Cooling Fan Low
DEFOG Defog
COOL FAN HI Cooling Fan High
PWR WNDW Power Window
Relays Usages
COOL FAN LOW Cooling Fan Low
FRT FOG Front Fog
ILLUM Illumination Relay
A/C CMPRSRAir Conditioning
Compressor
HORN Horn
DEFOG Defog
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
MAIN Main Relay
COOL FAN HI Cooling Fan High
PWR WNDW Power Window
HEAD LAMPS Headlamp Relay
Capacities and Specifications:

8-3
INDEX85Z14-03E
Ignition Positions
................................................................2-11
Infants and Young Children
................................................1-16
Instrument Panel Cluster
....................................................3-18
Instrument Panel Overview ................................................3-1
Interior Lamps
......................................................................3-9
JJump Starting
......................................................................5-20
KKeys
......................................................................................2-1
LLap-Shoulder Belt
................................................................1-11
Leaving Your Vehicle
..........................................................2-6
License Plate Lamps ...........................................................5-26
Liftgate
..................................................................................2-6
Loading Your Vehicle
..........................................................4-17
Lockout Protection
..............................................................2-6
Loss of Control
....................................................................4-7
Low Fuel Warning Light
......................................................3-26
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children
(LATCH System)
..................................................................1-22
Luggage Compartment Lamp
.............................................5-25
MMaintenance
.........................................................................6-2
Maintenance Recommended under Normal Driving
Conditions
............................................................................6-2
Maintenance Recommended under Severe Driving
Conditions ............................................................................6-6
Maintenance Record
...........................................................6-10
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
................................................3-23
Manual Lumbar
....................................................................1-2
Manual Rearview Mirror
......................................................2-20Manual Seats (With Sliding Storage Tray)
........................ 1-1
Manual Seats (Without Sliding Storage Tray)
.................. 1-1
Manual Transmission Fluid
................................................ 5-11
Manual Transmission Operation
....................................... 2-15
Manual Windows
................................................................. 2-7
Mirrors
.................................................................................. 2-20
NNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA)
............................................................................... 7-4
New Vehicle Break-In
.......................................................... 2-10
OOff-Road Recovery
............................................................. 4-6
Oil Pressure Light ............................................................... 3-24
Older Children
..................................................................... 1-15
On-Board Vehicle Computers and Event Data
Recorders
............................................................................ 7-3
Outlet Adjustment
............................................................... 3-17
Outside Convex Mirror
....................................................... 2-21
Outside Heated Mirrors ...................................................... 2-21
Outside Manual Mirror ........................................................ 2-20
Outside Power Mirrors ....................................................... 2-20
PParking Brake
...................................................................... 2-16
Parking Over Things That Can Burn
................................. 2-18
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)
.................. 2-18
Passenger Air Bag Off Indicator
........................................ 3-26
Passenger Compartment Air Filter .................................... 3-17
Passenger Sensing System
............................................... 1-30
Power Door Locks
.............................................................. 2-5
Power Steering Fluid .......................................................... 5-17
Power Windows
.................................................................. 2-7