3-5INSTRUMENT PANEL
85Z14-03E
between wipes. The wiper speed can only
be adjusted when the lever is in the INT
position.
OFF (Off):
Move the lever to this position to turn off
the windshield wipers.
Misting Function
Move the lever toward, but not completely
in, the INT position for a single wiping
cycle. Hold it there until the windshield wip-
ers start; then let go. The windshield wip-
ers will stop after one cycle. If you want
more wipes, hold the lever toward the INT
position longer.
Remember that damaged wiper blades
may prevent you from seeing well enough
to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to
clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them.
If they’re frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do
become damaged, get new blades or
blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper
motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor
until it cools. Clear away snow or ice to
prevent an overload.Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the wind-
shield wiper/washer lever toward you with
the ignition in the ON position.
When you release the lever, the washers
will stop, but the wipers will continue to
wipe for about three cycles and will either
stop or will resume the speed you were
using before.
WARNING
In freezing weather, don’t use your
washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the wind-
shield, blocking your vision.
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.
Instrument Panel Overview:
3-6
INSTRUMENT PANEL
85Z14-03E
Rear Window Washer/WiperIf your vehicle has this feature, operate the
rear window washer/wiper system by
pushing the windshield wiper/washer lever
away from you. The wiper operates contin-
uously when the lever is in the first posi-
tion.
Washer fluid sprays onto the rear window
and the wiper operates continuously when
the lever is pushed to the second position.
Cruise ControlCruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, you can
maintain a speed of about 24 mph (39 km/
h) or more without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 24 mph (39 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, or depress
the clutch pedal if you have a manual
transmission, the cruise control shuts off.
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.
WARNING
Do not spray washer fluid on the
liftgate window in freezing weather.
Warm the tailgate window before
you operate the liftgate window
washer.
Washer fluid can form ice on a frozen
liftgate window and obstruct your
vision.
N4U30460A
FASTSLOW
WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. So, do not use your
cruise control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise con-
trol on slippery roads.
Instrument Panel Overview:
4-9DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z14-03E
Remember that your headlamps light up
far less of a roadway when you are in a
turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that
way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted
objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so
should your eyes be examined regularly.
Some drivers suffer from night blindness –
the inability to see in dim light – and aren’t
even aware of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain and wet roads can mean driving trou-
ble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, acceler-
ate or turn as well because your tire-to-
road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread
left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always
wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The sur-
face may get wet suddenly when yourreflexes are tuned for driving on dry pave-
ment.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in
good shape, a heavy rain can make it
harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road
and even people walking.
It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping
equipment in good shape and keep your
windshield washer tank filled with washer
fluid. Replace your windshield wiper
inserts when they show signs of streaking
or missing areas on the windshield, or
when strips of rubber start to separate
from the inserts.Driving too fast through large water pud-
dles or even going through some car
washes can cause problems, too. The
water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down
before you hit them.
WARNING
Wet brakes can cause accidents.
They won’t work as well in a quick
stop and may cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car wash, apply your
brake pedal lightly until your brakes
work normally.
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle:
4-11DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z14-03E
time and energy. See the next part,
“Freeway Driving.”
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A
traffic light is there because the corner is
busy enough to need it. When a light
turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that
have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.Freeway DrivingMile for mile, freeways (also called thru-
ways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or
superhighways) are the safest of all roads.
But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same speed most of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth trafficflow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a
passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you
expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge
into the gap at close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder
as often as necessary. Try to blend
smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-
ing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane
unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind”
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable fol-
lowing distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move
to the proper lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit, do not, under any circum-
stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted. Reduce your speed according to
your speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at
higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long TripMake sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you’re not
fresh – such as after a day’s work – don’t
plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you
keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready
to go. If it needs service, have it done
before starting out. Of course, you’ll find
experienced and able service experts in
SUZUKI dealerships all across North
America. They’ll be ready and willing to
help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reser-
voir full? Are all windows clean inside
and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle:
8-4INDEX
85Z14-03E
Power Windows and Other Power Options
.......................5-49
QQuestions and Answers About Safety Belts
.....................1-7
RRadio with Six-Disc CD (Double Display, MP3/WMA)
(AGH-5400)
...........................................................................3-38
Rear Door Security Locks
...................................................2-5
Rear Seat Armrest
...............................................................2-23
Rear Seat Passengers
.........................................................1-11
Rear Seats
............................................................................1-4
Rear Sidemarker Lamps
.....................................................5-27
Rear Window and Outside Rearview Mirror Defogger
.....3-16
Rear Window Washer/Wiper
...............................................3-6
Reclining Seatbacks
............................................................1-2
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
..............................6-10
Recreational Vehicle Towing
..............................................4-16
Remote Keyless Entry System ...........................................2-1
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
.........................2-2
Replacement Bulbs
.............................................................5-27
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
.............1-34
Reporting Safety Defects
....................................................7-4
Restraint System Check .....................................................1-33
Right Front Passenger Position
.........................................1-11
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
...................2-19
SSafety Belt: They are for Everyone ....................................1-5
Safety Belt Extender
............................................................1-14
Safety Belt Pretensioner System
.......................................1-13
Safety Belt Reminder Light
.................................................3-19
Safety Belt Reminder Tone .................................................3-19
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
....................................1-10Safety Belts
......................................................................... 1-5
Safety Certification Label
................................................... 7-2
Scheduled Maintenance Services
..................................... 6-2
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH
System
................................................................................. 1-23
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position
......... 1-24
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat
Position
................................................................................ 1-25
Securing a Child Restraint with Top Strap
....................... 1-21
Selecting the Right Condition
............................................ 6-1
Service
................................................................................. 5-1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........................ 1-33
Sheet Metal Damage
........................................................... 5-47
Shifting Into Park (P) .......................................................... 2-17
Shifting Out of Park (P) ...................................................... 2-17
Spare Tire
............................................................................ 5-43
Specifications
...................................................................... 5-53
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS) Warning
Light
..................................................................................... 3-22
Speedometer and Odometer
.............................................. 3-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
................................ 2-10
Starting Your Engine
.......................................................... 2-11
Steering
................................................................................ 4-5
STEERING WHEEL REMOTE OPERATION
..............3-37
, 3-44
Storage Areas
...................................................................... 2-21
Sun Visors
........................................................................... 2-8
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
................................... 2-22
Sunroof
................................................................................ 2-23
Supplemental Restraint System (air bags)
....................... 1-26
TTachometer
.......................................................................... 3-19
8-5
INDEX85Z14-03E
Tail/Stop Lamps and Rear Turn Signal Lamps
.................5-25
Theft-Deterrent Systems
.....................................................2-8
Tilt Wheel
..............................................................................3-3
Tire Chains ...........................................................................5-38
Tire Inflation Pressure
.........................................................5-34
Tire Inspection and Rotation
..............................................5-35
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
......................................5-32
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light
.............3-27
Tire Sidewall Labeling
.........................................................5-28
Tire Size
................................................................................5-29
Tires
......................................................................................5-28
Top Strap
..............................................................................1-20
Top Strap Anchor Location
................................................1-21
Towing
..................................................................................4-16
Towing a Trailer
...................................................................4-19
Towing Your Vehicle
...........................................................4-16
Trip Odometer
......................................................................3-18
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
.........................................3-3
UUnderbody Maintenance
.....................................................5-47
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
.............................................5-37
VVehicle Care/Appearance Materials
...................................5-47
Vehicle Identification
...........................................................5-48
Vehicle Identification Number
............................................7-1
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
...................................5-48
Vehicle Loading
...................................................................5-35
WWarning Lights, Gauges and Indicators
............................3-18
Warranties
............................................................................7-2
Weatherstrips .......................................................................5-45What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
........................................ 1-32
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
.................. 1-32
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................................... 5-37
Wheel Replacement
............................................................ 5-38
When It Is Time for New Tires
............................................ 5-36
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
...................................... 1-31
When to Add Engine Oil
..................................................... 5-7
Where Are the Air Bags? .................................................... 1-29
Where to Put the Restraint ................................................. 1-20
Windows
.............................................................................. 2-7
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................................... 5-18
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.............................. 5-27
Windshield Wiper Fuses
.................................................... 5-48
Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
....................................... 3-4
Winter Driving
..................................................................... 4-13
YYour Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........................ 4-1