2008 SUZUKI SX4 engine

5-2
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
80J21-03E
Clutch Pedal (1)(For manual transaxle)
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages
the clutch.Brake Pedal (2)Your SUZUKI vehicle is equipped with
either front and rear disc brakes or front
disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Depressing the brake pedal applies both
sets of brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a nor-
mal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.
Accelerator Pedal (3)This pedal controls the speed of the
engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal
increases power output and speed.
Gearshift LeverManual transaxle
63J051
Automatic transaxle
77J021
CAUTION
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear or clutch dam-
age.
WARNING
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Do not “ride” the brakes by applying
them continuously or resting your
foot on the pedal. This will result in
overheating of the brakes which
could cause unpredictable braking
action, longer stopping distances or
permanent brake damage.
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
Pedals: 6
Gearshift Lever: 10

5-10
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
80J21-03E
Eyeglasses Holder
(if equipped)
86G067
To use the eyeglasses holder, open the
cover. Do not put heavy or sharp items in
the box.
Engine Hood
79J077
To open the engine hood:
1) Pull the hood release handle located on
the outboard side of the driver’s side of
the instrument panel. This will disen-
gage the engine hood lock half-way.
80J045
2) Push the under-hood release lever
sideways with your finger, as shown in
the illustration. While pushing the lever,
lift up the engine hood.
80JS024
3) Continue to lift up the hood until it is
high enough to support with the prop
rod.
CAUTION
If you park your vehicle outdoors in
direct sunlight or in hot weather, the
eyeglasses holder can get very hot
since it is close to the roof. So, when
parking in such conditions:
 Do not leave eyeglasses in the
holder. The heat may distort plastic
lenses or frames.
 Do not place flammable items, such
as a lighter, in the holder. The heat
may cause a fire.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
Sun Visor: 5
Interior Light Switch: 7

5-12
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
80J21-03E
Frame HooksSX4
Front (1)
80JC048
SX4 SEDAN
Front (1)
80JC049
SX4
Rear (2)
80JC061
SX4 SEDAN
Rear (2)
56KN033
Side (3)
80JC062
79J132
(1)
EXAMPLE
(1)
EXAMPLE
(2)
EXAMPLE
(2)
EXAMPLE
(3)
EXAMPLE(3)
EXAMPLE
Eyeglasses Holder:
Engine Hood: 5

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
6
80J21-03E
60G408
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLEExhaust Gas Warning ......................................................... 6-1
Daily Inspection Checklist .................................................. 6-1
Starting the Engine ............................................................. 6-2
Engine Block Heater (if equipped) ..................................... 6-4
Using the Transaxle ............................................................ 6-5
Using the 2WD/i-AWD (intelligent All Wheel Drive)
Switch (if equipped) ............................................................ 6-7
Braking ................................................................................. 6-9
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) (if equipped) .......... 6-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........................ 6-14
Break-In ................................................................................ 6-18
Catalytic Converter ............................................................. 6-19
Improving Fuel Economy ................................................... 6-20

6-1OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J21-03E
Exhaust Gas Warning
52D334
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lights
and reflectors are clean and unob-
structed.
2) Visually check the tires for the following
points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel nuts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
3) Look for fluid, oil leaks.
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air
conditioning system after use.
4) Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Lock all doors.
7) Adjust the seat and adjustable head
restraints (if equipped).
8) Check the brake pedal.
9) Adjust the mirrors.
10)Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
11)Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position.
WARNING
Avoid breathing exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, a potentially lethal gas that is
colorless and odorless. Since carbon
monoxide is difficult to detect by
itself, be sure to take the following
precautions to help prevent carbon
monoxide from entering your vehicle.
 Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
 Do not park with the engine run-
ning for a long period of time, even
in an open area. If it is necessary to
sit for a short time in a parked vehi-
cle with the engine running, make
sure the air intake selector is set to
“FRESH AIR” and the blower is at
high speed.
 Avoid operating the vehicle with
the tail gate or trunk open. If it is
necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tail gate or trunk open,
make sure the sunroof (if equipped)
and all windows are closed, and the
blower is at high speed with the air
intake selector set to “FRESH AIR”.
 To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the air inlet grille in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves or
other obstructions at all times.
 Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear
of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust
gases under the vehicle. This is
particularly important when parked
in blizzard conditions.
 Have the exhaust system inspected
periodically for damage and leaks.
Any damage or leaks should be
repaired immediately.
Exhaust Gas Warning: NO
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO

6-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J21-03E
12)Check all gauges.
13)Make sure that the BRAKE light turns
off when the parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. See the
item “All latches, hinges and locks” of
“CHASSIS AND BODY” in the “Periodic
Maintenance Schedule” section in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE”
section for lubrication schedule.
Starting the EngineBefore Starting the Engine1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual Transaxle – Shift into “N” (Neu-
tral) and depress the clutch pedal all
the way to the floor.
Hold the clutch pedal while starting the
engine.
Automatic Transaxle – If the gearshift
lever is not in “P” (Park) position, shift
into “P”. (If you need to re-start the
engine while the vehicle is moving, shift
into “N”.)
NOTE:
The engine of manual transaxle vehicle will
not start unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
NOTE:
Automatic transaxle vehicles have a starter
interlock device which is designed to keep
the starter from operating if the transaxle is
in any of the drive positions.
Starting a Cold EngineWith your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by turning the ignition key
to “START”. Release the key when the
engine starts.
If the engine does not start after 15 sec-
onds of cranking, wait about 15 seconds,
then press down the accelerator pedal to
1/3 of its travel and try cranking the engine
again. Release the key and accelerator
pedal when the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, try holding
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor while cranking. This should clear the
engine if it is flooded.
If you are unable to start the engine using
this procedure, consult your SUZUKI
dealer.Starting a Warm EngineUse the same procedure as for “Starting a
Cold Engine”.
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
WARNING
Make sure that the parking brake is
set fully and the transaxle is in Neu-
tral (or Park for vehicles with an auto-
matic transaxle) before attempting to
start the engine.
CAUTION
 Stop turning the starter immedi-
ately after the engine has started or
the starter system can be dam-
aged.
 Do not crank the engine for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine doesn’t start on the first try,
wait about 15 seconds before try-
ing again.
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
Starting the Engine: 1

6-3OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J21-03E
Vehicle With Keyless Start System
80JC002
The ignition switch can be operated with-
out using an ignition key when the remote
controller is in an area of the vehicle other
than the rear luggage area. To turn the
ignition switch, first push in the switch.
NOTE:
You must push in the ignition switch to turn
it from the “LOCK” position to the “ACC”
position. To return to the “LOCK” position
from the “ACC” position, turn the ignition
switch counterclockwise while pushing in
the switch.
80J037
If the keyless start system blue indicator
light illuminates on the instrument cluster,
you can turn the ignition switch. If the red
indicator light illuminates, you can not turn
the ignition switch.
NOTE:
 The ignition switch can be turned to the
“ACC” position when the keyless start
system blue indicator light illuminates.
The blue indicator light will illuminate for
several seconds when you push in the
ignition switch and then will turn off to
protect the system. In this case, you
must release the ignition switch and
push it again to illuminate the blue indi-
cator light.
 If the keyless start system red indicator
light illuminates, the remote controller
may not be in the vehicle or the batteryof the remote controller may be unreli-
able.
NOTE:
 If the battery of the remote controller
runs down or there are strong radio
waves or noise, the operating range may
be narrower or the remote controller may
be inoperative.
 If the remote controller is too close to the
door glass, it may not operate.
 The ignition switch may not turn when
the remote controller is on the instru-
ment panel, in the glove box, in the door
pocket, in the sun visor or on the floor.
You can also turn the ignition switch by
inserting the ignition key into the slot.EXAMPLE
CAUTION
The remote controller is a sensitive
electronic instrument. To avoid dam-
aging it, do not expose it to impacts,
moisture or high temperature (such
as on the dashboard under direct
sunlight).
Engine Block Heater: 1

6-4
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J21-03E
Engine Block Heater
(if equipped)
54G209
The engine block heater will help you start
the engine more easily in very cold
weather (–18°C (0°F) or below). To use the
engine block heater:
1) Turn off the engine.
2) Open the engine hood.
3) Untie the block heater cord and remove
the block heater plug cap. When the
engine block heater is not in use,
ensure the heater cord is secured to
prevent contact with any moving parts.
4) Using a heavy-duty, three-prong
grounded extension cord, plug the
female end into the block heater socket
and the male end into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet.NOTE:
Activate the heater at least four hours
before you start the engine. However, as
the heating time varies depending on the
ambient temperature and other factors,
adjust the time by observing the engine
cranking condition.
After using the block heater:
1) Unplug the extension cord and reinstall
the plug cap.
2) Tie the block heater cord back to its
original position.3) Close the engine hood securely before
starting the engine.EXAMPLE
WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury
caused by electrical shock or fire:
 Do not plug the cord into a non-
grounded outlet. Only use a prop-
erly grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet.
 Do not use a 2-wire (non-grounded)
extension cord.
 Only use a heavy-duty, three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15
amps.
CAUTION
Secure the block heater cord back to
its original position or to the routed
position. A loose cord could get
caught in the engine accessory drive
belt(s) or other moving parts.
Using the Transaxle: 10