2008 SUZUKI SX4 maintenance

9-24
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Clutch Pedal
80J004
Check the clutch pedal for smooth opera-
tion and clutch fluid level from time to time.
If clutch dragging is felt with the pedal fully
depressed, have the clutch inspected by
your SUZUKI dealer. If the clutch fluid level
is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to the “MAX”
line with DOT3 brake fluid.
TiresFor safe operation of your vehicle, it is
important that the tires be the correct type
and size, in good condition, and properly
inflated. Be sure to follow the requirements
and recommendations in this section.Tire Sidewall LabelingUseful information about a tire is molded
into its sidewall. The example below shows
a typical passenger car tire.
Typical Passenger Car Tire Sidewall
67D027
A. Tire Manufacturer
The name of the tire manufacturer is
shown here.
B. Tire Name/Model
The tire name or model is shown
here.C. Tire Size
The tire size code is a combination of
letters and numbers used to define a
particular tire’s width, height, aspect
ratio, construction type, and service
description. See the “Tire Size” expla-
nation later in this section for more
details.
D. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
The Department of Transportation
(DOT) marking indicates that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. The letters and
numbers following the DOT marking
is the Tire Identification Number
(TIN). The TIN identifies the tire man-
ufacturer and plant, tire size, and date
the tire was manufactured.
E. Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
Tire manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three perfor-
mance factors: treadwear, traction
and temperature resistance. Refer to
the “Uniform Tire Quality Grading”
section for more details.
F. Load Rating
Load rating is the maximum weight a
tire is designed to support in normal
service.
G. Max Inflation Pressure
Max inflation pressure is the maxi-
mum inflation pressure a tire is
designed for.
AH B
G
E
FD
J I
C
Tires: 6

9-25INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
H. Tire Ply Material
These tire markings describe the type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
I. Load Index and Speed Rating
The two- or three-digit number is the
tire’s load index, the maximum load a
tire can carry at the speed indicated
by its speed symbol at the maximum
inflation pressure. The higher the
number is, the greater the load carry-
ing capacity. The letter symbol
denotes the speed at which a tire is
designed to be driven for extended
periods of time. (Ratings are listed
below.)
*The letters ZR may be used on tires with a
maximum speed capability over 149 mphand will always be used on tires with a
maximum speed capability over 186 mph.
J. M+S Marking
This marking indicates the tire has
some mud and snow capabilities and
is designed for all-season use.
Tire SizeThe following illustration shows an exam-
ple of a typical passenger car tire size.
67D028
A. Tire Type
This letter code indicates the primary
intended use of the tire. The letter “P”
identifies a tire primarily intended for
use on a passenger vehicle.
B. Tire Width
This three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.C. Aspect Ratio
This two-digit number represents the
tire section height divided by the tire
section width.
D. Construction Code
This letter code is used to indicate the
type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter “R” means radial ply tire con-
struction, the letter “D” means diago-
nal or bias ply construction, and the
letter “B” means belted-bias ply con-
struction.
E. Rim Diameter
This two-digit number is the wheel or
rim diameter in inches.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
Q 99 mph
R106 mph
S112 mph
T118 mph
U124 mph
H130 mph
V149 mph
W 168 mph*
Y 186 mph*
A
B
C
D
E
WARNING
Your SUZUKI is equipped with tires
which are all the same type and size.
This is important to ensure proper
steering and handling of the vehicle.
Never mix tires of different size or
type on the four wheels of your vehi-
cle. Mixing tires could cause you to
lose control while driving which may
lead to an accident. The size and type
of tires used should be only those
approved by SUZUKI Motor Corpora-
tion as standard or optional equip-
ment for your vehicle.
Tires: 6

9-26
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Tire Inflation PressureTire inflation pressure should be checked
when the tire is cold. “Cold tire inflation
pressure” is the pressure in a tire that has
been driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) or
has been standing for three hours or more.
80JS025
The front and rear tire pressure specifica-
tions for your vehicle are shown below and
are listed on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion Label, which is located on the driver’s
door lock pillar. The Tire and Loading Infor-
mation Label contains the following infor-
mation:
 Seating Capacity
 Maximum Allowed Combined Weight of
Occupants and Cargo
 Original Tire Size
 Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pres-
sure of Original Tires
 Size of Compact Spare Tire Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pres-
sure of Compact Spare Tire
NOTE:
The tire inflation pressure will change due
to changes in atmospheric pressure, tem-
perature or tire temperature when driving.
To reduce the chance that the low tire
pressure warning light will come on due to
normal changes in temperature and atmo-
spheric pressure, it is important to check
and adjust the tire pressures when the
tires are cold. Tires that appear to be at the
specified pressure when checked after
driving, when the tires are warm, could
have pressure below the specification
when the tires cool down. Also, tires that
are inflated to the specified pressure in a
warm garage may have pressure below the
specification when the vehicle is driven
outside in very cold temperature. If you
adjust the tire pressure in a garage that is
warmer than the outside temperature, you
should add 1 psi to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure for every 10°F differ-ence between garage temperature and
outside temperature.
Measuring Air Pressure
Use the following steps to achieve proper
tire inflation:
1) Identify the recommended tire pressure
on the vehicle’s Tire and Loading Infor-
mation Label or in the owner’s manual.
2) Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve stem.
3) Using a reliable pressure gauge, mea-
sure the tire inflation pressure by press-
ing the tire gauge firmly onto the valve
to get a pressure measurement.
Remember that inflation pressures
should be checked when the tires are
“cold”, meaning before they have been
driven one mile or after sitting for three
hours or more allowing the tire to cool
to ambient air temperature.
4) If the air pressure is too high, slowly
release the air by pressing on the tire
valve stem with the edge of the tire
gauge until you reach the correct pres-
sure.
5) If the air pressure is too low, fill the tire
with air at a service station until it
reaches the recommended pressure.
6) Make sure all tires have the same air
pressure (unless the owner’s manual
indicates otherwise).
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation
Pressures
Fr on t T ir es230 kPa
33 psi
Rear Tires230 kPa
33 psi
Compact Spare Tire420 kPa
60 psi
Tires: 6

9-27INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Tire InspectionInspect your vehicle’s tires at least once a
month by performing the following checks:
1) Measure the air pressure with a tire
gauge. Adjust the pressure if neces-
sary. Remember to check the spare
tire, too. Refer to the “Measuring Air
Pressure” section.
54G136
(1) Tread wear indicator
(2) Indicator location mark
2) Check that the depth of the tread
groove is more than 1.6 mm (0.06 in.).
To help you check this, the tires have
molded-in tread wear indicators in the
grooves. When the indicators appear
on the tread surface, the remaining
depth of the tread is 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)
or less and the tire should be replaced.
3) Check for abnormal wear, cracks and
damage. Any tires with cracks or otherdamage should be replaced. If any tires
show abnormal wear, have them
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer.
4) Check for loose wheel nuts.
5) Check that there are no nails, stones or
other objects sticking into the tires.
WARNING
 Air pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold or you may
get inaccurate readings.
 Check the inflation pressure from
time to time while inflating the tire
gradually, until the specified pres-
sure is obtained.
 Never underinflate or overinflate
the tires.
Underinflation can cause unusual
handling characteristics or can
cause the rim to slip on the tire
bead, resulting in an accident or
damage to the tire or rim.
Underinflation can also cause tires
to overheat, leading to tire failure.
Overinflation can cause the tire to
burst, resulting in personal injury.
Overinflation can also cause
unusual handling characteristics
which may result in an accident.
WARNING
Hitting curbs and running over rocks
can damage tires and affect wheel
alignment. Be sure to have tires and
wheel alignment checked periodically
by your SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Your SUZUKI is equipped with tires
which are all the same type and size.
This is important to ensure proper
steering and handling of the vehicle.
Never mix tires of different size or
type on the four wheels of your vehi-
cle. The size and type of tires used
should be only those approved by
SUZUKI Motor Corporation as stan-
dard or optional equipment for your
vehicle.
Tires: 6

9-28
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Uniform Tire Quality GradingThe U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration has developed a grading
system for evaluating the performance of
passenger car tires. The following informa-
tion will help you understand the grading
system, which applies to vehicles sold in
the U.S. Consult your SUZUKI dealer or
tire retailer for help in choosing the correct
replacement tires for your vehicle.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ADOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll Passenger Car Tires Must Conform To
Federal Safety Requirements in Addition
To These GradesTreadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
CAUTION
For intelligent All Wheel Drive (i-
AWD) models, replacing a tire with
one of a different size, or using differ-
ent brands among the four tires can
result in damage to the drive train.
WARNING
Replacing the wheels and tires
equipped on your vehicle with certain
combinations of aftermarket wheels
and tires can significantly change the
steering and handling characteris-
tics of your vehicle. Oversized tires
may also rub against the fender over
bumps, causing vehicle damage or
tire failure. Therefore, use only those
wheel and tire combinations
approved by SUZUKI Motor Corpora-
tion as standard or optional equip-
ment for your vehicle. For
information regarding the specified
tires, refer to the Tire Information
Label located on the driver’s side
door pillar or the “SPECIFICATIONS”
section.
CAUTION
Replacing the original tires with tires
of a different size may result in false
speedometer or odometer readings.
Check with your SUZUKI dealer
before purchasing replacement tires
that differ in size from the original
tires.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.
Tires: 6

9-29INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Tire Rotation
54G114
To avoid uneven wear of your tires and to
prolong their life, rotate the tires as illus-
trated. Tires should be rotated as recom-
mended in the periodic maintenance
schedule. After rotation, adjust front and
rear tire pressures to the specification
listed on your vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information Label.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Exces-
sive speed, underinflation or exces-
sive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose after
a time. The wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you change
a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do
this; but be sure to use a scraper or
wire brush later, if you need to, to get
all the rust or dirt off.
Tires: 6

9-30
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Compact Spare Tire (if equipped)
54G115
(1) Wear indicator
(2) Indicator location mark
Your vehicle comes equipped with the
compact spare tire. The compact spare is
designed to save space in your storage
area, and its lighter weight makes it easier
to install if a flat tire occurs. It is only
intended for temporary emergency use,
until the conventional tire can be repaired
or replaced. The inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire should be checked at
least monthly. Use a quality pocket-type
inflation pressure gauge and set at 420
kPa (60 psi). At the same time, check that
the tire is stored securely. If it is not, tighten
it.
Note that two or more compact spare tires
should not be used on one vehicle simulta-
neously.
WARNING
The compact spare tire and wheel are
intended for temporary emergency
use only. Continuous use of this
spare can result in tire failure and
loss of control. Always observe these
precautions when using this spare:
 Your vehicle will handle differently
with this temporary spare.
 Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
speed.
 Replace this spare with a standard
tire and wheel as soon as possible.
 Use of this spare will reduce
ground clearance.
 Recommended air pressure for this
spare is 420 kPa (60 psi).
 Do not use tire chains on the com-
pact spare. If you must use tire
chains, rearrange the wheels so
standard tires and wheels are fitted
to the front axle.
 The compact spare tire has a much
shorter tread life than the conven-
tional tires on your vehicle.
Replace the tire as soon as the
tread wear indicator appears.
 When replacing the compact tire,
use a replacement tire with the
exact same size and construction.
CAUTION
For intelligent All Wheel Drive (i-
AWD) models, driving with an under-
inflated compact spare tire or over 80
km/h (50 mph) while using a compact
spare tire can result in damage to the
drive train.
Tires: 6

9-31INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
Changing WheelsSX4
80JC014
SX4 SEDAN
80JC045
To change a wheel, use the following pro-
cedure:
1) Remove the jack, tools and spare wheel
from the vehicle.
2) Loosen, but do not remove the wheel
nuts.
3) Jack up the vehicle (follow the jacking
instructions in the “EMERGENCY SER-
VICE” section in this manual).
4) Remove the wheel nuts and wheel.
5) Install the new wheel and replace the
wheel nuts with their cone shaped end
facing the wheel. Tighten each nut
snugly by hand until the wheel is
securely seated on the hub.
81A057
6) Lower the jack and fully tighten the nuts
(to the specified torque) in a crisscross
fashion with a wrench as shown in the
illustration.Snow TiresYour vehicle is equipped with all-season
tires which are designed for use in summer
and most winter conditions. For improved
traction in severe winter conditions,
SUZUKI recommends mounting radial
snow tires on all four wheels. Snow tires
must be the same size as the standard
tires. Also be sure to use the tires of the
same type and brand on all four wheels of
your vehicle.
Wheel tightening torque
85 Nm (61.5 lb-ft, 8.5 kg-m)
Tires: 6
Battery: 9