
2-7BEFORE DRIVING
80J21-03E
Reminder function
80J037
If the remote controller is not in the vehicle
under the following conditions, a buzzer
sounds intermittently for about 2 seconds
and the keyless start system indicator light
on the instrument cluster blinks in red:
When the vehicle speed is over 10 km/h
(6 mph).
When one or more doors are opened
and all of the doors are later closed with
the ignition switch in a position other
than “LOCK”.
The red indicator light will turn off within
several seconds after the remote controller
is returned to an area of the vehicle other
than the rear luggage area.
If the remote controller is left in the vehicle
and you lock the driver’s door or front pas-
senger’s door as described below, the door
will be automatically unlocked. If you open the driver’s door and lock the
door by turning the lock knob forward or
pushing the power door locking switch,
the driver’s door will be automatically
unlocked.
If you open a door other than the driver’s
door and lock the front passenger’s door
by turning the lock knob forward or push-
ing the power door locking switch, the
front passenger’s door will be automati-
cally unlocked.
For SX4 SEDAN, if you close the trunk lid
with the remote controller left in the trunk
with all the doors locked, the trunk will be
automatically unlatched.
NOTE:
The reminder will not operate when the
remote controller is on the instrument
panel, in the glove box, in the door
pocket, in the sun visor or on the floor
etc.
Be sure that the driver always carries the
remote controller.
Do not leave the remote controller in the
vehicle when leaving the vehicle.Replacement of the battery
If the remote controller becomes unreli-
able, replace the battery.
To replace the battery of the remote con-
troller:
66J016
1) Insert a flat blade screw driver covered
with a soft cloth in the slot of the remote
controller and pry it open.
EXAMPLE
Door Locks: 3, 5, 8

3-4
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
80J21-03E
62J083
If the gearshift lever can not be shifted out
of “P” (Park) in the normal way, removing
the cover (1) and pushing the release but-
ton using a key or some other flat end
object with the key in the “ON” or “ACC”
position will permit movement of the gear-
shift lever out of “P” (see “If You Can Not
Shift Automatic Transaxle Gearshift Lever
Out of “P” (PARK)” in the INDEX). The
gearshift lever can be moved back to “P”
without pushing the release button.
To release the steering lock, insert the key
or use the keyless start system and turn
the ignition switch clockwise to one of the
other positions. If you have trouble turning
the key to unlock the steering, try turning
the steering wheel slightly to the right or
left while turning the key.
81A297S
(1)
WARNING
For manual transaxle vehicles,
never remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is moving. The steering
wheel will lock and you will not be
able to steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key
when leaving the vehicle even if a
short time. Also do not leave chil-
dren or pets alone in a parked vehi-
cle. Unattended children could
cause accidental movement of the
vehicle or could tamper with power
windows. Children or pets could
suffer from heatstroke in warm or
hot weather, which could result in
severe injury or even death.
CAUTION
Do not turn the starter motor for
more than 15 seconds at a time. If
the engine does not start, wait 15
seconds before trying again. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, check the fuel and igni-
tion systems or consult your
SUZUKI dealer.
Do not leave the ignition switch in
the “ON” position if the engine is
not running or the battery will dis-
charge.
Lighting/Turn Signal Control Lever: 8
Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever: 8

4-7INSTRUMENT PANEL
80J21-03E
driver’s seat belt is buckled. After repeating
several times, the reminder will be can-
celed even if the driver’s seat belt remains
unbuckled.
For details about the seat belt reminder,
refer to “Seat Belts and Child Restraint
Systems” in the “BEFORE DRIVING” sec-
tion.AIR BAG Light
63J030
This light monitors inflators, crash sensors,
seat belt pretensioners, the front passen-
ger sensing system, and corresponding
electrical circuits.
This light blinks for several seconds when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON”position so you can check if the light is
working. The light will come on and stay on
if there is a problem in the air bag system
or the seat belt pretensioner system.
Malfunction Indicator Light
65D530
Your vehicle has a computer-controlled
emission control system. A malfunction
indicator light is provided on the instrument
panel to indicate when it is necessary to
have the emission control system serviced.
The malfunction indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position to let you know the light is
working and goes out when the engine is
started.If the malfunction indicator light comes on
or blinks when the engine is running, ser-
vice to the emission control system is nec-
essary. Bring the vehicle to your SUZUKI
dealer to have the emission control system
serviced right away and avoid hard accel-
eration until the service is performed.
NOTE:
If the fuel filler cap is not installed fully, the
electrical system gets wet (such as by driv-
ing through a deep puddle of water) or the
fuel tank gets nearly empty, the malfunc-
tion indicator light may come on. If so, the
light will go off after driving a few times
after the fuel filler cap is installed fully, the
electrical system dries out or the fuel tank
is filled.
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
If the AIR BAG light does not blink
when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position or stays on or
comes on when driving, the air bag
system or the seat belt pretensioner
system may not work properly. Have
both systems inspected by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
CAUTION
Continuing to drive the vehicle when
the malfunction indicator light is on
or blinking can cause permanent
damage to the vehicle’s emission
control system, and can affect fuel
economy and driveability.
Warning and Indicator Lights: 8
A/T Selector Position Indicator: 8
Speedometer/Odometer/Trip meter: 8

6-20
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J21-03E
Improving Fuel EconomyThe following instructions will help you
improve fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling
If you are to wait for more than a minute
while you are parked, stop the engine and
start it again later. When warming up a
cold engine, allow the engine to idle until
the temperature gauge pointer comes up
to the “C” position. In this position, the
engine is sufficiently warm for starting off.
Avoid “jackrabbit” starts
Fast starts away from lights or stop signs
will consume fuel unnecessarily and
shorten engine life. Start off slowly.
Avoid unnecessary stops
Avoid unnecessary deceleration and stop-
ping. Try to maintain a slow, steady speed
whenever possible. Slowing down and then
accelerating again uses more fuel.
Keep a steady cruising speed
Keep as constant a speed as road and traf-
fic conditions will permit.
60A183S
Keep the air cleaner clean
A dirty air cleaner will cause the fuel injec-
tion system to supply too much fuel to the
engine for the amount of air being sup-
plied. The result is waste of fuel due to
incomplete fuel burning.
Keep weight to a minimum
The heavier the load, the more fuel the
vehicle consumes. Take out any luggage
or cargo when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressure correct
Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label located below
the driver’s side door latch striker.EXAMPLE

9-1INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
60A187S
WARNING
You should take extreme care when
working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few pre-
cautions that you should be espe-
cially careful to observe:
To prevent damage or unintended
inflation of the air bag system, be
sure the battery is disconnected
and the ignition switch has been in
the “LOCK” position for at least 90
seconds before performing any
electrical service work on your
SUZUKI. Do not touch air bag sys-
tem components or wires. The
wires are wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow tubing, and the couplers
are yellow for easy identification.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, tools and other
objects away from the moving fan
and drive belt.
When it is necessary to do service
work with the engine running, make
sure that the parking brake is set
fully and the transaxle is in Neutral
(for manual transaxle vehicles) or
Park (for automatic transaxle vehi-
cles).
Do not touch ignition wires or other
ignition system parts when starting
the engine or when the engine is
running, or you could receive an
electric shock.
Be careful not to touch a hot
engine, exhaust manifold and
pipes, muffler, radiator and water
hoses.
Do not allow smoking, sparks or
flames around gasoline or the bat-
tery. Flammable fumes are present.
Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Be careful not to cause accidental
short circuits between the positive
and negative battery terminals.
Keep used oil, engine coolant and
other fluids away from children and
pets. Dispose of used fluids prop-
erly; never pour them on the
ground, into sewers, etc.

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