2008 SUZUKI SX4 sport mode

2-24
BEFORE DRIVING
80J21-03E
Lap-Shoulder BeltEmergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The seat belt has an emergency locking
retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock
the seat belt only during a sudden stop or
impact. It also may lock if you pull the belt
across your body very quickly. If this hap-
pens, let the belt go back to unlock it, then
pull the belt across your body more slowly.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
The front passenger’s seat belt and the
rear seat belts have emergency locking
retractors (ELRs) that can be temporarily
converted to function as automatic locking
retractors (ALRs). The ALR mode should
be used if you need to secure a child
restraint system in the seat. Refer to the
“Child Restraint Systems” section for
details.Safety reminder
60A038
60A040
To reduce the risk of sliding under the belt
during a collision, position the lap portion
of the belt across your lap as low on your
hips as possible and adjust it to a snug fit
WARNING
(Continued)
 Infants and small children should
never be transported unless they
are properly restrained. Restraint
systems for infants and small chil-
dren can be purchased commer-
cially and should be used. Make
sure that the system you purchase
meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Read and follow all the
directions provided by the manu-
facturer.
 Avoid contamination of seat belt
webbing by polishes, oils, chemi-
cals and particularly battery acid.
Cleaning may safely be carried out
using mild soap and water.
 For children, if the shoulder belt
irritates the neck or face, move the
child closer to the center of the
vehicle.
 All seatbacks should always be in
an upright position when driving,
or seat belt effectiveness may be
reduced. Seat belts are designed to
offer maximum protection when
seatbacks are in the upright posi-
tion.
Sit up straight and
fully back
Low on hips
Low on hips
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 3

7-2
DRIVING TIPS
80J21-03E
Driving on Slippery Roads
60G089S
Under wet road conditions you should
drive at a lower speed than on dry roads
due to possible slippage of tires during
braking. When driving on icy, snow-cov-
ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speed
and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.intelligent All Wheel Drive (i-AWD)
ModelsYour i-AWD provides greater traction on
slippery roads than 2-wheel drive models.
However, your i-AWD will not have as
much traction in deep snow, mud or sand
as multipurpose 4WD vehicles. You should
not attempt to drive your i-AWD in deep
snow, mud or sand. i-AWD models are not
sport/utility vehicles, and are not designed
for off-road use.If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) and reverse. This
will create a rocking motion which may
give you enough momentum to free the
vehicle. Press gently on the accelerator
to keep wheel spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting.
Do not race the engine. Excessive
wheel spin will cause the tires to dig
deeper, making it more difficult to free
the vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, get another vehicle
to pull your vehicle out.
WARNING
Try not to hold the brake pedal down
too long or too often while going
down a steep or long hill. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, result-
ing in reduced braking efficiency.
Failure to take this precaution could
result in loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION
When descending a down hill,
NEVER turn the ignition key to the
“OFF” position. Emission control
system and automatic transaxle (if
equipped) damage may result.
WARNING
Do not allow anyone to stand near the
vehicle when you are rocking it, and
do not spin the wheels faster than an
indicated 40 km/h (25 mph) on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
Driving on Hills: NO
Driving on Slippery Roads: NO

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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.
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Tires: 6