2009 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 4 wheel driving

3-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving
60A187S
1) 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 and the parking
brake lever.
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” posi-
tion.
12)Check all gauges.
13)Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING 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) Battery solution level
7) 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” in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE”
section for lubrication schedule.
Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.
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.
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
Starting the Engine: 1

3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Gearshift lever
66J004
The gearshift lever is designed that it can-
not be shifted out of the “P” position unless
the ignition switch is in the “ON” position
and the brake pedal is depressed.Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transmission
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to back the vehicle from
stop. Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before shifting into
Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the selector in “D” range, you can get
an automatic downshift by pressing the
accelerator pedal. The higher the vehiclespeed is, the more you will need to press
the accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
4 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can
be used in this position. The transmission
shifts up only to 4th gear.
3 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transmission will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.
WARNING
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle,
never leave the transfer switch in “N”
(Neutral) position when parked.
Otherwise the vehicle may roll even if
the transmission is in Park.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
79K027
D:
4-speed automatic transmission mode
3:
3-speed automatic transmission mode
The 3-speed mode is suitable for the fol-
lowing driving conditions:
 Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gearshifting
 Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
NOTE:
With the transfer switch in the “4L LOCK”
position, the 4-speed automatic transmis-
sion will remain in the 3-speed mode.Gearshift lever
64J142
The gearshift lever is designed that it can-
not be shifted out of the “P” position unless
the ignition switch is in the “ON” position
and the brake pedal is depressed.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transmission:
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before shifting into
“P” or “R”.
 Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “4”, “3” or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
 Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “4”, “3” or “L”) and the
rear wheels not moving.
 Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transmission
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting into
Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in “D” range you
can get an automatic downshift by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. The higher the
vehicle speed is, the more you need to
press the accelerator pedal to get a down-
shift.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can
be used in this position. The transmission
shifts up only to 3rd gear.
2 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transmission will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
WARNING
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle,
never leave the transfer switch in “N”
(Neutral) position when parked.
Otherwise the vehicle may roll even if
the transmission is in Park.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transmission:
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
 Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
 Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “3”, “2”, or “L”) and the
rear wheels not moving.
 Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4H (4-wheel drive high range)
64J220
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles. Use this position
for normal driving.
Braking: 6

3-19OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4H LOCK (4-wheel drive high range center differential lock)
64J221
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles and you get better
traction than when driving in “4H”. Use this
position when you need better traction
than “4H” provides, such as when driving
on slippery roads etc.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):

3-20
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4L LOCK (4-wheel drive low range center differential lock)
64J222
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles and you get better
traction and more low-speed torque than
when driving in “4H”. Use this position
when you need better traction than “4H”
provides and more low-speed torque than
“4H LOCK” provides, such as when climb-
ing or descending steep, slippery hills etc.
NOTE:
When the transfer switch (if equipped) is
turned to the “4L LOCK” position, the
ESP
® systems (other than ABS) will be
canceled to provide improved vehicle trac-
tion, and the “ESP OFF” indicator light will
come on.
When the transfer switch (if equipped) is
turned to the “4L LOCK” position, brake-
traction control can be activated. Brake-
traction control brakes the spinning wheel
to distribute drive power to the other
wheels for increased climbing ability or for
better performance on a rolling hill or a
slippery surface.
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):

3-26
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Cruise Control (if equipped)
79K032
The cruise control system allows you to
maintain a steady speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal. The
controls for operating the cruise control
system are on the steering wheel.
You can use the cruise control system with
the following conditions:
 For manual transmission vehicle, the
gear position is in 4th or 5th.
 For 4-Speed automatic transmission
vehicle, the gearshift lever is in “D” or “3”
position.
 For 5-Speed automatic transmission
vehicle, the gearshift lever is in “D” or “4”
position.
 The vehicle speed is between approxi-
mately 45 km/h (28 mph) or higher.
79K049
(1) “ON/OFF” switch
(2) “CANCEL” switch
(3) “SET/COAST” switch
(4) “RES/ACC” switch
To Set Cruising Speed1) Turn on the cruise control system by
pushing the “ON/OFF” switch (1). When
the “CRUISE” indicator light comes on,
you can set cruising speed.
2) Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
3) Push the “SET/COAST” switch (3) and
turn on the “SET” indicator light. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal and
the set speed will be maintained.
NOTE:
If the transfer switch (if equipped) is in the
“4L LOCK” position, you cannot use the
cruise control system. Refer to “Using the
Transfer Switch (if equipped)” in this sec-
tion.
WARNING
To help avoid loss of vehicle control,
do not use the cruise control system
when driving in heavy traffic, on slip-
pery or winding roads, or on steep
downgrades.
(1)(4)(2)
(3)
WARNING
If the cruising speed is set by acci-
dent, you cannot decelerate or could
loose control of the vehicle. This
could lead to an accident, resulting in
severe injury or death.
Turn off the cruise control system
and make sure the “CRUISE” indica-
tor light is off when the system is not
in use.