
3-7OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
the following conditions, you may not be
able to start the engine or select the
power supply modes, and the “remote
controller outside” warning may be
given.
– The remote controller’s battery is low.
– The remote controller is affected bystrong radio signals or noise.
– The remote controller is in contact with or covered by a metallic object.
– The remote controller is in stowage like the glove box or a door pocket.
– The remote controller is in the sun
visor pocket or on the floor.
Even when the remote controller is out- side the “interior workable area”, if it is in
any of the following conditions, you may
be able to start the engine or select the
power supply mode. The “remote con-
troller outside” warning may not be given
at that time.
– The remote controller is outside the
vehicle but very close to a door.
– The remote controller is on the instru- ment panel.
Starting the EngineBefore Starting the Engine1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual Transaxle – Shift to “N” (Neu- tral) and fully depress the clutch pedal.
Hold the clutch and brake pedals fully
depressed.
CVT – If the gearshift lever is not in the
“P” (Park) position, shift it to “P”. Hold
the brake pedal fully depressed.
3) The “PUSH START SWITCH” message will appear on the information display in
the instrument cluster. Push the engine
switch (1). When the engine is started,
the starter motor will automatically stop.
82K254
NOTE:
You do not need to keep the engine
switch pressed to start the engine.
The engine of a manual transaxle vehi- cle will not start unless the clutch pedal
is depressed.
CVT 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.
During the engine starting procedure,
messages on the inform ation display will
help you. Refer to “Information Display”
in the “Before Driving” section for details.
(1)
WARNING
Make sure that the parking brake is
set fully and the tr ansaxle is in Neu-
tral (or Park for vehicles with a CVT)
before attempting to start the engine.
CAUTION
Do not depress the acclerator dur-
ing the engine st arting procedure.
If the engine does not respond when you try to start it with the
engine switch or if the engine
switch repeats cycling through the
“OFF” - “ACC” - “ON” mode, the
vehicle battery may be discharged.
Check the voltage of the vehicle
battery before trying again.
Cruise Control: 7, 8

3-8
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
You should turn off such loads as theheadlights and air conditioning system to
facilitate starting of the engine.
Even if you fail to start the engine, the
starter motor will stop turning automati-
cally after a short time. After the starter
motor has stopped or if there is some
problem with the system, the starter
motor will rotate only while the engine
switch is being pressed.Stopping the engine Depress the engine switch to stop theengine after the vehicle stopped com-
pletely.
In case of emergency, you can stop the engine by depressing the engine switch
more than 3 seconds while the vehicle in
motion.
NOTE:
Except in emergency, do not stop the
engine while the vehicle in motion.
The steering and braking operation will
require more effort s when the engine
stopped.
Refer to “Braking” in the “OPERATING
YOUR VEHICLE” section.
Starting a Cold EngineWith your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by pressing the engine
switch to change the ignition mode to
“START”.
After pressing the engine switch to change
the ignition mode to “START”, the starter
cranks the engine for about 12 seconds
before it can start the engine. If the engine
fails to start at the first attempt, wait about
15 seconds, then try again while keeping
the engine switch pressed while pressing
down the accelerator pedal to 1/3 of its
travel. Release the 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. Th is 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”.If the master warning light flashes
and the engine cannot be startedYour keyless start system remote controller
may not be sensed as being within the
“interior workable area”. Try again after
making sure that you have the remote con-
troller with you. If the engine still cannot be
started, the battery of the remote controller
may be discharged. You must then use the
following method to be able to start the
engine.
57L21124
1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual Transaxle – Shift to “N” (Neu- tral) and fully depress the clutch pedal.
Hold the clutch and brake pedals fully
depressed.
CAUTION
If the engine doesn’ t start on the first
try, wait about 15 seconds before try-
ing again.
(1)
(2)
Cruise Control: 7, 8
Remote Audio Controls:
Horn: 6

3-11OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
Parking Brake Reminder Buzzer
If you start the vehicle without releasing
the parking brake, the interior buzzer
warns you by repeated triple beeps.
PedalsManual transaxle
57L31028
CVT
57L31029
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. Depress-
ing 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.
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully
before leaving your vehicle or it may
roll, causing injury or damage. When
parking, make sure the gearshift
lever for manual transaxle vehicles is
in 1st gear or “R” (Reverse) and the
gearshift lever for CVT vehicles is in
“P” (Park). Remember, even though
the transaxle is in gear or in Park, you
must set the parking brake fully.
(2)
(1)
(3)
EXAMPLE
(3)
(2)
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear, clutch dam-
age, or unexpected loss of engine
braking.
WARNING
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your SUZUKI dealer.

3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
3) Close the engine hood securely before
starting the engine.
Using the TransaxleManual Transaxle
80J2081
Starting off
To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine’s sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, and easy shifting.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor before shifting gears. Keep
the engine speed does not rise into the red
zone of the tachometer.
80J2082
Reverse gear: with lifting up ring, shift the
gearshift lever to the right, engage gear.
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.
EXAMPLE

3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
Downshifting maximum allowable
speedsFor J24B engine
*NOTE:
You may not accelerate to the maximum
allowable speed because of the driving sit-
uation and/or the vehicle condition.Downshifting Km/h (mph)
2nd to 1st 50 (31)
3rd to 2nd 90 (56)
4th to 3rd 135 (84)
5th to 4th 185 (115)*
6th to 5th 225 (140)*
CAUTION
When downshifting to a lower gear,
make sure not to operate with the
speed faster than the maximum
allowable speeds for the next lower
gear, or severe engine damage can
result.
WARNING
Reduce your speed and downshift
to a lower gear before going down
a long or steep hill. Downshifting
will allow the engine to provide
braking. Avoid riding the brakes or
they may overheat, resulting in
brake failure.
When driving on slippery roads, be
sure to slow down before down-
shifting. Large and sudden
changes in engine speed may
cause loss of traction, which could
cause you to lose control.
Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before you shift
into reverse.
CAUTION
To help avoid clutch damage, do
not use the clutch pedal as a foot-
rest while driving or use the clutch
to keep the vehicle stationary on a
slope. Depress the clutch fully
when shifting.
When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine
can shorten engine life and affect
smooth shifting.

3-16
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
Use the gearshift lever positions as follows:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle
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.
M (manual mode)
Use this position for driving in the manual
mode.
Refer to “Manual mode” later in this section
for details on how to use the manual mode.Manual mode
The CVT can shift gears automatically.
When using the manual mode, you can
shift gears in the same manner as conven-
tional manual transaxle.
To use the manual mode, shift the gearshift
lever from “D” to “M”.
57L31011
57L31012
(1) Manual mode indicator
(2) Gear position
The information display shows the manual
mode indicator (1) and the current gear
position (2).
CAUTION
Do not shift the gearshift lever into
“R” while moving forward, or the
transaxle may be damaged. If you
shift into “R” when the vehicle speed
is over 6mph (10km/h), the transaxle
will not shift into reverse.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
CVT:
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” or “M” when the engine is run-
ning above idle speed.
Do not rev the engine with the tran-
saxle in a drive position (“R”, “D”
or “M”) and the front wheels not
moving.
Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
(1)(2)

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
57L40011
To shift down, pull the “–” side shift paddle,
located on left side of the steering wheel,
toward you. When you remove your finger
from the switch, the switch will return to the
original position.
NOTE:
To shift gears continuously, remove your
finger from the shift paddle, then pull the
shift paddle again. You cannot shift
gears continuously while holding the
shift paddle toward you.
When you pull the both “+” and “–” shift
paddle simultaneously, the gear may not
shift.Canceling the manual mode
To cancel the manual mode, shift the gear-
shift lever from “M” to “D”.
Temporary manual mode
Pull the shift paddle (if equipped) toward
you when driving with the gearshift lever in
the “D” position. The information display
shows the manual mode indicator (1) and
the current gear position (2).
57L31012
(1) Manual mode indicator
(2) Gear position
The temporary manual mode will be can-
celed automatically in the following situa-
tions.
When you press and hold the accelera-
tor pedal for a certain period of time with-
out shifting gears.
When driving speed becomes slow.If You Cannot Shift CVT Gearshift Lever
Out of “P” (PARK)
57L31015
Vehicles with a CVT have an electrically
operated park-lock feature. If the vehicle’s
battery is discharged, or there is some
other electrical failure, the CVT cannot be
shifted out of Park in the normal way. Jump
starting may correct the condition. If not,
follow the procedure described below. This
procedure will permit changing the tran-
saxle out of Park.
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly
applied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the
engine.
3) Remove the cover (1) over the button.
4) With pushing the release button by the
key or the flat end rod, shift the gear-
shift lever to the desired position.
(1)(2)
(1)

3-34
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
57L20-03E
Hill Hold Control System
(if equipped)The hill hold control system is designed to
assist you in starting to move up steep or
slippery hills. When you start to move up a
hill, the system helps to prevent the vehicle
from rolling downward while you move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator
pedal.
The hill hold control system activates for a
maximum of about 2 seconds if your foot is
moved from the brake pedal when the fol-
lowing condition are all met.
1) The gearshift lever is in a forward gear
or reverse gear.
2) The parking brake is released.3) The vehicle is on an upward incline.
NOTE:
You may hear a sound coming from the
engine when the hill hold control system is
activated. This sound is normal and does
not indicate a malfunction.
57L31023
If the message shown in the above illustra-
tion appears on the information display,
there may be a problem with the hill hold
control system. Have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.
NOTE:
The hill hold control system will not acti-
vate while this message is displayed.
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) (if equipped)The tire pressure monitoring system is
designed to alert you when one or more of
the tires on your vehicle is significantly
under-inflated. A Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) sensor containing a
unique identification code is mounted on
each wheel. The TPMS sensors transmit
tire pressure signals to receiver which
relays the information to a tire pressure
monitoring system controller. When the
inflation pressure of one or more tires indi-
cates significant under-inflation, the low
tire pressure warning light shown below
comes on.
WARNING
Do not rely excessively on the hill
hold control system. The hill hold
control system may not prevent the
vehicle from rolling downward on a
hill under all load or road condi-
tions. Always be prepared to
depress the brake pedal to prevent
the vehicle from rolling downward.
Failure to pay attention and
depress the brake pedal to hold the
vehicle on a hill when necessary,
may result in loss of control or an
accident.
Do not use the hill hold control sys-
tem to bring the vehicle to a stop
on a hill.