2-74
BEFORE DRIVING
57L20-03E
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 you press the engine switch to
change the ignition mode to “ON” 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 an authorized
SUZUKI dealer to have the emission con-
trol system serviced right away and avoid
hard acceleration until the service is per-
formed.
Also, if the light comes on, there may be
something wrong with the continuously
variable transaxle system. Have the sys-
tem inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.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.
Low Fuel Warning Light
54G343
If this light comes on, fill the fuel tank
immediately.
When this light comes on, a ding sounds
once to remind you to fill the fuel.
If you do not fill the fuel, a ding sounds
every time you press the engine switch to
change the ignition mode to “ON”.
NOTE:
The activation point of this light varies
depending on road conditions (for exam-
ple, slope or curve) and driving conditions
because of fuel moving in the tank.
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.
4-2
DRIVING TIPS
57L20-03E
54G584S
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.
CAUTION
To minimize the possibility of catalyst
or other vehicle damage:
Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
In the event of an engine malfunc-
tion, particularly one involving
engine misfire or other apparent
loss of performance, have the vehi-
cle serviced promptly.
Do not shut off the engine or inter-
rupt the ignition when the transaxle
is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
Do not try to start the engine by
pushing or towing the vehicle or
coasting down a hill.
Do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as during diagnos-
tic testing.
Do not idle the vehicle for pro-
longed periods if idling seems
rough or there are other malfunc-
tions.
Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
WARNING
Be careful where you park and drive;
the catalytic converter and other
exhaust components can get very
hot. As with any vehicle, do not park
or operate this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as dry
grass or leaves can come in contact
with a hot exhaust system.
Instrument Cluster: 8
7-1INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
57L20-03E
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 engine switch has been
pressed to change the ignition
mode to “LOCK” (OFF) and this
mode is kept unchanged 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.
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 CVT).
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
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 fuel or the battery.
Flammable fumes are present.
Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
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.
Highway Driving: NO
Driving on Hills: NO
8-8
EMERGENCY SERVICE
57L20-03E
If the Engine is FloodedIf the engine is flooded with gasoline, it
may be hard to start. If this happens, press
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. (Do not operate the starter motor
for more than 12 seconds).
NOTE:
If the engine refuses to start, the starter
motor automatically stops after a certain
period of time. After the starter motor has
automatically stopped or there is anything
abnormal in the engine starting system,
the starter motor runs only while the
engine switch is held pressed.
If the Engine OverheatsThe engine could overheat temporarily
under severe driving conditions. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating during driving:
1) Turn off the air conditioner, if equipped.
2) Take the vehicle to a safe place and
park.
3) Let the engine run at normal idle speed
for a few minutes until the indicator is
within the normal, acceptable tempera-
ture range shown by the white band
between “H” and “C”.If the temperature indication does not
come down to within the normal, accept-
able range:
1) Turn off the engine and check that the
water pump belt and pulleys are not
damaged or slipping. If any abnormality
is found, correct it.
2) Check the coolant level in the reservoir.
If it is found to be lower than the “LOW”
line, look for leaks at the radiator, water
pump and radiator and heater hoses. If
you locate any leaks that may have
caused the overheating, do not run the
engine until these problems have been
corrected.
3) If you do not find a leak, carefully add
coolant to the reservoir and then the
radiator, if necessary. (Refer to “Engine
Coolant” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section.)
WARNING
If you see or hear escaping steam,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and
immediately turn off the engine to let
it cool. Do not open the hood when
steam is present. When the steam
can no longer be seen or heard, open
the hood to see if the coolant is still
boiling. If it is, you must wait until it
stops boiling before you proceed.
Also, be careful not to touch hot
engine parts (radiator, water hoses,
engine etc.).