6-1VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
57L20-03E
Vehicle Loading
57L61001
Your vehicle was designed for specific
weight capacities. The weight capacities of
your vehicle are indicated by the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR, front and rear)
and the Vehicle Capacity Weight. The
GVWR and GAWR (front and rear) are
listed on the Safety Certification Label
which is located below the driver’s side
door latch striker. The Vehicle Capacity
Weight is listed on the Tire Information
Label which is located below the Safety
Certification Label.
GVWR – Maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all the occupants, accessories and cargo).
GAWR – (Front and Rear) Maximum per-
missible weight on an individual axle.Vehicle Capacity Weight – Maximum per-
missible load weight a vehicle can carry
including the weight of all the occupants,
accessories and cargo.
The weight of any accessories already
installed on your vehicle at the time of pur-
chase, or that you or the dealer install after
purchase, must be subtracted from the
Vehicle Capacity Weight to determine how
much capacity remains available for occu-
pants and cargo. Contact your dealer for
further information.
Actual weight of the loaded vehicle and
actual loads at the front and rear axles can
only be determined by weighing the vehicle
using a vehicle scale. To measure the
weight and load, try taking your vehicle to
a highway weighing station, shipping com-
pany or inspection station for trucks, etc.
Compare these weights to the GVWR and
GAWR (front and rear) listed on the Safety
Certification Label. If the gross vehicle
weight or the load on either axle exceeds
these ratings, you must remove enough
weight to bring the load down to the rated
capacity.
WARNING
Never overload your vehicle. The
gross vehicle weight (sum of the
weights of the loaded vehicle, driver
and passengers) must never exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) listed on the Safety Certifica-
tion Label. In addition, never distrib-
ute a load so that the weight on either
the front or rear axle exceeds the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
listed on the Safety Certification
Label.
WARNING
Always distribute cargo evenly.
To avoid personal injury or damage
to your vehicle, always secure
cargo to prevent it from shifting if
the vehicle moves suddenly.
Place heavier objects on the floor
and as far forward in the trunk or in
the cargo area as possible.
Never pile cargo higher than the
top of the seat backs.
Exhaust Gas Warning: NO
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
7-18
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
57L20-03E
NOTE:
When it is difficult to remove the oil filter,
we recommend you take your vehicle to
your SUZUKI dealer for oil filter replace-
ment.Refill with Oil and Check for Leaks1) Pour oil through the filler hole and
install the filler cap.
For the approximate capacity of the oil,
refer to the “Capacities” item in the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section.
2) Start the engine and look carefully for
leaks at the oil filter and drain plug. Run
the engine at various speeds for at least
5 minutes.
3) Stop the engine and wait about 5 min-
utes. Check the oil level again and add
oil if necessary. Check for leaks again.
83E010
Engine CoolantSelection of CoolantTo maintain optimum performance and
durability of your engine, use SUZUKI
Genuine Coolant or equivalent.
NOTE:
If you replace the engine coolant other
than the SUZUKI LLC: Super (Blue), follow
the schedule of SUZUKI LLC: Standard
(Green). To see the detail of the mainte-
nance schedule, refer to “Periodic Mainte-
nance Schedule” in this section.
This type of coolant is best for your cooling
system as it:
Helps maintain proper engine tempera-
ture.
Gives proper protection against freezing
and boiling.
Gives proper protection against corro-
sion and rust.
CAUTION
When replacing the oil filter, it is rec-
ommended that you use a genuine
SUZUKI replacement filter. If you use
an after-market filter, make sure it is
of equivalent quality and carefully fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions
and precautions.
CAUTION
Oil leaks from around the oil filter or
drain plug indicate incorrect installa-
tion or gasket damage. If you find any
leaks or are not sure that the filter
has been properly tightened, have
the vehicle inspected by your SUZUKI
dealer.EXAMPLE
CAUTION
SUZUKI LLC: Super (Blue) coolant;
SUZUKI LLC: Super (Blue) coolant is
already diluted to the proper percent-
age. Do not dilute with distilled water
additionally. Doing so may result in
the possibility of freezing coolant
and/or overheating.
7-39INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
57L20-03E
Determining Compatibility of Tire
and Vehicle Load Limits
The tires on your vehicle, when they
are inflated to the recommended tire
inflation pressure, have a load-carry-
ing capacity that is greater than the
load that will be on the tires when the
vehicle is at its GVWR or GAWR limit.
Never use replacement tires that have
a load-carrying capacity less than the
original tires on your vehicle. Tire load-
carrying capacity information is
molded into the tire sidewall typically
shown as “Max. Load”. Use of replace-
ment tires with a lower load-carrying
capacity than the original tires, or fail-
ure to keep the tires inflated to recom-
mended tire pressure, may reduce the
GVWR or GAWR limit of your vehicle.
NOTE:
Use of replacement tires with a higher
load-carrying capacity than the origi-
nal tires, or using a tire inflation pres-
sure higher than the recommended
tire inflation pressure, will not increase
the GVWR or GAWR limit of your vehi-
cle.
Battery
60A269
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery that
requires infrequent maintenance. You will
never have to add water. You should, how-
ever, periodically check the battery, battery
terminals and battery hold-down bracket
for corrosion. Remove corrosion using a
stiff brush and ammonia mixed with water,
or baking soda mixed with water. After
removing corrosion, rinse with clean water.
The test indicator on the top of the battery
provides information on the condition of
the battery.
If your vehicle is not going to be driven for
a month or longer, disconnect the cable
from the negative terminal of the battery to
help prevent discharge.
WARNING
Batteries produce flammable hydro-
gen gas. Keep flames and sparks
away from the battery or an explosion
may occur. Never smoke when work-
ing near the battery.
WARNING
When checking or servicing the bat-
tery, disconnect the negative cable.
Be careful not to cause a short circuit
by allowing metal objects to contact
the battery posts and the vehicle at
the same time.EXAMPLE
WARNING
To avoid harm to yourself or damage
to your vehicle or battery, follow the
jump starting instructions in the
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section of
this manual if it is necessary to jump
start your vehicle.
WARNING
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after han-
dling.
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.).
13-2INDEX
57L20-03E
Courtesy Lights ................................................................... 5-79
Cruise Control ...................................................................... 3-21
Cup Holder and Storage Area............................................. 5-87
CVT Selector Position (for continuously variable
transaxle) .............................................................................. 2-81DDaily Inspection Checklist .................................................... 3-1
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.) Indicator Light................ 2-76
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.) System .......................... 2-104
Door Locks ............................................................................. 2-3
Drive Belt .............................................................................. 7-15
Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light...................................... 2-73
Driving on Hills ...................................................................... 4-3
Driving on Slippery Roads .................................................... 4-4
Driving Range ...................................................................... 2-81EElectric Power Steering Warning Light ............................. 2-77
Electronic Stabil ity Program (ESP
®) .................................. 3-31
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................. 2-36
Emission Compliance Label (for U.S.A.) ........................... 10-2
Engine Block Heater ............................................................ 3-12
Engine Coolant .................................................................... 7-18
Engine Hood......................................................................... 5-75
Engine Oil and Filter ............................................................ 7-15
Engine Serial Number ......................................................... 10-1
Engine Switch ........................................................................ 3-2
Engine Switch Illumination ................................................... 3-4
ESP
® Warning Light ............................................................ 2-71
Exhaust Gas Warning............................................................ 3-1
FFloor Mats............................................................................. 5-91 Fluid Level Check................................................................. 7-24
Folding Rear Seats............................................................... 2-32
Footrest ................................................................................. 5-89
Footwell Lights ..................................................................... 5-79
Frame Hooks ........................................................................ 5-96
Front Air Bags ...................................................................... 2-57
Front Fog Light Switch ...................................................... 2-105
Front Seat Back Pocket ....................................................... 5-89
Front Seat Heater ................................................................. 2-28
Front Seats ........................................................................... 2-23
Fuel Filler Cap ...................................................................... 5-74
Fuel Filler Door ..................................................................... 5-73
Fuel Gauge............................................................................ 2-78
Fuel Pump Labeling ............................................................... 1-1
Fuel Recommendation........................................................... 1-1
Full Wheel Cover .................................................................... 8-5
Fuses ..................................................................................... 7-40
FUSES AND PROTECTED CIRCUITS ...
.............................. 11-1
Fuses in the Engine Compartment ..................................... 7-40
Fuses under the Dash Board .............................................. 7-42
GGasoline Containing MTBE ................................................... 1-1
Gasoline/Ethanol blends ....................................................... 1-1
Gasoline/Methanol blends..................................................... 1-1
Gear Oil ................................................................................. 7-22
Gear Oil Level Check ........................................................... 7-23
Gear Oil Replacement .......................................................... 7-23
GLOSSARY OF TIRE TERMINOLOGY ................................ 7-36
Glove Box ............................................................................. 5-85HHazard Warning Switch ..................................................... 2-106