
2-24
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
86G064
Rear SeatsHead RestraintsHead restraints are designed to help
reduce the risk of neck injuries in the case
of an accident.
WARNING
Improperly using the seat heater can
be hazardous. An occupant can suf-
fer burns even if the heating tempera-
ture is fairly low, if the occupant is
wearing thin pants, a thin skirt or
shorts and leaves the heater on for
long periods.
Avoid using the seat heater for these
occupants:
People who have reduced feeling in
their legs, including the elderly or
those with certain disabilities.
Small children, or anyone with sen-
sitive skin.
People who are asleep or under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs
which make them tired.
CAUTION
To avoid damaging the heater ele-
ment:
Do not subject the front seats to
heavy impacts, such as children
jumping on them.
Do not cover the seat with any
insulating materials such as blan-
kets or cushions.
WARNING
All occupants, including the driver,
should not operate a vehicle or sit in
a vehicle’s seat until the head
restraints are placed in their proper
positions in order to minimize the
risk of severe injury in the event of a
crash.
WARNING
All head restraints must be rein-
stalled to properly protect vehicle
occupants.
WARNING
Never drive the vehicle with the
head restraints removed.
Do not attempt to adjust the head
restraint while driving.
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 3

2-26
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Folding Rear SeatsThe rear seats of your vehicle can be folded
forward to provide additional cargo space.
To fold the rear seats forward:
SX4
80JM026
SX4 SEDAN
80JC086
1) Hook the webbing of the outboard lap-
shoulder belts in the belt hangers.
2) Lower the adjustable head restraint
fully.SX4
80JM027
SX4 SEDAN
80JC087
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
CAUTION
When you move a seatback, make
sure the belt webbing is hooked in
the seat belt hangers so the seat
belts are not caught by the seat-
back, seat hinge, or seat latch. This
helps prevent damage to the belt
system.
Make sure the belt webbing is not
twisted.
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 3

2-35BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Seat Belt Inspection
65D209S
Periodically inspect the seat belts to make
sure they work properly and are not dam-
aged. Check the webbing, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, anchorages and guide
loops. Replace any seat belts which do not
work properly or are damaged.
CAUTION
When you move a seatback, make
sure the belt webbing is hooked in
the seat belt hangers so the seat
belts are not caught by the seatback,
seat hinge, or seat latch. This helps
prevent damage to the belt system.
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Be sure to inspect all seat belt
assemblies after any collision. Any
seat belt assembly which was in use
during a collision (other than a very
minor one) should be replaced, even
if damage to the assembly is not
obvious. Any seat belt assembly
which was not in use during a colli-
sion should be replaced if it does not
function properly, it is damaged in
any way or the seat belt pretension-
ers were activated.
Supplemental Restraint System (advanced air bags):
3, 9, 12

2-47BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
The driver and all passengers must be
properly restrained by wearing seat belts
at all times, whether or not a pretensioner
is equipped at their seating position, to
help minimize the risk of severe injury or
death in the event of a crash.
Sit fully back in the seat; sit up straight; do
not lean forward or sideways. Adjust the
belt so the lap portion of the belt is worn
low across the pelvis, not across the waist.
Please refer to the “Seat Adjustment” sec-
tion and the instructions and precautions
about the seat belts in this “Seat Belts and
Child Restraint Systems” section for details
on proper seat and seat belt adjustments.
Please note that the pretensioners along
with the air bags will activate only in severe
frontal or side collisions. They are not
designed to activate in rear impacts, roll-
overs or minor frontal collisions. The pre-
tensioners can be activated only once. If
the pretensioners are activated (that is, if
the air bags are activated), have the pre-
tensioner system serviced by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
If the AIR BAG light on the instrument clus-
ter does not blink or come on briefly when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON”
position, stays on for more than 10 sec-
onds, or comes on while driving, the pre-
tensioner system or the air bag system
may not work properly. Have both systems
inspected by an authorized SUZUKI dealer
as soon as possible.Service on or around the pretensioner sys-
tem components or wiring must be per-
formed only by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer who is specially trained. Improper
service could result in unintended activa-
tion of pretensioners or could render the
pretensioner inoperative. Either of these
two conditions may result in personal
injury.
To prevent damage or unintended activa-
tion of the pretensioners, be sure the bat-
tery is disconnected and the ignition switch
has been in the “LOCK” position for at least
90 seconds before performing any electri-
cal service work on your SUZUKI. Do not
touch pretensioner system components or
wiring. The wires are wrapped with yellow
tape or yellow tubing, and the couplers are
yellow. When scrapping your SUZUKI, ask
your SUZUKI dealer, body repair shop or
scrap yard for assistance.
Supplemental Restraint
System (air bags)
54G022
Your vehicle has advanced front air bags
and side air bags for the driver and right
front passenger. Your vehicle also has side
curtain air bags.
WARNING
This section of the owner’s manual
describes the protection provided by
your SUZUKI’s SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (air bags).
Please read and follow ALL these
instructions carefully to minimize
your risk of severe injury or death in
the event of a collision.EXAMPLE

2-56
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
How the System WorksIn a frontal collision, the crash sensors will
detect rapid deceleration and send a signal
to the controller. If the controller judges
that the deceleration represents a severe
frontal crash, the controller will trigger the
inflators. The controller also judges:
Whether the front air bags should deploy
at reduced power or at full power accord-
ing to crash severity.
Whether the air bags should deploy at
reduced power or at full power according
to crash severity, driver’s seat fore/aft
position and whether or not the front
passenger’s seat belt is fastened.
Whether the front passenger’s front air
bag should deploy or not based on clas-
sification of the occupant of the front
passenger’s seat.
Since your vehicle is equipped with side air
bags, and side curtain air bags, crash sen-
sors will detect a side collision, and if the
controller judges that the side collision is
severe enough, it will trigger the side air
bag and side curtain air bag inflators.
The inflators inflate the appropriate air
bags with nitrogen or argon gas. The
inflated air bags provide a cushion for your
head (front air bags and side curtain air
bags only) and upper body. The air bag
inflates and deflates so quickly that you
may not even realize that it has activated.
The air bag will neither hinder your view
nor make it harder to exit the vehicle.Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully
in order to reduce the chance of serious or
fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable
consequence of the quick inflation is that
the air bag may irritate bare skin, such as
the facial area against a front air bag. Also,
upon inflation, a loud noise will occur and
some powder and smoke will be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the car. Be aware,
however, that some air bag components
may be hot for a while after inflation.
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper
position for maximum protection when an
air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far
back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your
seat; sit up straight; do not lean over the
steering wheel or dashboard. Front occu-
pants should not lean on or sleep against
the door. Please refer to the “Seat Adjust-
ment” section and the “Seat Belts and
Child Restraint Systems” section in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section for details on
proper seat and seat belt adjustments.
WARNING
Do not spill any liquids on the seat.
Liquids can damage the sensors
under the front seat.
Have the driver’s seat position sen-
sor and the front passenger’s sen-
sor mat inspected by your dealer
after a collision.
Do not replace the front seats. If
you replace them, the air bags and
front passenger sensing system
may not work properly.
Do not use a seat cover. If you use
a seat cover, the front passenger
sensing system may not work prop-
erly.

2-58
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Servicing the Air Bag SystemIf the air bags inflate, have the air bags and
related components replaced by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
If your vehicle ever gets in deep water and
the driver’s floor is submerged, the air bag
controller could be damaged. If this hap-
pens, have the air bag system inspected
by the SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
Special procedures are required for servic-
ing or replacing an air bag. For that reason,
only an authorized SUZUKI dealer should
be allowed to service or replace your air
bags. Please remind anyone who services
your SUZUKI that it has air bags.
Service on or around air bag components
or wiring must be performed only by an
authorized SUZUKI dealer. Improper ser-
vice could result in unintended air bag
deployment or could render the air bags
inoperative. Either of these two conditions
may result in severe injury.To prevent damage or unintended inflation
of the air bag system, be sure the battery
is disconnected and the ignition switch has
been in the “LOCK” position for at least 90
seconds before performing any electrical
service work on your SUZUKI. Do not
touch air bag system components or wires.
The wires are wrapped with yellow tape or
yellow tubing, and the couplers are yellow
for easy identification.
Scrapping a car that has an undeployed air
bag can be hazardous. Ask your dealer,
body repair shop or scrap yard for help
with disposal.If it is necessary to modify the advanced
front air bag system to accommodate a
person with disabilities, owners in the con-
tinental United States can call American
Suzuki toll-free at 1-800-934-0934, or write
to:
American Suzuki Motor Corporation
Automotive Customer Relations
3251 East Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92821-6795
If you purchased your SUZUKI in Canada
please contact the Suzuki Canada Cus-
tomer Relations Department by telephone
at 1-905-889-2677 extension 2254 or in
writing at:
Suzuki Canada Inc.
Customer Relations
100 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, On
L4B 1J6

2-80
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Switch
(if equipped)
63J304
To turn the rear wiper on, twist the rear
wiper switch on the end of the lever for-
ward to the “ON” position. If your vehicle is
equipped the “INT” position, the rear wiper
operates intermittently when you twist the
switch forward to the “INT” position. To turn
the rear wiper off, twist the switch rearward
to the “OFF” position.
To spray window washer fluid, twist the
switch rearward from the “OFF” position, or
twist the switch forward from the “ON” posi-
tion. The rear wiper will turn on automati-
cally while spraying the window washer
fluid.
CAUTION
To help prevent damage to the wind-
shield wiper and washer system
components, you should take the fol-
lowing precautions:
Do not continue to hold in the lever
when there is no windshield
washer fluid being sprayed or the
washer motor can be damaged.
Do not attempt to remove dirt from
a dry windshield with the wipers or
you can damage the windshield
and the wiper blades. Always wet
the windshield with washer fluid
before operating the wipers.
Clear ice or packed snow from the
wiper blades before using the wip-
ers.
Check the washer fluid level regu-
larly. Check it often when the
weather is bad.
Only fill the washer fluid reservoir
3/4 full during cold weather to allow
room for expansion if the tempera-
ture falls low enough to freeze the
solution.
EXAMPLE
Intermittent wiper
Washer
Wiper
CAUTION
Clear ice or snow from the rear win-
dow and rear wiper blade before
using the rear wiper. Accumulated ice
or snow could prevent the wiper
blade from moving, causing damage
to the wiper motor.

3-1OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
Exhaust Gas Warning
52D334
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving1) 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.
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.
WARNING
Avoid breathing exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, a potentially lethal gas that is
colorless and odorless. Since carbon
monoxide is difficult to detect by
itself, be sure to take the following
precautions to help prevent carbon
monoxide from entering your vehicle.
Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Do not park with the engine run-
ning for a long period of time, even
in an open area. If it is necessary to
sit for a short time in a parked vehi-
cle with the engine running, make
sure the air intake selector is set to
“FRESH AIR” and the blower is at
high speed.
Avoid operating the vehicle with
the tailgate or trunk open. If it is
necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tailgate or trunk open,
make sure the sunroof (if equipped)
and all windows are closed, and the
blower is at high speed with the air
intake selector set to “FRESH AIR”.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the air inlet grille in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves or
other obstructions at all times.
Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear
of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust
gases under the vehicle. This is
particularly important when parked
in blizzard conditions.
Have the exhaust system inspected
periodically for damage and leaks.
Any damage or leaks should be
repaired immediately.
Ignition Switch: 8