2-39BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
A-ELR type belt
83E036
3) Make sure that the retractor has con-
ver ted to the ALR mode by trying to pull
webbing out of the retractor. If the
retractor is in the ALR mode, the belt
will be locked.A-ELR type belt
65D234
A-ELR type belt
65D235
4) Try moving the child restraint system in
all directions, to make sure it is securely
installed. If you need to tighten the belt,
pull more webbing toward the retractor.
WARNING
If the retractor is not in the ALR
mode, the child restraint system can
move or tip over when your vehicle
turns or stops abruptly.EXAMPLE
WARNING
Before installing a child restraint in
the rear center seat, follow these
steps for secure installation:
Make sure the detachable connec-
tor is securely latched and the web-
bing is not twisted.
Make sure the seat belt is passed
through the seat belt guide.
EXAMPLE
Move to check
EXAMPLE
Pull to tighten
Supplemental Restraint System (advanced air bags):
3, 9, 12
2-43BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
54G183
3) Use your hands to carefully align the
connecting bar tips with the anchors.
Take care not to pinch your fingers.
54G184
4) Push the child restraint toward the
anchors so that the connecting bar tips
are partially hooked to the anchors.
Use your hands to confirm the position.
54G185
5) Grasp the front of the child restraint and
push the child restraint forcefully to
latch the connecting bars. Make sure
they are securely latched by trying to
move the child restraint system in all
directions, especially forward.
6) Return the seatback if folded. Attach
the top tether strap, if applicable.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WARNING
The seatback should always be
securely latched in a fairly upright
position when any type of child seat
is installed. An unlatched or reclined
seatback will reduce the intended
effectiveness of the child restraint
system.EXAMPLE
2-45BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
5) When routing the top strap, be sure to
pass the top strap as shown in the illus-
tration. For SX4 SEDAN, if the top strap
cannot be properly tightened when
passed under the head restraint as
shown in the Type 1 and Type 2 illustra-
tions, pass the top strap over the top of
the head restraint as shown in the Type
3 illustration. (Refer to “Head
Restraints” section for details on how to
raise or lower the head restraint.)
6) Make sure that cargo does not interfere
with routing of the top strap.
Seat Belt Extender
65D613
(1) Center of body
(2) Less than 152 mm (6 inches)
(3) Open end of extender buckle
If a seat belt cannot be fastened securely
because it is not long enough, see your
authorized SUZUKI dealer for a seat belt
extender. Seat belt extenders are available
for each seating position except for the
rear center position. After inspecting the
relationship between the seat belt length,
the occupant’s body size, and the seat
adjustment (the driver’s seat should always
be adjusted as far back as possible while
still maintaining control of the vehicle, and
other adjustable seats should be adjusted
as far back as possible), your dealer can
select the appropriate seat belt extender. A seat belt extender should only be used
for the person, vehicle and seating loca-
tion it was provided for.
When using the extender, ensure that
both ends are latched securely. Do not
use the extender if the open end of the
extender’s buckle is within 152 mm (6
inches) of the center of the occupant’s
body (See diagram). Use of the extender
when the buckle is too close to the cen-
ter of the body could increase the risk of
abdominal injury in the event of an acci-
dent, and could cause the shoulder belt
to be positioned incorrectly.
Make sure to use the correct buckle cor-
responding to your seating position.
Seat belt extenders are not intended for
use by pregnant women, and should
only be used upon approval by their
medical advisors.
Remove and stow the extender when it
is not being used.
2-46
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Seat Belt Pretensioner System
(for front seat belt only)
52D011
Your vehicle is equipped with a seat belt
pretensioner system at the front seating
positions. You can use the pretensioner
seat belts in the same manner as ordinary
seat belts.
The seat belt pretensioner system works
with the SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (advanced air bags). The crash
sensors and the electronic controller of the
air bag system also control the seat belt
pretensioners. The pretensioners are trig-
gered only when there is a frontal or side
crash severe enough to trigger the air bags
and the seat belts are fastened. If the seat
belts are not fastened, the respective pre-
tensioner system will not be activated. For
precautions and general information
including servicing the pretensioner sys-
tem, refer to the “Supplemental Restraint
System (air bags)” section in addition to
this “Seat Belt Pretensioner System” sec-
tion, and follow all those precautions.
The pretensioner is located in each front
seat belt retractor. The pretensioner tight-
ens the seat belt so the belt fits the occu-
pant’s body more snugly in the event of a
frontal or side crash. The retractors will
remain locked after the pretensioners are
activated. Upon activation, some noise will
occur and some smoke may be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle.
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of injury in a
crash.
Only use an extender for the per-
son, vehicle and seating position it
was provided for.
Do not use if open end of
extender’s buckle is within 152 mm
(6 inches) of center of occupant’s
body (See diagram).
Remove and stow the extender
when it is not being used.
WARNING
This section of the owner’s manual
describes your SUZUKI’s SEAT BELT
PRETENSIONER SYSTEM. Please
read and follow ALL these instruc-
tions carefully to minimize your risk
of severe injury or death.
EXAMPLE
2-62
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
1) Pull off the road and stop carefully.
2) Test the brakes by carefully starting and
stopping on the shoulder of the road.
3) If you determine that it is safe, drive
cautiously at low speed to the nearest
dealer for repairs,
or
4) Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer for repairs.NOTE:
Because the disc brake system is self-
adjusting, the fluid level will drop as the
brake pads become worn.
Replenishing the brake fluid reservoir is
considered normal periodic maintenance.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
65D529
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly so
you can check that the light is working. If
the light stays on, or comes on when driv-
ing, there may be something wrong with
the ABS.
If the ABS light and the brake system
warning light stay on, or come on simulta-
neously when driving, then there may be
something wrong with both the rear brake
proportioning valve function and anti-lock
function of the ABS.
If one of these happens, have the system
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer. If the
ABS becomes inoperative, the brake sys-
tem will function as an ordinary brake sys-
tem that has no ABS.For details of the ABS, refer to “Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS)” in the “OPERATING
YOUR VEHICLE” section.
SLIP Indicator Light (if equipped)
52KM133
ESP
® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
This light blinks 5 times per second when
one of the ESP
® systems other than ABS
is activated. If this light blinks, drive care-
fully.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the light comes on briefly so
you can check that the light is working. If
the light stays on, or comes on when driv-
ing and remains on, there may be some-
thing wrong with the ESP
® systems (other
than ABS). You should have the system
inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.
WARNING
Remember that stopping distance
may be longer, you may have to push
harder on the pedal, and the pedal
may go down farther than normal.
WARNING
If any of the following conditions
occur, you should immediately ask
your SUZUKI dealer to inspect the
brake system.
If the brake system warning light
does not go out after the parking
brake has been fully released.
If the brake system warning light
does not come on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
If the brake system warning light
comes on at any time during vehi-
cle operation.
2-76
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Lighting Operation
63J308
To turn the lights on or off, twist the knob
on the end of the lever. There are three
positions:
OFF (1)
All lights are off.
(2)
Front position lights, tail lights, license
plate light and instrument lights are on, but
headlights are off.
(3)
Front position lights, tail lights, license
plate light, instrument lights and head
lights are on.
63J309
With the headlights on, push the lever for-
ward to switch to the high beams (main
beams) or pull the lever toward you to
switch to the low beams. When the high
beams (main beams) are on, a light on the
instrument panel will come on. To momen-
tarily activate the high beams (main
beams) as a passing signal, pull the lever
slightly toward you and release it when you
have completed the signal.
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.)
SystemThe headlights light, but are dimmer than
the low beam, when the following three
conditions are all met. Also, the D.R.L. indi-
cator light on the instrument panel comes
on.
Conditions for D.R.L. system operation:
1) The engine is running.
2) The parking brake is released.
3) The headlights are off.
NOTE:
Be sure to turn the headlights on at night
or at any time of the day when driving or
weather conditions require the headlights
to operate at full brightness and the tail-
lights to be on.
Lights “On” reminder (if equipped)
A buzzer/chime sounds to remind you to
turn off the lights if they are left on when
the ignition key is removed and the driver’s
door is opened.
(1)(2)(3)
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
2-79BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Windshield Wipers
63J301
To turn the windshield wipers on, move the
lever down to one of the three operating
positions. In the “INT” position (if
equipped), the wipers operate intermit-
tently. The “INT” position is very convenient
for driving in mist or light rain. In the “LO”
position, the wipers operate at a steady
low speed. In the “HI” position, the wipers
operate at a steady high speed. To turn off
the wipers, move the lever back to the
“OFF” position.
Move the lever up and hold it to the “MIST”
position, the windshield wipers will turn on
continuously at low speed.
63J302
If the lever is equipped with the “INT TIME”
control, turn the control forward or rear-
ward to adjust the intermittent wiper opera-
tion to the desired interval.
Windshield Washer
63J303
To spray windshield washer fluid, pull the
lever toward you. The windshield wipers
will automatically turn on at low speed if
they are not already on and the “INT” posi-
tion is equipped.
MIST
OFF
INT
LO
HI
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WARNING
To prevent windshield icing in cold
weather, turn on the defroster to
heat the windshield before and dur-
ing windshield washer use.
Do not use radiator antifreeze in
the windshield washer reservoir. It
can severely impair visibility when
sprayed on the windshield, and can
also damage your vehicle’s paint.EXAMPLE
3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
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”.
80J2037
80J2073
(1) Manual mode indicator
(2) Gear positionThe information display shows the manual
mode indicator (1) and the current gear
position (2).
NOTE:
The indicated gear position on the infor-
mation display when you shift from “D” to
“M” is the gear position that was selected
automatically when the gearshift lever
was in “D”.
You can change to the manual mode
temporarily by pulling the shift paddle (if
equipped) on the steering wheel toward
you when the gearshift lever is in “D”.
Shifting in the manual mode
You can shift gears from 1st to 6th depend-
ing on driving speed.
NOTE:
When the engine is revved, the gear is
shifted up automatically to prevent dam-
age to the engine and the transaxle. If
the CVT fluid becomes hot such as
when driving on up hill, the engine speed
at which shifting occurs may be lower
than usual.
When the driving speed becomes slow,
the gear shifts down automatically, and
when the vehicle stops, the gear position
will be in 1st gear without shifting the
gearshift lever.
If you depress the accelerator pedal a
certain amount, the gear shifts down
automatically even if the gearshift lever
is in the manual mode.
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)
EXAMPLE