
ILLUSTRATED TABLE OF CONTENTS
80J23-03E
INTERIOR1. Seat Belts (P.2-28)
2. Side Curtain Air Bags (if equipped) 
(P.2-50)
3. Interior Light (P.5-45, 7-40)
4. Assist Grip (if equipped) (P.5-48)
5. Power Mirror Control Switch 
(if equipped) (P.2-20)/
Power Window Controls (P.2-17)
6. Sun Visor (P.5-45)
7. Spot Light (P.5-47, 7-40)
8. Inside Rearview Mirror (P.2-19)
9. Luggage Compartment Light 
(if equipped) (P.5-46, 7-45)
10. Luggage Compartment Cover 
(if equipped) (P.5-52)
11. Rear Seat (P.2-24)
12. Side Air Bags (if equipped) (P.2-50)
13. Armrest (if equipped) (P. 5-51)
14. Parking Brake Lever (P.3-6)
15. Front Seats (P.2-21)
16. Gearshift Lever (P.3-10)
80J2062
1
4
2
5
3
6
10
11
14
13 15
16
12
7
8
9EXAMPLE 

3-3OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
Vehicle Without Keyless Start 
System
60B041
The ignition switch has the following four
positions:
LOCK
This is the normal parking position. It is the
only position in which the key can be
removed.Manual transaxle
60A055
Manual transaxle vehicles 
You must push in the key to turn it to the
“LOCK” position. It locks the ignition, and
prevents normal use of the steering
wheel after the key is removed.
CVT vehicles 
The gearshift lever must be in the “P”
(Park) position to turn the key to the
“LOCK” position. It locks the ignition and
prevents normal use of the steering
wheel and gearshift lever.
To release the steering lock, insert the key
and turn it clockwise to one of the other
positions. If you have trouble turning the
key to unlock the steering, try turning the
steering wheel slightly to the right or left
while turning the key.ACC
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, but the engine is off.
ON
This is the normal operating position. All
electrical systems are on.
START
This is the position for starting the engine
using the starter motor. The key should be
released from this position as soon as the
engine starts.
Ignition key reminder
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to remove the ignition key if it is in the
ignition switch when the driver’s door is
opened.
Push
Turn to “LOCK”
Lighting/Turn Signal Control Lever: 8 

3-5OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
If you leave any of the doors open with the
ignition switch in the “ACC” position for a
while (and no key inserted), the engine
may not start when you turn the ignition
switch to “START”. If the engine does not
start, close all doors completely or turn the
ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position,
then start the engine.
The ignition switch has the following four
positions:
LOCK (1)
This is the normal parking position. It is the
only position in which the key can be
removed. It locks the ignition, and prevents
normal use of the steering wheel.
For vehicles with a CVT, the gearshift lever
must be in the “P” (Park) position to turn
the key to the “LOCK” position.
To release the steering lock, turn the igni-
tion switch clockwise to one of the other
positions. If you have trouble turning the
ignition switch to unlock the steering, try
turning the steering wheel slightly to the
right or left while turning the switch.
 Manual transaxle vehicle
You must push in the ignition switch to
turn it from the “LOCK” position to the
“ACC” position. To return to the “LOCK”
position from the “ACC” position, turn the
ignition switch counterclockwise while
pushing in the switch.CVT vehicle
To turn the ignition switch, push the
switch.
ACC (2)
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, but the engine is off.
ON (3)
This is the normal operating position. All
electrical systems are on.
START (4)
This is the position for starting the engine
using the starter motor. The switch should
be released from this position as soon as
the engine starts.
Ignition switch reminder
(When using the keyless start system)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to return the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position if it is in the “ACC” position
when the driver’s door is opened.You can also turn the ignition switch by
inserting the ignition key into the slot.
80JM139
The ignition switch cap (1) is installed to
make the ignition switch turn easily.
If you use the ignition key to turn the igni-
tion switch, remove the cap (1) by pinching
both side of the cap and pull it out.
NOTE:
If you remove the cap, be careful not to
lose it.
Ignition key reminder
(When using the ignition key)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to remove the ignition key if it is in the
ignition switch when the driver’s door is
opened.
(1)
Windshield Wiper and Washer Lever: 8
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Switch: 8 

3-7OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
For CVT vehicles, always set the parking
brake before moving the gearshift lever to
the “P” (Park) position. If you park on an
incline and shift into “P” before you set the
parking brake, the weight of the vehicle
may make it difficult to shift out of “P” when
you are ready to drive the vehicle. When
preparing to drive the vehicle, move the
gearshift lever out of the “P” position before
releasing the parking brake.
PedalsManual transaxle
79J072
CVT
79J154
WARNING
 Never drive your vehicle with the
parking brake set: rear brake effec-
tiveness can be reduced from over-
heating, brake life may be
shortened or permanent brake
damage may result.
 If the parking brake does not hold
the vehicle securely or does not
fully release, have your vehicle
inspected immediately by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
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.
(1)
(2)
(3)
EXAMPLE
(2) (3)
EXAMPLE
Cruise Control: 7, 8 

3-8
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
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 or front
disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Depressing 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.
Accelerator Pedal (3)This pedal controls the speed of the
engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal
increases power output and speed.
Starting the EngineBefore Starting the Engine1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual Transaxle – Shift into “N” (Neu-
tral) and depress the clutch pedal all
the way to the floor. Hold the clutch
pedal while starting the engine. 
CVT – If the gearshift lever is not in “P”
(Park) position, shift into “P”. (If you
need to re-start the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift into “N”.)
NOTE:
The engine of manual transaxle vehicle will
not start unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
NOTE:
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.
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.
WARNING
Do not “ride” the brakes by applying
them continuously or resting your
foot on the pedal. This will result in
overheating of the brakes which
could cause unpredictable braking
action, longer stopping distances or
permanent brake damage.
WARNING
Make sure that the parking brake is
set fully and the transaxle is in Neu-
tral (or Park for vehicles with a CVT)
before attempting to start the engine.
Cruise Control: 7, 8
Remote Audio Controls:
Horn: 6 

3-10
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
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 

3-11OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
Continuously Variable Transaxle 
(CVT)
80J2065
Gearshift lever
80J2035
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.
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift. 

3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
The gearshift lever has a lock mechanism
to help prevent accidental shifting. To shift
the gearshift lever:
80J2036
NOTE:
 Always shift the gearshift lever without
pushing in the lock button (1) except
when you shift from “P” to “R”, from “N”
to “R” or from “R” to “P”. If you always
push in the lock button (1) when shifting
the gearshift lever, you could shift into
“P” or “R” by mistake.
 If driver’s or passenger’s knee hits the
gearshift lever while driving, the lever
could move and the gear could be
changed unexpectedly.Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
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. Shift with the lock button (1)
pushed in and the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift with the lock button (1)
pushed in.
Shift without the lock button (1)
pushed in.
(1)
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.