2-22
BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
Adjusting Seatbacks
80JM025
To adjust the seatback angle of front seats,
pull up the lever on the outboard side of
the seat, move the seatback to the desired
position, and release the lever to lock the
seatback in place. After adjustment, try
moving the seatback to make sure it is
securely locked.
Head Restraints
80J001
Head restraints are designed to help
reduce the risk of neck injuries in case of
an accident.
Adjust the head restraint to the position
which places the center of the head
restraint closest to the top of your ears. If
this is not possible for very tall passengers,
adjust the head restraint as high as possi-
ble.Front
80J2060
Each front seats is equipped with a head
restraint.
WARNING
All seatbacks should always be in an
upright position when driving, or seat
belt effectiveness may be reduced.
Seat belts are designed to offer maxi-
mum protection when seatbacks are
in the upright position.
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
2-24
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
2-41BEFORE DRIVING
80J23-03E
SX4 SEDAN
80JC028
For SX4 SEDAN, the covers marked with
the child restraint symbol as shown in the
illustration indicate the presence of lower
anchors. Remove the covers before install-
ing the child restraint system. Cover the
lower anchors when not in use.
Install the LATCH-type child restraint sys-
tem according to the instructions provided
by the child restraint system manufacturer.
After installing, try moving the child
restraint system in all directions, especially
forward to make sure the flexible straps or
rigid connecting bars are securely latched
to the anchors.NOTE:
Although there are three rear seating posi-
tions, you cannot install three LATCH type
child restraints in the rear seats. You can
install one or two LATCH restraint(s). Be
sure to install the LATCH type child
restraint(s) in the outboard seating posi-
tions.
If your LATCH restraint has flexible lower
connecting straps, these general instruc-
tions apply:
1) If possible, fold the seatback rearward
for easier installation.
73K017
2) Place the child restraint in the rear seat,
feeding the strap hooks through the
slots in the seat cushion or the slots in
the seatback bottom.
65D340
3) Snap the strap hooks to the anchors.
Take care not to pinch your fingers.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
Supplemental Restraint System (advanced air bags):
3, 9, 12
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.
3-6
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
81A297S
Parking Brake Lever
52D122
(1) To set
(2) To release
(3) To release
The parking brake lever is located between
the seats. To set the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down and pull the parking
brake lever all the way up. To release the
parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
pull up slightly on the parking brake lever,
push the button on the end of the lever with
your thumb and lower the lever to its origi-
nal position.
WARNING
For manual transaxle vehicles,
never remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is moving. The steering
wheel will lock and you will not be
able to steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key
when leaving the vehicle even if
only for a short time. Also do not
leave children or pets alone in a
parked vehicle. Unattended chil-
dren could cause accidental move-
ment of the vehicle or could tamper
with power windows. Children or
pets could suffer from heatstroke
in warm or hot weather, which
could result in severe injury or
even death.
CAUTION
Do not turn the starter motor for
more than 15 seconds at a time. If
the engine does not start, wait 15
seconds before trying again. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, check the fuel and igni-
tion systems or consult your
SUZUKI dealer.
Do not leave the ignition switch in
the “ON” position if the engine is
not running or the battery will dis-
charge.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Switch: 8
Tilt Steering Lock Lever: 6
Cruise Control: 7, 8
7-21INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J23-03E
6) The handle of the CVT fluid dipstick is
colored red or orange for easy identifi-
cation.
Remove the dipstick, clean it and push
it back in until the cap seats. Pull out
the dipstick and read the fluid level.
The fluid level should be between the
two marks in the “HOT” range on the
dipstick.
7) Add just enough specified fluid through
the dipstick hole to fill the transaxle to
the proper level. It takes only 0.6 liters
(1.27 US pt) for CVT to raise the level
from “LOW” to “FULL”.Deterioration Checking or Chang-
ing OilSince special procedures, materials and
tools are required to check the deteriora-
tion of CVT oil or change, it is recom-
mended that you trust this job to your
authorized SUZUKI dealer.
BrakesBrake Fluid
80J004
Check the brake fluid level by looking at
the reservoir in the engine compartment.
Check that the fluid level is between the
“MAX” and “MIN” lines. If the brake fluid
level is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to the
“MAX” line with SAE J1703 or DOT3 brake
fluid.
80J104
CAUTION
After checking or adding oil, be sure
to insert the dipstick securely.
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Failure to follow the guidelines below
can result in personal injury or seri-
ous damage to the brake system.
If the brake fluid in the reservoir
drops below a certain level, the
brake warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on (the
engine must be running with the
parking brake fully disengaged.)
Should the light come on, immedi-
ately ask your SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the brake system.
A rapid fluid loss indicates a leak in
the brake system which should be
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer
immediately.
Brake fluid can harm your eyes and
damage painted surfaces. Use cau-
tion when refilling the reservoir.
(Continued)
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