2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Latch

2-39BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
65D340
3) Snap the strap hooks to the anchors.
Take care not to pinch your fingers.
65D341
4) Return the seatback to the normal,
upright position. Tighten the lower
straps as described in the child restraintowner’s manual. Attach the top tether
strap, if applicable.
65D342
5) Make sure the child restraint is securely
fastened by trying to move the child
restraint system in all directions, espe-
cially forward.If your LATCH restraint has rigid lower con-
necting bars, these general instructions
apply:
1) If possible, fold the seatback rearward
for easier installation.
2) Place the child restraint in the rear seat,
inserting the connecting bars through
the slots in the seat cushion or the slots
in the seatback bottom.
54G183
3) Use your hands to carefully align the
connecting bar tips with the anchors.
Take care not to pinch your fingers.
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
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
EXAMPLE
Supplemental Restraint System (air bags): 3, 9, 12

2-40
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
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.
Installation-Child Restraint with Top
StrapRear seat
79K026
Some child restraint systems require the
use of a top strap. Top strap anchor brack-
ets are located on the back of the rear seat
as shown in the illustration. Install the child
restraint system as follows:
1) Remove the luggage compartment
cover.
2) Secure the child restraint on the rear
seat using the procedure described
above for securing a restraint system
that does not require a top strap.
3) Hook the top strap to the anchor
bracket and tighten the top strap
according to the instructions provided
by the child restraint system manufac-
turer. Be sure to attach the top strap to
the corresponding anchor located
directly behind the child restraint. Do
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
EXAMPLE
Front
Supplemental Restraint System (air bags): 3, 9, 12

2-41BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
not attach the top strap to the luggage
restraint loops (if equipped).
86G032
4) When routing the top strap, be sure to
pass it between the head restraint and
the rear seatback as shown. (Refer to
“Head Restraints” section for details onhow to raise or lower the head
restraint.)
5) 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, andother 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.
WARNING
Do not attach the child restraint top
strap to the luggage restraint loops
(if equipped). Incorrectly attached top
strap will reduce the intended effec-
tiveness of the child restraint system.Ty p e 2 Ty p e 1
Supplemental Restraint System (air bags): 3, 9, 12

3-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving
60A187S
1) 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 and the parking
brake lever.
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.
12)Check all gauges.
13)Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Battery solution level
7) Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-ing for proper latch operation. See the
item “All Latches, Hinges and Locks” of
“CHASSIS AND BODY” in the “Periodic
Maintenance Schedule” in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE”
section for lubrication schedule.
Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
Starting the Engine: 1

4-4
DRIVING TIPS
79K21-03E
Keep the air cleaner clean
60A183S
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting
in decreased power output and increased
fuel consumption.
Keep weight to a minimum
The heavier the load, the more fuel the
vehicle consumes. Take out any luggage
or cargo when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressure correct
Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label located below
the driver’s side door latch striker.
On-Pavement DrivingGovernment data show that most rollover
accidents for multi-purpose vehicles are
caused when a driver loses control of the
vehicle and leaves the paved portion of the
roadway striking a ditch, curb or other off-
road object that causes the vehicle to over-
turn. The following driving practices may
reduce the risk of rollover.
Vehicle Slides Off-Road
You can reduce the risk of this kind of roll-
over accident by always keeping the vehi-
cle under control. Typically, drivers lose
control of vehicles, often resulting in roll-
over accidents, when the driver is impaired
because of alcohol or other drugs, falls
asleep at the wheel or is otherwise inatten-
tive, or is driving too fast for the road condi-
tions.
Rollovers On the Roadway
If, for any reason, your vehicle slides side-
ways or spins out of control at highway
speeds, while on the paved portion of the
roadway, the risk of rollover is greatly
increased. This condition can be created
when two or more wheels drop off onto the
shoulder and you steer sharply in an
attempt to reenter the roadway. To reduce
the risk of rollover in these circumstances,
if conditions permit, you should hold the
steering wheel firmly and slow down
before pulling back into the travel lanes
with controlled steering movements.All Types of Rollover Accidents
As with many kinds of automobile acci-
dents, rollovers can be greatly reduced by
doing what all prudent drivers should do,
i.e., don’t drink and drive, don’t drive when
tired and don’t do anything behind the
wheel that could cause a loss of attention
to the driving task.
Additional guidelines are set out below for
your on-road driving.
Know Your Vehicle
Take time to familiarize yourself with the
unique handling characteristics of your
vehicle by first driving around in an area
away from traffic. Practice turning the vehi-
cle at a variety of speeds and in different
directions. Get a feel for the greater steer-
ing response that your vehicle has over a
conventional car.
Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times
The driver and all passengers should be
properly restrained at all times, using the
seat belts provided. Refer to the “Seat
Belts and Child Restraint Systems” section
for instructions on proper use of the seat
belts.
EXAMPLE
Off-Road Driving: NO

5-64
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
64J112
3) Continue to lift up the hood until it is
high enough to support with the prop
rod.
To close the engine hood:
1) Lift the hood up slightly and remove the
prop rod from the hole. Put the prop rod
back to the holding clip.
2) Lower the hood close to the bumper,
then let it drop down.
Make sure the hood is securely latched
after closing.
Sun Visor
79K055
The sun visors can be pulled down to block
glare coming through the windshield, or
they can be unhooked and turned to the
side to block glare coming through the side
window.
The extension (1) can be drawn out to
block glare widely.
Interior Light SwitchCenter
64J104
Rear
64J211
This light switch has three positions which
function as described below:
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
CAUTION
When unhooking and hooking a sun
visor, be sure to handle it by the hard
plastic parts or the sun visor can be
damaged.
(1)
(1)
(2)
(3)
EXAMPLE
(3)
(2)
(1)

5-71OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Glove Box
78K136
(1) LOCK
(2) UNLOCK
To open the glove box, pull the latch lever.
To close it, push the lid until it latches
securely. If a lock is equipped on the latch
lever, lock the glove box by inserting the
key and turning it clockwise and unlock the
glove box by turning the key counterclock-
wise.
Overhead Console Box
(if equipped)
79K056
To use the overhead console box, push on
the front edge (1) and open the lid. To
close the lid, push the front edge (1) until it
latches. Do not put heavy or sharp items in
the box.NOTE:
An aftermarket garage door opener can be
installed in the front side overhead console
box.
WARNING
Never drive with the glove box lid
open. It could cause injury if an acci-
dent occurs.
(1) (2)
WARNING
Never drive with the overhead con-
sole box lid open. It could cause
injury if an accident occurs.
(1)
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
If you park your vehicle outdoors in
direct sunlight or in hot weather, the
eyeglasses compartment can get
very hot since it is close to the roof.
So, when parking in such conditions:
 Do not leave eyeglasses in the
compartment. The heat may distort
plastic lenses or frames.
 Do not place flammable items, such
as a lighter, in the compartment.
The heat may cause a fire.

5-74
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Floor Mats (if equipped)
80J2014
Your vehicle has a fastener to keep the
driver’s side floor mat from sliding forward
and possibly interfering with the pedals.
Whenever you put the driver’s side floor
mat back in the vehicle after it has been
removed, be sure to hook the floor mat
grommet(s) to the fastener(s) and position
the floor mat properly in the footwell.
When you replace the floor mats in your
vehicle with a different type such as all-
weather floor mats, we highly recommend
using genuine SUZUKI floor mats for
proper fitting.
Luggage Compartment Cover Luggage or other cargo placed in the lug-
gage compartment can be hidden from
view by a luggage compartment cover.
However, the luggage compartment covers
are not designed to support items loaded
on top of them, and may get damaged if
used as a shelf.
NOTE:
The seatback should always be securely
latched in a fairly upright position when
removing or installing the luggage com-
partment cover.
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Failure to take the following precau-
tions may result in the driver’s side
floor mat interfering with the pedals
and causing a loss of vehicle control
or an accident.
 Make sure that the floor mat grom-
met(s) is(are) hooked to the fas-
tener(s).
 Never place additional floor mats
on top of the existing floor mats.
WARNING
Do not carry items on top of the lug-
gage compartment cover, even if they
are small and light. Objects on top of
the cover could be thrown about in an
accident, causing injury, or could
obstruct the driver’s rear view.
CAUTION
To avoid damaging the luggage com-
partment cover:
 Do not place items on top of it.
 Do not push down on it or lean on
it.
 Handle it carefully when installing
or removing.