2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Using the

2-48
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Side air bags and side curtain air bags
will probably not inflate
54G028
Side air bags and side curtain air bags are
not designed to inflate in frontal or rear col-
lisions or minor side collisions, since they
would offer no protection in these types of
accidents. In a severe side impact, only the
side air bag and side curtain air bag on the
side of the vehicle that is struck will inflate.
In a severe rollover, the side curtain air
bags on both sides of the vehicle will
inflate. Remember, since an air bag
deploys only one time during an accident,
seat belts are needed to restrain occu-
pants from further movements during the
accident.
Therefore, an air bag is NOT a substitute
for seat belts. To maximize your protection,
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS. Be
aware that no system can prevent all pos-
sible injuries that may occur in an accident.
Front Passenger Sensing SystemThe front passenger sensing system will
turn off the front passenger’s front air bag
and seat belt pretensioner under certain
conditions. This system works using a sen-
sor mat that is part of the front passenger’s
seat. The front passenger sensing system
is designed to detect whether an occupant
is present in the seat and, if an occupant is
present, to determine whether the front
passenger’s front air bag and seat belt pre-
tensioner should be enabled or disabled
(turned off).
NOTE:
The front passenger’s side air bag and the
side curtain air bag are not controlled by
the front passenger sensing system.
WARNING
An air bag supplements, or adds to,
the crash protection offered by seat
belts. The driver and all passengers
must be properly restrained by wear-
ing seat belts at all times, whether or
not air bags are mounted at their
seating position, to minimize the risk
of severe injury or death in the event
of a crash.
WARNING
If the “AIR BAG” light in the instru-
ment cluster ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the air bag sys-
tem. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced immediately,
because the air bags may not offer
the protection for which they were
designed.

2-50
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
65D607
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in rear
seating positions than in front seating posi-
tions. Whenever possible, SUZUKI recom-
mends you install child restraints in the
rear seat.
The front passenger sensing system is
designed to enable the front passenger’sfront air bag when the system senses a
properly-seated adult in the front passen-
ger’s seat. When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the air bag to be
enabled, the “PASS AIR BAG OFF” indica-
tor will remain off to remind you that the air
bag is active.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the
front passenger’s seat and the “PASS AIR
BAG OFF” indicator comes on, it could be
because that person isn’t sitting properly in
the seat. If this happens, unfasten the seat
belts, sit upright in the center of the seat
with the seatback nearly vertical and your
legs outstretched, and refasten the seat
belt.
52D258
When seated as shown in the above illus-
tration, the front passenger sensing sys-
tem senses a properly-seated occupant
and enables the air bag.
When using a seat belt extender, follow the
instructions in the “Seat Belt Extender”
section.
WARNING
Do not install a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger’s
seat. If the passenger’s front air bag
inflates, a child in a rear-facing child
restraint could be seriously injured.
The back of a rear-facing child
restraint would be too close to the
inflating air bag.
WARNING
Do not place any heavy objects on
the front passenger’s seat. The pres-
sure sensors in the sensor mat could
be damaged and the front passenger
sensing system may not work prop-
erly.

2-63BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Keyless Start System Indicator
Light (if equipped)
62J041
When you push the ignition switch for vehi-
cle with the keyless start system, this light
will come on in blue or red. If this light
comes on in blue, you can turn the ignition
switch without using an ignition key. If this
light comes on in red, you cannot turn the
ignition switch without using an ignition
key. For details, refer to “Ignition Switch” in
the “OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” sec-
tion.
If this light blinks in red, it reminds you that
the remote controller is not in the vehicle.
For details, refer to “Keyless Start System
Remote Controller/Keyless Entry System
Transmitter” in this section.
Turn Signal Indicators
50G055
When you turn on the left or right turn sig-
nals, the corresponding green arrow on the
instrument panel will flash along with the
respective turn signal lights.
When you turn on the hazard warning
switch, both arrows will flash along with all
of the turn signal lights.High Beam Indicator Light
50G056
This indicator comes on when headlight
high beams are turned on.
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.)
Indicator Light (if equipped)
60B245
With the D.R.L. system, the headlights
light, but are dimmer than the low beam,
when the following three conditions are all
met. Whenever the D.R.L. system is oper-
ating, the D.R.L. indicator light remains on.
Conditions for D.R.L. system operation
1) The engine is running.
2) The parking brake is released.
3) The headlights are off, or the lighting
switch is in the “AUTO” position and it is
light around the light sensor.

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BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Illumination Indicator Light
64J045
This indicator light comes on while the
position lights, tail lights and/or the head-
lights are on.
Transfer Position Indicator Light
(if equipped)
64J044
These indicators show the 4WD operating
mode as described below. When the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position,
these lights come on briefly to let you know
that the lights are working.
(1): Neutral
(2): 4-wheel drive high range center differ-
ential lock mode
(2) & (3): 4-wheel drive low range center
differential lock mode
No indicators: 4-wheel drive high range
mode
For details, refer to “Using the Transfer
Switch” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHI-
CLE” section.If the indicators (all lights) continue to blink,
there is a problem in the transfer system
and you should have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.
NOTE:
The information display shows the warning
and indicator message when the transfer
system is operated, or has a problem.
Master Warning Indicator Light
78K049
This light blinks or comes on for several
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position so you can check if the
light is working.
When the information display shows warn-
ing and indicator messages, this indicator
light may also come on or blink.
For details, refer to “Information Display” in
this section.
(2) (1) (3)

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BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
(#1) This message will disappear for a while even if the problem that caused the message to appear is not corrected.
NOTE:
 When you operate the transfer switch (if equipped), the information display may show messages other than those in the above chart.
Refer to “Using the Transfer Switch” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” section for details.
 When you operate the ESP OFF switch (if equipped), the information display may show messages other than those in the above chart.
Refer to “Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE” section for details. Warning and Indicator messageMaster Warning
IndicatorSound Cause and Remedy
79K074
Blinks Off There may be a problem with the 4WD system.
Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.
79K075
Off Ding Fuel is low. (#1)
Fill the fuel tank immediately.
79K067
Off Off The outside temperature is near freezing. The road may
be icy. (#1)
You should drive carefully.

2-81BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Rear Window Wiper/Washer Switch
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 with the “INT” position, the rear
wiper operates intermittently when you
twist the switch forward to the “INT” posi-
tion. 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 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
Wiper
Intermittent wiper
Washer
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.

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
3
79K21-03E
60G408
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLEExhaust Gas Warning ......................................................... 3-1
Daily Inspection Checklist .................................................. 3-2
Ignition Switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Parking Brake Lever ........................................................... 3-7
Pedals ................................................................................... 3-8
Starting the Engine ............................................................. 3-9
Engine Block Heater (if equipped) ..................................... 3-10
Using the Transmission ..................................................... 3-11
Using the Transfer Switch (if equipped) ........................... 3-15
Cruise Control ..................................................................... 3-26
Braking ................................................................................. 3-28
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) ................................. 3-31
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(if equipped) ......................................................................... 3-37

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