2012 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA Using the

6-7VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
79K21-03E
Towing Your Vehicle
(recreational towing)Your vehicle may be towed behind another
vehicle (such as a motorhome), provided
you use the proper towing method speci-
fied for your vehicle. The towing method
you must use depends on the specifica-
tions of your vehicle: whether it is a 2-
wheel drive (2WD), 4-wheel drive (4WD)
with a transfer switch or 4-wheel drive
(4WD) without a transfer switch vehicle.
Use the towing instruction table to select
the proper towing method for your vehicle,
and carefully follow the corresponding
instructions. Be sure to use proper towing
equipment designed for recreational tow-
ing and make sure that towing speed does
not exceed 90 km/h (55 mph).TOWING INSTRUCTION TABLE
4WD Vehicle With a Transfer Switch
54G585
64J234
DRIVE TRAINTRANS-
MISSIONTOWING
METHOD
4WD
with a transfer
switchA/TA
M/TA
4WD
without a
transfer switchA/Tnone
M/Tnone
2WDA/TB
M/TB
CAUTION
Never tow your 4WD vehicle without
a transfer switch using recreational
towing methods. If you do, the trans-
mission will be permanently dam-
aged.
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing): 13

6-10
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
79K21-03E
4WD Vehicle Without a Transfer
Switch
54G586
54G58564J234
You cannot tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle using recreational towing
methods.
2WD Vehicle1) Secure the rear wheels on a towing
dolly according to the instructions pro-
vided by the dolly manufacturer.
2) Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” posi-
tion to unlock the steering wheel.
3) Make sure the front wheels are facing
straight forward and secure the steering
wheel with a steering wheel clamping
device designed for towing.
CAUTION
Never tow your vehicle using recre-
ational towing methods. If you do, the
transmission will be permanently
damaged.
CAUTION
The steering column is not strong
enough to withstand shocks trans-
mitted from the front wheels during
towing. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing): 13

7-2
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTICE (for U.S.A.)
Maintenance, replacement or repair of
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automo-
bile repair establishment or individual
using any part which has been certified
under the provisions in the Clean Air
Act sec. 207. (a) (2).
Maintenance ScheduleThe following table shows the times when
you should perform regular maintenance
on your vehicle. This table shows in miles,
kilometers and months when you should
perform inspections, adjustments, lubrica-
tion and other services. These intervals
should be shortened if driving is usually
done under severe conditions (refer to
“Maintenance Recommended Under
Severe Driving Conditions”).
WARNING
SUZUKI recommends that mainte-
nance on items marked with an aster-
isk (*) be performed by your
authorized SUZUKI dealer or a quali-
fied service technician. If you are
qualified, you may perform mainte-
nance on the unmarked items by
referring to the instructions in this
section. If you are not sure whether
you can successfully complete any of
the unmarked maintenance jobs, ask
your authorized SUZUKI dealer to do
the maintenance for you.
CAUTION
Whenever it becomes necessary to
replace parts on your vehicle, it is
recommended that you use genuine
SUZUKI replacement parts or their
equivalent.
WARNING
The shock absorbers are filled with
high pressure gas. Never attempt to
disassemble them or throw them into
a fire. Avoid storing them near a
heater or heating device. When
scrapping the absorber, the gas must
be released from the absorber safely.
Ask your dealer for assistance.
Maintenance Schedule: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10

7-11INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Refilling
81A147
Remove the oil filler cap and pour oil slowly
through the filler hole to bring the oil level
to the upper limit on the dipstick. Be careful
not to overfill. Too much oil is almost as
bad as too little oil. After refilling, start the
engine and allow it to idle for about a
minute. Stop the engine, wait about 5 min-
utes and check the oil level again.
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
60G306
Drain the engine oil while the engine is still
warm.
1) Remove the oil filler cap.
2) Remove the engine under cover.
3) Place a drain pan under the drain plug.
4) Using a wrench, remove the drain plug
and drain out the engine oil.5) Reinstall the drain plug and gasket.
Tighten the plug with a wrench to the
specified torque.
6) Reinstall the engine under cover.
Close Open
EXAMPLE
WARNING
The engine oil temperature may be
high enough to burn your fingers
when the drain plug is loosened. Wait
until the drain plug is cool enough to
touch with your bare hands.EXAMPLE
WARNING
New and used oil and solvent can be
hazardous. Children and pets may be
harmed by swallowing new or used
oil or solvent. Repeated, prolonged
contact with used engine oil may
cause skin cancer. Brief contact with
used oil or solvent may irritate skin.
 Keep new and used oil and solvent
away from children and pets.
 Wear a long-sleeve shirt and water-
proof gloves.
 Wash with soap if oil or solvent
contacts your skin.
Tightening torque specification
35 Nm (25.3 lb-ft, 3.5 kg-m)
Engine Oil and Filter: 1, 2

7-12
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Replace the Oil Filter2.4 L engine
78K055
1) Using an oil filter wrench, turn the oil fil-
ter counterclockwise and remove it.
2) Using a clean rag, wipe off the mount-
ing surface on the engine where the
new filter will be seated.
3) Smear a little engine oil around the rub-
ber gasket of the new oil filter.
4) Screw on the new filter by hand until the
filter gasket contacts the mounting sur-
face.
54G093
(1) Oil filter
(2) 3/4 turn
5) Tighten the filter 3/4 turn from the point
of contact with the mounting surface (or
to the specified torque) using an oil filter
wrench.
6) Reinstall the engine under cover.NOTE:
 When it is difficult to remove the oil filter,
we recommend you take your vehicle to
your SUZUKI dealer for oil filter replace-
ment.
 For 3.2 L engine, since special proce-
dures are required, we recommend you
take your vehicle to your SUZUKI dealer
for oil filter replacement.
Refill with Oil and Check for Leaks1) Pour oil through the filler hole and
install the filler cap.
For the approximate capacity of the oil,
refer to the “Capacities” item in the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section.
2) Start the engine and look carefully for
leaks at the oil filter and drain plug. Run
the engine at various speeds for at least
5 minutes.
3) Stop the engine and wait about 5 min-
utes. Check the oil level again and add
oil if necessary. Check for leaks again.
CAUTION
To tighten the oil filter properly, it is
important to accurately identify the
position at which the filter gasket
first contacts the mounting surface.
EXAMPLE
Tightening torque specification
14 Nm (10.1 lb-ft, 1.4 kg-m)
CAUTION
To prevent oil leakage, make sure
that the oil filter is tight, but do not
overtighten it.
CAUTION
When replacing the oil filter, it is rec-
ommended that you use a genuine
SUZUKI replacement filter. If you use
an after-market filter, make sure it is
of equivalent quality and carefully fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions
and precautions.
Engine Oil and Filter: 1, 2

7-20
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Tightening torque
Clutch Pedal
64J154
Check the clutch pedal for smooth opera-
tion and clutch fluid level from time to time.
If clutch dragging is felt with the pedal fully
depressed, have the clutch inspected by
your SUZUKI dealer. If the clutch fluid level
is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to the “MAX”
line with DOT3 brake fluid.
Automatic Transmission
FluidSpecified FluidUse an automatic transmission fluid
SUZUKI ATF 3317 or Mobil ATF 3309.Fluid Level CheckYou must check the fluid level with the
automatic transmission fluid at normal
operating temperature.
To check the fluid level:
1) To warm up the transmission fluid, drive
the vehicle or idle the engine until the
temperature gauge indicates normal
operating temperature.
2) Then drive for ten more minutes. Oil Filler
PlugOil Drain
Plug
Manual
transmission23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Tr a n s f e r23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Extension
case23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Front
differential23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Rear
differential23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
CAUTION
Driving with too much or too little
fluid can damage the transmission.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the specified auto-
matic transmission fluid. Using auto-
matic transmission fluid other than
SUZUKI ATF 3317 or Mobil ATF 3309
may damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.
Brakes: 6

7-21INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTE:
Do not check the fluid level if you have just
driven the vehicle for a long time at high
speed, if you have driven in city traffic in
hot weather, or if the vehicle has been pull-
ing a trailer. Wait until the fluid cools down
(about 30 minutes), or the fluid level indica-
tion will not be correct.
3) Park your vehicle on level ground.
4) Apply the parking brake and then start
the engine in “P” (Park). Let it idle for
two minutes and keep it running during
the fluid level check.
5) With your foot on the brake pedal, move
the gearshift lever through each gear,
pausing for about three seconds in
each range. Then move it back to the
“P” (Park) position.
60A205
The handle of the A/T fluid dipstick is col-
ored red for easy identification.
65D109
6) 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 transmission
to the proper level.
Changing OilSince special procedures, materials and
tools are required to change the automatic
transmission oil, it is recommended that
you trust this job to your authorized
SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Be sure to depress the brake pedal
when moving the gearshift lever, or
the vehicle can move suddenly.
EXAMPLE
or
FULL HOT
LOW HOT
CAUTION
After checking or adding oil, be sure
to insert the dipstick securely.
Brakes: 6

7-27INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E Tire Inflation Pressure
Tire inflation pressure should be
checked when the tire is cold. “Cold
tire inflation pressure” is the pressure
in a tire that has been driven less than
1 mile (1.6 km) or has been standing
for three hours or more.
54G307
The front, rear and spare tire pressure
specifications for your vehicle are
shown below and are listed on the Tire
and Loading Information Label, which
is located on the driver’s door lock pil-
lar. The Tire and Loading Information
Label contains the following informa-
tion:
 Seating Capacity
 Maximum Allowed Combined
Weight of Occupants and Cargo
 Original Tire Size Recommended Cold Tire Inflation
Pressure of Original Tires
NOTE:
The tire inflation pressure will change
due to changes in atmospheric pres-
sure, temperature or tire temperature
when driving. To reduce the chance
that the low tire pressure warning light
will come on due to normal changes in
temperature and atmospheric pres-
sure, it is important to check and
adjust the tire pressures when the tires
are cold. Tires that appear to be at the
specified pressure when checked after
driving, when the tires are warm, could
have pressure below the specification
when the tires cool down. Also, tires
that are inflated to the specified pres-
sure in a warm garage may have pres-
sure below the specification when the
vehicle is driven outside in very coldtemperature. If you adjust the tire
pressure in a garage that is warmer
than the outside temperature, you
should add 1 psi to the recommended
cold tire inflation pressure for every
10°F difference between garage tem-
perature and outside temperature.
Measuring air pressure
Use the following steps to achieve
proper tire inflation:
1) Identify the recommended tire pres-
sure on the vehicle’s Tire and Load-
ing Information Label or in the
owner’s manual.
2) Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve stem.
3) Using a reliable pressure gauge,
measure the tire inflation pressure
by pressing the tire gauge firmly
onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. Remember that
inflation pressures should be
checked when the tires are “cold”,
meaning before they have been
driven one mile or after sitting for
three hours or more allowing the
tire to cool to ambient air tempera-
ture.
4) If the air pressure is too high, slowly
release the air by pressing on the
tire valve stem with the edge of the
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation
Pressures
Front Tires230 kPa
33 psi
Rear Tires230 kPa
33 psi
Spare230 kPa
33 psi
Tires: 6