
4-5
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) and reverse. This
will create a rocking motion which may
give you enough momentum to free the
vehicle. Press gently on the accelerator
to keep wheel spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting. Do not race
the engine. Excessive wheel spin will
cause the tires to dig deeper, making it
more difficult to free the vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, we recommend you
to consult your authorised Maruti
Suzuki workshop or a roadside assis-
tance service. If a towing service is not
available in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed by a towing
cable or chain secured to the towing
hook either on the front of the vehicle or
on the rear of the vehicle. Refer to
“Frame Hooks” in the “OTHER CON-
TROLS AND EQUIPMENT” section.
Driving On Wet Roads
WA R N I N G
Do not allow anyone to stand near
the vehicle when you are rocking it,
and do not spin the wheels faster
than an indicated 40 km/h on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/ or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
NOTICE
Do not continue rocking the vehicle
for more than a few minutes. Pro-
longed rocking can cause engine
overheating or transaxle damage.
CAUTION
• When driving on wet roads, avoid
driving through large amount of
standing water on the road. Large
amount of water entering the
engine compartment may cause
damage to the engine and or elec-
trical components.
• If stuck in deep water, do not start
till water level drops.
• Water is incompressible substance,
water inside engine is harmful to
the engine.
WA R N I N G
• In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important
to observe the following precau-
tions.
• Make sure your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE”
• Do not use tires other than those
specified by MARUTI SUZUKI.
Never use different sizes or types
of tires on the front and rear
wheels. For information regarding
the specified tires, refer to the Tire
Information Label located on the
driver’s door lock pillar.
• Never use oversized tires or spe-
cial shock absorbers and springs
to raise (jack up) your vehicle. This
will change the handling character-
istics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the vehicle body over
bumps, causing vehicle damage or
tire failure.
•After driving through water, test the
brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained their normal effectiveness. If
the brakes are less effective than
normal, dry them by repeatedly
applying the brakes while driving
slowly until the brakes have
regained their normal effective-
ness
.

4-6
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
82PHM04001
Do’s and Dont’s for Safe
Driving
Exercise care in handling your vehicle. Be
conscious of not only your own safety but
also the safety of others on the road, and
thus enjoy the best and most comfortable
driving experience.
Following are basic rules for safe driving.
Read them carefully for good understand-
ing of the content so that you can enjoy
safe and pleasant driving in your vehicle.
Starting
1) Adjust the driver’s seat for the proper
driving posture.
2) Adjust the rear view mirror so as to
obtain the best possible rear view.
72F08002
3) Before moving, look around your vehi-
cle to confirm safety.
4) Don’t accelerate suddenly, since it is
dangerous and wastes fuel.
General Driving
1) Be sure to stop before a stop light or
stop sign. When moving into an inter-
section without any traffic lights or
signs, drive slowly to confirm safety.
2) Always follow other vehicles at a safe
distance in order to prevent a rear-end
collision, in case the vehicle ahead
makes a sudden stop.
72F08008
3) Turn ON the turn signal at least 30
meters before making a turn or chang-
ing the lane so as not to be hit.
4) Before entering a corner, decelerate to
a safe speed. Don’t apply brakes during
cornering, or skidding may occur.
5) When overtaking other vehicles, watch
out for oncoming vehicles and carefully
ensure safety.
6) Don’t attempt zigzag driving as it will
hinder your control over the vehicle and
may cause an accident.
7) Avoid reckless high speed driving and
try to drive at a safe speed suitable for
the road conditions while maintaining a
constant speed.
8) The higher the speed, the narrower the
driver’s visual range becomes. In such
a state, it is difficult to anticipate any
hazard and the driver feels fatigued.

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
7
53MH0-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Schedule ....................................................... 7-2
Periodic Maintenance Schedule ........................................ 7-2
Drive Belt ............................................................................. 7-10
Engine Oil and Filter ........................................................... 7-10
Engine Coolant .................................................................... 7-13
Air Cleaner ........................................................................... 7-15
Spark Plugs ......................................................................... 7-15
Gear Oil ................................................................................ 7-16
Clutch Pedal ........................................................................ 7-17
Fuel Filter ............................................................................. 7-17
Brakes .................................................................................. 7-18
Steering ................................................................................ 7-20
Tires ...................................................................................... 7-20
Battery .................................................................................. 7-22
Fuses .................................................................................... 7-23
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 7-27
Wiper Blades ....................................................................... 7-29
Windshield Washer Fluid ................................................... 7-31
Air Conditioning System .................................................... 7-31

7-5
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
*Interval: This interval should be judged by
odometer reading or months, whichever comes
first.km (x 1,000)
monthsFREE INSPECTIONS PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SERVICE AT COST
1 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
1 6 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
ROAD TEST
1. Operation of Brakes, Gear shifting and speedometer
II I I
I I I I I I
2.Body and Chassis noise
II I I
I I I I I I
AIR CONDITIONER (if equipped)
1. Check belt tension
IIII
IIIIII
3. Tighten compressor mounting bolts
–TTT
TTTTTT
2. All hose joints (Check, Tighten)
IIII
I I I I I I
4. Check functioning of Recirculating flap
IIII
I II I I I
5.Clean condenser with low pressure water
–CCCCCCCCC
6. Check belt for frayed edges, change if necessary
–I I I
I II I I I
7.Check all mounting bolts
–I I I
I I I I I I

7-8
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
*Interval: This interval should be judged by
odometer reading or months, whichever comes
first.km (x 1,000)
monthsFREE INSPECTIONS PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SERVICE AT COST
1 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
1 6 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
3. Parking brake level and cable (Play, Damage)IIIIIIIIII
4.a. Brake discs and pads (Wear) – I I IIIIIII
b. Brake drums & shoes (Wear) ––IIIIIIII
5.Master cylinder, wheel cylinder, caliper piston (Fluid leakage, Boot/Seal
Damage)IIIIIIIIII
6.Brake hoses and pipes (Fluid leakage, Damage)
IIIIIIIIII
WHEEL
1. Tyres (Air pressure, Abnormal wear, Crack and Rotation) I
I&OI&O I&OI&OI&OI&OI&OI&O I&O
2. Wheels (Damage) I
I I I I I I I I I
3. Front/Rear wheel bearing (Loose, Damage) –
I I I I I I I I I
FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION
1. Suspension strut (Oil leakage, Damage) I
I I I I I I I I I
2. Suspension arms/knuckle support (Loose, Damage) –
IIIIII I I I
3. Rear spring (Damage) –
I I I I I I I I I
4. Shock absorbers (Oil leakage, Damage) I
I I I I I I I I I
5. All bolts and nuts (Loose)–
T T T T T T T T T
6. Suspension arms and Tension rods –
I I I I I I I I I
STEERING
1. Steering wheel (Play, Loose) I
I I I I I I I I I
2. All rods and arms (Loose, Damage, Wear) I
I I I I I I I I I
ELECTRICAL
1. Battery electrolyte (Level, Leakage) I
I I I I I I I I I
2. Wiring harness connection (Loose, Damage) –
I I I I I I I I I
3. Lighting system (Operation, Stains, Damage) I
I I I I I I I I I
4. Horn (Operation) I
I I I I I I I I I
5. System voltage I
I I I I I I I I I
BODY
1. All chassis bolts and nuts (Tighten)
–ITT
T T T T T T
2. All latches, hinges and locks (Function)
II&LI&L I&L
I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L
ROAD TEST
1. Operation of Brakes, Gear shifting and speedometer
II I I
I I I I I I
2.Body and Chassis noise
II I I
I I I I I I

7-18
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
Brakes
Brake Fluid
53M-09-028
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 MARUTI GENUINE
BRAKE FLUID (MGBF).NOTE:
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be
expected to gradually fall as the brake
pads wear.
Brake Pedal
Check if the brake pedal stops at the regu-
lar height without “spongy” feeling when
you depress it. If not, have the brake sys-
tem inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer. If you doubt the brake pedal for the
regular height, check it as follows:
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
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 MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to inspect the brake system.
• A rapid fluid loss indicates a leak in
the brake system which should be
inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer immediately.
• Do not use any fluid other than
MARUTI GENUINE BRAKE FLUID
(MGBF) brake fluid. Do not use
reclaimed fluid or fluid that has
been stored in old or open contain-
ers. It is essential that foreign parti-
cles and other liquids are kept out
of the brake fluid reservoir.
CAUTION
Brake fluid can harm your eyes and
damage painted surfaces. Use cau-
tion when refilling the reservoir.
WA R N I N G
Brake fluid is harmful or fatal if swal-
lowed, and harmful if it comes in con-
tact with skin or eyes. If swallowed,
do not induce vomiting. Immediately
contact a poison control center or a
physician. If brake fluid gets in eyes,
flush eyes with water and seek medi-
cal attention. Wash thoroughly after
handling. Solution can be poisonous
to animals. Keep out of the reach of
children and animals.

7-19
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
53M-09-029
Pedal to floor carpet minimum dis-
tance “a”:
ALTO 800: 72 mm (2.8 in.)
ALTO K10: 79 mm (3.1 in.)
With the engine running, measure the dis-
tance between the brake pedal and floor
carpet when the pedal is depressed with
approximately 30 kg (66 lbs) of force. The
minimum distance required is as specified.
Since your vehicle’s brake system is self-
adjusting, there is no need for pedal
adjustment.
If the pedal to floor carpet distance as
measured above is less than the minimum
distance required, have your vehicle
inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:When measuring the distance between the
brake pedal and floor wall, be sure not to
include any accessory floor mat or rubber
mat on the floor carpet in your measure-
ment.
60G104S
Parking Brake
54G109
Ratchet tooth specification “b”:
4th – 9th
Lever pull force (1):
200 N (20 kg, 44 lbs)
Check the parking brake for proper adjust-
ment by counting the number of clicks
made by the ratchet teeth as you slowly
pull up on the parking brake lever to the
point of full engagement. The parking
brake lever should stop between the speci-
fied ratchet teeth and the rear wheels
should be securely locked. If the parking
brake is not properly adjusted or the
brakes drag after the lever has been fully
released, have the parking brake inspected
and/or adjusted by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
If you experience any of the following
problems with your vehicle’s brake
system, have the vehicle inspected
immediately by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
• Poor braking performance
• Uneven braking (brakes not work-
ing uniformly on all wheels).
• Excessive pedal travel
• Brake dragging
• Excessive noise
• Pedal pulsation (pedal pulsates
when depressed).
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

8-5
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
Jump Starting Instructions
When Jump Starting Your Vehicle,
Use the Following Procedure:
1) Use only a 12-volt battery to jump start
your vehicle. Position the good 12-volt
battery close to your vehicle so that the
jump leads will reach both batteries.
When using a battery installed on
another vehicle, DO NOT LET THE
VEHICLES TOUCH. Set the parking
brakes fully on both vehicles.
2) Turn off all vehicle accessories, except
those necessary for safety reasons (for
example, headlights or hazard lights).
53M-10-012
3) Make jump lead connections as follows:
1. Connect one end of the first jump
lead to the positive (+) terminal of
the flat battery (1).
2. Connect the other end to the positive
(+) terminal of the booster battery
(2).
3. Connect one end of the second jump
lead to the negative (–) terminal of
the booster battery (2).
4. Make the final connection to an
unpainted, heavy metal part (i.e.
engine hook (3)) of the engine of the
vehicle with the flat battery (1).
4) If the booster battery you are using is
fitted to another vehicle, start the
engine of the vehicle with the booster
battery. Run the engine at moderate
speed.
5) Start the engine of the vehicle with the
flat battery.
6) Remove the jump leads in the exact
reverse order in which you connected
them.
WA R N I N G
• Never attempt to jump start your
vehicle if the battery appears to be
frozen. Batteries in this condition
may explode or rupture if jump
starting is attempted.
• When making jump lead connec-
tions, be certain that your hands
and the jump leads remain clear
from pulleys, belts, or fans.
• Batteries produce flammable
hydrogen gas. Keep flames and
sparks away from the battery or an
explosion may occur. Never smoke
when working in the vicinity of the
battery.
• If the booster battery you use for
jump starting is installed in another
vehicle, make sure the two vehicles
are not touching each other.
• If your battery discharges repeat-
edly, for no apparent reason, have
your vehicle inspected by an
authorized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
• To avoid harm to yourself or dam-
age to your vehicle or battery, fol-
low the jump starting instructions
below precisely and in order.
If you are in doubt, call for qualified
road service.
NOTICE
Your vehicle should not be started by
pushing or towing. This starting
method could result in permanent
damage to the catalytic converter.
Use jump leads to start a vehicle with
a weak or flat battery.
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Never connect the jump lead directly
to the negative (–) terminal of the dis-
charged battery, or an explosion may
occur.