2013 SUZUKI ALTO service

2-31
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
If the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON”
position, this light will blink until the driver’s
seat belt is buckled.
For details about the seat belt reminder,
refer to “Seat Belts and Child Restraint
Systems” in this section.
“AIR BAG” Light (if equipped)
53M-04-074
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.
The light will come on and stay on if there
is a problem in the air bag system.
Malfunction Indicator Light
53M-04-075
Your vehicle has a computer-controlled
emission control system. A malfunction
indicator light is provided on the instrument
panel to indicate when it is necessary to
have the emission control system serviced.
The malfunction indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
position to let you know the light is working
and goes out when the engine is started.
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
when the engine is running, there is a
damage with the emission control system.
Bring the vehicle to your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to have the damage fixed.
Also, if the light comes on, there may be
something wrong with the transaxle sys-
tem. Have the system inspected by MAR-
UTI SUZUKI authorized dealer.Transaxle Warning Light
(if equipped)
53M-04-076
This light comes on briefly when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position or
the engine switch is pressed to change the
ignition mode to “ON” so you can check the
light is working.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, there is the problem with the auto-
matic transaxle system. Ask your MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer to have the system
inspected.
NOTE:
If the automated manual transaxle system
temperature becomes too high, this light
will blink. Stop the vehicle in a safe place
and let the system cool down.
WA R N I N G
If the “AIR BAG” light does not blink
or come on briefly when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position,
stays on for more than 10 seconds,
or comes on while driving, the air bag
system may not work properly. Have
both systems inspected by an
MARUT SUZUKI authorized dealer.
NOTICE
Continuing to drive the vehicle when
the malfunction indicator light is on
can cause permanent damage to the
vehicle’s emission control system,
and can affect fuel economy and
driveability.

2-33
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
the light stays on without blinking, then the
engine is overheating. Follow the instruc-
tions in the “If the Engine Overheats” of
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section.
Immobilizer System Light
53M-04-081
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and
goes out when the engine is started. If this
light blinks with the ignition switch turned to
“ON”, there may be something wrong with
the immobilizer system. Ask your MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer to have the system
inspected.
Door Lock Canceller Indicator Light
(if equipped)
53M-04-082
This indicator light will come on and keep
blinking continuously if there is some prob-
lem with door lock canceller system. Have
the vehicle inspected by MARUTI SUZUKI
authorized dealer.
NOTE:
In case door lock wiring and/or motor
are
damaged, Door Lock Canceller Indicator
Light will not blink.
Gear Shift Indicator (if equipped)Manual Transaxle
53M-04-083
This indicator informs about upshifting or
downshifting the gear while the vehicle is
running.There are three indications:
Upshift Indicator
This symbol indicates that lower gear posi-
tion is selected for vehicle’s current speed
and / or engine revolution. Changing to
higher gear position is recommended.
Stay Indicator
This symbol indicates that current gear
position is optimal for vehicle’s current
speed and / or engine revolution. No gear
shifting is required.
NOTE:
While driving in optimal gear position, the
upshift/downshift indicator does not
appear.
Downshift Indicator
This symbol indicates that higher gear
position is selected for the vehicle’s current
speed and / or engine revolution. Changing
to lower gear position is recommended.
NOTICE
Continuing to drive the vehicle when
engine overheating is indicated can
result in severe engine damage.

2-37
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
With tachometer
53M-04-099
Clock (1) (if equipped)
The clock is shown when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
To set the clock, follow the instructions
below.
Hold in the indication selector and meter
illumination control knob (3) for more
than 2 seconds. Push the indication
selector and meter illumination control
knob (3) to advance the minute display
while the minute display is flashing.
Release the indication selector and
meter illumination control knob (3) for 5
seconds to set the minute display.
The hour display flash after the minute
display is set. Push the indication selec-tor and meter illumination control knob
(3) to advance the hour display. Release
the indication selector and meter illumi-
nation control knob (3) for 5 seconds to
set the hour display.
Odometer/Trip meter (2)
The odometer/trip meter is shown when
the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. The trip meter
can be used to measure the distance trav-
eled on short trips or between fuel stops.
53M-04-100
When the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
with the lighting switch is in the “OFF” posi-
tion, the display shows three types of indi-
cation; odometer (A), trip meter A (B), trip
meter B (C) and clock (D). Push the
“MODE” knob (3) quickly to switch the indi-
cation among the four.
53M-04-101
WA R N I N G
If you attempt to adjust the display
while driving, you could lose control
of the vehicle.
Do not attempt to adjust the display
while driving.
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
Keep track of your odometer reading
and check the maintenance sched-
ule regularly for required services.
Increased wear or damage to certain
parts can result from failure to per-
form required services at the proper
mileage intervals.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

4-2
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
54G584S
Improving Fuel Economy
The following instructions will help you
improve fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling
If you are to wait for more than a minute
while you are parked, stop the engine and
start it again later. When warming up a
cold engine, do not allow the engine to idle
or apply full throttle until the engine has
reached operating temperature. Allow the
engine to warm up while driving.
Avoid sudden acceleration
Sudden acceleration starting from rest or
while driving will consume fuel unneces-
sarily and shorten engine life. Start off
slowly.
Avoid unnecessary stops
Avoid unnecessary deceleration and stop-
ping. Try to maintain a slow, steady speed
whenever possible. Slowing down and then
accelerating again uses more fuel.
Keep a steady cruising speed
Keep as constant a speed as road and traf-
fic conditions will permit.NOTICE
To avoid damaging catalyst or other
vehicle damage:
• Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
• In the event of an engine malfunc-
tion, particularly one involving
engine misfiring or other apparent
loss of performance, have the vehi-
cle serviced promptly.
• Do not turn off the engine or inter-
rupt the ignition when the transaxle
is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by
pushing or towing the vehicle, or
coasting down a hill.
• Do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as during diagnos-
tic testing.
• Do not idle the vehicle for pro-
longed periods if idling seems
rough or there are other malfunc-
tions.
• Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
• Avoid driving your vehicle at
excessively high engine speed.
WA R N I N G
Be careful about where you park and
drive; the catalytic converter and
other exhaust components can get
very hot. As with any vehicle, do not
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such as
dry grass or leaves can come in con-
tact with a hot exhaust system.
EXAMPLE

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
.

5-12
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
53MH0-74E
Frame Hooks
Front
53M-07-043
Rear
53M-07-044
The frame hooks are provided on the front
(1), rear (2) of the vehicle. The hooks (1) is
used for emergency situations. The hooks
(1) and (2) are used for trailer/train ship-
ping purpose.To tow your vehicle on the road or highway,
follow the instruction of “Towing” in “EMER-
GENCY SERVICE” or “VEHICLE LOAD-
ING AND TOWING” section.
Front Speakers Provision
(if equipped)
ALTO 800
53M-07-045
ALTO K10
53M-07-046
Space for fitment of front speaker is pro-
vided on the front doors.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Do not use the frame hooks to tow
another vehicle or to have your vehi-
cle towed on the road or highway.
The hooks (1) is designed for use in
emergency situations only, such as if
your vehicle or another vehicle gets
stuck in deep mud or snow.
The hook (2) is provided for trailer/
train shipping purposes.
NOTICE
When you use the towing hook (1),
avoid the driving that gives signifi-
cant physical shock on hook. Such
operation can damage the hook, or
the vehicle body.
Do not sudden accelerate.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

5-37
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
53MH0-74E
IPod/Phone
Error Display Messages
The following messages appear during operation to give you hints about how to use the unit properly.
CD
SYMPTOM CAUSEREMEDY
NO DeviceiPod is not connectedIt may take some time to recognize iPod.
Check iPod or cable to be connected
properly. Or check if iPod connector area
is clean.
No FileThere is no playable music filesCheck if data stored in iPod is in sup-
ported format
SYMPTOM CAUSEREMEDY
CHECK 01A disc is loaded upside-down inside the
CD deck and does not play.
An unsupported disc/format is being
used.Eject the disc then reinsert correctly with
the printed side upwards.
Use supported disc/format only.
CHECK 02A disc is caught inside the CD deck and
is not ejected.Make sure there is no blockage at the CD
slot.
If problem persists, turn off the unit and
contact your Nippon Service Centre.
CHECK 03A disc cannot be played due to scratches.Clean the disc surface.
If problem persists, replace with a non-
scratched, non-warped disc.
NO DISCThe disc is not inserted. Insert CD disc into the unit.

7-1
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
60A187S
WA R N I N G
You should take extreme care when
working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few pre-
cautions that you should be espe-
cially careful to observe:
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• To prevent damage or unintended
activation of the air bag system or
seat belt pretensioner system, be
sure the battery is disconnected
and the ignition switch has been in
the “LOCK” position for at least 90
seconds before performing any
electrical service work on your
vehicle. Do not touch air bag sys-
tem components, seat belt preten-
sioner system components or
wires.
The wires are wrapped with yellow
tape or yellow tubing, and the cou-
plers are yellow for easy identifica-
tion.
• Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
• When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, tools, and other
objects away from the fan and drive
belt. Even though the fan may not
be moving, it can automatically
turn on without warning.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• When it is necessary to do service
work with the engine running, make
sure that the parking brake is set
fully and the transaxle is in Neutral.
• Do not touch ignition wires or other
ignition system parts when start-
ing the engine or when the engine
is running, or you could receive an
electric shock.
• Be careful not to touch a hot
engine, exhaust manifold and
pipes, muffler, radiator and water
hoses.
• Do not allow smoking, sparks, or
flames around fuel or the battery.
Flammable fumes are present.
• Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
• Be careful not to cause accidental
short circuits between the positive
and negative battery terminals.
• Keep used oil, coolant, and other
fluids away from children and pets.
Dispose of used fluids properly;
never pour them on the ground,
into sewers, etc.