
7-29
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
Rear combination light
ALTO 800
53M-09-055
ALTO K10
53M-09-056
Remove the screw (1). Remove the combi-
nation light (2) by pulling it outside.
License plate light
53M-09-057
High-mount stop light
53M-09-058
Wiper Blades
53M-09-059
If the wiper blades become brittle or dam-
aged, or make streaks when wiping,
replace the wiper blades.
To install new wiper blades, follow the pro-
cedures below.
NOTE:
Some wiper blades may be different from
the ones described here depending on
vehicle specifications. If so, consult your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer for proper
replacement method.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
To avoid scratching or breaking the
window, do not let the wiper arm
strike the window while replacing the
wiper blade.
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.

8-6
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
Towing
If you need to have your vehicle towed,
contact a professional service. Your dealer
can provide you with detailed towing
instructions.
2-Wheel Drive (2WD) Manual Transaxle
or Automated Manual Transaxle
Manual transaxle vehicles or Automated
Manual Transaxle may be towed using
either of the following methods.
1) From the front, with the front wheels
lifted and the rear wheels on the
ground. Before towing, make sure that
the parking brake is released.
2) From the rear, with the rear wheels
lifted and the front wheels on the
ground, provided the steering and
drivetrain are in operational condition.
Before towing, make sure that transaxle
is in neutral, the steering wheel is
unlocked (the ignition key should be in
the “ACC” position), and the steering
wheel is secured with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
If the Starter Does Not
Operate
1) Try turning the ignition switch to the
“START” position with the headlights
turned on to determine the battery con-
dition. If the headlights go excessively
dim or go off, it usually means that
either the battery is flat or the battery
terminal contact is poor. Recharge the
battery or correct battery terminal con-
tact as necessary.
2) If the headlights remain bright, check
the fuses. If the reason for failure of the
starter is not obvious, there may be a
major electrical problem. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your authorized MAR-
UTI SUZUKI dealer.
If the Engine is Flooded
If the engine is flooded with gasoline, it
may be hard to start. If this happens, press
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. (Do not operate the starter motor
for more than 15 seconds).
NOTICE
To help avoid damage to your vehicle
during towing, proper equipment and
towing procedures must be used.
NOTICE
After shifting the auto gear shift gear-
shift lever to the “N” position, always
check the gear position indicator in
the instrument cluster shows the “N”
position to make sure that the
transaxle is disengaged.
If the transaxle cannot be put in neu-
tral, turn the key from the “OFF” to
the “ON” position, and move the auto
gear shift gearshift lever from “N” to
“D”, “M” or “R”, then back to “N”
again. Then turn the key from the
“ON” to the “OFF” position.
These procedures may help put the
transaxle in neutral. If the transaxle
still cannot be put in neutral, you can-
not tow the vehicle without using a
towing dolly.
NOTICE
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.

8-7
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
If the Engine Overheats
The engine could overheat temporarily
under severe driving conditions. If the high
engine coolant temperature warning light
comes on as overheating during driving:
1) Turn off the air conditioner, if equipped.
2) Take the vehicle to a safe place and
park.
3) Let the engine run at the normal idle
speed for a few minutes until the high
engine coolant temperature warning
light goes off.
If the high engine coolant temperature
warning light does not go off:
1) Turn off the engine and check that the
water pump belt and pulleys are not
damaged or slipping. If any abnormality
is found, correct it.2) Check the coolant level in the reservoir.
If it is found to be lower than the “LOW”
line, look for leaks at the radiator, water
pump, and radiator and heater hoses. If
you locate any leaks that may have
caused the overheating, do not run the
engine until these problems have been
corrected.
3) If you do not find a leak, carefully add
coolant to the reservoir and then the
radiator, if necessary. (Refer to “Engine
Coolant” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section.)
NOTE:
If your engine overheats and you are
unsure what to do, contact your MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer.
65D614
WA R N I N G
If you see or hear escaping steam,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and
immediately turn off the engine to let
it cool. Do not open the hood when
steam is present. When the steam
can no longer be seen or heard, open
the hood to see if the coolant is still
boiling. If it is, you must wait until it
stops boiling before you proceed.
WA R N I N G
• It is hazardous to remove the radia-
tor cap (or degassing tank cap for a
diesel engine) when the water tem-
perature is high, because scalding
fluid and steam may be blown out
under pressure. The cap should
only be taken off when the coolant
temperature has lowered.
• To help prevent personal injury,
keep hands, tools and clothing
away from the engine cooling fan
and air-conditioner fan (if
equipped). These electric fans can
automatically turn on without warn-
ing.

8-8
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
Warning Triangle
53M-10-014
In case of vehicle break-down or during
emergency stopping, where, your vehicle
could become a potential traffic hazard,
keep the warning triangle, provided with
your vehicle, on the road free from any
obstacles behind your vehicle so as to
warn the approaching traffic, at an approxi-
mate distance of 50-100 m. The reflecting
side of the triangle should face the on com-
ing traffic. Please activate the hazard
warning lamps before alighting the vehicle
to keep the warning triangle.
53M-10-015
Remove the warning triangle carefully
from the cover as shown by arrow 1.
Open both the reflector arms as shown
by arrow and lock the arms with each
other with the clip provided in the right
arm. Open the bottom stand in counter
clock-wise direction as shown by arrow
3. Position the warning triangle behind
the vehicle on a plain surface.
Reverse the removal procedure for keep-
ing inside the cover.
53M-10-016
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

9-3
APPEARANCE CARE
53MH0-74E
Carpets
Remove dirt and soil as much as possible
with a vacuum cleaner. Using a mild soap
solution, rub stained areas with a clean
damp cloth. To remove soap, rub the areas
again with a cloth dampened with water.
Repeat this until the stain is removed, or
use a commercial carpet cleaner for
tougher stains. If you use a carpet cleaner,
carefully follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions and precautions.
Cleaning the Exterior
Caring for Aluminum Wheels
NOTE:
• Do not use an acidic or alkaline deter-
gent to wash aluminum wheels. These
types of detergent will cause permanent
spots, discoloration and cracks on fin-
ished surfaces.
• Do not use a bristle brush and soap con-
taining an abrasive material. These will
damage finished surfaces.
Washing
60B212S
When washing the vehicle, park it where
direct sunlight does not fall on it and follow
the instructions below:
1) Flush the underside of body and wheel
housings with pressurized water to
remove mud and debris. Use plenty of
water.
2) Rinse the body to loosen the dirt.
Remove dirt and mud from the body
exterior with running water. You may
use a soft sponge or brush. Do not use
hard materials which can scratch the
paint or plastic. Remember that the
headlight covers or lenses are made of
plastic in many cases.
NOTICE
It is important that your vehicle be
kept clean and free from dirt. Failure
to keep your vehicle clean may result
in fading of the paint or corrosion to
various parts of the vehicle body.
WA R N I N G
• Never attempt to wash and wax
your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
• When cleaning the underside of the
body and fender, where there may
be sharp-edged parts, you should
wear gloves and a long-sleeved
shirt to protect your hands and
arms from being cut.
• After washing your vehicle, care-
fully test the brakes before driving
to make sure they have maintained
their normal effectiveness.
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
When washing the vehicle:
• Avoid directing steam or hot water
of more than 80°C (176°F) on plas-
tic parts.
• To avoid damaging engine compo-
nents, do not use pressurized
water in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
To avoid damage to the paint or plas-
tic surface, do not wipe the dirt off
without ample water. Be sure to fol-
low above procedure.

9-4
APPEARANCE CARE
53MH0-74E
3) Wash the entire exterior with a mild
detergent or car wash soap using a
sponge or soft cloth. The sponge or
cloth should be frequently soaked in the
soap solution.
4) Once the dirt has been completely
removed, rinse off the detergent with
running water.
5) After rinsing, wipe off the vehicle body
with a wet chamois or cloth and allow it
to dry in the shade.
6) Check carefully for damage to painted
surfaces. If there is any damage,
“touch-up” the damage following the
procedure below:
1. Clean all damaged spots and allow
them to dry.
2. Stir the paint and “touch-up” the
damaged spots lightly using a small
brush.
3. Allow the paint to dry completely.
Waxing
60B211S
After washing the vehicle, waxing and pol-
ishing are recommended to further protect
and beautify the paint.
Only use waxes and polishes of good
quality.
When using waxes and polishes,
observe the precautions specified by the
manufacturers.
NOTICE
When using a commercial car wash
product, observe the cautions speci-
fied by the manufacturer. Never use
strong household detergents or
soaps.
NOTICE
If you use an automatic car wash,
make sure that your vehicle’s body
parts, such as spoilers, cannot be
damaged. If you are in doubt, consult
the car wash operator for advice.
EXAMPLE