2013 SUZUKI ALTO Start

2-1
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Keys
51KM024
Your vehicle comes with a pair of keys.
The key(s) may or may not be equipped
with a transmitter depending on model
variant. Keep the spare key in a safe place.
One key can open all of the locks on the
vehicle.
The key identification number is stamped
on a metal tag provided with the keys or on
the keys. Keep the tag (if equipped) in a
safe place. If you lose your keys, you will
need this number to have new keys made.
Write the number below for your future ref-
erence.
Immobilizer System
This system is designed to help prevent
vehicle theft by electronically disabling the
engine starting system.
The engine can be started only with your
vehicle’s original immobilizer ignition key
which has an electronic identification code
programmed into it. The key communi-
cates the identification code to the vehicle
when the key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. If you need to make spare keys, see
your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer. The vehicle
must be programmed with the correct iden-
tification code for the spare keys. A key
made by an ordinary locksmith will not
work.
54G003
If the immobilizer system light (1) blinks
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion, there may be something wrong with
your key or with the immobilizer system.
Ask your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the system.NOTE:
• If you lose your immobilizer ignition key,
see your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer as
soon as possible to have the lost one
deactivated, then have the new key
made by them.
• If you own other vehicles with immobi-
lizer keys, keep those keys away from
the ignition switch when using your
MARUTI SUZUKI, or the engine may not
be started because they may interfere
with your MARUTI SUZUKI’s immobi-
lizer system.
• If you attach any metal objects to the
immobilizer key, it may not start the
engine.
KEY NUMBER:
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
The immobilizer key is a sensitive
electronic instrument. To avoid dam-
aging the immobilizer key:
• Do not expose it to impacts, mois-
ture or high temperature such as
on the dashboard under direct sun-
light.
• Keep the immobilizer key away
from magnetic objects.

2-5
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Keyless Entry System (if
equipped)
53M-04-010
Keyless EntryYou can lock / unlock all doors simultane-
ously by operating the transmitter near the
vehicle.
To lock all doors, press “LOCK” button
once. All indicator lights will flash once
when doors are locked.
To unlock all doors, press “UNLOCK”
button once. All indicator lights will flash
twice when doors are unlocked.
NOTE:
• The operating distance of the keyless
entry system transmitter is about 20
meters, but this may vary depending on
the condition of transmitter’s battery and
surroundings especially near other
transmitting devices such as radio tow-
ers.
• The door locks cannot be operated with
the transmitter if the ignition key is
inserted in the key cylinder or if any door
is open.
• Be sure to close the doors and windows
before locking.• If you lose any of the transmitters (keys),
contact your MARUTI SUZUKI autho-
rised dealer as soon as possible for
erasing the transmitter ID from vehicle
controller memory. In case you need a
new transmitter, place an order with your
dealer.
• Key cylinder mentioned in this section is
the key hole mounted on steering col-
umn, where key is inserted to start the
vehicle.
GENERAL FEATURES
Illuminated Entry
When vehicle is unlocked, the room lamp
will turn ON to facilitate illuminated entry
into the vehicle. The room lamp will turn
OFF when the door is closed.
Illuminated Exit
When door is opened to exit the vehicle,
the room lamp will turn ON and will turn
OFF when the door is closed.
Auto Relock
In case of accidental Unlock/Disarm of
vehicle by Key, vehicle will automatically
Lock within 30 sec. without any indication.
Auto relock cycle gets canceled if user
does any of the following operation within
30 sec:
1. Open any door.
2. Insert key in cylinder.
3. Any door is locked/unlocked by door
knob.
Radio Frequency Lock Out
Key Lock/Unlock/Panic will cease to func-
tion when Key is inside Key cylinder.
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
The transmitter is a sensitive elec-
tronic instrument. To avoid damaging
the transmitter:
• Do not expose it to impacts, mois-
ture, dust or high temperature such
as leaving it on the dashboard
under direct sunlight.
• Do not tamper with internal parts.
• Keep the transmitter away from
magnetic objects such as a televi-
sion.

2-12
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Front Seats
Seat AdjustmentAdjusting Seat PositionTy p e 1
53M-04-022
Ty p e 2
53M-04-023
The adjustment lever for each front seat is
located under the front of the seat. To
adjust the seat position, pull up on theadjustment lever and slide the seat forward
or rearward.
After adjustment, try to move the seat for-
ward and rearward to ensure that it is
securely latched.
Adjusting Seatbacks
53MH0209
To adjust the seatback angle of front seats,
pull up the lever on the outboard side of
the seat, move the seatback to the desired
position, and release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
WARNING
Never attempt to adjust the driver’s
seat or seatback while driving. The
seat or seatback could move unex-
pectedly, causing loss of control.
Make sure that the driver’s seat and
seatback are properly adjusted
before you start driving.
WARNING
To avoid excessive seat belt slack,
which reduces the effectiveness of
the seat belts as a safety device,
make sure that the seats are adjusted
before the seat belts are fastened.EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WARNING
All seatbacks should always be in an
upright position when driving, or seat
belt effectiveness may be reduced.
Seat belts are designed to offer maxi-
mum protection when seatbacks are
in the upright position.
EXAMPLE

2-30
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Warning and Indicator Lights
Brake System Warning Light
53M-04-072
Three different types of operations exist
depending on the vehicle’s specification.
1) The light comes on briefly when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
2) The light comes on when the parking
brake is engaged with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position.
3) The light comes on when under either
or both of above two conditions.
The light also comes on when the fluid in
the brake fluid reservoir falls below the
specified level.
The light should go out after starting the
engine and fully releasing the parking
brake, if the fluid level in the brake fluid res-
ervoir is adequate.
The light also comes on together with the
ABS warning light when the rear brake
force control function (proportioning valve
function) of the ABS system fails.
If the brake system warning light comes on
while you are driving the vehicle, it maymean that there is something wrong with
the vehicle’s brake system. If this happens,
you should:
1) Pull off the road and stop carefully.
2) Test the brakes by carefully starting and
stopping at the side of the road.
– If you determine that it is safe, drive
carefully at low speed to the nearest
dealer for repairs, or
– Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer for repairs.
NOTE:
Because the disc brake system is self-
adjusting, the fluid level will drop as the
brake pads become worn. Replenishing
the brake fluid reservoir is considered nor-
mal periodic maintenance.
Seat Belt Warning Light
(if equipped)
53M-04-073
WA R N I N G
Remember that stopping distance
may be longer, you may have to push
harder on the pedal, and the pedal
may go down farther than normal.
WA R N I N G
If any of the following conditions
occur, you should immediately ask
your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the brake system.
• If the brake system warning light
does not go out after the engine
has been started and the parking
brake has been fully released.
• If the brake system warning light
does not come on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON”
position.
• If the brake system warning light
comes on at any time during vehi-
cle operation.

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.

2-32
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Electric Power Steering Light
(if equipped)
53M-04-077
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 comes on while driving, the
power steering system may not work prop-
erly. Have the system inspected by your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
If the power steering system does not work
properly, you will feel heavier to steer but
you still will be able to steer.
Oil Pressure Light
53M-04-078
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and
goes out when the engine is started. Thelight will come on and remain on if there is
insufficient oil pressure. If the light comes
on when driving, pull off the road as soon
as you can and stop the engine.
Check the oil level and add oil if necessary.
If there is enough oil, the lubrication sys-
tem should be inspected by your MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer before you drive the vehi-
cle again.
Charging Light
53M-04-079
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and
goes out when the engine is started. The
light will come on and remain on if there is
something wrong with the battery charging
system. If the light comes on when the
engine is running, the charging system
should be inspected immediately by your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
High Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
53M-04-080
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, this light comes on briefly so
you can check that the light is working. If
this light blinks while driving, it means the
engine is running hot. Avoid driving condi-
tions that may lead to actual overheating. If
NOTICE
• If you operate the engine with this
light on, severe engine damage can
result.
• Do not rely on the Oil Pressure
Light to indicate the need to add
oil. Be sure to periodically check
the engine oil level.

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.

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
3
53MH0-74E
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Exhaust Gas Warning ......................................................... 3-1
Daily Inspection Checklist .................................................. 3-1
Engine Oil Consumption .................................................... 3-2
Ignition Switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Parking Brake Lever ........................................................... 3-5
Pedal ..................................................................................... 3-6
Starting the Engine ............................................................. 3-7
Using the Transaxle ............................................................ 3-7
Braking ................................................................................. 3-16