2013 SUZUKI ALTO headlights

2-38
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
When the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
and the position lights, tail lights and/or the
headlights are on, the display shows four
types of indication; odometer (A), trip
meter A (B), trip meter B (C), clock (D) and
indication of illumination intensity (E). Push
the “MODE” knob (3) quickly to switch the
indication among the five. When the indica-
tion shows (E), you can control the meter
illumination intensity. Refer to “Meter illumi-
nation control” section below for details on
how to dim or brighten the meter illumina-
tion.
53M-04-102
To reset the trip meter to zero, hold in the
“MODE” knob (3) for about 2 seconds.Meter illumination control
53M-04-103
When the display shows the indication of
illumination intensity (E), you can dim or
brighten the meter illumination.
To change the meter illumination bright-
ness, continue to hold in the “MODE” knob
(3). The indication will change as shown in
the illustration. The illumination gets dim-
mer then returns to the brightest condition
after it reaches the dimmest.
NOTE:
When you reconnect the negative (–) ter-
minal to the battery, the brightness of the
instrument panel lights will be reinitialized.
Readjust the brightness according to your
preference.
Lighting Control Lever
53M-04-104EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
To avoid possible injury, do not oper-
ate controls by reaching through the
steering wheel.
EXAMPLE

2-39
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Lighting Operation
Ty p e 1
53M-04-105
Ty p e 2
53M-04-106
To turn the lights on or off, twist the knob
on the end of the lever. There are three
positions:OFF (1)
All lights are off.
(2)
Front position lights, tail lights, license
plate light and instrument lights are on, but
headlights are off.
(3)
Front position lights, tail lights, license
plate light, instrument lights and head
lights are on.
Ty p e 1
53M-04-107
Ty p e 2
53M-04-108
With the headlights on, push the lever for-
ward to switch to the high beams (main
beams) or pull the lever toward you to
switch to the low beams. When the high
beams (main beams) are on, a light on the
instrument panel will come on. To momen-
tarily activate the high beams (main
beams) as a passing signal, pull the lever
slightly toward you and release it when you
have completed the signal.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

3-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
53MH0-74E
4) Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Adjust the seat and head restraint
(if equipped).
7) Check the brake pedal and the parking
brake lever.
8) Adjust the mirrors.
9) Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
10)Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
11)Check all gauges.
12)Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Windshield washer fluid level
5) Battery solution level
6) Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. See “Alllatches, hinges & locks” of “CHASSIS
AND BODY” in the “Periodic Mainte-
nance Schedule” in the “INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE” section for lubri-
cation schedule.
Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.Engine Oil Consumption
It is normal for the engine to consume
some engine oil during normal vehicle
operation.
The amount of engine oil consumed
depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed during high-speed
driving and when there is frequent acceler-
ation and deceleration. Under high loads,
your engine also will consume more oil.
A new engine also consumes more oil,
since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder
walls have not yet become conditioned.
New engines reach the normal level of oil
consumption only after approximately 5000
km (3000 miles) driving.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km
When judging the amount of oil consump-
tion, note that the oil may become diluted
and make it difficult to accurately judge the
true oil level.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km or more of driving. This is
because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.

4-8
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
Night time driving
72F08020
1) Drive at lower speeds during the night
than in the daytime, as the visual range
is restricted at night.
2) Avoid overtaking other vehicles at night.
Darkness bothers your sense of speed
and hinders your judgment of vehicle-
to-vehicle distance.
72F08021
3) Don’t use headlights on high beam
unless its use is inevitable. It may cause
visual impairment to the driver of the
oncoming vehicle or the vehicle ahead
of you, which may cause an accident.
53M06015
4) Always keep the window glasses clean.
Don’t operate the windshield wiper
when the windshield glass is dry else
the wiper blade and glass may get dam-
aged.
Margin for Safety
It is important to allow yourself a margin for
safety during driving so that you can cope
with erroneous or unexpected driving of
other drivers. For that, observe the follow-
ing.
Drive at a safe speed.
Maintain a sufficient distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Don’t force yourself to overtake other
vehicles.
Don’t accelerate suddenly, steer sharply
or stop suddenly.
Keep ample gaps between driving
schedules.
Observe traffic rules and regulations.
Conclusion
A perfect driver does not exist. The
endeavour of every motorist should be to
strive for perfection. Safety consciousness
not only ensures your safety and the safety
of other road users, it also helps reduce
the wear and tear on your vehicle, length-
ens its life, gives better fuel efficiency and
ensures a comfortable driving experience.
Follow the do’s and dont’s listed, and
driving will never be the same again.

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.