Page 65 of 190

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.
Page 147 of 190

7-10
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
Drive Belt
Make sure the drive belt tension is correct.
If the belt is too loose, insufficient battery
charging, engine overheating, poor power
steering, poor air conditioning, or exces-
sive belt wear can result. When you press
the belt with your thumb midway between
the pulleys, there should be a deflection
according to the following chart.
The belts should also be examined to
ensure that they are not damaged.
If you need to replace or adjust the belt
have it done by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.F8D
51KM036
K10B
53M-09-003
Engine Oil and Filter
Specified Oil (ALTO 800)
53M-09-004
(1) Preferred
Be sure that the engine oil you use comes
under the quality classification of SG+, SL,
SM and SN. Select the appropriate oil vis-
cosity according to the above chart.
SAE 5W-30 (1) is the best choice for good
fuel economy, and good starting in cold
weather.
Specified Oil
(ALTO K10)
53M-09-005
(1) Preferred
Be sure that the engine oil you use comes
under the quality classification of SL, SM
and SN. Select the appropriate oil viscosity
according to the above chart.
WA R N I N G
When the engine is running, keep
hands, hair, clothing, tools, etc. away
from the moving fan and drive belts.
: 100 N (10 kg, 22 lbs) press
GE: Generator
DEF: Deflection
AC: Air conditioner compressorDEF: 6 – 7 mm
(0.24 – 0.28 in.)
GE
AC
DEF: 7 – 8 mm
(0.28 – 0.31 in.)
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
Page 153 of 190

7-16
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
60G160S
53MM07010
Spark plug gap “a”ALTO 800
NGK DCPR7E, BOSCH YR7DC
0.8 - 0.9 mm (0.031 - 0.035 in.)
ALTO K10
NGK KR6A-10:
0.95 - 1.05 mm (0.037 - 0.041 in.)
Gear Oil
Manual Transaxle Oil
When adding gear oil, use gear oil with the
appropriate viscosity and grade.
We highly recommend you use: “MARUTI
Genuine GEAR OIL 75W-80” for manual
transaxle gear oil or automated manual
transaxle oil.
Manual transaxle oil (API GL-4)
53M-09-023
Gear Oil Level Check
68KH073
(1) Oil filler and level plug
To check the gear oil level, use the follow-
ing procedure:
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface with
the parking brake applied. Then, stop
the engine.
2) Remove the oil filler plug (1) or (2).
3) Check the inside of the hole with your
finger. If the oil level comes up to the
bottom of the plug hole, the oil level is
correct. If so, reinstall the plug.
4) If the oil level is low, add gear oil
through the oil filler plug hole (1) or (2)
until the oil level reaches the bottom of
the filler hole, then reinstall the plug.
Tightening torque (1):
21 Nm (2.1 kg-m, 15.5 lb-ft)
NOTICE
• When installing the spark plugs,
screw them in with your fingers to
avoid stripping the threads.
Tighten with a torque wrench to
25 Nm (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft). Do not
allow contaminants to enter the
engine through the spark plug
holes when the plugs are removed.
• Never use spark plugs with the
wrong thread size.
EXAMPLE
“a”
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
When replacing spark plugs, you
should use the brand and type speci-
fied for your vehicle. For the speci-
fied spark plugs, refer to the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section at the
end of this book.
(1)
EXAMPLE