
2-42
BEFORE DRIVING
53MH0-74E
Windshield Wipers
53MH0228
To turn the windshield wipers on, move the
lever down to one of the three operating
positions. In the “INT” position, the wipers
operate intermittently. The “INT” position is
very convenient for driving in mist or light
rain. In the “LO” position, the wipers oper-
ate at a steady low speed. In the “HI” posi-
tion, the wipers operate at a steady high
speed. To turn off the wipers, move the
lever back to the “OFF” position.
Windshield Washer
53MH0229
To spray windshield washer fluid, pull the
lever toward you. The windshield wipers
will automatically turn on at low speed if
they are not already on and the “INT” posi-
tion is equipped.
INT
LO
HI
OFF
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
• To prevent windshield icing in cold
weather, turn on the defroster to
heat the windshield before and
during windshield washer use.
• Do not use radiator antifreeze in
the windshield washer reservoir. It
can severely impair visibility when
sprayed on the windshield, and can
also damage your vehicle’s paint.
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to the wind-
shield wiper and washer system
components, you should take the fol-
lowing precautions:
• Do not continue to hold in the lever
when there is no windshield
washer fluid being sprayed or the
washer motor can be damaged.
• Do not attempt to remove dirt from
a dry windshield with the wipers or
you can damage the windshield
and the wiper blades. Always wet
the windshield with washer fluid
before operating the wipers.
• Clear ice or packed snow from the
wiper blades before using the wip-
ers.
• Check the washer fluid level regu-
larly. Check it often when the
weather is bad.
• Only fill the washer fluid reservoir
3/4 full during cold weather to allow
room for expansion if the tempera-
ture falls low enough to freeze the
solution.

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.

7-13
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
Refill with Oil and Check for Leaks
1) Pour oil through the filler hole and
install the filler cap.
For the approximate capacity of the oil,
refer to the “Capacities” item in the
“SPECIFICATIONS” section.
2) Start the engine and look carefully for
leaks at the oil filter and drain plug. Run
the engine at various speeds for at least
5 minutes.
3) Stop the engine and wait about 5 min-
utes. Check the oil level again and add
oil if necessary. Check for leaks again.
Engine Coolant
Selection of Coolant
To maintain optimum performance and
durability of your engine, use MARUTI
Genuine Coolant or equivalent.
This type of coolant is best for your cooling
system as it:
Helps maintain proper engine tempera-
ture.
Gives proper protection against freezing
and boiling.
Gives proper protection against corro-
sion and rust.
Failure to use the proper coolant can dam-
age your cooling system. Your authorized
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer can help you
select the proper coolant.
Coolant Level Check
Check the coolant level at the reservoir
tank, not at the radiator. With the engine
cool, the coolant level should be between
the “FULL” and “LOW” marks.
NOTICE
• When replacing the oil filter, it is rec-
ommended that you use a genuine
MARUTI SUZUKI replacement filter.
If you use an aftermarket filter, make
sure it is of equivalent quality and
follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
• Oil leaks from around the oil filter
or drain plug indicate incorrect
installation or gasket damage. If
you find any leaks or are not sure
that the filter has been properly
tightened, have the vehicle
inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
NOTICE
To avoid damaging your cooling sys-
tem:
• Always use a high quality eth-
yleneglycol base non-silicate type
coolant diluted with distilled water
at the correct mixture concentra-
tion.
• Make sure that the proper mix is 30/
70 coolant to distilled water and in
no case higher than 70/30. Concen-
trations greater than 70/30 coolant
to distilled water will cause over-
heating conditions.
• Do not use straight coolant nor
plain water.
• Do not add extra inhibitors or addi-
tives. They may not be compatible
with your cooling system.
• Do not mix different types of base
coolants. Doing so may result in
accelerated seal wear and/or the
possibility of severe overheating
and extensive engine damage.

7-24
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
53M-09-038
Fuses in the Engine Compartment
ALTO 800
53M-09-039
Fuses in the Engine Compartment
ALTO K10
53M-09-040
MAIN FUSE / PRIMARY FUSE
(1) – Blank
(2) – Blank
(3) – Blank
(4) – Blank
(5) 50A Ignition switch fuse
(6) 50A Battery1
(7) 15A Headlight (left) fuse
(8) 15A Headlight (right) fuse
(9) – Blank
(10) –
Radiator fan relay
(11) – Blank
(12) –
Blank
(13) – Blank
(14) 80A All electric load
(15) – Blank
(16) – Main relay
(17) 30A Radiator fan fuse
(18) 15A Fuel injection fuse
(19) 10A A/c compressor fuse
(20) – Fuel pump relay
(21) – Blank
(22) – Blank
(23) 30A Battery 2 fuse
MAIN FUSE / PRIMARY FUSE
(1)
—Blank
(2)
—Blank
(3)
10AFont fog light
(4)
—A/c compressor relay
(5) 50A Ignition switch fuse
(6)
50ABattery1
(7) 15A Headlight (left) fuse
(8) 15A Headlight (right) fuse
(9)
—Blank
(10) — Radiator fan relay
(11) — Blank
(12) — Blank
(13) — Blank

7-25
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
The main fuse, primary fuses and some of
the individual fuses are located in the
engine compartment. If the main fuse
blows, no electrical component will func-
tion. If a primary fuse blows, no electrical
component in the corresponding load
group will function. When replacing the
main fuse, a primary fuse or an individual
fuse, use a Maruti Genuine replacement.
To remove a fuse, use the fuse puller pro-
vided in the fuse box. The amperage of
each fuse is shown in side the fuse box
cover.
60G111
NOTE:
Make sure that the fuse box always carries
spare fuses and fuse puller.
Fuses under the Dash Board
68KH078
ALTO 800
53M-09-043
(14) 80A All electric load
(15) — Blank
(16) — Main relay
(17) 30A Radiator fan fuse
(18) 15A Fuel injection fuse
(19) 10A Air compressor fuse
(20) — Fuel pump relay
(21) 7.5AAutomated Manual Tran-
saxle (if equipped)
(22) 40AAutomated Manual Tran-
saxle pump (if equipped)
(23) 30A Battery 2
WA R N I N G
If the main fuse or a primary fuse
blows, be sure to have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer. Always use a genuine
MARUTI replacement. Never use a
substitute such as a wire even for a
temporary repair, or extensive electri-
cal damage and a fire can result.
EXAMPLE
BLOWNOK
EXAMPLE

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.