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.
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7-20
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
53MH0-74E
Steering
53M-09-032
Steering wheel play “c”:
0 – 30 mm (0.0 – 1.2 in.)
Check the play of the steering wheel by
gently turning it from left to right and mea-
suring the distance that it moves before
you feel slight resistance. The play should
be between the specified values.
Check that the steering wheel turns easily
and smoothly without rattling by turning it
all the way to the right and to the left while
driving very slowly in an open area. If the
amount of free play is outside the specifi-
cation or you find anything else to be
wrong, an inspection must be performed
by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
Tires
53M-09-033
The front and rear tire pressure specifica-
tions for your vehicle are listed on the Tire
Information Label. Both the front and rear
tires should have the specified tire pres-
sure.
Tire Inspection
Inspect your vehicle’s tires at least once a
month by performing the following checks:
1) Measure the air pressure with a tire
gauge. Adjust the pressure if neces-
sary. Remember to check the spare
tire, too.
53M-09-034
EXAMPLEEXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
• Air pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold or you may
get inaccurate readings.
• Check the inflation pressure from
time to time while inflating the tire
gradually, until the specified pres-
sure is obtained.
• Never underinflate or overinflate
the tires.
Underinflation can cause unusual
handling characteristics or can
cause the rim to slip on the tire
bead, resulting in an accident or
damage to the tire or rim.
Overinflation can cause the tire to
burst, resulting in personal injury.
Overinflation can also cause
unusual handling characteristics
which may result in an accident.
EXAMPLE
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8-1
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
Tire Changing Tool
53MH0801
74LHT0807
The jack (1) is stowed below the luggage
compartment board as shown in the above
illustration.The jack handle and wheel brace are
stowed in the storage bag.
68KH091
To remove the spare tire, turn its bolt (1)
counterclockwise and remove it.
To remove the jack, remove the spare tire
and turn the jacks shaft counterclockwise
and pull the jack out of the storage bracket.
To stow the jack, place it in the storage
bracket and turn the shaft clockwise until
the jack is securely held in place.
Jacking Instructions
52KM119
1) Place the vehicle on level, hard ground.
2) Set the parking brake firmly and shift
into “R” (Reverse) if your vehicle has a
manual transaxle.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
After using the tire changing tools, be
sure to stow them securely or they
can cause injury if an accident
occurs.
(1)
CAUTION
The jack should be used only to
change wheels. It is important to read
the jacking instructions in this sec-
tion before attempting to use the
jack.
WA R N I N G
• Be sure to shift into “R” (Reverse)
when you jack up the vehicle.
• Never jack up the vehicle with the
transaxle in “N” (Neutral). Other-
wise, unstable jack may cause an
accident.
EXAMPLE
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8-2
EMERGENCY SERVICE
53MH0-74E
3) Turn on the hazard warning flasher if
your vehicle is near traffic.
4) Block the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite of the wheel being
lifted.
5) Place the spare wheel near the wheel
being lifted as shown in the illustration
in case that the jack slips.
54G253
53MH080353MH0804
6) Position the jack vertically and raise the
jack by turning the jack handle clock-
wise until the jack head groove fits
around the jacking bar beneath the
vehicle body. See illustrations.
7) Continue to raise the jack slowly and
smoothly until the tire clears the
ground. Do not raise the vehicle more
than necessary.
To Raise the Vehicle with a Garage Jack
Apply the garage jack to one of the
points indicated below.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLEWA R N I N G
• Use the jack only to change wheels
on level, hard ground.
• Never jack up the vehicle on an
inclined surface.
• Never raise the vehicle with the
jack in a location other than the
specified jacking point (shown in
the illustration) near the wheel to
be changed.
• Make sure that the jack is raised at
least 51 mm (2 inches) before it
contacts the suspension arm boss.
Use of the jack when it is within 51
mm (2 inches) of being fully col-
lapsed may result in failure of the
jack.
• Never get under the vehicle when it
is supported by the jack.
• Never run the engine when the
vehicle is supported by the jack
and never allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.