Page 89 of 207
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DRIVING TIPS
4
60MK0-14E
60G409
DRIVING TIPSRunning-in ........................................................................... 4-1
Catalytic Converter ............................................................. 4-1
Improving Fuel Economy ................................................... 4-2
Highway Driving .................................................................. 4-3
Driving on Hills .................................................................... 4-3
Driving on Slippery Roads ................................................. 4-4
Page 90 of 207

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4-1DRIVING TIPS
60MK0-14E
52D078S
Running-in Catalytic Converter
80G106
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to
minimize the amount of harmful pollutants
in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of leaded
fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic
converters is prohibited, because lead
deactivates the pollutant-reducing compo-
nents of the catalyst system.
The converter is designed to last the life of
the vehicle under normal usage and when
unleaded fuel is used. No special mainte-
nance is required on the converter. How-
ever, it is very important to keep the engine
properly tuned. Engine misfiring, which
can result from an improperly tuned
engine, may cause overheating of the cat-
alyst. This may result in permanent heat
damage to the catalyst and other vehicle
components.
WARNING
Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times.
Even though air bags are equipped
at the front seating positions, the
driver and all passengers should
be properly restrained at all times,
using the seat belts provided. Refer
to the “Seat Belts and Child
Restraint Systems” section for
instructions on proper use of the
seat belts.
Never drive while under the influ-
ence of alcohol or other drugs.
Alcohol and drugs can seriously
impair your ability to drive safely,
greatly increasing the risk of injury
to yourself and others. You should
also avoid driving when you are
tired, sick, irritated, or under
stress.
NOTICE
The future performance and reliabil-
ity of the engine depends on the care
and restraint exercised during its
early life. It is especially important to
observe the following precautions
during the initial 960 km (600 miles)
of vehicle operation.
After starting, do not race the
engine. Warm it up gradually.
Avoid prolonged vehicle operation
at a constant speed. Moving parts
will break in better if you vary your
speed.
Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid
full throttle starts.
Avoid hard braking, especially dur-
ing the first 320 km (200 miles) of
driving.
Do not drive slowly with the trans-
axle in a high gear.
Drive the vehicle at moderate
engine speeds.
Do not tow a trailer during the first
960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper-
ation.
EXAMPLE
Page 91 of 207

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4-2
DRIVING TIPS
60MK0-14E
54G584S
Improving Fuel EconomyThe following instructions will help you
improve fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling
If you are to wait for more than a minute
while you are parked, stop the engine and
start it again later. When warming up a
cold engine, allow the engine to idle until
the temperature gauge pointer comes up
to the “C” position (if the idling is not pro-
hibited). In this position, the engine is suffi-
ciently warm for starting off.
Avoid “fast” starts
Fast starts away from lights or stop signs
will consume fuel unnecessarily and
shorten engine life. Start off slowly.
Avoid unnecessary stops
Avoid unnecessary deceleration and stop-
ping. Try to maintain a slow, steady speed
whenever possible. Slowing down and then
accelerating again uses more fuel.
Keep a steady cruising speed
Keep as constant a speed as road and traf-
fic conditions will permit.
NOTICE
To avoid damaging catalyst or other
vehicle damage:
Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
In the event of an engine malfunc-
tion, particularly one involving
engine misfiring or other apparent
loss of performance, have the vehi-
cle serviced promptly.
Do not turn off the engine or inter-
rupt the ignition when the transaxle
is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
Do not try to start the engine by
pushing or towing the vehicle, or
coasting down a hill.
Do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as during diagnos-
tic testing.
Do not idle the vehicle for pro-
longed periods if idling seems
rough or there are other malfunc-
tions.
Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
Avoid driving your vehicle at exces-
sively high engine speed in or
around the red zone of the tachom-
eter (if equipped).
WARNING
Be careful in areas where you park
and drive; the catalytic converter and
other exhaust components can get
very hot. As with any vehicle, do not
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such as
dry grass or leaves can come in con-
tact with a hot exhaust system.
Page 92 of 207

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4-3DRIVING TIPS
60MK0-14E
Keep the air cleaner clean
60A183S
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting
in decreased power output and increased
fuel consumption.
Keep weight to a minimum
The heavier the load, the more fuel the
vehicle consumes. Take out any luggage
or cargo when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressures correct
Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label on the driver’s
side door or the driver’s door lock pillar.
Highway DrivingWhen driving at highway speeds, pay
attention to the following:
Stopping distance progressively
increases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping dis-
tance.
On rainy days, “Hydroplaning” can occur.
“Hydroplaning” is the loss of direct con-
tact between the road surface and the
vehicle’s tires due to a water film forming
between them. Steering or braking the
vehicle while “Hydroplaning” can be very
difficult, and loss of control can occur.
Keep speed down when the road surface
is wet.
At high speeds, the vehicle may be
affected by side winds. Therefore,
reduce speed and be prepared for unex-
pected buffeting, which can occur at the
exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of
a hill, or when being overtaken by large
vehicles, etc.
Driving on Hills
58MS20401
When climbing steep hills, the vehicle
may begin to slow down and show a lack
of power. If this happens, you should
shift to a lower gear so that the engine
will again be operating in its normal
power range. Shift rapidly to prevent the
vehicle from losing momentum.
When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by shifting to
next lower gear. (Do this with EITHER an
automatic or manual transaxle.)
EXAMPLE
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4-4
DRIVING TIPS
60MK0-14E
Driving on Slippery Roads
60G089S
Under wet road conditions you should
drive at a lower speed than on dry roads
due to possible slippage of tires during
braking. When driving on icy, snow-cov-
ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speed
and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.
Tire ChainsTire chains should only be used if they are
needed to increase traction or are required
by law. Make sure that the chains you use
are the correct size for your vehicle’s tires.
Also make sure that there is enough clear-
ance between the fenders and the chains
as installed on the tires.
Install the chains on the front tires tightly,
according to the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. Retighten the chains after
driving about 1.0 km (1/2 mile) if neces-
sary. With the chains installed, drive slowly.
WARNING
Try not to hold the brake pedal down
too long or too often while going
down a steep or long hill. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, result-
ing in reduced braking efficiency.
Failure to take this precaution could
result in loss of vehicle control.
NOTICE
When descending a down hill,
NEVER turn the ignition key to the
“OFF” position. Emission control
system and automatic transaxle dam-
age may result.
NOTICE
If you hear the chains hitting
against the vehicle body while driv-
ing, stop and tighten them.
If your vehicle is equipped with full
wheel caps, remove the wheel caps
before installing the chains or the
wheel caps can be damaged by the
chain bands.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4-5DRIVING TIPS
60MK0-14E
If Your Vehicle Gets StuckIf your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) and reverse. This
will create a rocking motion which may
give you enough momentum to free the
vehicle. Press gently on the accelerator
to keep wheel spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting.
Do not race the engine. Excessive
wheel spin will cause the tires to dig
deeper, making it more difficult to free
the vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, get another vehicle
to pull your vehicle out.
54G638S
WARNING
Do not allow anyone to stand near the
vehicle when you are rocking it, and
do not spin the wheels faster than an
indicated 40 km/h (25 mph) on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/ or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
NOTICE
Do not continue rocking the vehicle
for more than a few minutes. Pro-
longed rocking can cause engine
overheating or transaxle damage.
WARNING
In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important to
observe the following precautions.
Make sure your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for
details.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Do not use tires other than those
specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif-
ferent sizes or types of tires on the
front and rear wheels. For informa-
tion regarding the specified tires,
refer to the Tire Information Label
located on the driver’s door lock
pillar.
Never use oversized tires or special
shock absorbers and springs to
raise (jack up) your vehicle. This
will change the handling character-
istics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the fender over bumps,
causing vehicle damage or tire fail-
ure.
After driving through water, test the
brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained their normal effectiveness. If
the brakes are less effective than
normal, dry them by repeatedly
applying the brakes while driving
slowly until the brakes have
regained their normal effective-
ness.
Page 95 of 207

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
5
60MK0-14E
60G407
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTAir Conditioning System .................................................... 5-1
Radio Antenna ..................................................................... 5-6
Audio System (if equipped) ................................................ 5-7
Fuel Filler Cap ..................................................................... 5-37
Engine Hood ........................................................................ 5-38
Sun Visor ............................................................................. 5-39
Interior Light Switch ........................................................... 5-40
Accessory Socket ............................................................... 5-41
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Socket (if equipped) ............. 5-42
Assist Grips ......................................................................... 5-42
Glove Box ............................................................................ 5-42
Cup Holder and Storage Area ............................................ 5-43
Front Seat Back Pocket (if equipped) ............................... 5-44
Armrest (if equipped) .......................................................... 5-44
Footrest (if equipped) ......................................................... 5-45
Floor Mats (if equipped) ..................................................... 5-45
Luggage Box ....................................................................... 5-46
Frame Hooks ....................................................................... 5-46
Page 96 of 207
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5-1OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
60MK0-14E
Air Conditioning System
Air Outlet
60MH064
1. Windshield defroster outlet
2. Side defroster outlet
3. Side outlet
4. Center outlet
5. Floor outlet
1
22
3
34
5
51
EXAMPLE