6-5VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
79K21-03E
Additional Trailer Towing Warnings
WARNING
Never overload your trailer or your
vehicle. Gross Trailer Weight must
never exceed 1350 kg (3000 pounds).
Gross Combined Weight must never
exceed 3400 kg (7500 pounds) for
2WD or 3450 kg (7600 pounds) for
4WD.
Gross vehicle weight must never
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing (GVWR) listed on the Safety Certi-
fication Label. Gross axle weight for
the front and rear axles must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) listed on the Safety Certifica-
tion Label.
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer having a gross
trailer weight greater than 450 kg
(1000 pounds) unless the trailer is
equipped with trailer brakes.
WARNING
Connect trailer lights and hook up
safety chains every time you tow.
WARNING
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. For your safety
and the safety of others, you should
observe the following precautions:
Practice turning, stopping and
backing up before you begin tow-
ing in traffic. Do not tow in traffic
until you are confident that you can
handle the vehicle and trailer
safely.
Never exceed posted towing speed
limits or 72 km/h (45 mph), which-
ever is lower.
Never drive at a speed that causes
shaking or swaying of the trailer. If
you notice even the slightest sign
of shaking or swaying, slow down.
Always have someone guide you
when backing.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Stopping distance is increased
when you tow a trailer. For each 16
km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at
least one vehicle and trailer length
between you and the vehicle ahead.
Follow at a greater distance if roads
are wet or slippery.
Slow down when making turns.
Remember that a larger than nor-
mal turning radius is needed
because the trailer wheels will be
closer than the vehicle wheels to
the inside of the turn.
Avoid sudden acceleration and
stopping of the vehicle. Do not
make quick maneuvers unless they
are necessary.
Slow down in cross winds and be
prepared for wind blasts from large
passing vehicles.
Be careful when passing other
vehicles. Be sure to allow enough
room for your trailer before you
change lanes, and signal well in
advance.
Slow down and shift into a lower
gear before you reach long or steep
downhill grades. It is hazardous to
attempt downshifting while you are
descending a hill.
(Continued)
Trailer Towing: 5, 11, 13
6-6
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
79K21-03E
60A186
WARNING
(Continued)
Avoid “riding” the brakes. “Riding”
the brakes could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency. Use engine
braking as much as possible.
Because of the added trailer
weight, your engine may overheat
on hot days when going up long or
steep hills. Pay attention to your
engine temperature gauge. If it indi-
cates overheating, pull off the road
and stop in a safe place. Refer to
the “If the Engine Overheats” in
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section
for details on how to proceed.
WARNING
When parking your vehicle and con-
nected trailer, always use the follow-
ing procedure:
1) Apply the vehicle’s brakes firmly.
2) Have another person place wheel
chocks under the wheels of the
vehicle and the trailer while you
are holding the brakes.
3) Slowly release the brakes until the
wheel chocks absorb the load.
4) Fully engage the parking brake.
5) Manual transmission – turn off the
engine, then shift into reverse or
first gear.
Automatic transmission – shift
into “P” (Park) and turn off the
engine.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
6) If you have a 4-wheel drive vehi-
cle, make sure the transfer switch
is not in “N” (Neutral).
When starting out after parking:
1) Push in the clutch (if equipped)
and start the engine.
2) Depress the brake pedal, shift into
gear, release the parking brake
and slowly pull away from the
chocks.
3) Stop, apply the brakes firmly and
hold the brakes while you have
another person remove the
chocks.
Trailer Towing: 5, 11, 13
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
7
79K21-03E
60G410
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCEMaintenance Schedule ....................................................... 7-2
Periodic Maintenance Schedule ........................................ 7-3
Maintenance Recommended under Severe Driving
Conditions ........................................................................... 7-7
Drive Belt ............................................................................. 7-9
Engine Oil and Filter ........................................................... 7-10
Engine Coolant .................................................................... 7-13
Air Cleaner ........................................................................... 7-16
Spark Plugs ......................................................................... 7-16
Gear Oil ................................................................................ 7-17
Clutch Pedal ........................................................................ 7-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid ........................................... 7-20
Brakes .................................................................................. 7-22
Steering Wheel .................................................................... 7-24
Tires ...................................................................................... 7-25
Battery .................................................................................. 7-36
Fuses .................................................................................... 7-36
Headlight Aiming ................................................................. 7-39
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 7-40
Wiper Blades ....................................................................... 7-46
Windshield Washer Fluid ................................................... 7-49
Air Conditioning System .................................................... 7-49
7-19INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Front differential
79K133
Rear differential
79K134
(1) Oil filler and level plug
(2) Oil drain plug
Gear Oil Level CheckThe manual transmission, transfer gears,
extension case and differentials (front and
rear) are lubricated with gear oil. To check
the gear oil level in any of the above loca-
tions, use the following procedure:
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface. Set
parking brake and stop the engine.
2) Remove the oil filler plug (1).
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 filler plug hole (1) until the
oil level reaches the bottom of the filler
hole, then reinstall the plug.
Gear Oil ReplacementTo change the gear oil in the manual trans-
mission, transfer case, extension case or
differential(s), use the following procedure:
1) Remove the oil filler plug (1).
2) Remove the drain plug (2), drain the oil
and reinstall the drain plug.
3) Pour new gear oil of the specified type
through the filler hole until the oil level
reaches the bottom of the filler hole.
4) Reinstall the filler plug.
(1)
(2)
(1)
(2)
WARNING
After driving the vehicle, gear oil tem-
perature may be high enough to burn
you. Wait until the oil filler plug is
cool enough to touch with your bare
hands before inspecting or replacing
gear oil.
CAUTION
When tightening these plugs, apply
sealing compound “SUZUKI Bond
No. 1217G” or equivalent to the plug
threads to prevent oil leakage and
tighten them to the specified torque
shown below.
Spark Plugs: 1, 2
Brakes: 6
7-20
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Tightening torque
Clutch Pedal
64J154
Check the clutch pedal for smooth opera-
tion and clutch fluid level from time to time.
If clutch dragging is felt with the pedal fully
depressed, have the clutch inspected by
your SUZUKI dealer. If the clutch fluid level
is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to the “MAX”
line with DOT3 brake fluid.
Automatic Transmission
FluidSpecified FluidUse an automatic transmission fluid
SUZUKI ATF 3317 or Mobil ATF 3309.Fluid Level CheckYou must check the fluid level with the
automatic transmission fluid at normal
operating temperature.
To check the fluid level:
1) To warm up the transmission fluid, drive
the vehicle or idle the engine until the
temperature gauge indicates normal
operating temperature.
2) Then drive for ten more minutes. Oil Filler
PlugOil Drain
Plug
Manual
transmission23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Tr a n s f e r23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Extension
case23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Front
differential23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
Rear
differential23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m) 23 Nm
(17.0 lb-ft)
(2.3 kg-m)
CAUTION
Driving with too much or too little
fluid can damage the transmission.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the specified auto-
matic transmission fluid. Using auto-
matic transmission fluid other than
SUZUKI ATF 3317 or Mobil ATF 3309
may damage the automatic transmis-
sion of your vehicle.
Brakes: 6
7-21INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTE:
Do not check the fluid level if you have just
driven the vehicle for a long time at high
speed, if you have driven in city traffic in
hot weather, or if the vehicle has been pull-
ing a trailer. Wait until the fluid cools down
(about 30 minutes), or the fluid level indica-
tion will not be correct.
3) Park your vehicle on level ground.
4) Apply the parking brake and then start
the engine in “P” (Park). Let it idle for
two minutes and keep it running during
the fluid level check.
5) With your foot on the brake pedal, move
the gearshift lever through each gear,
pausing for about three seconds in
each range. Then move it back to the
“P” (Park) position.
60A205
The handle of the A/T fluid dipstick is col-
ored red for easy identification.
65D109
6) Remove the dipstick, clean it and push
it back in until the cap seats. Pull out
the dipstick and read the fluid level. The fluid level should be between the
two marks in the “HOT” range on the
dipstick.
7) Add just enough specified fluid through
the dipstick hole to fill the transmission
to the proper level.
Changing OilSince special procedures, materials and
tools are required to change the automatic
transmission oil, it is recommended that
you trust this job to your authorized
SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Be sure to depress the brake pedal
when moving the gearshift lever, or
the vehicle can move suddenly.
EXAMPLE
or
FULL HOT
LOW HOT
CAUTION
After checking or adding oil, be sure
to insert the dipstick securely.
Brakes: 6
7-22
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
BrakesBrake Fluid
64J154
Check the brake fluid level by looking at
the reservoir in the engine compartment.
Check that the fluid level is between the
“MAX” and “MIN” lines. If the brake fluid
level is near the “MIN” line, fill it up to the
“MAX” line with DOT3 brake fluid.
65D477
WARNING
Failure to follow the guidelines below
can result in personal injury or seri-
ous damage to the brake system.
If the brake fluid in the reservoir
drops below a certain level, the
brake warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on (the
engine must be running with the
parking brake fully disengaged.)
Should the light come on, immedi-
ately ask your SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the brake system.
A rapid fluid loss indicates a leak in
the brake system which should be
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer
immediately.
Brake fluid can harm your eyes and
damage painted surfaces. Use cau-
tion when refilling the reservoir.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Do not use any fluid other than
DOT3 brake fluid. Do not use
reclaimed fluid or fluid that has
been stored in old or open contain-
ers. It is essential that foreign parti-
cles and other liquids are kept out
of the brake fluid reservoir.
WARNING
Brake fluid is harmful or fatal if swal-
lowed, and harmful if it comes in con-
tact with skin or eyes. If swallowed,
do not induce vomiting. Immediately
contact a poison control center or a
physician. If brake fluid gets in eyes,
flush eyes with water and seek medi-
cal attention. Wash thoroughly after
handling. Solution can be poisonous
to animals. Keep out of the reach of
children and animals.
CAUTION
The brake fluid should be replaced
according to the maintenance sched-
ule. Have the brake fluid replaced by
your SUZUKI dealer.
Steering Wheel: 6
Clutch Pedal: 6
7-23INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTE:
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be
expected to gradually fall as the brake
pads wear.Brake Pedal
79K138
With the engine running and the parking
brake set, measure the distance between
the brake pedal and floor carpet when the
pedal is depressed with approximately 300
N (66 lbs, 30 kg) of force. The minimum
distance required is as specified. Since
your vehicle’s brake system is self-adjust-
ing, there is no need for pedal adjustment.
If the pedal to floor carpet distance asmeasured above is less than the minimum
distance required, have your vehicle
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
When measuring the distance between the
brake pedal and floor wall, push in the floor
carpet as far as it goes and measure the
distance between the carpet surface and
the brake pedal.
60G104
Pedal to floor carpet minimum distance
“a”
80 mm (3.1 in.)
“a”
Floor carpet
WARNING
If you experience any of the following
problems with your vehicle’s brake
system, have the vehicle inspected
immediately by your SUZUKI dealer.
Poor braking performance
Uneven braking (brakes not work-
ing uniformly on all wheels.)
Excessive pedal travel
Brake dragging
Excessive noise
(Except ABS equipped vehicle)
Pedal pulsation (pedal pulsates
when pressed for braking.)
Tires: 6