6976G-74E
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
7
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Exhaust Gas Warning
........................................................................\
............... 7-1
Daily Inspection Checklist ........................................................................\
........ 7-1
Starting the Engine ........................................................................\
................... 7-2
Using the Transmission ........................................................................\
............ 7-3
Braking ........................................................................\
......................................... 7-4
Running-in ........................................................................\
.................................... 7-5
Catalytic Converter ........................................................................\
.................... 7-5
Improving Fuel Economy ........................................................................\
......... 7-6
Trailer Towing ........................................................................\
............................. 7-7
7176G-74E
Before starting the engine:
1) Make sure the parking brake is appliedfully.
2) Manual Transmission - Shift into “N” (neutral) and depress the clutch pedal all
the way to the floor. Hold it while starting
the engine.
Make sure that the parking brake is
applied fully and the transmission is
in Neutral before attempting to start
the engine.
Stop turning the starter immediately after the engine has started or the
starter system can be damaged.
Do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine doesn’t start on the first try,
wait about 15 seconds before trying
again.
7-2
STARTING THE ENGINE
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-bonnet
checks:
1) Engine oil level.
2) Coolant level.
3) Brake fluid level.
4) Windscreen washer fluid level.
5) Battery solution level.
6) Bonnet latch operation.
Pull the bonnet release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you can not
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after checking
for proper operation. See "All Latches,
Hinges & Locks" of "PERIODIC
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE" in the
"INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE"
section for lubrication schedule.
Make sure the bonnet 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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Starting a Cold Engine
Engine which is started after 6 hours should
be treated as cold engine.
For Electronic fuel injection models
With your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by turning the ignition
key to “START”. Release the key when
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking, wait about 15
seconds, then press down the
accelerator pedal to 1/3 of its travel and
try cranking the engine again. Release
the key and accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, try holding the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor while cranking. This should
clear the engine if it is flooded.
Starting a Warm Engine
For Electronic fuel injection models:
Use the same procedure as for “Starting a
Cold Engine”.
CAUTION
74
76G-74E
7-5OPERATING YOUR VEHICLERUNNING-IN
The future performance and reliability
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 1000 km of vehicle
operation.
After starting, do not race theengine. Warm it up gradually.
Avoid prolonged vehicle operation at a constant speed. Moving parts will
bed in better if you vary your speed.
Do not exceed 100 km/h.
Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid full throttle starts.
If possible, avoid hard braking, especially during the first 300 km
of driving.
Do not drive slowly with the transmission in a high gear.
Drive the vehicle at moderate engine speeds.
CAUTION
Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the
vehicle by pressing the brake pedal
harder than normally required.
However, the stopping distance may
be longer.
On loose surface where the wheels
can easily loose traction (such as
gravel, etc.), the stopping distance
required for your vehicle may be
greater than for a comparable vehicle
with a conventional brake system.
Allow for extra stopping distance
when driving on loose surfaces.
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CATALYTIC CONVERTERThe purpose of the catalytic converter
installed on your vehicle is to convert
exhaust pollutants to harmless water vapour,
carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Use of leaded
fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic
converters is prohibited, because lead
deactivates the pollutant-reducing compo-
nents of the catalyst system.
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 catalyst. This may
result in permanent heat damage to the
catalyst and other vehicle components.
76G-07-005
7576G-74E
7-6
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Be careful 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 contact
with a hot exhaust system.
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To minimize the possibility of catalyst
or other vehicle damage:
Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
In the event of an engine
malfunction, particularly one
involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have
the vehicle serviced promptly.
Do not turn off the engine or interrupt the ignition when the
transmission 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 diagnostic
testing.
Do not idle the vehicle for
prolonged periods if idling seems
rough or there are other
malfunctions.
Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
CAUTION
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 for some
time.
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
stopping. 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
traffic conditions will permit.
76G-07-006
76
76G-74E
7-7
TRAILER TOWINGYour MARUTI SUZUKI is designed to carry
people and a normal amount of cargo, not
to tow a trailer. Maruti does not recommend
you use your vehicle to tow a trailer. Towing
a trailer can adversely affect handling,
durability, and fuel economy.
Keep the air cleaner clean:
A dirty air cleaner will cause the fuel system
to supply too much fuel to the engine for
the amount of air being supplied. The result
is waste of fuel due to incomplete
combustion.
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 tyre pressures correct:
Under-inflation of the tyres can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tyres. Keep your tyres inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label on the driver’s
side door or door lock pillar.OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
76G-07-007
80
76G-74E
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SAFE
DRIVINGExercise care in handling your vehicle. Be
conscious of not only your own safety but
also the safety of others on the road, and
thus enjoy the best and most comfortable
driving experience.
This section contains basic rules for safe
driving. Read it carefully for good
understanding of the content so that you
can enjoy safe and pleasant driving in your
Maruti Suzuki vehicle.Starting
1. Adjust the driver’s seat for the properdriving posture.
2. Adjust the rear view mirror so as to obtain the best possible rear view.
3. Before moving off, look forward and back to confirm safety.
4. Don’t start quickly, for it is dangerous and wastes fuel.
General driving
1. Be sure to stop before the stop light and stop sign. When moving into the
intersection without any traffic lights or
signs, drive slowly to confirm safety.8-3DRIVING TIPS AND SAFE DRIVING
2. Always follow other vehicles at a safedistance in order to prevent a rear-end
collision, should the vehicle ahead make
a sudden stop.
3. Turn ON the turn signal at least 30 meters before making a turn or changing
the lane so as not to be hit from behind.
4. Before entering a corner, decelerate to a safe speed. Don’t apply brakes during
cornering, or a cornering skid may occur.
5. When overtaking other vehicles, watch out for the oncoming vehicle and
carefully confirm the safety.
6. Don’t attempt zigzag driving which will hinder your control over the vehicle and
cause an accident.
76G-08-002 76G-08-003
8376G-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
9
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Periodic Maintenance Schedule ........................................................................\
. 9-1
Alto ........................................................................\
..................................... 9-2
Alto K-10 ........................................................................\
............................ 9-6
Drive Belt ........................................................................\
.................................... 9-10
Engine Oil and Filter ........................................................................\
.................. 9-11
Gear Oil ........................................................................\
....................................... 9-14
Engine Coolant ........................................................................\
........................... 9-15
Windscreen Washer Fluid ........................................................................\
......... 9-18
Air Cleaner ........................................................................\
.................................. 9-18
Spark Plugs ........................................................................\
................................ 9-19
Fuel Filter Replacement ........................................................................\
............ 9-21
Brakes ........................................................................\
......................................... 9-21
Parking Brake ........................................................................\
............................. 9-23
Steering ........................................................................\
.............................. ......... 9-23
Clutch Pedal ........................................................................\
............................... 9-24
Tyres ........................................................................\
.......................................... 9-24
Tubeless Tyre (if equipped) ........................................................................\
...... 9-27
Battery ........................................................................\
......................................... 9-28
Fuses ........................................................................\
.......................................... 9-29
Bulb Replacement ........................................................................\
...................... 9-32
Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
.............................. 9-35
86
76G-74E
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE9-3Interval: This interval should be judged
FREE INSPECTIONS
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SERVICE AT COST
by odometer reading or months, km (x 1,000) 1 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
whichever comes first. months 1 6 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
FUEL
1. Air cleaner Paved-roadClean every 5,000 km. Replace every 40,000 km.
Dusty condition Clean every 2,500 km or as required. Replace every 40,000 km. More frequ\
ent replacement if dust condition is severe.
2. Accelerator cable and Throttle shafts – I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L I&L
3. Fuel tank cap, fuel lines & connections(leakage,damage) – I – – – I – – – I
4. Fuel filter (leakage) I I I I I R I I I R
CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION
1. Clutch pedal (play) I I I I I I I I I I
2. Clutch slipping (dragging or excessive damage) I I I I I I I I I I
3. Manual Transmission/Transfer and Differential oil (level, leakage) I I I R I R I R I R
DRIVE SHAFTS
1. Drive shafts boots (bent of boots damage) – I I I I I I I I I
BRAKE
1. Brake fluid (level, leakage) I I I R I R I R I R
2. Brake pedal (pedal-to-wall clearance) I I I I I I I I I I
3. Parking brake lever and cable (play, damage) I I I I I I I I I I
4. a. Brake discs and pads, (wear) – I I I I I I I I I
b. Brake drums & shoes – – I I I I I I I I
5. Master cylinder and wheel cylinder or calliper (oil leakage, boot kit)\
I I I I I R I I I R
6. Brake hoses and pipes (leakage, damage) I I I I I I I I I I