4176G-74EWARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTSBrake fluid level warning/Parking Brake
Indicator light
This light operates under three different type
of operations :
1) The light comes on briefly when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” postion.
2) The light comes on when the parking
brake is engaged with the ignition switch in
the “ON” position.
3) The light comes on when the fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir falls below the
adequate level.
The light should go out after starting the
engine and fully releasing the parking brake,
if the fluid level in the brake fluid resevoir
is adequate.
If the light does not go off or comes on
whilst your driving, it may mean that there
is something wrong with the vehicle's
braking system. If this happens, you should:1) Pull off the road and stop carefully.
Remember that stopping distance may
be longer, you may have to push harder
on the pedal, and the pedal may go
down farther than normal.
2) Test the brakes by carefully starting and stopping at the side of the road.
3) If you determine that it is safe, drive
carefully at low speed to the nearest
dealer for repairs. or
4) Have the vehicle towed to the nearest
dealer for repairs.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
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5-4
NOTE:
Because the disc brake system is self
adjusting, the fluid level will drop as thebrake pads become worn.Replenishing the brake fluid reservoir is
considered normal periodic maintenance.
76G-05-005
If any of the following conditions occur,
you should immediately ask your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to inspect the
brake system.
If the brake fluid level warning light does not go out after the engine has
been started and the parking brake
has been fully released.
If the brake fluid level warning light does not come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position
with the parking brake applied.
If the brake fluid level warning light
comes on at any time during vehicle
operation.
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76G-74E
INSTRUMENT PANEL
If you operate the engine with thislight on, severe engine damage can
result.
Do not rely on the Oil Pressure Light to indicate the need to add oil.
Be sure to periodically check the
engine oil level (see section
"INSPECTION & MANINTENANCE").
5-5
CAUTION
Charging Light
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned on, and goes out when the engine
is started. The light will come on and
remain on if there is something wrong with
the battery charging system. If the light
comes on when the engine is running, the
charging system should be inspected
immediately by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
Do not continue driving long with the
charging light ON as this will drain the
battery 'dead'.
CAUTION
76G-05-007 76G-05-008
EXAMPLE
Oil Pressure Light
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned on, and goes out when the engine
is started. The light will come on and
remain on if there is insufficient oil pressure.
If the light comes on when driving, pull off
the road as soon as you can and stop the
engine. Check the oil level and add oil if
necessary (see section "INSPECTION &
MAINTENANCE"). If there is enough oil, the
lubrication system should be inspected by
your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer before you
drive the vehicle again.
76G-05-006
4376G-74E
INSTRUMENT PANEL
5-6
Immobilizer System Light
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, this light comes on to let you
know the light is working. If this light blinks
with the ignition switch turned to “ON”, there
may be something wrong with the immobi-
lizer system. Contact your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to have the system inspected.
76G-05-010
Electric Power Steering Light
(if equipped)
This light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position, and goes out
when the engine is started.
If this light comes on while driving, the
power steering system may not work prop-
erly. Have the system inspected by your
MARUTI SUZUKI Authorized workshop.NOTE:If the power steering system does not workproperly, you will feel heavier to steer butyou still will be able to steer.
76G-05-009A
“Malfunction Indicator” Light
Your vehicle has a computer-controlled
emission control system. A “Malfunction
Indicator” light is provided on the instrument
panel to indicate when it is necessary to
have the emission control system serviced.
The “Malfunction Indicator” light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
and goes out when the engine is started.
If the “Malfunction Indicator” light comes on
when the engine is running, there is a
problem with the emission control system.
Take the vehicle to your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to have the problem corrected.
Continuing to drive the vehicle when
the “Malfunction Indicator” light is on
can cause permanent damage to the
vehicle’s emission control system, and
can affect fuel economy and
driveability.
CAUTION
76G-05-009
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76G-74E
INSTRUMENT PANEL5-9
HIGH ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE WARNING
LIGHT (Red Color)When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, this light comes on briefly so
you can check that the light is working. If
this light blinks while driving, it means the
engine is running hot. Avoid driving condi-
tions that may lead to actual overheating.
If the light stays on without blinking, then
the engine is overheating. Follow the in-
structions in the “If the Engine Over heats”
of “EMERGENCY SERVICE” section.Continuing to drive the vehicle when
engine overheating is indicated can
result in severe engine damage.
CAUTION
76G-05-019
FUEL GAUGEWhen the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, this gauge gives an approximate
indication of the amount of fuel in the fuel
tank. “F” stands for full and “E” stands for
empty.
When the fuel meter indicator shows only
one segment to “E”, refill the tank as soon
as possible.Note:If the last segment blinks, it means that the
fuel tank is almost empty.
Note:The fuel level indicator varies depending onroad conditions (for example, slope orcurve) and driving conditions because of
fuel moving in the tank.
76G-05-018
The tachometer indicates engine speed
in revolutions per minute.
76G-05-013C
Never drive with the engine speed in-
dicator in the red zone (1) or severe
engine damage can result.
When downshifting to a lower gear,
make sure not to operate with exces-
sive revolution speeds of the engine.
Refer to “Downshifting maximum allow-
able speeds” in the “OPERATING
YOUR VEHICLE” section.
CAUTION
TACHOMETER (if equipped)
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76G-74E
Defrosting
Move the function lever/knob to “DEFROST”
and the air intake lever to “FRESH AIR”,
the temperature control lever/knob to the
desired temperature position, and the fan
switch to “HIGH” Moving the temperature
control lever/knob to a higher temperature
position increases defrosting efficiency.
When the windscreen has become clear,
move the fan switch to the desired fan
speed position.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(if equipped)If your vehicle is equipped with air
conditioner, it has an A/C button located on
the heater control panel. The air conditioning
system can be used to provide cooling and
dehumidifying, as described below. To turn
on the air conditioning system, push in the
A/C button and move the fan switch to a
position other than “OFF”. An indicator light
will come on when the air conditioning
system is on. To turn off the air conditioning
system, push the A/C button again.
During operation of the air conditioner, you
may notice slight changes in engine speed.
These changes are normal, the system is
designed so that the compressor turns on
or off to maintain the desired temperature.
Less operation of the compressor results in
better fuel economy.
5-17INSTRUMENT PANEL
76G-05-047
(ALTO / ALTO K10)
SYSTEM OPERATING INSTRUCTIONSNormal Cooling (using outside air)
Push in the A/C button, move the function
lever/knob to "VENTILATION", the air
intake lever to “FRESH AIR”, the
temperature control lever/knob to the
“COOL” position, and the fan switch to the
desired fan speed position. Moving the fan
switch to a higher fan speed position
increases cooling efficiency.
If the ambient temperature is high enough
to cause insufficient cooling, use the "Quick
Cooling" as following.
76G-05-049
(ALTO / ALTO K10)
5576G-74E
INSTRUMENT PANEL
5-18
76G-05-051
(ALTO / ALTO K10)
Quick Cooling (Using recirculated air)
The lever/knob settings are the same as for
normal cooling except you move the air
intake lever to “RECIRCULATED AIR”. If
you use this cooling method for a extended
period of time, the air in the vehicle can
become contaminated. Therefore, you
should occasionally move the air intake
lever to “FRESH AIR”.NOTE: If your vehicle has been left in the sun with
the windows closed, it will cool faster if youopen the windows briefly while you operatethe air conditioner with the air intake leverat “FRESH AIR” and the fan at high speed.
Dehumidifying
Push in the A/C button, move the function
lever/knob to the desired function position,
the air intake lever to “FRESH AIR”, the
temperature control lever/knob to the desired
temperature position, and the fan switch to
the desired fan speed position.NOTE:
Because the air conditioner dehumidifies theair, turning it on will help keep the windowsclear, even when blowing heated air using
the DEMIST or HEATER & DEMISTfunctions.
76G-05-053
(ALTO / ALTO K10) Maintenance
If you do not use the air conditioner for a
long period, such as during winter, it may
not give the best performance when you
start using it again. To help maintain op-
timum performance and durability of your air
conditioner, it needs to be run periodically.
Operate the air conditioner at least once a
month for one minute with the engine idling.
This circulates the refrigerant and oil and
helps protect the internal components.
Note:
Your vehicle uses the air conditioning re-frigerant HFC-134a, commonly called “R-134a”. Only R-134a should be used in your
vehicle.
CAUTION
Using the wrong refrigerant may dam-
age your air conditioning system. Use
R-134a only. Do not mix or replace the
R-134a with other refrigerants.
5976G-74EPEDALS
6-2
Clutch Pedal 11 11
1
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping, or shifting the transmission
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages the
clutch.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear, clutch damage,
or unexpected loss of engine braking. Brake Pedal
22 22
2
Your MARUTI SUZUKI vehicle is equipped
with front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Depressing the brake pedal applies both
sets of brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a
normal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
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CAUTION
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OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENTDo not “ride” the brakes by applying
them continuously or resting your foot
on the pedal. This will result in
overheating of the brakes which could
cause unpredictable braking action,
longer stopping distances, or
permanent brake damage.
Accelerator Pedal 33 33
3
This pedal controls the speed of the
engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal
increases power output and speed.
76G-06-003
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