6-2
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
54P00-01E
NOTE:
If your vehicle has a parking sensor sys-
tem, set the system to the trailer mode via
the information display. When this mode is
set, the rear corner and rear center sen-
sors are inhibited from operating. Refer to
“Information display” in “BEFORE DRIV-
ING” section.
To w b a r s
Only use a tow bar that is designed to
attach to the chassis of your vehicle, and a
hitch that is designed to bolt to this tow bar.
We recommend that you use a genuine
SUZUKI tow bar (available as option), or
equivalent.
Safety chains
Always attach safety chains between your
vehicle and trailer. Cross safety chains
under the nose of the trailer so that the
nose will not drop to the road if the trailer
becomes separated from the tow bar. Fol-
low the manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains. Always leave
just enough slack to permit full turning.
Never allow safety chains to drag on the
road.
Trailer lights
Check that your trailer is equipped with
lights which meet local requirements.
Always check for the proper operation of
all trailer lights before you start to tow.
Brakes
WA R N I N G
For vehicles equipped with the radar
brake support system, if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer, press the
radar brake support OFF switch and
turn off the radar brake support sys-
tem. If not, unexpected accidents
related to the system being turned on
may occur.
NOTICE
Trailer towing puts additional stress
on the engine, drive train and brakes
of your vehicle. Never tow a trailer
during the first 960 km (600 miles) of
vehicle operation.
WA R N I N G
Never use a tow bar which attaches
to the axle or the bumper of your
vehicle.
WA R N I N G
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper of your vehicle. Secure con-
nections so that they cannot come
loose.
WA R N I N G
Never connect trailer lights directly
into your vehicle’s electrical system,
or electrical system damage may
occur.
WA R N I N G
If trailer brakes are used, follow all
instructions provided by the manu-
facturer. Never connect to the brake
system of your vehicle and never
take an electrical supply directly from
the wiring harness.
6-4
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
54P00-01E
WA R N I N G
Your vehicle should be handled in a
different way when towing a trailer.
For the safety of yourself and others,
observe the following precautions:
• Practice turning, stopping, and
reversing before you begin towing
a trailer in traffic. Do not tow a
trailer in traffic until you are confi-
dent that you can handle the vehi-
cle and trailer safely.
• Never exceed towing speed limits
or 80 km/h (50 mph), whichever 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.
• When roads are wet, slippery or
rough, drive at a slower speed than
you would on dry or smooth roads.
Failure to slow down when road
conditions are bad can result in
loss of control.
• Always have someone guide you
when reversing.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(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. Allow a greater stopping
distance if roads are wet or slip-
pery.
• If the trailer has over-run brakes,
apply the brakes gradually to avoid
snatching caused by the trailer
wheels locking.
• Slow down before corners and
maintain a steady speed while cor-
nering. Deceleration or accelera-
tion while cornering can result in
loss of control. Remember that a
larger than normal turning radius is
needed because the trailer wheels
will be closer than 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 gusts of wind from
large passing vehicles.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Be careful when overtaking other
vehicles. Allow enough room for
your trailer before changing lanes,
and use turn signal lights properly
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.
• Do not step on the brake pedal
strongly. This could cause the
brakes to over-heat resulting in
reduced braking efficiency. Use
engine braking as much as possi-
ble.
• 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 the vehicle in a safe place.
Refer to “Engine trouble: Overheat-
ing” in “EMERGENCY SERVICE”
section.
6-5
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
54P00-01E
60A186
Trailer hitch installation points
61MM0B111
(1) Side
Maximum vertical load on trailer hitch
point (EU)
75 kg (165 lbs)
Maximum permissible overhang “a”
883 mm (34.7 in.)WA R N I N G
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) Turn off the engine, and then shift
into reverse or first gear.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
When starting out after parking:
1) Depress the clutch and start the
engine.
2) Shift into gear, release the parking
brake, and slowly pull away from
the chocks.
3) Stop, apply the brakes firmly and
hold them.
4) Have another person remove the
chocks.
“a”(1)(1)(1) (1)
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
7
54P00-01E
60G410
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Maintenance schedule ........................................................ 7-2
Drive belt .............................................................................. 7-20
Engine oil and filter ............................................................. 7-20
Engine coolant .................................................................... 7-26
Air cleaner ............................................................................ 7-28
Spark plugs .......................................................................... 7-29
Gear oil ................................................................................. 7-30
Clutch pedal ......................................................................... 7-32
Fuel filter (diesel engine) .................................................... 7-33
Brakes .................................................................................. 7-33
Steering ................................................................................ 7-35
Tires ...................................................................................... 7-36
Battery .................................................................................. 7-39
Fuses .................................................................................... 7-41
Headlight aiming ................................................................. 7-44
Bulb replacement ................................................................ 7-45
Wiper blades ........................................................................ 7-55
Windshield washer fluid ..................................................... 7-59
Air conditioning system ..................................................... 7-59
7-1
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
60B128S
WA R N I N G
Take extreme care when working on
your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Carefully observe the follow-
ing precautions:
• To prevent damage or unintended
activation of the air bag system or
seat belt pretensioner system, check
that the battery is disconnected and
the ignition switch has been in
“LOCK” position or the ignition
mode has been “LOCK” (OFF) for at
least 90 seconds before performing
any electrical service work on your
SUZUKI vehicle. Do not touch air
bag system components, seat belt
pretensioner system components or
wires.
The wires are wrapped with yellow
tape or yellow tubing, and the cou-
plers are yellow for easy identifica-
tion.
• Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, tools, and other
objects away from the fan and drive
belt. Even though the fan may not
be moving, it can automatically
turn on without warning.
• When it is necessary to perform
service work with the engine run-
ning, check that the parking brake
is set fully and the transaxle is in
Neutral.
• Do not touch ignition wires or other
ignition system parts when starting
the engine or when the engine is
running, or you could receive an
electric shock.
• Be careful not to touch a hot
engine, exhaust manifold and
pipes, muffler, radiator and water
hoses.
• Do not allow smoking, sparks, or
flames around fuel or the battery.
Flammable fumes are present.
• Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
• Be careful not to cause accidental
short circuits between the positive
and negative battery terminals.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Keep used oil, coolant, and other
fluids away from children and pets.
Dispose of used fluids properly;
never pour them on the ground,
into sewers, etc.
7-6
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
NOTE:
*1:Clean more frequently if the air flow from the air conditioner decreases.
For gasoline engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months,
whichever comes first.
km (×1000)204060miles (×1000)12.52537.5months122436Brake
Brake discs and padsI
Brake hoses and pipesI
Brake fluid ReplacementR
Brake lever and cable Adjustment (1st 20000 km only)I
Chassis, body and others
Clutch (Pedal and fluid level)I
Wheel bearingsSevere onlyI
Suspension systemI
Steering systemI
Air conditioner filter element
(if equipped)
*1Inspection First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
Replacement NormalR
Inspection or replacement
SevereIR
WA R N I N G
The shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble them or throw them into a fire. Avoid
storing them near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber
safely. Ask your dealer for assistance.
7-8
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
#3: If you replace the spark plugs other than iridium plug, follow the schedule of nickel plug.
#4: Replace every 50000 km if the local law requires.
NOTE:
*2: Inspect more frequently if the vehicle is used under dusty conditions.
For gasoline engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months, which-
ever comes first.
km (×1000)2.510203040100miles (×1000)1.5626.2512.518.752562.5months-812243684Fuel and emission control system
Spark plugs when unleaded
fuel is used(Highly recommended) Iridium
plug (#3)NormalRSevereR
(Standard type) Nickel plug NormalR(#4)SevereR
Spark plugs when leaded fuel
is used(Highly recommended) Iridium
plug (#3)R
(Standard type) Nickel plugR
Air cleaner filter element *2 Paved-road NormalIR
SevereIR
Dusty conditionIRBrake
Brake fluid CheckI
Brake lever and cable Check (1st 20000 km only)I
Chassis, body and others
Tires/WheelsI
All latches, hinges and locksI
7-10
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
NOTE:
*1:Clean more frequently if the air flow from the air conditioner decreases.
For diesel engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months,
whichever comes first.
km (×1000)204060miles (×1000)12.52537.5months122436Brake
Brake discs and padsI
Brake hoses and pipesI
Brake fluid ReplacementR
Brake lever and cable Adjustment (1st 20000 km only)I
Chassis, body and others
Clutch (Pedal and fluid level)I
Wheel bearingsSevere onlyI
Suspension systemI
Steering systemI
Air conditioner filter element
(if equipped) *1Inspection First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
Replacement NormalR
Inspection or replacement
SevereIR
WA R N I N G
The shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble them or throw them into a fire. Avoid
storing them near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber
safely. Ask your dealer for assistance.