2-64
BEFORE DRIVING
74LH0-74E
Tilt Steering Lock Lever
74LHT0333
The lock lever is located under the steering
column. To adjust the steering wheel
height:
1) Push down the lock lever to unlock the
steering column.
2) Adjust the steering wheel to the desired
height and lock the steering column by
pulling up the lock lever.
3) Try moving the steering wheel up and
down to make sure it is securely locked
in position.
Horn
68LM240
Press the horn button of the steering wheel
to sound the horn. The horn will sound with
the ignition switch in any position.
WA R N I N G
Never attempt to adjust the steering
wheel while the vehicle is moving or
you could lose control of the vehicle.
UNLOCKLOCK
EXAMPLE
3-1OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Exhaust Gas Warning
52D334
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving
60A187S
1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lightsand reflectors are clean and unob-
structed.
2) Visually check the tyres for the following points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel bolts
– existence of foreign material such as nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tyres” in “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
3) Look for fluid and oil leaks.
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air
conditioning system after use.
4) Make sure the bonnet is fully closed and latched.
WA R N I N G
Avoid breathing exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, a potentially lethal gas that is
colorless and odorless. Since carbon
monoxide is difficult to detect by
itself, be sure to take the following
precautions to help prevent carbon
monoxide from entering your vehicle.
Do not leave the engine running in garages or other confined areas. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
Do not park with the engine run-ning for a long period of time, even
in an open area. If it is necessary to
sit for a short time in a parked vehi-
cle with the engine running, make
sure the air intake selector is set to
“FRESH AIR” and the blower is at
high speed.
Avoid operating the vehicle with the tailgate or trunk open. If it is
necessary to operate the vehicle
with the tailgate or trunk open,
make sure all windows are closed,
and the blower is at high speed
with the air intake selector set to
“FRESH AIR”.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the air inlet grille in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves or
other obstructions at all times.
Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust
gases under the vehicle. This is
particularly important when parked
in blizzard conditions.
Have the exhaust system inspected periodically for damage and leaks.
Any damage or leaks should be
repaired immediately.
Exhaust Gas Warning: NO
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
3-3OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Ignition Switch
(Vehicle without Keyless
Push Start System)
65D611
60B041
The ignition switch has the following four
positions:LOCK
This is the normal parking position. It is the
only position in which the key can be removed.Manual transaxle
60G033
Manual transaxle/Auto Gear Shift
vehicles
You must push in the key to turn it to the
“LOCK” position. It locks the ignition, and
prevents normal use of the steering
wheel after the key is removed.
Automatic transaxle vehicles
The gearshift lever must be in the “P”
(Park) position to turn the key to the
“LOCK” position. It locks the ignition and
prevents normal use of the steering
wheel and gearshift lever.
To release the steering lock, insert the key
and turn it clockwise to one of the other
positions. If you have trouble turning the
key to unlock the steering, try turning the
steering wheel slightly to the right or left
while turning the key.ACC
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, but the engine is off.
ON
This is the normal operating position. All
electrical systems are on.
START
This is the position for starting the engine
using the starter motor. The key should be
released from this position as soon as the
engine starts.
Ignition key reminder (if equipped)
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind you
to remove the ignition key if it is in the ignition
switch when the driver’s door is opened.
81A297S
WA R N I N G
To avoid possible injury, do not oper-
ate controls by reaching through the
steering wheel.EXAMPLE
Turn to “LOCK”
Push
WA R N I N G
Never return the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position and remove the igni-
tion key while the vehicle is moving.
The steering wheel will lock and you
will not be able to steer the vehicle.
(Continued)
Starting the Engine: 1
3-5OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Manual transaxle – Provided you have the
keyless push start system remote control-
ler with you, the engine automatically
starts when you press the engine switch to
select this ignition mode after shifting to
“N” (Neutral) and depressing the brake and
clutch pedals.
Auto Gear Shift – Provided you have the
keyless push start system remote control-
ler with you, the engine automatically
starts when you press the engine switch to
select this ignition mode after placing the
gearshift lever in the “N” position and
depressing the brake pedal.
NOTE:
You do not need to keep the engine switch
pressed to start the engine.
NOTE:
The steering lock may not be released if
some load is acting on the steering
wheel. If this happens, turn the steering
wheel to the right or left to relieve it from
the load before you press the engineswitch again to change to the desired
ignition mode.
In the presence of strong radio signals or
noise, you may not be able to change
the ignition mode to “ACC” or “ON” or to
start the engine using the engine switch.
Keyless Push Start System
(if equipped)Provided the keyless push start system
remote controller is within the “interior work-
able area” (refer to the related explanation
in this section), you can use the engine
switch for starting the engine and selecting
an ignition mode (“ACC” or “ON”). In addi-
tion, the following functions can be used: Keyless entry function. Refer to “Keyless
Push Start System Remote Controller” in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section for details. Locking and unlocking doors using a
request switch. Refer to “Keyless Push
Start System Remote Controller” in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section for details.
Immobilizer (anti-theft) function. Refer to
“Immobilizer System” in the “BEFORE
DRIVING” section for details.
Engine Switch IlluminationThe engine switch is illuminated (lit) in the
following situations:
When the engine is off and the driver’s
door is open, or for 15 seconds after the
driver’s door is closed. The illumination
will fade out after the 15 seconds past.
When the engine is off and the position
lights are on. The illumination will go out
when the position lights are turned off.
When the engine is on and the position
lights and/or the headlights are on. The
illumination will go out when the head-
lights are turned off.
82K253
NOTE:
To save the battery, the illumination will be
automatically turned off when both of the
following conditions are simultaneously
met:
The headlights and position lights are
turned off.
A period of 15 minutes has elapsed after
opening the driver’s door.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in the
“ACC” or “ON” mode when the
engine is not running. Avoid using
the radio or other electric accesso-
ries for a long time when the engine
switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” mode
when the engine is not running, oth-
erwise the battery may discharge.
Using the Transaxle: 10
3-8
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
to start the engine or select the ignition
mode. The “remote controller outside”
warning may not be given at that time.–The remote controller is outside the
vehicle but very close to a door.
–The remote controller is on the instru-
ment panel.Parking Brake Lever
54G039
(1) To set
(2) To release
(3) To release
The parking brake lever is located between
the seats. To set the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down and pull the parking
brake lever all the way up. To release the
parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
pull up slightly on the parking brake lever,
push the button on the end of the lever with
your thumb, and lower the lever to its origi-
nal position.
For automatic transaxle vehicles, always
set the parking brake before moving the
gearshift lever to the “P” (PARK) position. Ifyou park on an incline and shift into “P”
before setting the parking brake, the
weight of the vehicle may make it difficult to
shift out of “P” when you are ready to drive
the vehicle.
When preparing to drive the vehicle, move
the gearshift lever out of the “P” position
before releasing the parking brake.
Parking Brake Reminder BuzzerA buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to release the parking brake if you
start the vehicle without releasing the park-
ing brake. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake sys-
tem warning light turns off.
(2)(3)
(1)
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Never drive your vehicle with the
parking brake on: rear brake effec-
tiveness can be reduced from over-
heating, brake life may be
shortened, or permanent brake
damage may result.
If the parking brake does not hold
the vehicle securely or does not
fully release, have your vehicle
inspected immediately by an autho-
rized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
WA R N I N G
Always set the parking brake firmly
before leaving your vehicle or it may
move, causing injury or damage.
When parking, make sure the gear-
shift lever is in reverse or first gear.
Remember, even though the
transaxle is in gear, you must set the
parking brake firmly.
WA R N I N G
When parking the vehicle in
extremely cold weather, the following
procedure should be used:
1) Set the parking brake firmly.
2) Manual transaxle - turn off the
engine, then shift into reverse or
first gear.
Auto Gear Shift - shift into reverse
or first gear and check the gear
position indicator in the instru-
ment cluster to make sure that the
transaxle is engaged in 1st or
reverse, then turn off the engine
completely.
Automatic transaxle - shift into
“P” (Park) and turn off the engine.
3) Check the parking brake firmly
again. Get out of the vehicle and
put chocks under the wheels.
4) Release the parking brake.
When you return to your vehicle,
you must remember to first set the
parking brake, then remove the
wheel chocks.
Braking: 6
3-9OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
PedalManual transaxle
80J2121
Automatic transaxle/Auto gear shift
80J2122
Clutch Pedal (1)(For manual transaxle)
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages
the clutch.
Brake Pedal (2)Your MARUTI SUZUKI vehicle is equipped
with front and rear drum brakes. Depress-
ing the brake pedal applies both sets of
brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a nor-
mal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.
Accelerator Pedal (3)This pedal controls the speed of the
engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal
increases power output and speed.
(2)
(1)
(3)EXAMPLE
(3)
(2)
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear, clutch dam-
age, or unexpected loss of engine
braking.
NOTICE
Do not pump the clutch pedal repeat-
edly. It may result in pressure built up
in the clutch circuit and damage to
the clutch system.
WA R N I N G
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer.
WA R N I N G
Do 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.
Running-in: 6
Catalytic Converter: NO
3-17OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Overdrive off switchThe transmission is a 4-speed (3-speed
plus overdrive) automatic transmission. By
operating the overdrive off switch, the
transmission can be converted to a 3-
speed automatic transmission that will not
move to the overdrive position. To convert
the transmission to the 3-speed mode,
push in the overdrive off switch and
release it.
To return the transmission to the 4-speed
mode, push in the overdrive off switch
again.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ACC” position or the engine switch is
pressed to change the ignition mode to
“ACC”, the transmission in the 3-speed
mode is converted to the 4-speed mode
automatically.]
The 3-speed mode is suitable for the fol-
lowing driving conditions:
Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gear changing
Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transaxle will not actually downshift until
your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
If You Cannot Shift Automatic trans-
mission Gearshift Lever Out of “P”
(PARK)Automatic transmission
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
have an electrically operated parklock fea-
ture. If the vehicle’s battery is discharged,
or there is some other electrical failure, the
automatic transmission cannot be shifted
out of Park in the normal way. Jump start-
ing may correct the condition. If not, follow
the procedure described below. This pro-
cedure will permit shifting the transmission
out of Park.
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly
applied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the
engine.
3) Make sure the key is in the “ON” or
“ACC” position, or the ignition mode is
“ON” or “ACC”.
4) Remove the cover (1) over the button.
5) With the release button (1) pushed by
the key or the flat end rod, push the
NOTICE
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transmission :
Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “2”, or “L” when the engine is
running above idle speed.
Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “2”, or “L”) and the front
wheels not moving.
NOTICE
Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
(1)
(2)
3-24
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Parking
Unlike an automatic transaxle, Auto Gear
Shift does not have a parking position. The
vehicle can be parked with the gearshift
lever at “D” or “R” position. Remember,
even though the transaxle is in gear, you
must set the parking brake firmly
1) Apply the parking brake and the brake
pedal firmly.
2) While depressing the brake pedal, shift
the gearshift lever to the “R” position on
a downhill slope, and to the 1st position
in the drive (D) mode or the “M(1)” posi-
tion in the manual (M) mode on an
uphill slope and confirm the gear posi-tion by checking the gear position indi-
cator.
3) Stop the engine completely.
4) In the case of uphill/downhill slope,
release the parking brake and brake
pedal slowly in order to check the gear
is engaged.
5) After check the vehicle stopped by the
gear engaged, Apply the parking brake
and the brake pedal firmly again.
6) Get out of the vehicle and put chocks
under the wheels.
When you return to your vehicle, you must
remember to remove the wheel chocks.
NOTE:
After the engine is stopped or ignition
switch is OFF, the gear in the transaxle
does not change even if you shift the
gearshift lever in any position. Always
shift the gearshift lever before turn igni-
tion switch OFF.
Check the transaxle gear position by
looking at the gear position indicator,
then turn the ignition switch off to stop
the engine.
WA R N I N G
When stopping, for example, at a
traffic light, be sure to depress the
brake pedal firmly. For your safety,
apply the parking brake, too, when
stopping on a hill.
When racing the engine, make sure
that the gear is in the “N” position
by checking the gear position indi-
cator. If the accelerator is operated
with the gear in any other position,
the vehicle may move resulting in
an unexpected accident.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
When leaving the vehicle, stop the
engine and park the vehicle with a
gear engaged. Remember, even
though the transaxle is in gear, you
must set the parking brake firmly. If
you need to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, apply the park-
ing brakes firmly, and shift the
gearshift lever to the “N” position
and confirm the neutral position by
checking the gear position indica-
tor. However basically don’t leave
the vehicle with the engine running.
Otherwise, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly and may cause an
accident.
NOTICE
On a slope, never hold the vehicle
at a stop using only the accelerator
pedal or the creeping function. If
you perform this operation for a
certain period of time, a warning
buzzer will sound, and in some
cases the engine will stall. This can
also cause excessive damage to
the clutch.
If the gearshift lever is operated
more than necessary, the system
may not allow operation of the
gearshift lever for a certain period
of time, and the gear may not be
shifted appropriately. Therefore, do
not operate the gearshift lever if not
necessary.