3-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Adjust the seat and adjustable head
restraint (if equipped).
7) Check the brake pedal and the parking
brake lever.
8) Adjust the mirrors.
9) Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
10)Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion or the engine is pressed to change
the ignition mode to “ON”.
11)Check all gauges.
12)Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Battery solution level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Hood latch operation
Pull the bonnet hood release handle
inside the vehicle. Make sure that you
cannot open the hood all the way with-
out releasing the secondary latch. Be
sure to close the hood securely after
checking for proper latch operation.
See “All latches, hinges and locks” of“CHASSIS AND BODY” in the “Periodic
Maintenance Schedule” in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE”
section for lubrication schedule.
Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.
Engine Oil ConsumptionIt is normal for the engine to consume
some engine oil during normal vehicle
operation.
The amount of engine oil consumed
depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed during high-speed
driving and when there is frequent acceler-
ation and deceleration. Under high loads,
your engine also will consume more oil.
A new engine also consumes more oil,
since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder
walls have not yet become conditioned.
New engines reach the normal level of oilconsumption only after approximately 5000
km driving.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km When judging the amount of oil consump-
tion, note that the oil may become diluted
and make it difficult to accurately judge the
true oil level.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km or more of driving. This is
because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
You should also be aware that the diluting
ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle
is subsequently driven at high speeds,
such as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after high-speed driving.
WA R N I N G
Make sure the hood 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.
Daily Inspection Checklist: NO
Engine Oil Consumption:
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
3-11OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Warm engine
Crank the engine by turning the ignition
key to “START”. Release the key when the
engine starts.
Caution when stopping the engine with
turbocharger
When stopping the engine after climbing or
high speed driving, let the engine idle for
about one minute or more (if it is not pro-
hibited) to cool down the turbocharger and
engine oil. This is to prevent the engine oil
from over-deteriorating. Deteriorated
engine oil will damage the bearings of the
turbocharger.
Restarting diesel engine after fuel-
empty stop
If the engine stops and the low fuel warn-
ing light and the malfunction indicator light
come on, use the following procedure:
1) Fill the fuel tank.
2) Hold the ignition key in “ON” position for
5-10 seconds to feed fuel.
3) Perform above engine starting proce-
dure to start the engine.
If the malfunction indicator light still comes
on after the engine started, there may be
some problem with the engine. Ask your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to have the
engine inspected.
Starting the Engine
(Vehicle with Keyless Push
Start System)Before Starting the Engine
74LHM0303
1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual transaxle – Shift to “N” (Neutral)
and fully depress the clutch pedal. Hold
the clutch and brake pedals fully
depressed.
Automatic transaxle – If the gearshift lever
is not in “P” (Park) position, shift into “P”
(Park). (If you need to re-start the engine
while the vehicle is moving, shift into “N”.)
Auto Gear Shift – Shift into “N” (Neutral)
and depress the brake pedal. Hold the
brake pedal while starting the engine.NOTE:
Automatic transaxle vehicles have a starter
interlock device which is designed to keep
the starter from operating if the transaxle is
in any of the drive positions.
82K254
3) The “PUSH” indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. Push the
engine switch (1). When the engine is
started, the starter motor will automati-
cally stop.
Auto Gear Shift
WA R N I N G
Make sure that the parking brake is
set fully and the transaxle is in Neu-
tral before attempting to start the
engine.
(1)
3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
(For Diesel Engine Model)
Cold engine
Depress the clutch and brake pedals fully
and press the engine switch to crank the
engine. If the glow plug indicator light
comes on, the engine will start automati-
cally after the glow plug indicator light goes
off or 10 seconds past.
Warm engine
Crank the engine by pressing the engine
switch to change the ignition mode to
“START”.
Caution when stopping the engine with
turbocharger
When stopping the engine after climbing or
high speed driving, let the engine idle for
about one minute or more (if it is not pro-
hibited) to cool down the turbocharger and
engine oil. This is to prevent the engine oil
from over-deteriorating. Deteriorated
engine oil will damage the bearings of the
turbocharger.Restarting diesel engine after fuel-
empty stop
If the engine stops and the low fuel warn-
ing light and the malfunction indicator light
come on, use the following procedure:
1) Fill the fuel tank.
2) Press the engine switch to change the
ignition mode to “ON” for 5-10 seconds
to feed fuel.
3) Perform above engine starting proce-
dure to start the engine.
If the malfunction indicator light still comes
on after the engine started, there may be
some problem with the engine. Ask your
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to have the
engine inspected.
If the “PUSH” indicator light blinks and
the engine cannot be started
Your keyless push start system remote
controller may not be sensed as being
within the “interior workable area”. Try
again after making sure that you have the
remote controller with you. If the engine
still cannot be started, the battery of the
remote controller may be discharged. You
must then use the following method to be
able to start the engine.
57L21131
1) Make sure the parking brake is set fully.
2) Shift to “N” (Neutral) and fully depress
the clutch pedal/brake pedal Hold the
clutch and brake pedals fully
depressed.
3) The “PUSH” indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster will come on. Press the
engine switch (1).
4) Within about 10 seconds of blinking of
the “PUSH” indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster, touch the engine switch
with the lock switch end of the remote
controller (2) for about 2 seconds.
NOTE:
If you still cannot start the engine after
several attempts using the above
method, there may be a problem else-
where, such as a low battery. Contact
your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer for inspec-
tion.
NOTICE
Do not crank the engine for more
than 30 seconds at a time.
If the engine doesn’t start on the first
try, wait about 15 seconds before try-
ing again.
(1)
(2)
EXAMPLE
3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
The immobilizer/keyless push start sys-
tem warning light come on for about 5
seconds while the “PUSH” indicator light
is blinking.
You may customize the system to cause
the interior buzzer to sound once for the
“remote controller out of sensing range”
warning. Please contact an authorized
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer for the customi-
zation.
If the battery of the remote controller is
about to be completely discharged, the
keyless push start system remote con-
troller battery consumption warning light
in the instrument cluster will come on for
a few seconds when the ignition mode is
changed to “ON” by pressing the engine
switch. For details on replacing the bat-
tery, refer to the “Keyless Push Start
System Remote Controller” in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section.Returning the ignition mode to
“LOCK” (OFF)NOTE:
Certain problems like a fault in engine sys-
tem may prevent the engine switch from
going back to the “LOCK” (OFF) mode. If
this happens, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer
after doing the following:
Lock the doors using the key to prevent
theft. (The request switches and the key-
less push start system remote controller
cannot be used to lock them.) Disconnect the negative cable from the
battery to prevent discharge.
“LOCK” (OFF) mode reminder buzzer
If the driver’s door is opened without
returning the ignition mode to “LOCK”
(OFF) by pressing the engine switch, a
buzzer sounds to warn you of this state.
If you open the driver’s door after press-
ing the engine switch to change the igni-
tion mode to “ACC”, the interior buzzer
beeps intermittently.
The buzzer will stop sounding if you then
push the engine switch twice, thus bring-
ing it back the ignition mode to “LOCK”
(OFF).
NOTE:
Whenever you leave the vehicle, make
sure you have returned the ignition mode
to “LOCK” (OFF) using the engine switch
and then lock the doors. Without returning
the ignition mode to “LOCK” (OFF), you
cannot use a request switch or keyless
push start system remote controller to lock
the doors.
Steering lock warning buzzer
If the steering lock fails to engage due to a
fault in the system when the ignition mode
is turned to “LOCK” (OFF) by pressing the
engine switch and then any door is opened
or closed, the interior buzzer will warn you
of this condition with repeated short beeps.
If this happens, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
Using the Transmission
Manual Transmission
68LM324
Starting off
To start off, push the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine’s sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Gear changing
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, and easy changing.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor before shifting gears. Main-
tain the engine speed, so it does not get
into the red zone of tachometer.EXAMPLE
3-15OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Downshifting maximum allowable
speedsFor Petrol engine
For Diesel engine
*NOTE:
You may not accelerate to the maximum
allowable speed because of the driving sit-
uation and/or the vehicle condition.
Gearshift lever
68LM324
(1) Knob button
The gearshift lever is designed so that it
cannot be shifted out of the “P” position
unless the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position or the ignition mode is “ON” and
the brake pedal is depressed.
The gearshift lever has a lock mechanism
to help prevent accidental shifting. To shift
the gearshift lever.NOTE:
Always shift the gearshift lever without
pushing in the knob button (1) except
when you shift from “P” to “R”, from “D”
to “2”, from “2” to “L”, from “N” to “R” or
from “R” to “P”. If you always push in the
knob button (1) when shifting the gear-
shift lever, you could shift into “P”, “R”,
“2”, or “L” by mistake.
If driver’s or passenger’s knee hits the
gearshift lever while driving, the lever
could move and the gear could be
changed unexpectedly.
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)Use this position to lock the transmission
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary. Downshifting Km/h
2nd to 1st 20
3rd to 2nd 54
4th to 3rd 80
5th to 4th 112*
Downshifting Km/h
2nd to 1st 24
3rd to 2nd 60
4th to 3rd 92
5th to 4th 125*
WA R N I N G
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in and the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in.
Shift without the knob button (1)
pushed in.
3-16
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
R (Reverse) Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting into
Reverse. N (Neutral) Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling. D (Drive)Use this position for all normal driving. With
the gearshift lever in “D” range you can get
an automatic downshift by pressing the
accelerator pedal. The higher the vehicle
speed is, the more you need to press the
accelerator pedal to get a downshift. 2 (Low 2) Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills. L (Low 1)Use this position to provide maximum-
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.4-Speed Automatic Transmission
68LM324
(1) Overdrive off switch
68LM324
NOTICE
When downshifting to a lower gear,
make sure not to downshift at the
speed faster than the maximum
allowable speeds for the next lower
speed, or severe engine damage can
result.
WA R N I N G
Reduce your speed and downshift
to a lower gear before going down
a long or steep hill. A lower gear
will allow the engine to provide
braking. Avoid riding the brakes or
they may overheat, resulting in
brake failure.
When driving on slippery roads, be
sure to slow down before down-
shifting. Excessive and/or sudden
changes in engine speed may
cause loss of traction, which could
cause you to lose control.
NOTICE
Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before you shift
into reverse.
NOTICE
To help avoid clutch damage, do not
use the clutch pedal as a footrest
while driving or use the clutch to keep
the vehicle stationary on a slope.
Depress the clutch fully when shifting.
When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine
can shorten engine life and affect to
smooth shifting.
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)