3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
NOTE:
You do not need to keep the engine
switch pressed to start the engine.
The engine of a manual transaxle vehi-
cle will not start unless the clutch pedal
is depressed.
You should turn off such loads as the
headlights and air conditioning system to
facilitate starting of the engine.
Even if you fail to start the engine, the
starter motor will stop turning automati-
cally after a short time. After the starter
motor has stopped or if there is some
problem with the system, the starter
motor will rotate only while the engine
switch is being pressed.
Stopping the engine Depress the engine switch to stop the
engine after the vehicle stopped com-
pletely.
In case of emergency, you can stop the
engine by quickly pushing the engine
switch more than 3 times, or pushing
and holding the engine switch more than
2 seconds while the vehicle in motion.
NOTE:
Except in emergency, do not stop the
engine while the vehicle in motion.
The steering and braking operation will
require more efforts when the engine
stopped.
Refer to “Braking” in this section.
If the engine has been stopped and
stayed as it as for while after the engine
was stopped unexpectedly or was raced
before stopped, a clicking sound may be
heard from around the engine when
engine restarted. This is not a malfunc-
tion. In this case, always let the engine
idle before stop it.
Starting a Cold and Warm Engine(For Petrol Engine Model)
With your foot off the accelerator pedal,
crank the engine by pressing the engine
switch to change the ignition mode to
“START”.After pressing the engine switch to change the
ignition mode to “START”, the starter cranks
the engine for about 12 seconds before it can
start the engine. If the engine fails to start at
the first attempt, wait about 15 seconds, then
try again while keeping the engine switch
pressed while pressing down the accelerator
pedal to 1/3 of its travel. Release the accelera-
tor 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.
If you are unable to start the engine using
this procedure, consult your MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer.
NOTICE
Do not depress the accelerator
during the engine starting proce-
dure. If the engine does not respond
when you try to start it with the
engine switch or if the engine
switch repeats cycling through the
“LOCK”(OFF) - “ACC” - “ON” mode,
the vehicle battery may be dis-
charged. Check the voltage of the
vehicle battery before trying again.
NOTICE
Avoid stopping the engine while driv-
ing.
NOTICE
Do not crank the engine for more
than 12 seconds at a time.
If the engine doesn’t start on the first
try, wait about 15 seconds before try-
ing again.
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
3-19OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
engaging the clutch. When the gearshift
lever is in any of the positions “D”, “M” or
“R”, and you release your foot from the
brake pedal, the vehicle starts slowly with-
out depressing the accelerator pedal. The
creeping function is disabled if you depress
the brake pedal or pull up the parking
brake lever. Creep is not possible in man-
ual mode with 2nd gear engaged.
NOTE:
If the driver’s door is opened and/or the
parking brake lever is engaged with the
gear in the “M”, “D” or “R” position, the
creeping function will not operate.
Parking and Stopping the vehicle
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. Drive (D) mode
When the Drive (D) mode is activated, the
most appropriate gear position is automati-
cally selected upon operation of the accel-
erator pedal and variation of vehicle speed.
Normal driving:
1) Start the engine as instructed in “Start-
ing the engine” in this section.
2) With your foot on the brake pedal, shift
the gearshift lever to the “D” position.
When the gearshift lever is shifted to
the “D” position, the gear will be shifted
to 1st.
76MH0A057
NOTE:
If 1st gear cannot be engaged even
though the gearshift lever has been
shifted from the “N” to the “D” position,
the system will re-try shifting automati-
cally. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift-
ing gear shock may occur. However,
they do not indicate a malfunction.
The “N” indicator will flash, the depress
brake pedal indicator will come on and a
warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound if any of the following cases
occur;– If you shift the gearshift lever from the
“N” to the “D” position without depress-
ing the brake pedal
– If the system is unable to re-try shifting
You should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,
then shift to “D” again.
3) Release the parking brake and brake
pedal.
4) Depress the accelerator pedal slowly.
NOTICE
A buzzer will sound continuously if
the vehicle is operated with the gear-
shift lever in-between of each shift
positions. The vehicle will become
inoperative if you continue to operate
the vehicle with the gearshift lever in-
between shift positions.
WA R N I N G
While driving the vehicle, do not
shift the gearshift lever to the “N”
position. The engine brake may not
work and you may get involved in
an unexpected accident. If you
return the gearshift lever from “N”
to “D” because of unintended shift-
ing, the gear position will be shifted
according to the current vehicle
speed.
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the
engine running. This operation pre-
vents the vehicle from moving due
to unintended activation of the
creeping function.
3-22
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
74LH0-74E
Starting off:
1) Start the engine as instructed in “Start-
ing the engine” in this section.
2) With your foot on the brake pedal, shift
the gearshift lever to the “M” position.
When the gearshift lever is shifted to
the “M” position, the gear will be shifted
to 1st. Before starting off, always make
sure that the intended gear is engaged
by checking the gear position indicator,
then depress the accelerator pedal.NOTE:
If 1st gear cannot be engaged even
though the gearshift lever has been
shifted from the “N” to the “M” position,
the system will re-try shifting automati-
cally. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift-
ing gear shock may occur. However,
they do not indicate a malfunction.
The “N” indicator will flash, the depress
brake pedal indicator will come on and a
warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound if any of the following cases
occur;
– If you shift the gearshift lever from the
“N” to the “M” position without
depressing the brake pedal
– If the system is unable to re-try shifting
You should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,
then shift to “M” position again a few
seconds later.
3) Release the parking brake and brake
pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting.Starting off on an uphill/downhill slope:
Uphill
1) Apply the parking brake firmly so that
the vehicle does not roll backwards.
2) Shift the gearshift lever to the “M” posi-
tion while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the gear position indica-
tor in the instrumental cluster displays
1st gear.
3) Release the brake pedal and depress
the accelerator pedal gradually, and
when the vehicle starts to move,
NOTICE
If the gearshift lever cannot shift
into any position, or the gear is
changed to “N” position automati-
cally when the vehicle speed
becomes less than 10 km/h, there
may be a systematic malfunction. In
this case, ask your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to inspect the Auto Gear Shift
system as soon as possible.
The manual (M) mode does not
upshift even if the engine speed
reaches the rev-limit.
The system will not allow shifting up
or down to a gear that would cause
engine over-revving or under-rev-
ving.
If frequently driving at low speed
using a high gear position, the life
cycle of the clutch may be reduced.
Frequent downshifting (more than 3
positions consecutively) causes the
reduction of transaxle life.
WA R N I N G
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal or pull up the parking lever
while stopped with the engine run-
ning. These operations prevent the
vehicle from starting due to unin-
tended activation of the creeping
function.
NOTICE
Do not operate the system as
described below. The life cycle of the
clutch may be reduced.
Using the accelerator pedal to hold
the vehicle on an uphill slope oper-
ation with the gearshift lever in the
“M” or “D” position. If you perform
this operation for a certain period
of time, a warning buzzer will
sound.
Shifting the gearshift lever to the
“M”, “D” or “R” position while rac-
ing the engine.
Driving at low speed using a high
gear.
Stopping on a slope using the
creeping function. If you perform
this operation for a certain period
of time, a warning buzzer will
sound.
4-1DRIVING TIPS
67LH3-74E
74LHM0401
Running-inCatalytic Converter
74LHM0402
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to
minimize the amount of harmful pollutants
in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of leaded
fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic
converters is prohibited, because lead
deactivates the pollutant-reducing compo-
nents of the catalyst system.
The converter is designed to last the life of
the vehicle under normal usage and when
unleaded fuel is used. No special mainte-
nance is required on the converter. How-
ever, 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 compo-
nents.
WA R N I N G
WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS AT ALL
TIMES. Even though air bags are
equipped at the front seating posi-
tions, the driver and all passengers
should be properly restrained at all
times, using the seat belts pro-
vided. Refer to the “Seat Belts and
Child Restraint Systems” section
for instructions on proper use of
the seat belts.
Never drive while under the influ-
ence of alcohol or other drugs.
Alcohol and drugs can seriously
impair your ability to drive safely,
greatly increasing the risk of injury
to yourself and others. You should
also avoid driving when you are
tired, sick, irritated, or under
stress.EXAMPLE
NOTICE
The future performance and reliabil-
ity 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 960 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 break in better if you vary your
speed.
Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid
full throttle starts.
Avoid hard braking, especially during the first 320 km of driving.
Do not drive slowly with the trans- axle in a high gear.
Drive the vehicle at moderate
engine speeds.
Do not tow a trailer.
EXAMPLE
4-5DRIVING TIPS
67LH3-74E
If Your Vehicle Gets StuckIf your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forthbetween a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) and reverse. This
will create a rocking motion which may
give you enough momentum to free the
vehicle. Press gently on the accelerator
to keep wheel spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting.
Do not race the engine. Excessive
wheel spin will cause the tires to dig
deeper, making it more difficult to free
the vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, we recommend you
to consult your authorised Maruti
Suzuki workshop or a roadside assis-
tance service. If a towing service is not
available in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed by a towing
cable or chain secured to the towing
hook either on the front of the vehicle or
on the rear of the vehicle. Refer to
“Frame Hooks” in the “OTHER CON-
TROLS AND EQUIPMENT” section.
Driving on Wet Roads
WA R N I N G
Do not allow anyone to stand near
the vehicle when you are rocking it,
and do not spin the wheels faster
than an indicated 40 km/h on the
speedometer. Perso nal injury and/or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
NOTICE
Do not continue rocking the vehicle
for more than a few minutes. Pro-
longed rocking can cause engine
overheating or transaxle damage.
NOTICE
When driving on wet roads, avoid driving through large amount of
standing water on the road. Large
amount of water entering the
engine compartment may cause
damage to the engine and or elec-
trical components.
If stuck in deep water, do not start the engine.
Water is incompressible substance, water inside engine is harmful to
the engine.
WA R N I N G
In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important to
observe the following precautions.
Make sure your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for
details.
Do not use tires other than those
specified by MARUTI SUZUKI.
Never use different sizes or types
of tires on the front and rear
wheels. For information regarding
the specified tires, refer to the Tire
Information Label located on the
driver’s door lock pillar.
Never use oversized tires or spe- cial shock absorbers and springs
to raise (jack up) your vehicle. This
will change the handling character-
istics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the vehicle body over
bumps, causing vehicle damage or
tire failure.
After driving through water, test the brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained their normal effectiveness. If
they are less effective than normal,
dry them by repeatedly applying
the brakes while driving slowly
until the brakes have regained their
normal effectiveness.
4-6
DRIVING TIPS
67LH3-74E
74LHM0408
Do’s and Dont’s 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.
Following are basic rules for safe driving.
Read them carefully for good understand-
ing of the content so that you can enjoy
safe and pleasant driving in your vehicle.Starting1) Adjust the driver’s seat for the proper driving posture.
2) Adjust the rear view mirror so as to obtain the best po ssible rear view.
74LHM0409
3) Before moving, look around your vehi-
cle to confirm safety.
4) Don’t accelerate suddenly, since it is
dangerous and wastes fuel.General driving1) Be sure to stop before a stop light orstop sign. When moving into an inter-
section without any traffic lights or
signs, drive slowly to confirm safety.
2) Always follow other vehicles at a safe
distance in order to prevent a rear-end
collision, in case the vehicle ahead
makes a sudden stop.
74LHM0410
3) Turn ON the turn signal at least 30meters before making a turn or chang-
ing the lane so as to not be hit.
4) Before entering a corner, decelerate to a safe speed. Don’t apply brakes during
cornering, or skidding may occur.
5) When overtaking other vehicles, watch out for oncoming vehicles and carefully
ensure safety.
6) Don’t attempt zigzag driving as it will hinder your control over the vehicle and
may cause an accident.
7) Avoid reckless high speed driving and try to drive at a safe speed suitable for
the road conditions while maintaining a
constant speed.
8) Higher the speed, narrower the driver’s visual range becomes. In such a state,
it is difficult to anticipate any hazard and
the driver feels fatigued.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
5-51OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
74LH0-74E
AUX/USB Socket (if equipped)
74LHT0518
Connect your portable digital music player,
etc. to this socket to enjoy music through
the vehicle’s audio system using it as a
source. Refer to “Audio System” in the
“OTHER CONTROL AND EQUIPMENT”
section.Assist Grips
54G249
Assist grips are provided for passenger
convenience.Assist grips is not provided on driver seat.
Glove Box
74LHT0519
To open the glove box, pull the latch lever.
To close it, push the lid until it latches
securely.Cup Holder and Storage Area (if
equipped)
Front
74LHT0520
Passenger side
74LHT0529
To use the cup holder, push it. The cup
holder slides out automatically. After using
the holder, push it back to return it.Rear
74LHT0527
The storage area is provided in the center
console.
NOTICE
To avoid damaging the assist grip
and the molded headlining, do not
hang down the assist grip.EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Never drive with the glove box lid
open. It could cause injury if an acci-
dent occurs.
EXAMPLE