2-39
BEFORE DRIVING
74LH0-74E
“AIR BAG” light (If equipped)
63J030
If the “AIR BAG” light on the instrument
cluster does not blink or come on when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON”
position, or the ignition mode is first
changed to “ON” or the “AIR BAG” light
stays on, or comes on while driving, the air
bag system (or the seat belt pretensioner
system) may not work properly. Have the
air bag system inspected by an authorized
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Front Air Bags
63J113
Front air bags are designed to inflate in
severe frontal collisions when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position or the ignition
mode is “ON”.
Front air bags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts, side impacts, rollovers or
minor frontal collisions, since they would
offer no protection in those types of acci-
dents. Remember, since an air bag
deploys only one time during an accident,
seat belts are needed to restrain occu-
pants from further movements during the
accident.
Therefore, an air bag is NOT a substitute
for seat belts. To maximize your protection,
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS. Be
aware that no system can prevent all pos-
sible injuries that may occur in an accident.
63J114
The driver’s front air bag is located behind
the center pad of the steering wheel and
the front passenger’s front air bag is
located behind the passenger’s side of the
dashboard. The words “SRS AIRBAG” aremolded into the air bag covers to identity
the location of the air bags.
58MS030
Please refer to the “Seat Belts and Child
Restraint Systems” section in this section
for details on securing your child.
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Do not install a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger’s
seat. If the passenger’s front air bag
inflates, a child in a rear-facing child
restraint could be killed or severely
injured. The back of a rear-facing
child restraint would be too close to
the inflating air bag.
2-42
BEFORE DRIVING
74LH0-74E
Air bag symbol (if equipped) meaning
67LH029
You may find this label on the sun visor.
How the System Works
In a frontal collision, the crash sensors will
detect rapid deceleration, and if the con-
troller judges that the deceleration rep-
resents a severe frontal crash, the
controller will trigger the inflators. The infla-
tors inflate the appropriate air bags with
nitrogen or argon gas. The inflated air bags
provide a cushion for your head and upper
body. The air bag inflates and deflates so
quickly that you may not even realize that it
has activated. The air bag will neither hin-
der your view nor make it harder to exit the
vehicle.
Air bags must inflate quickly and forcefully
in order to reduce the chance of serious or
fatal injuries. However, an unavoidable
consequence of the quick inflation is that
the air bag may irritate bare skin, such as
the facial area against a front air bag. Also,
upon inflation, a loud noise will occur and
some powder and smoke will be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle. Be aware,
however, that some air bag components
may be hot for a while after inflation.
A seat belt helps keep you in the proper
position for maximum protection when an
air bag inflates. Adjust your seat as far
back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle. Sit fully back in your
seat; sit up straight; do not lean over the
steering wheel or dashboard. Front occu-
pants should not lean on or sleep against
the door. Please refer to the “Seat Adjust-
ment” section and the “Seat Belts andChild Restraint Systems” in this section for
details on proper seat and seat belt adjust-
ments.
65D610
54G535
WARNING
NEVER use a rearward facing child
restraint on a seat protected by an
ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH
or SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD
can occur.
WARNING
If the AIR BAG light in the instrument
cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be
wrong with the air bag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle ser-
viced immediately, because the air
bags may not offer the protection for
which they were designed.
EXAMPLE
2-43
BEFORE DRIVING
74LH0-74E
Note that even though your vehicle may be
moderately damaged in a collision, the col-
lision may not have been severe enough to
trigger the air bags to inflate. If your vehicle
sustains ANY front-end or side damage,
have the air bag system inspected by an
authorized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer to
ensure it is in proper working order.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic
module which records information about
the air bag system if the air bags deploy in
a crash. The module records information
about overall system status, which sensors
activated the deployment.
Servicing the air bag systemIf the air bags inflate, have the air bags and
related components replaced by an autho-
rized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer as soon as
possible.
If your vehicle ever gets in deep water and
the driver’s floor is submerged, the air bag
controller could be damaged. If it does,
have the air bag system inspected by the
MARUTI SUZUKI dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Special procedures are required for servic-
ing or replacing an air bag. For that reason,
only an authorized MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer should be allowed to service or
replace your air bags. Please remind any-
one who services your MARUTI SUZUKI
that it has air bags.Service on or around air bag components
or wiring must be performed only by an
authorized MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
Improper service could result in unin-
tended air bag deployment or could render
the air bag inoperative. Either of these two
conditions may result in severe injury.
To prevent damage or unintended inflation
of the air bag system, be sure the battery
is disconnected and the ignition switch has
been in the “LOCK” position or the ignition
mode has been “LOCK” (OFF) for at least
90 seconds before performing any electri-
cal service work on your MARUTI SUZUKI.
Do not touch air bag system components
or wires. The wires are wrapped with yel-
low tape or yellow tubing, and the couplers
are yellow for easy identification.
Scrapping a vehicle that has an uninflated
air bag can be hazardous. Ask your dealer,
body repair shop or scrap yard for help
with disposal.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained on rear
seats than front passenger’s seat when-
ever possible, MARUTI SUZUKI recom-
mends that child restraint systems be
installed the rear seat.
WA R N I N G
• The driver should not lean over the
steering wheel. The front passenger
should not rest his or her body against
the dashboard, or otherwise get too
close to the dashboard. In these situa-
tions, the out-of-position occupant
would be too close to an inflating air
bag, and may suffer severe injury.
• Do not attach any objects to, or place
any objects over, the steering wheel or
dashboard. Do not place any objects
between the air bag and the driver or
front passenger. These objects may
interfere with air bag operation or may
be propelled by the air bag in the event
of a crash. Either of these conditions
may cause severe injury.
2-48
BEFORE DRIVING
74LH0-74E
Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
60G049
When the driver doesn’t buckle his or her
seat belt, this light will come on and/or
blink.
For details about the seat belt reminder,
refer to “Seat Belts and Child Restraint
Systems” in this section.
“AIR BAG” Light (if equipped)
63J030
This light blinks or comes on for several sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position or the engine switch is
pressed to change the ignition mode to “ON”
so you can check if the light is working.
The light will come on and stay on if there is
a problem in the air bag system or the seat
belt pretensioner system (if equipped).
Malfunction Indicator Light
65D530
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 the
“ON” position or the engine switch is
pressed to change the ignition mode to
“ON” to let you know the light is working
and goes out when the engine is started. If the malfunction indicator light comes on
or blinks when the engine is running, there
is a damage in the emission control sys-
tem.
Take the vehicle to your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to have the damage fixed.
Transaxle Warning Light
(if equipped)
80J219
This light comes on for several seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position or the engine switch is
pressed to change the ignition mode to
“ON” so you can check the light is working.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, there is a problem with the
transaxle system. Ask your MARUTI
WA R N I N G
If the “AIR BAG” light does not blink
or come on briefly when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position
or the engine switch is pressed to
change the ignition mode to “ON”,
stays on for more than 10 seconds,
or comes on while driving, the air bag
system or the seat belt pretensioner
system (if equipped) may not work
properly. Have both systems
inspected by an authorized MARUTI
SUZUKI dealer.
NOTICE
Continuing to drive the vehicle when
the malfunction indicator light is on
or blinking can cause permanent
damage to the vehicle’s emission
control system, and can affect fuel
economy and driveability.
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
7-1INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
74LH0-74E
60B128S
WA R N I N G
You should take extreme care when
working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few pre-
cautions that you should be espe-
cially careful to observe:
To prevent damage or unintended
activation of the air bag system or
seat belt pretensioner system, be
sure the battery is disconnected and
the ignition switch has been in the
“LOCK” position for at least 90 sec-
onds before performing any electri-
cal service work on your vehicle. Do
not touch air bag system compo-
nents, 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 do service
work with the engine running, make
sure that the parking brake is set
fully and the transmission 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.