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.
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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
4-7DRIVING TIPS
67LH3-74E
74LHM0411
9) Do not attempt sharp handling duringhigh speed driving. You may lose your
control over your vehicle.10) When overtaking or changing lanes
while driving at a high speed, keep
ample vehicle-to-vehicle distance.
Braking
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1) Use the parking brake firmly when park-
ing your vehicle and shift the gear shift
lever into the first gear or reverse gear
position for the sake of safety and con-
firm the gear position by checking the
gear position indicator before turn igni-
tion switch OFF. Remember, even
though the transaxle is in gear, you
must see the gear, you must set the
parking brake firmly.
2) Don’t use hand-braking unless unavoidable. It causes the vehicle to skid and a collision may occur. It is
especially dangerous when the tyres
are worn out as they skid more.
74LHM0413
Use foot brake in three stages
1. Warn the vehicle behind you
2. Gradually apply the brake.
3. Bring the vehicle to a halt.
3) When driving downhill, try not to apply the brake but use the engine brake
effectively. Overuse of the foot-brake
may result in reduction of brake effec-
tiveness.Long distance driving1) Be sure to perform safety checks
before starting a trip.
2) Take rest at regular intervals to prevent accidents which may occur due to feel-
ing sleepy or tired.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
5-1OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
74LH0-74E
Heating and Air Conditioning
System (if equipped)There are two types of heating and air con-
ditioning systems as follows:
Manual Heating and Air Conditioning
System (if equipped)
Automatic Heating and Air Conditioning
System (Climate Control) (if equipped)
Air Outlet
74LHT0501
1. Windshield defroster outlet
2. Side defroster outlet
3. Side outlet
4. Center outlet
5. Floor outlet
1
22
3
34
5
51
EXAMPLE
Parking Brake Lever: 6
6-1VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
74LH0-74E
Vehicle LoadingYour vehicle was designed for specific
weight capacities. The weight capacities of
your vehicle are indicated by the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR, front
and rear). The GVWR and GAWR (front
and rear) are listed in the “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” section.
GVWR – Maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all the occupants, accessories and cargo
plus the trailer nose weight if towing a
trailer).
GAWR – (Front and Rear) Maximum per-
missible weight on an individual axle.
Actual weight of the loaded vehicle and
actual loads at the front and rear axles can
only be determined by weighing the vehi-
cle. Compare these weights to the GVWR
and GAWR (front and rear). If the gross
vehicle weight or the load on either axle
exceeds these ratings, you must remove
enough weight to bring the load down to
the rated capacity.
Trailer TowingYour MARUTI SUZUKI was originally
designed to carry people and a normal
amount of cargo, not to tow a trailer.
MARUTI SUZUKI does not recommend
you use your vehicle to tow a trailer. Tow-
ing a trailer can adversely affect handling,
durability,
Some countries have regulations which
specifically allow trailer towing up to a
specified maximum trailer weight (regis-
tered or statutory towing capacity, which-
ever is smaller); vehicles sold in these
countries can be used to tow a light trailer,
provided the trailer does not exceed the
maximum trailer weight specified in the
country’s regulations.
If you use your MARUTI SUZUKI to tow a
trailer, you should always observe the
requirements and recommendations in this
section. If you intend to tow a trailer, it is
essential to select a trailer and trailer tow-
ing equipment which are compatible. A
reputable towing specialist can help you.
and fuel economy.
WA R N I N G
Never overload your vehicle. The
gross vehicle weight (sum of the
weights of the vehicle, all the occu-
pants, accessories, cargo plus trailer
nose weight if towing a trailer) must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). In addition,
never distribute a load so that the
weight on either the front or rear axle
exceeds the Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing (GAWR).
WA R N I N G
Always distribute cargo evenly. To
avoid personal injury or damage to
your vehicle, always secure cargo to
prevent it from shifting if the vehicle
moves suddenly. Place heavier
objects on the floor and as far for-
ward in the cargo area as possible.
Never pile cargo higher than the top
of the seat backs.
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.
Vehicle Loading: 11
Trailer Towing: 5, 11
6-2
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
74LH0-74E
Brakes
Ty r e s
MirrorsCheck to see if your vehicle’s mirrors meet
local requirements for mirrors used on
towing vehicles. If they do not, you must
install the required mirrors before you tow.
Vehicle/Trailer LoadingTo load your vehicle and trailer properly,
you must know how to measure gross
trailer weight and trailer nose weight.
Gross Trailer Weight is the weight of the
trailer plus all the cargo in it. You can mea-
sure gross trailer weight by putting the fully
loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.
Nose Weight is the downward force
exerted on the tow bar by the trailer cou-
pler, with the trailer fully loaded and the
coupler at its normal towing height. This
weight can be measured using a bathroom
scales.
The weight of your loaded trailer (Gross
Trailer Weight) should never exceed the
“Towing capacity”.
Distribute cargo in your trailer so that nose
weight is about 10% of gross trailer weight,
but does not exceed “Maximum vertical
load on trailer hitch point”. You should
measure gross trailer weight and nose
weight before towing to make sure that
your load is properly distributed.
WA R N I N G
If trailer brakes are used, you should
follow all instructions provided by
the manufacturer. Never connect to
the brake system of your vehicle and
never take an electrical supply
directly from the wiring harness.
WA R N I N G
When towing a trailer, it is very
important for your vehicle and trailer
to have properly inflated tyres. Your
vehicle’s tyres should be inflated to
the pressures listed on your vehicles
Tyre Information label. If laden pres-
sures are listed on the label, the tyres
should be inflated to the laden pres-
sures. Inflate trailer tyres according
to the specifications provided by the
trailer manufacturer.
WA R N I N G
Improper weight distribution of your
trailer may result in poor vehicle han-
dling and swaying of the trailer.
Always make sure that trailer nose
weight is about 10% of gross trailer
weight, but does not exceed “Maxi-
mum vertical load on trailer hitch
point”. Also make sure that the cargo
is properly secured. Failure to
observe this requirement may result
in an accident.
WA R N I N G
Never overload your trailer or your
vehicle. Gross trailer weight must
never exceed the “Towing capacity”.
Gross vehicle weight (sum of the
weights of the vehicle, all the occu-
pants, accessories including tow
bars and a trailer hitch, cargo and
trailer nose weight) must never
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing (GVWR) listed in the “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” section.
6-3VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
74LH0-74E
Additional Trailer Towing Warnings
WA R N I N G
Connect trailer lights and hook up
safety chains every time you tow.
NOTICE
Because towing a trailer puts addi-
tional stress on your vehicle, more
frequent maintenance will be
required than under normal driving
conditions.
WA R N I N G
Your vehicle will handle differently
when towing a trailer. For your safety
and the safety of others, you should
observe the following precautions:
Practice turning, stopping, and
reversing before you begin towing
in traffic. Do not tow in traffic until
you are confident that you can han-
dle the vehicle 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, smooth roads.
Failure to slow down when road
conditions are bad can result in
loss of control.
Always have someone guide you
when reversing.
Allow adequate stopping distance.
Stopping distance is increased
when you tow a trailer. For each 16
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at
least one vehicle and trailer length
between you and the vehicle ahead.
Follow at a greater distance if roads
are wet or slippery.
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)
6-4
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
74LH0-74E
60A186
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle may be towed behind another
vehicle (such as a motor-home), provided
your vehicle is 2 wheel drive (2WD) and
you use the proper towing method speci-
fied for your vehicle.
Use the towing instruction table to select
the proper towing method for your vehicle,and carefully follow the corresponding
instructions. Be sure to use proper towing
equipment designed for recreational tow-
ing and make sure that towing speed does
not exceed 90 km/h (55 mph)
TOWING INSTRUCTION TABLE
WA R N I N G
Be careful when overtaking other
vehicles. Be sure to allow enough
room for your trailer before you
change lanes, and signal well in
advance. Slow down and change into a lower
gear before you reach long or steep
downhill grades. It is hazardous to
attempt changing down while you
are descending a hill.
Avoid “riding” the brakes. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
resulting in reduced braking effi-
ciency. Use engine braking as
much as possible.
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 in a safe place. Refer to “If
the Engine Overheats” in “EMER-
GENCY SERVICE” section.
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) Change the manual transmission
into reverse or first gear and turn
off the engine.
When starting out after parking:
1) Depress the clutch and start the
engine.
2) Change 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.
WA R N I N G
When you tow your vehicle, follow
the instructions below to avoid acci-
dents and damage to your vehicle. In
addition, be sure to observe govern-
ment and local requirements regard-
ing vehicle lighting and trailer hitches
or tow bars.
DRIVE
TRAINTRANS
MISSIONTOWING
METHOD
2WD M/T
(MANUAL)A/B
2WD A/T
(AUTOMATIC)A
2WD AGS
(AUTO GEAR
SHIFT)A/B
6-5VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
74LH0-74E
A: 2WD VEHICLES WITH MANUAL
TRANSAXLE OR AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLE OR AUTO GEAR
SHIFT1) Secure the front wheels on a towing
dolly according to the instructions pro-
vided by the dolly manufacturer.
2) Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
The steering column is not strong
enough to withstand shocks trans-
mitted from the front wheels during
towing. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing. TOWING METHOD AFROM THE FRONT:
FRONT WHEELS ON A DOLLY
AND REAR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
B: 2WD VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLE OR AUTO GEAR SHIFT1) Shift the manual transaxle lever into neutral.
2) Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” position or change the ignition mode to the “ACC” to
unlock the steering wheel.
3) Release the parking brake.
ACC
N
TOWING METHOD BFROM THE FRONT:
FRONT WHEELS ON THE GROUND