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DRIVING TIPS
76MH1-74E
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Keep weight to a minimum The heavier the load, the more fuel the vehicle consumes. Take out any luggageor cargo when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressures correct Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel due to increased running resistance of the tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correctpressure shown on the label on the driver’s side door or the driver’s door lock pillar.
Highway Driving
When driving at highway speeds, pay attention to the following: Stopping distance progressively increases with vehicle speed. Apply the brakes far enough ahead of the stoppingpoint to allow for the extra stopping dis- tance. On rainy days, “Hydroplaning” can occur.“Hydroplaning” is the loss of direct con- tact between the road surface and the vehicle’s tires due to a water film formingbetween them. Steering or braking the vehicle while “Hydroplaning” can be very difficult, and loss of control can occur.Keep speed down when the road surface is wet. At high speeds, the vehicle may beaffected by side winds. Therefore, reduce speed and be prepared for unex- pected buffeting, which can occur at theexits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of a hill, or when being overtaken by large vehicles, etc.
Driving on Hills
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When climbing steep hills, the vehiclemay begin to slow down and show a lackof power. If this happens, you should shift to a lower gear so that the engine will again be operating in its normalpower range. Shift rapidly to prevent the vehicle from losing momentum. When driving down a hill, the engineshould be used for braking by shifting into a lower gear.
Driving on Slippery Roads
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Under wet road conditions you should drive at a lower speed than on dry roadsdue to possible slippage of tires during braking. When driving on icy, snow-cov- ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speedand avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt braking, or sharp steering movements.
Tire Chains (if equipped)Tire chains should only be used if they are needed to increase traction or are required by law. Make sure that the chains you use
WA R N I N G
Try not to hold the brake pedal down too long or too often while goingdown a steep or long hill. This could cause the brakes to overheat, result- ing in reduced braking efficiency.Failure to take this precaution could result in loss of vehicle control.
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NOTICE
When descending a down hill, NEVER turn the igni tion key to the “LOCK” position. Emission control system damage may result.
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INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
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76MH1-74E
Tires
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The front and rear tire pressure specifica- tions for your vehicle are listed on the TireInformation Label. Both the front and rear tires should have the specified tire pres- sure.Note that the value does not apply to the compact spare tire, if equipped.
Tire InspectionInspect your vehicle’s tires at least once a month by performing the following checks:
1) Measure the air pressure with a tire gauge. Adjust the pressure if neces- sary. Remember to check the spare tire, too.
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(1) Tread wear indicator(2) Indicator location mark
2) Check that the depth of the tread groove is more than 1.6 mm (0.06 in.).To help you check this, the tires have molded-in tread wear indicators in the grooves. When the indicators appearon the tread surface, the remaining depth of the tread is 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less and the tire should be replaced.3) Check for abnormal wear, cracks and damage. Any tires with cracks or other damage should be replaced. If any tiresshow abnormal wear, have them inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
4) Check for loose wheel nuts. 5) Check that there are no nails, stones orother objects sticking into the tires.
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
• Air pressures should be checkedwhen the tires are cold or you mayget inaccurate readings. • Check the inflation pressure from time to time whil e inflating the tire gradually, until the specified pres- sure is obtained. • Never under inflate or over inflatethe tires. Under inflation can cause unusual handling characteristics or cancause the rim to slip on the tire bead, resulting in an accident or damage to the tire or rim.• Overinflation can cause the tire to burst, resulting in personal injury. Overinflation can also causeunusual handling characteristics which may result in an accident.
(1)
(2)
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
Hitting curbs and running over rocks can damage tires and affect wheelalignment. Be sure to have tires and wheel alignment checked periodi- cally by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.
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