3-85OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
On models equipped with the ENG A-
STOP system, the hill hold control system
is activated when the engine is restarted
after being stopped automatically, even if
the previous conditions are not met.
NOTE:
When the hill hold control system is acti-
vated, you may hear a sound coming from
the engine, or you may feel hardness of
the brake pedal. These are normal and do
not indicate a malfunction.
75RM224
For the instrument cluster with tachometer,
if the message shown in the above illustra-
tion appears on the information display,
there may be a problem with the hill
descent control system (if equipped) and
the hill hold control system. Have your
vehicle inspected by an authorized
SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
The hill hold control system will not acti-
vate while this message is displayed.
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped)The tire pressure monitoring system is
designed to alert you when one or more of
the tires on your vehicle is significantly
under-inflated. The tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) sensor containing a
unique identification code is mounted on
each wheel. The TPMS sensors transmit
tire pressure signals to the receiver of the
tire pressure monitoring system controller.
When the inflation pressure of one or more
tires indicates signif icant under-inflation,
the low tire pressure warning light shown
below comes on.
NOTE:
The word “telltale” in this section, means
an indicator.
Low tire pressure warning light
52D305
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added fuel efficiency feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inf lation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
3-87OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
The low tire pressure warning light can
come on due to normal causes such as
natural air leakage and pressure changes
caused by changes in temperature or
atmospheric pressure. Adjusting the air
pressure in the tires to the pressure shown
on the tire information placard should
cause the low tire pressure warning light to
turn off.
To make the low tire pressure warning light
go off, adjust the tire pressures when the
tires are cold, and drive the vehicle for
about 10 minutes.
When the adjusted tire pressure is recog-
nized, the low tire pressure warning light
will go off and the information display
shows the current tire pressure (if you
select the TPMS monitor).If the light turns on again shortly after
adjusting the pressure in your tires, you
may have a flat tire. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with the spare tire (if equipped).
Refer to “Jacking instructions” in the
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section. Refer
to “Replacing tires and/or wheels” for
instructions on how to restore normal oper-
ation of the tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem after you have
had a flat tire.
WA R N I N G
Continuing to drive with the low tire
pressure warning light on can lead to
an accident, resulting in severe injury
or death.
If the low tire pressure warning light
comes on and stays on, reduce your
speed and avoid abrupt steering and
braking. Be aware that driving on a
significantly unde r-inflated tire can
cause the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure, and may affect
steering control and brake effective-
ness. Stop in a safe place as soon as
possible and check your tires.
• If you have a flat tire, replace it with the spare tire (if e quipped). Refer to
“Jacking instructions” in the
“EMERGENCY SERVICE” section
for tire replacement. Also refer to
“Replacing tires and/or wheels” for
instructions on how to restore nor-
mal operation of the TPMS after
you have had a flat tire. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• If your vehicle is equipped with a
flat tire repair kit instead of a spare
tire, refer to “Flat tire repair kit” in
the “EMERGENCY SERVICE” sec-
tion for instructions on how to per-
form an emergency repair of a flat
tire.
• If one or more of your tires is under-inflated, adjust the inflation
pressure in all of your tires to the
recommended inflation pressure as
soon as possible.
NOTICE
If the low tire pressure warning light
does not go off even when you drive
for more than 10 minutes after adjust-
ing the cold tire pressure, there may
be a problem with the TPMS. Have
your vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
4-3DRIVING TIPS
75RM4-01E
Keep the air cleaner clean
60A183S
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting
in decreased power output and increased
fuel consumption.
Keep weight to a minimum
The heavier the load is, the more fuel the
vehicle consumes. Unload any unneces-
sary luggage or cargo.
Keep tire pressures correct
Under-inflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label on the driver’s
side door or the driver’s door lock pillar.
Highway drivingWhen driving at highway speeds, pay
attention to the following:
• Stopping distance progressivelyincreases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping dis-
tance.
• On rainy days, hydroplaning can occur. Hydroplaning is the loss of direct contact
between the road surface and the vehi-
cle’s tires due to a water film forming
between them. Steering or braking the
vehicle during hydroplaning can be very
difficult, and loss of control can occur.
Keep speed down when the road sur-
face is wet.
• At high speeds, the vehicle may be affected by side winds. Therefore,
reduce speed and be prepared for unex-
pected buffeting, which can occur at the
exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut
of a hill, or when being overtaken by
large vehicles, etc.
Driving on hillsManual transaxle
75RM260
Auto Gear Shift
75RM259
EXAMPLE
4-4
DRIVING TIPS
75RM4-01E
CVT
75RM296
• When climbing steep hills, the vehiclemay begin to slow down and show a lack
of power. If this happens, you should
shift to a lower gear so that the engine
will again be operating in its normal
power range. Shift rapidly to prevent the
vehicle from losing momentum.
• When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by shifting to
the next lower gear.
Driving on slippery roads
60G089S
On wet roads, you shou ld drive at a lower
speed than you do on dry roads due to
possible slippage of tires during braking.
When driving on icy, snow-covered or
muddy roads, reduce your speed and
avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt braking,
or sharp steering movements.
4WD models
Your 4WD is designed to get better traction
on slippery roads than 2-wheel drive mod-
els. However, your 4WD will not have as
much traction in deep snow, mud or sand
as multipurpose 4WD vehicles. You should
not attempt to drive your 4WD in deep
snow, mud or sand. 4WD models are not
sport/utility vehicles, and are not designed
for off-road use.
WA R N I N G
Do not hold the brake pedal down too
long or too often while going down a
steep or long hill. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in
reduced braking efficiency. Failure to
take this precaution could result in
loss of vehicle control.
NOTICE
When descending a downhill, Never
turn the ignition key to “LOCK” posi-
tion or press the engine switch to
change the ignition mode to LOCK
(OFF). Emission control system and
CVT (if equipped) damage may result.
4-6
DRIVING TIPS
75RM4-01E
54G638S
Off-road drivingDo not drive in the field covered with grown grassIf you drive in the field covered with grass,
it may cause unexpected accident or vehi-
cle damage by getting caught in grown
grass.
WA R N I N G
In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important to
observe the following precautions.
• Check that your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for
details. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Do not use tires other than those
specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif-
ferent sizes or types of tires on the
front and rear wheels. For informa-
tion 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 fender over bumps,
causing vehicle damage or tire fail-
ure.
• After driving through water, test the brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained their normal effectiveness. If
the brakes are less effective than
normal, dry them by repeatedly
applying the brakes while driving
slowly until the brakes have
regained their normal effective-
ness.
6-1VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
75RM4-01E
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
Permissible maximum Axle Weight (PAW,
front and rear). The GVWR and PAW (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).
PAW (front and rear) – Maximum permissi-
ble 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 PAW (front and rear). If the gross vehi-
cle 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 towing
60A185
While towing a trailer can adversely affect
handling, durability and fuel economy. Your
vehicle can be used to tow a trailer which
does not exceed the towing capacity spec-
ified below:
Maximum towing capacity
(trailer, cargo & tow bar)
Braked trailer: 1000 kg (2205 lbs)
Unbraked trailer: 400 kg (882 lbs)
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 Permissible maximum
Axle Weight (PAW).
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.
6-2
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
75RM4-01E
To w b a r sOnly use a tow bar that is designed to
attach to the chassis of your vehicle, and a
hitch that is designed to bolt to this tow bar.
We recommend that you use a genuine
SUZUKI tow bar (available as option), or
equivalent.Safety chainsAlways attach safety chains between your
vehicle and trailer. Cross safety chains
under the nose of the trailer so that the
nose will not drop to the road if the trailer
becomes separated from the tow bar. Fol-
low the manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains. Always leave
just enough slack to permit full turning.
Never allow safety chains to drag on the
road.
Trailer lightsCheck that your trailer is equipped with
lights which meet local requirements.
Always check for the proper operation of
all trailer lights before you start to tow.Brakes
WA R N I N G
For vehicles equipped with the dual
camera brake support, if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer, press the dual
camera brake support OFF switch
and turn off the dual camera brake
support. If not, unexpected acci-
dents related to the system being
turned on may occur.
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.
NOTICE
When towing by a vehicle with CVT
on a long steep hill, try to take some
rest on the way to prevent overheat
or damage of the engine or transaxle.
WA R N I N G
Never use a tow bar which attaches
to the axle or the bumper of your
vehicle.
WA R N I N G
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper of your vehicle. Secure con-
nections so that they cannot come
loose.
WA R N I N G
Never connect trailer lights directly
into your vehicle’s electrical system,
or electrical system damage may
occur.
WA R N I N G
If trailer brakes are used, follow all
instructions provided by the manu-
facturer. Never connect to the brake
system of your vehicle and never
take an electrical supply directly from
the wiring harness.
6-4
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
75RM4-01E
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. Follow the schedule in
“Maintenance recommended under
severe driving conditions”.
WA R N I N G
Your vehicle should be handled in a
different way when towing a trailer.
For the safety of yourself and others,
observe the following precautions:
• Practice turning, stopping, andreversing before you begin towing
a trailer in traffi c. Do not tow a
trailer in traffic until you are confi-
dent that you can handle the vehi-
cle 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 sw aying, slow down.
• When roads are wet, slippery or rough, drive at a slower speed than
you would on dry or smooth roads.
Failure to slow down when road
conditions are bad can result in
loss of control.
• Always have someone guide you when reversing.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Allow adequate stopping distance.Stopping distance is increased
when you tow a trailer. For each 16
km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at
least one vehicle and trailer length
between you and the vehicle
ahead. Allow a greater stopping
distance if roads are wet or slip-
pery.
• 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)