
NOTE: Automatic transmission vehicles have a starter interlock device which is designed to keep the starter from operating if the transmission is in any of the drive positions.
A WARNING
Check that the parking brake is set fully and the transmission is in Neutral (or Park for vehicles with an automatic transmission) before attempting to start the engine.
Starting a cold and warm engine
With your foot taken off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by turning the ignition key to "START". Release the key when the engine starts.
NOTICE
• Stop turning the starter immediately after the engine has started or the starter system can be damaged. For protection of a lead-acid battery and a starter motor, do not use the starter motor by turning the key to "START" for more than 12 seconds at a time. If the engine dose not start, turn the key to 11LOCK" position and wait for more than 30 seconds before trying again. If the engine does not start after several attempts, consult a SUZUKI dealer or a qualified workshop.
If the engine does not start after 12 seconds of cranking, wait about 30 seconds, and then press down the accelerator pedal to 1/3 of its stroke and try cranking the engine again. Release the key and accelerator pedal when the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the fioor while cranking.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Using transmission
A WARNING
Do not hang any items on the gearshift lever and do not use the gearshift lever as a handrest. Otherwise, it could prevent proper operation of the gearshift lever and cause its malfunction, resulting in an accident.
Manual transmission
3 5
1-$=1
2 4 R
78RB03002
3-8

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Starting off To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor and shift into 1 st 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 gradually release the clutch.
Shifting All forward gears are synchronized and provide quiet and easy shifting. Always depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor before shifting gears. Keep the engine speed from rising into the red zone of the tachometer.
Downshifting maximum allowable speeds
Transfer lever in "2H" or "4H" position
Downshifting km/h (mph)
2nd to 1st 40 (25)
3rd to 2nd 75 (47)
4th to 3rd 105 (65)
5th to 4th 150 (93)*
3-9
Transfer lever in "4L" position
Downshifting km/h (mph)
2ndto1st 20 (12)
3rd to 2nd 35 (22)
4th to 3rd 50 (31)
5th to 4th 75 (47)*
*NOTE: You may not accelerate to the maximum allowable speed because of the driving situation and/or the vehicle condition.
NOTICE
Do not downshift to a lower gear at the speed faster than the maximum allowable speeds for the next lower speed) or severe damage to engine and transmission can result.
A WARNING
• Reduce your speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down a long or steep hill. A lower gear will allow the engine to provide braking. Avoid riding the brakes or they may overheat, resulting in brake failure. When driving on slippery roads, slow down before downshifting. Excessive and/or sudden changes in engine speed may cause loss of traction, which could cause you to lose control.
NOTICE
Check that the vehicle is completely stationary before you shift into reverse.
NOTICE
To help avoid clutch damage, do not use the clutch pedal as a footrest while driving or use the clutch to keep the vehicle stationary on a slope. Depress the clutch fully when shifting. • When shifting or starting off, do not race the engine. Racing the engine can shorten engine life and cause negative effect to smooth shifting.

Automatic transmission
Gearshift lever
[eJ
R
[fj)
D
2 L
78RB03003
The gearshift lever is designed so that it cannot be shifted out of "P" position unless the ignition switch is in "ON" position and the brake pedal is depressed.
Use the gearshift lever positions as follows:
P (Park) Use this position to lock the transmission when the vehicle is parked or when starting the engine. Shift into Park only when the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse) Use this position to reverse the vehicle from stop. Make sure that vehicle is corn-
pletely stationary before shifting into Reverse.
N (Neutral) Use this position for starting the engine if the engine stalls and you need to restart it while the vehicle is moving. You may also shift into Neutral and depress the brake pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.
D (Drive) Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in "D" range you ?an get an automatic downshift by pressing the accelerator pedal. The higher the vehicle speed is, the more you need to press the accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
2 (Low2) Use this position to provide extra power when climbing hills, or to provide engine braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1) Use this position to provide maximum power when climbing steep hills or driving through deep snow or mud, or to provide maximum engine braking when going down steep hills.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
A, WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal before shifting from "P" (Park) (or "N" (Neutral) if the vehicle is stationary) to a forward or reverse gear, to help prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly when you shift.
3-10

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
The gearshift lever has a lock mechanism to help prevent accidental shifting. Shift the gearshift lever as follows:
•
®
t R D IN) it
D D D-,@, 2 D-
,@, L D-
78RB03004
( 1 ) knob button
Shift with the knob button (1)
•
pushed in and the brake pedal depressed.
-OD Shift with the knob button (1) pushed in.
D-D Shift without the knob button (1) pushed in.
3-11
NOTICE
• Do not shift the gearshifl lever into 11R" while moving forward, or the transmission may be damaged. If you shift into "R" when the vehicle speed is over 10 km/h (6 mph),_the transmission will not shift mto reverse. Be sure to take the following precautions to help avoid damage to the automatic transmission: -Make sure that the vehicle is completely stationary before shifting into 11P" or "R". -Do not shift from up" or "N" to "R" "D" or "L11 when the engine is r~nning above idle speed. -Do not rev the engine with the transmission in a drive position {uR", 11D" or 11~") and the front wheels not movmg. -Do not use the accelerator to hold the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehicle's brakes.
NOTE: • Always shift the gearshift lever without pushing in the knob button except when ou shift from "P" to "R", from "D" to "2", rrom "2" to "L ", from "N" to "R''. or from "R" to "P". If you always push m the knob button when shifting the gearsh1ft lever. Id h.ft · t "P" "R" "2" or "L" by youcou s1 mo , , mistake. If driver's or passenger's knee hits the gearshift lever while driving, the lever could move and the gear could be changed unexpectedly.
Overdrive off switch
ON ...
OFF c;>~
' / < .. 00---00-@ff ~-ow-,, I \" OFF ON
(1) Overdrive off switch
78RB03046

The transmission is a 4-speed (3-speed plus overdrive) automatic transmission. By operating the overdrive off switch, the transmission can be converted to a 3-speed automatic transmission that will not move to the overdrive position. To convert the transmission to the 3-speed mode, push in the overdrive off switch and release it.
To return the transmission to the 4-speed mode, push in the overdrive off switch again:
When the ignition switch is turned to the "ACC" position, the transmission in the 3-speed mode is converted to the 4-speed mode automatically. The 3-speed mode is suitable for the following driving conditions: Driving on hilly, winding roads -You can drive more smoothly with less frequent gear changing Going down a steep hill -Some engine braking is provided
If you cannot shift automatic trans
mission gearshift lever out of "P"
(PARK)
Left hand drive vehicle
(1)
□
78RB03005
The automatic transmission vehicles have an electrically operated park-lock feature. If the vehicle's lead-acid battery is discharged, or there is some other electrical failure, the automatic transmission cannot be shifted out of Park in the normal way. Jump starting may correct the condition. If not, follow the procedure described below. This procedure will permit shifting the transmission out of Park.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly applied. 2) If the engine is running, stop the engine. 3) Make sure the key is in "ON" or "ACC" position. 4) Remove the cover (1) over the button. 5) With the knob button (1) pushed by the key or the flat end rod, push the knob button (2) and shift the gearshift lever to the desired position.
This procedure is for emergency use only. If repeated use of this procedure is necessary, or the procedure does not work as described, take your vehicle to a SUZUKI dealer for repair.
3-12

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Right hand drive vehicle
(2)
78RB03006
The automatic transmission vehicles have an electrically operated parklock feature. If the vehicle's lead-acid battery is discharged, or there is some other electrical failure, the automatic transmission cannot be shifted out of Park in the normal way. Jump starting may correct the condition. If not, follow the procedure described below. This procedure will permit shifting the transmission out of Park.
3-13
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly applied. 2) If the engine is running, stop the engine. 3) Make sure the key is in "ON" or "ACC" position. 4) With the release button (1) pushed, push the knob button (2) and shift the gearshift lever to the desired position.
This procedure is for emergency use only. If repeated use of this procedure is necessary, or the procedure does not work as described, take the vehicle to a SUZUKI dealer for repair.
Gearshift indicator
(if equipped)
52RM30410
In the following cases, the gearshift indicator is indicated in the information display when the ignition switch is in "ON" position. • When the gearshift lever is in a position other than "N" (Neutral). When the transfer lever is in "2H" or "4H" position. For vehicles equipped with the cruise control, when the system is not in use.

The electronic control system monitors driving condition (such as vehicle speed and/or engine revolution), and it shows which gear position is optimal for your driving with the indication on the display.
If UP/DOWN arrow is indicated in the display while driving, we recommend you to shift up or down the gear. It is the optimal gear position for a driving condition that reduces the over revolution and stress to the engine, and improves fuel consumption.
For details on how to use the transmission, refer to "Using the transmission" in this section.
A WARNING
The gearshift indicator is designed to indicate optimal gear position for your driving, however, a driver will not be relieved from the duty of care of driving operation or gear change with this indicator. To drive safe, do not gaze the gearshift indicator, pay attention to your driving situation and shift up or down if necessary.
NOTE: The gearshift indicator is not indicated when the gear position is in "N" (Neutral). If you depress the clutch pedal while UPI DOWN arrow is indicated, the indication will disappear. In ordinary driving, UP arrow will disappear when you release your foot from the accelerator pedal. The indication of gearshift indicator timing may differ depending on the vehicle condition and/or driving situation even in the same vehicle speed and engine rev
olution. If any of the electrical systems such as dual sensor brake support system, or ESP" system is working, the gearshift indicator will disappear temporarily.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
3-14

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Example of the gearshift indicator
Indication
3-15
Description
Lower gear position is selected for the vehicle speed and/or engine revolution. Changing to a higher gear position is recommended. • In this case, shifting up is recommended.
Higher gear position is selected for the vehicle speed and/or engine revolution. Changing to a lower gear position is recommended. • In this case, shifting down is recommended.