
BEFORE DRIVING
NOTE: You can customize the setting for the num-Hazard warning switch ber of flashing times of the turn signal and its indicator (1 to 4 times). Ask a SUZUKI deafer for the customization.
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78RB02058
Push the hazard warning switch to activate the hazard warning lights. All turn signal lights and both turn signal indicators will flash simultaneously. To turn off the lights, push the switch again. Use the hazard warning lights to warn other drivers of possible risk of traffic hazard when you park your vehicle in case of emergency.
Windshield wiper and washer
lever
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A WARNING
To avoid possible injury, do not operate controls by reaching through the steering wheel.

A WARNING
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, and reversing before you begin towing a trailer in traffic. Do not tow a trailer in traffic until you are confident that you can handle the vehicle and trailer safely. Never exceed local 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 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)
A WARNING
(Continued) Always admit greater 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 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 cornering. Deceleration or acceleration while cornering can result in loss of control. Remember that a larger than normal turning radius is needed because the trailer wheels will go inside than vehicle's wheels. 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)
BEFORE DRIVING
A WARNING
(Continued) Be careful when overtaking other vehicles. Allow enough room for your trailer before changing lanes, and use turn signal lights properly in advance. Slow down and shift into a lower gear for better engine braking before you reach long or steep downhill grades. It is hazardous to attempt downshifting while you are descending a hill. Do not step on the brake pedal excessively. This could cause the brakes to over-heat resulting in reduced braking efficiency. 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 coolant temperature. If it indicates overheating, pull off the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. Refer to "Engine trouble: Overheating" in "EMERGENCY SERVICE" section.
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Engine oil consumption
It is normal for the engine to consume some engine oil during normal vehicle operation.
The amount of engine oil consumption depends on viscosity and quality of the oil and your driving conditions. More oil is consumed during high-speed driving and when there is frequent acceleration and deceleration. Under high loads, your engine also will consume more oil. A new engine also consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls have not yet become conditioned. New engines reach the normal level of oil consumption only after approximately 5000 km (3000 miles) driving.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km (1 Qt. per 600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil consumption, note that the oil may become diluted and it is difficult to judge the accurate oil level. As an example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles) or more of driving. This is because the oil gradually becomes diluted with fuel or moisture,
making it appear that the oil level has not changed. You should also be aware that the diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is subsequently driven at high speeds, such as on an expressway, making it appear that oil is excessively consumed after high-speed driving.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Ignition switch
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A WARNING
To avoid possible injury, do not operate controls by reaching through the steering wheel.
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
68PH00310
The ignition switch has the following four positions:
LOCK This is the normal parking position. It is the only position in which the key can be removed.
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Manual transmission
Turn to "LOCK"
60G033
Manual transmission vehicles You must push in the key to turn it to "LOCK" position. It locks the ignition, and prevents normal use of the steering wheel after the key is removed.
Automatic transmission vehicles The gearshift lever must be in "P" (Park) position to turn the key to "LOCK" position. It locks the ignition and prevents normal use of the steering wheel and gearshift lever.
To release the steering lock, insert the key and turn it clockwise to one of the other positions. If you have trouble turning the key to unlock the steering wheel, try turning the steering wheel slightly to the right or left while turning the key.
ACC Accessories such as the radio can operate, but the engine is off.
ON This is the normal operating position. All electrical systems are on.
START This is the position for starting the engine using the starter motor. The key should be released from this position as soon as the engine starts.
Ignition key reminder A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind you to remove the ignition key if it is in the ignition switch when the driver's door is opened.

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Parking brake lever
(1) To set (2) To release (3) To release
The parking brake lever is located between the front seats. To set the parking brake, depress the brake pedal and pull the parking brake lever all the way up. To release the parking brake, depress the brake pedal and pull up slightly on the parking brake lever, push the button on the end of the lever with your thumb, and lower the lever to its original position.
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For automatic transmission vehicles, always set the parking brake before moving the gearshift lever to "P" (PARK) position. If you park on an incline and shift into "P" before setting the parking brake, the weight of the vehicle may make it difficult to shift out of "P" when you are ready to drive the vehicle.
When preparing to drive the vehicle, move the gearshift lever out of "P" position before releasing the parking brake.
A WARNING
• Whenever parking, make sure the gearshift lever for manual transmission vehicles is in 1st gear or "R" (Reverse) and the gearshift lever for automatic transmission or automatic transmission vehicles is in 11P" {Park). Remember, even though the transmission is in gear or in Park, you must set the parking brake fully. • When parking on an uphill, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels point to the center of the
road. • When parking on a downhill, turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels point to the curb. • Never drive your vehicle with the parking brake on: rear brake effectiveness can be reduced from overM heating, brake life may be shortened, or permanent brake damage may result. • If the parking brake does not hold the vehicle securely or does not fully release, have your vehicle inspected immediately by a SUZUKI dealer.

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Clutch pedal (1)
A clutch pedal is used to disengage the driving force to the wheels when starting the engine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift lever. Depressing the pedal disengages the clutch.
A WARNING
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. It could result in excessive clutch wear, clutch damage, or unexpected loss of engine braking.
Brake pedal (2)
Your vehicle is equipped with either front and rear disc brakes or front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Depressing a brake pedal applies both sets of brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal when you apply the brakes. This is a normal condition caused by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity or dust, etc.
A WARNING
If brake squeal is excessive and occurs each time the brakes are applied, you should have the brakes checked by a SUZUKI dealer.
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A WARNING
Do not apply brakes continuously or rest your foot on the brake pedal. This will result in overheating of the brakes which could cause unpredictable braking action, longer stopping distances, or permanent brake dam
age.
Accelerator pedal (3)
An accelerator pedal controls the speed of the engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal increases power output and speed.
Starting engine
Before starting engine
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NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with Brake Over-fl..l""'"-i ® ride System. If you depress both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal simultaneously, the engine power output may be suppressed.
78RB03001
1) Check that the parking brake is set fully. 2) Manual transmission -Shift into "N" (Neutral). Hold the clutch pedal and brake pedal fully depressed. Automatic transmission -If the gearshift lever is not in "P" (Park) position, shift into "P" (Park). (If you need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift into "N".)

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
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78RB03002
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Automatic transmission
Gearshift lever
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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.
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