4-3
DRIVING TIPS
54P00-01E
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 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 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 hills
54P000401
• When climbing steep hills, the vehicle
may 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.
EXAMPLE
6-3
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
54P00-01E
Tires
Mirrors
Check 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 loading
To 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
scale.
The weight of your loaded trailer (gross
trailer weight) should never exceed towing
capacity.
Distribute cargo in your trailer so that nose
weight is about 10% of gross trailer weight,
but does not exceed the maximum vertical
load on trailer hitch point. You should mea-
sure gross trailer weight and nose weight
before towing to check that your load is
properly distributed.
Additional trailer towing warnings
WA R N I N G
When towing a trailer, it is very
important for your vehicle and trailer
to have properly inflated tires. Your
vehicle’s tires should be inflated to
the pressures listed on your vehicles
tire information label. If laden pres-
sures are listed on the label, the tires
should be inflated to the laden pres-
sures. Inflate trailer tires 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 check that trailer nose weight
is about 10% of gross trailer weight,
but does not exceed the maximum
vertical load on trailer hitch point.
Also check that the cargo is properly
secured. Failure to observe this
requirement may result in an acci-
dent.
WA R N I N G
Never overload cargo on your trailer
or your vehicle. Gross trailer weight
must never exceed 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 “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” section.
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”.
7-36
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
Tires
80JS025
The front and rear tire pressure specifica-
tions are listed on the tire information label.
Both front and rear tires should have the
specified tire pressure.
Note that the value does not apply to the
compact spare tire, if equipped.
NOTE:
The tire inflation pressure will change due
to changes in atmospheric pressure, tem-
perature or tire temperature when driving.
To reduce the chance that the low tire
pressure warning light (if equipped) will
come on due to normal changes in tem-
perature and atmospheric pressure, it is
important to check and adjust the tire pres-
sures when the tires are cold. If you check
tires after driving, they are warm. Even ifthe tire pressure seems to be good in this
condition, it could fall below the specified
pressure when tires cool down. Also, tires
that are inflated to the specified pressure
in a warm garage may have pressure
below the specification when the vehicle is
driven outside in very cold temperature. If
you adjust the tire pressure in a garage
that is warmer than the outside tempera-
ture, you should add 1 kPa to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure for
every 0.8°C difference between garage
temperature and outside temperature.
Tire inspection
Inspect 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.
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
• Air pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold or you may
get inaccurate readings.
• Check the inflation pressure from
time to time while inflating the tire
gradually, until the specified pres-
sure is obtained.
• Never under-inflate or over-inflate
the tires.
Under-inflation can cause unusual
handling characteristics or can
cause the rim to slip on the tire
bead, resulting in an accident or
damage to the tire or rim.
Over-inflation can cause the tire to
burst, resulting in personal injury.
Over-inflation can also cause
unusual handling characteristics
which may result in an accident.
7-38
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
Tire rotation
4-tire rotation
54G114
To avoid uneven wear of your tires and to
prolong their life, rotate the tires as illus-
trated. Tires should be rotated every 10000
km (6000 miles). After rotation, adjust front
and rear tire pressures to the specification
listed on your vehicle’s tire information
label.
NOTE:
(For Mexico)
For additional instruction, refer to “SUP-
PLEMENT” section in the end of this book.
Compact spare tire (if equipped)
54G115
(1) Wear indicator
(2) Indicator location mark
Your vehicle comes equipped with a com-
pact spare tire. It is designed to save
space in your storage area, and its lighter
weight facilitates installing the spare tire
when getting a flat tire. It is only intended
for temporary emergency use, until the
conventional tire can be repaired or
replaced. The inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire should be checked at
least once a month. Use a quality pocket-
type inflation pressure gauge and set at
420 kPa (60 psi). At the same time, check
that the tire is stored securely. If it is not,
tighten it.Note that two or more compact spare tires
should not be used on one vehicle simulta-
neously.
WA R N I N G
The compact spare tire and wheel are
intended for temporary emergency
use only. Continuous use of this
spare can result in tire failure and
loss of control. Always observe these
precautions when using this spare:
• Your vehicle should be handled in a
different way when using this
spare.
• Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).
• Replace this spare with a standard
tire and wheel as soon as possible.
• Use of this spare will reduce
ground clearance.
• Recommended air pressure for this
spare is 420 kPa (60 psi).
• Do not use tire chains on the com-
pact spare. If you must use tire
chains, rearrange the wheels so
standard tires and wheels are fitted
to the front axle.
• The compact spare tire has a much
shorter tread life than the conven-
tional tires on your vehicle.
Replace the tire as soon as the
tread wear indicator appears.
• When replacing the compact spare
tire, use a replacement tire with the
exact same size and construction.
EMERGENCY SERVICE
8
54P00-01E
60G411
EMERGENCY SERVICE
Tire changing tool ............................................................... 8-1
Jacking instructions ........................................................... 8-1
Flat tire repair kit (if equipped) .......................................... 8-5
Jump-starting instructions ................................................. 8-8
Towing .................................................................................. 8-10
Engine trouble: Starter does not operate ......................... 8-11
Engine trouble: Flooded engine ........................................ 8-11
Engine trouble: Overheating .............................................. 8-12
8-5
EMERGENCY SERVICE
54P00-01E
Full wheel cover (if equipped)
60G309
(1) or (2) Flat end tool
Your vehicle includes two tools, a wheel
brace and a jack crank, one of which has a
flat end.
Use the tool with the flat end to remove the
full wheel cap, as shown above.
54P000803
Install the full wheel cover not to cover or
foul the air valve.
Flat tire repair kit (if equipped)
The flat tire repair kit is stowed in the lug-
gage compartment.
Refer to “LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT” in
“ILLUSTRATED TABLE OF CONTENTS”
section.EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Failure to follow the instructions in
this section for using the flat tire
repair kit can result in an increased
risk of loss of control and an acci-
dent.
Carefully read and follow the instruc-
tions in this section.
8-6
EMERGENCY SERVICE
54P00-01E
IMPORTANT
The flat tire repair kit cannot be used in
the following cases. Consult a SUZUKI
dealer or a roadside assistance service.
• Cuts or piercing in the tire tread
larger than approx. 4 mm.
• Cuts in the tire side wall.
• Tire damage caused by driving with
considerably reduced tire pressure or
even with deflated tire.
• The tire bead completely unseated
outside of the rim.
• The rim damaged.
Small punctures in the tire tread,
caused by a nail or a screw, can be
sealed with the flat tire repair kit.
Do not remove nails or screws from the
tire during an emergency repair.Flat tire repair kit contents
61MM0A090
(1) Air compressor
(2) Sealant bottle
(3) Speed restriction sticker
(with air compressor)
(4) Air hose
(5) Power plug
(1)(4) (5)
(3)(2)(3)
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
Flat tire repair kit sealant is harmful if
swallowed, or if it comes in contact
with skin or eyes. If swallowed, do
not induce vomiting. Give plenty of
water (if possible charcoal slurry)
and seek medical attention immedi-
ately. If sealant gets in eyes, flush
eyes with water and seek medical
attention. Wash thoroughly after han-
dling. Solution can be poisonous to
animals. Keep out of the reach of
children and animals.
NOTICE
Replace the sealant before expiry
date indicated on the label of the
sealant bottle. To purchase new seal-
ant, see your SUZUKI dealer.
8-7
EMERGENCY SERVICE
54P00-01E
Emergency repair
1) Place the vehicle on level, hard ground.
Set the parking brake firmly and shift
into “R” (Reverse).
Turn on the hazard warning flasher if
your vehicle is near traffic.
Block the front and rear of the wheel
diagonally opposite of the wheel being
repaired.
2) Take out the sealant bottle and the
compressor.
3) At the top of the compressor, remove
the cap that covers the socket for the
sealant bottle, and then screw the bot-
tle into the socket.
4) Unscrew the valve cap from the tire
valve.
5) Connect the air hose of the air com-
pressor to the tire valve.
6) Connect the power plug of the com-
pressor to the accessory socket. Start
the engine. Switch on the compressor.
Inflate the tire to the required air pres-
sure.
61MM0A091
(1) Tire valve
(2) Air hose
(3) Compressor
(4) Power plug
If the tire cannot be inflated to the required
air pressure within 5 minutes, move the
vehicle a few meters back and forth to
spread the sealant over the entire tire.
Then, inflate the tire again.
If the tire still cannot be inflated to the
required air pressure, the tire may be
severely damaged. In this case, the flat tire
repair kit cannot provide the necessaryseal. Consult a SUZUKI dealer or a road-
side assistance service.
NOTE:
If the tire is over-inflated, deflate air by
loosening the screw of the filler hose.
7) Affix the speed restriction label from the
air compressor in the driver’s field of
view.
8) Make a short drive immediately after
inflating the tire to the required air pres-
sure. Drive carefully with a maximum
speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
9) Carry on driving carefully to the nearest
SUZUKI dealer or a tire repair shop.
10)After 10 km (6 mile) running, check the
tire pressure with the pressure gauge of
the compressor. If the air pressure indi-
cates more than 220 kPa (2.2 bar), the
emergency repair is completed. But, if
the air pressure indicates less than the
required air pressure, correct the tire
pressure to the required air pressure. If
the tire pressure has dropped below
130 kPa (1.3 bar), the flat tire repair kit
cannot provide the necessary seal. Do
NOTICE
Do not operate the compressor for
longer than 10 minutes. It can cause
overheating of the compressor.
(1)
(4)
(2)
(3)
required
air pressure 10 min. Max.
WA R N I N G
Do not affix the speed restriction
label to the air bag. Also do not affix
it to the warning light indicator or to
the speedometer.