DRIVING TIPS
52D078
A WARNING
Fasten your seat belts at all times. Even though airbags are equipped at the front seating positions, the driver and all passengers should be properly restrained at all times, using the seat belts provided. Refer to "Seat belts and child restraint systems" section for instructions on proper use of the seat belts. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Alcohol and drugs can seriously impair your ability to drive safely, greatly increasing the risk of injury to yourself and others. You should also avoid driving when you are tyred, sick, irritated or under stress.
4-1
Important Vehicle Design
Features to Know
A WARNING
Your multipurpose vehicle has handling characteristics that differ from those of a conventional passenger car. For the safety of you and your passengers, please read the following section very carefully.
Multipurpose vehicles such as your new SUZUKI have higher ground clearance and a narrower track than conventional passenger cars, to make them capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the road allowing you to anticipate problems. They are not designed for cornering at the same speed as conventional passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. Multipurpose vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover collision, an
unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Important Differences Between
Your Multipurpose Vehicle and
Ordinary Passenger Cars
Higher Ground Clearance The higher ground clearance of your vehicle enables it to clear off-road obstacles, such as rocks and tree stumps, that ordinary passenger cars cannot drive over. An unavoidable result of this higher ground clearance is that the vehicle also has a higher center of gravity. Consequently, your vehicle will handle differently than a vehicle with a lower center of gravity.
Shorter Wheelbase Along with its higher ground clearance, your vehicle has a shorter wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs than the typical passenger car. These features combine to allow you to drive your vehicle over hillcrests without hanging up on them or damaging the frame and chassis components. The shorter wheelbase also makes the steering of your vehicle more responsive than that of vehicles with longer wheelbases.
Narrower Body Width and Track Your vehicle is narrower than the average passenger car so that it can pass through tight spaces. Without the essential characteristics described above: higher ground clearance, shorter wheelbase, and narrower body width and track -your vehicle could not provide you with excellent offroad driving performance. However, it is also true that on-road driving, handling, and steering will be different from what drivers experience with a conventional passenger car.
On-Paved Road Driving
The data of accidents show that most rollover accidents for multi-purpose vehicles are caused when a driver loses control of the vehicle and leaves the paved portion of the roadway striking a ditch, curb or other off-road object that causes the vehicle to overturn. The following driving practices may reduce the risk of rollover.
Vehicle Slides Off-Road
You can reduce the risk of this kind of rollover accident by always keeping the vehicle under control. Typically, drivers lose control of vehicles, often resulting in rollover accidents, when the driver is impaired because of alcohol or other drugs, falls asleep at the wheel or is otherwise inattentive, or is driving too fast for the road con
ditions.
DRIVING TIPS
Rollovers On the Roadway
If, for any reason, your vehicle slides sideways or spins out of control at highway speeds, while on the paved portion of the roadway, the risk of rollover is greatly increased. This condition can be created when two or more wheels drop off onto the shoulder and you steer sharply in an attempt to reenter the roadway. To reduce the risk of rollover in these circumstances, if conditions permit, you should hold the steering wheel firmly and slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes with controlled steering movements.
All Types of Rollover Accidents
· As with many kinds of automobile accidents, rollovers can be greatly reduced by doing what all prudent drivers should do, i.e., don't drink and drive, don't drive when tired and don't do anything behind the wheel that could cause a loss of attention to the driving task. Additional guidelines are set out below for your on-road driving.
4-2
A WARNING
In addition to following the driving tips in this section, it is important to observe the following precautions. • Check that your tyres are in good condition and always maintain the specified tyre pressure. Refer to "Tyres" in "INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE" section for details. (Continued)
A WARNING
(Continued) Do not use tyres other than those specified by SUZUKI. Never use different sizes or types of tyres on the front and rear wheels. For information regarding the specified tyres, refer to the tyre information label located on the driver's door lock pillar. Never use oversized tyres or spe~ cial shock absorbers and springs to raise uack up) your vehicle. This will change the handling characteristics. Oversized tyres may also rub against the fender over bumps, causing vehicle damage, drive train damage or tyre failure. After driving through water, test the brakes while driving at a slow speed to see if they have maintained 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 effectiveness.
DRIVING TIPS
When encountering a flooded area
80J042
Avoid driving in a flooded area or a deep puddle. If driving in a flooded area is unavoidable, go slowly in the lowest gear. In case that you have driven in a flooded area, stop the vehicle in a safe place while checking the brake effectiveness. Then, ask a SUZUKI dealer or a qualified workshop to check the following inspection items. Function of brake Function of electrical components Changes of oil level and quality for engine, transmission and differential. In case that the oil is turbid whitely, water has been mixed in the oil and an oil change is required. Lubricant condition of the bearings, suspension joints, etc.
4-6
A WARNING
In addition to following the driving tips in this section, it is important to observe the following precautions for on-road and off-road driving. Driver and passengers should wear seat belts at all times. Do not let anyone else drive your vehicle unless they are also aware of the vehicle characteristics and handling differences described in this section. Avoid loaning your vehicle to any• one unless you accompany them. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and always maintain the specified tyre pressure. Refer to "Tyres" in the "INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE" section for details. Do not use tyres other than those specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif• ferent sizes or types of tyres on the front and rear wheels. For informa• lion regarding the specified tyres, refer to the "SPECIFICATIONS" section. Never use oversized tyres or special shock absorbers and springs to raise uack up) your vehicle. This will raise the center of gravity of the vehicle and change its handling characteristics. (Continued)
A WARNING
(Continued) After driving through water, mud, or sandy ground, test the brakes while driving at a slow speed to see if they have maintained their nor• mal 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 nor• mal effectiveness. After extended operation in mud, sand, or water, have the brakes, bearings and joint parts etc. inspected by a SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
DRIVING TIPS
Running-in
NOTICE
The future performance and reliabil• ity of the engine depends on the care and restraint exercised during its early life. It is especially important to observe the following precautions during the first 960 km (600 miles) of vehicle operation. • After starting, do not race the engine. Warm ii up gradually. • Avoid prolonged vehicle operation at a constant speed. Moving parts will break in better if you vary your speed. Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid full throttle starts. Avoid hard braking, especially during the first 320 km (200 miles) of driving. Do not drive slowly with the !rans• mission in a high gear. Drive the vehicle at moderate engine speeds. Do not tow a trailer during the first 960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper• ation.
4-8
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Fuel filler cap ....................................................................... 5-1
Engine hood ........................................................................ 5-2
Sun visor .............................................................................. 5-4
Interior light ......................................................................... 5-5
Accessory socket ................................................................ 5-6
USB socket (if equipped) .................................................... 5-7
Assist grips .......................................................................... 5-8 -
Ride-in assist grip ............................................................... 5-8
Glove box ............................................................................. 5-9
Cup holder and storage area ............................................. 5-10
Footrest (if equipped) ......................................................... 5-13
I
Luggage compartment carpet ............................................ 5-13
Frame hooks ........................................................................ 5-14
Heating and air conditioning system ................................ 5-16
Manual heating and air conditioning system ................... 5-17
60G407 Automatic heating and air conditioning system
(climate control) .................................................................. 5-23
Radio antenna ..................................................................... 5-30
Installation of radio frequency transmitters ..................... 5-30
Audio system (Type A/ Type B / Type C) (if equipped) ... 5-31
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
The accessory socket will work when the ignition switch is in "ACC" or "ON" position. This socket can be used to provide 12 volt/ 120 watt/1 O ampere power for electrical accessories. Check that the rubber cap remains on the socket when the socket is not in use.
5-7
NOTICE
To prevent the fuse from being blown, when using sockets at the same time, do not exceed the total combined power capacity of 12 volt/120 waW10 ampere. • Use of inappropriate electrical accessories can cause damage to your vehicle's electrical system. Check that any electrical accessories you use are designed to plug into this type of socket. • Check that the cap remains on the socket when the socket is not in use. When the ignition switch is in 11LOCK11 position during using the accessory socket, the following accidents may occur; -the audio or navigation system does not turn off. -the keyless entry system does not work, etc. If they occur, disconnect the item from the accessory socket and check whether the electrical equipments work properly. If the problem persists, ask a SUZUKI dealer to have the system inspected.
USB socket (if equipped)
78RB05014
Connect your portable digital music player, etc. to this socket to enjoy music through the vehicle's audio system. Refer to "Audio system (Type A I Type 8) (if equipped)" in this section.
NOTICE
Always close the cover when not in use, since entry of foreign material, dust, water, conductive liquids may damage the audio system or USS device.
Heating and air conditioning
system
There are two types of heating and air conditioning systems as follows:
• Manual heating and air conditioning system • Automatic heating and air conditioning
system (climate control)
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
Air outlet
(1)
••••
EXAMPLE
78RB05025
1. Windshield defroster outlet 2. Side defroster outlet 3. Side outlet 4. Center outlet 5. Floor outlet
5-16
Radio antenna
Type A
63J055
Type B
61MMOA113
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
The radio antenna on the roof is removable. To remove the antenna, turn it counterclockwise. To reinstall the antenna, turn it clockwise firmly by hand.
NOTICE
To avoid damage to the radio antenna: Remove the antenna when using an automatic car wash. • Remove the antenna when the antenna hits anything such as a low ceiling in a parking garage or putting a car cover over your vehicle.
Installation of radio frequency
transmitters
NOTE: When you intend to use Radio Frequency (RF) transmitting equipment in your vehicle, refer to "Installation of Radio Frequency (RF) Transmitting Equipment" in the end of this book.
NOTICE
Improper installation of mobile communication equipment such as cellular telephones, CB (Citizen's Band) radios or any other wireless transmitters may cause electronic interference with your vehicle's ignition system or any other electrical systems resulting in vehicle performance problems. Consult a SUZUKI dealer or qualified service technician for advice.
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