3-3
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
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.Ignition switch
(vehicle without keyless push
start system)
65D61160B041
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.
WA R N I N G
To avoid possible injury, do not oper-
ate controls by reaching through the
steering wheel.
EXAMPLE
3-4
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Manual transaxle
60G033
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.
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, try turning the
steering wheel slightly to the right or left
while turning the key.ACC
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, 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 (if equipped)
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.
81A297S
Turn to “LOCK”
Push
WA R N I N G
• Never return the ignition switch to
“LOCK” position and remove the
ignition key while the vehicle is
moving. The steering wheel will
lock and you will not be able to
steer the vehicle.
(Continued)
3-6
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
NOTE:
In the presence of strong radio signals or
noise, you may not be able to change the
ignition mode to “ACC” or “ON” or to start
the engine using the engine switch. In this
case, the information display in the instru-
ment cluster will show the following mes-
sage: KEY FOB NOT DETECTED.
Unreleased steering lock warning
If the steering lock remains engaged when
you press the engine switch to change the
ignition mode to “ON”, the information dis-
play in the instrument cluster shows the
message: “TRN. STEERING WHEEL TO
RELEASE LOCK”. Refer to “Information
display” in “BEFORE DRIVING” section for
details.
NOTE:
The steering lock may not be released if
some load is acting on the steering wheel.
If this happens, turn the steering wheel to
the right or left to relieve it from the load
before you press the engine switch again
to change to the desired ignition mode.
Keyless push start system
(if equipped)
Provided the keyless push start system
remote controller is within the interior work-
able area (refer to the related explanation
in this section), you can use the engine
switch for starting the engine and selecting
an ignition mode (“ACC” or “ON”). In addi-
tion, the following functions can be used:
• Keyless entry function. Refer to “Keyless
push start system remote controller /
keyless entry system transmitter” in
“BEFORE DRIVING” section for details.
• Locking and unlocking doors (including
the tailgate) using a request switch.
Refer to “Keyless push start system
remote controller / keyless entry system
transmitter” in “BEFORE DRIVING” sec-
tion for details.
• Immobilizer (anti-theft) function. Refer to
“Immobilizer system” in “BEFORE DRIV-
ING” section for details.
Engine switch illumination
The engine switch is illuminated (lit) in the
following situations:
• When the engine is off and the driver’s
door is open, or for 15 seconds after the
driver’s door is closed. The illumination
will fade out after 15 seconds passed.
NOTICE
Do not leave the engine switch in
“ACC” or “ON” mode when the
engine is not running. Avoid using
the radio or other electric accesso-
ries for a long time when the engine
switch is in “ACC” or “ON” mode
when the engine is not running, oth-
erwise the battery may discharge.
3-11
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Parking brake reminder buzzer
A buzzer sounds intermittently to remind
you to release the parking brake if you
start the vehicle without releasing the park-
ing brake. Check that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake system warn-
ing light turns off.
Pedal
80J2121
WA R N I N G
Always set the parking brake fully
before leaving your vehicle or it may
move, causing injury or damage.
When parking, check that the gear-
shift lever is in reverse or first gear.
Remember, even though the
transaxle is in gear or in Park, you
must set the parking brake fully.
WA R N I N G
When parking the vehicle in
extremely cold weather, the following
procedure should be used:
1) Set the parking brake.
2) Turn off the engine, and then shift
into reverse or first gear.
3) Get out of the vehicle and put
chocks under the wheels.
4) Release the parking brake.
When you return to your vehicle,
first set the parking brake, and
then remove the wheel chocks.
(2)(1)
(3)
EXAMPLE
3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Clutch pedal (1)
A clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping, or shifting the gearshift
lever. Depressing the pedal disengages
the clutch.
Brake pedal (2)
Your SUZUKI vehicle is equipped with front
and rear disc brakes. Depressing a brake
pedal applies both sets of brakes.
You may hear occasional brake squeal
when you apply the brakes. This is a nor-
mal condition caused by environmental
factors such as cold, wet, snow, etc.
Accelerator pedal (3)
An accelerator pedal controls the speed of
the engine. Depressing the accelerator
pedal increases power output and speed.
Starting engine
(vehicle without keyless push
start system)
Before starting engine
54P000303
1) Check that the parking brake is set fully.
2) Shift into “N” (Neutral) and depress the
clutch pedal all the way to the floor.
Hold the clutch pedal while starting the
engine.
WA R N I N G
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal. It could result in
excessive clutch wear, clutch dam-
age, or unexpected loss of engine
braking.
WA R N I N G
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your SUZUKI dealer.
WA R N I N G
Do not apply brakes continuously or
rest your foot on the brake pedal.
This will result in overheating of the
brakes which could cause unpredict-
able braking action, longer stopping
distances, or permanent brake dam-
age.
3-23
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Four-mode 4WD system
(if equipped)
54P000305
(1) Driving mode switch
The four-mode 4WD system enables you
to select the driving mode according to
driving conditions by operating the driving
mode switch.
Driving modes
AUTO
This mode prioritizes fuel economy in typi-
cal driving conditions. The system
switches the driving mode to 4WD if it
detects wheel spin.SPORT
This mode is appropriate for sporty driving.
The system apportions torque to promote
cornering performance.
SNOW
This mode is appropriate for snowy,
unpaved, and other slippery surfaces. This
mode enhances traction during accelera-
tion on slippery surfaces, and enables sta-
ble cornering on slippery surfaces.
LOCK
This mode is for extricating the car from
snow, mud or sand.
Driving mode switch operation
Operate the driving mode switch according
to the appropriate procedure described
below.
How to turn on driving mode switch
The driving mode switch will activate when
the ignition switch is in “ON” position or the
ignition mode is “ON”.
61MM0B005
Selecting AUTO mode
Push “PUSH AUTO” part (2) of the driving
mode switch.
Selecting SPORT mode
Turn the dial (3) of the driving mode switch
clockwise to “SPORT” position.
Selecting SNOW mode
Turn the dial (3) of the driving mode switch
counterclockwise to “SNOW” position.
Selecting LOCK mode
When the vehicle speed is less than 60
km/h (37 mph) and the SNOW mode is
selected, push “LOCK” part (4) of the driv-
ing mode switch.
NOTE:
If the vehicle speed exceeds about 60 km/h
in the LOCK mode, the driving mode
changes to the SNOW mode automatically.
Even when the vehicle speed reduces, on
LOCKPUSH
AUTOSNOWSPORT
DRIVEMODESELECT
(1)
EXAMPLE
LOCKPUSH
AUTO
SNOWSPORT
DRIVEMODESELECT
(3)
(4)(2)
EXAMPLE
3-24
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
the other hand, the driving mode does not
return to the LOCK mode automatically. You
should select the LOCK mode according to
the driving conditions.
NOTE:
• The information display shows current
driving mode.
• When the ignition switch is turned to
“ON” position or the engine switch is
pressed to change the ignition mode to
“ON”, the AUTO mode is selected auto-
matically.
• The driving mode switch can be oper-
ated when the vehicle is either stopped
or moving.
• Check that the front wheels are in the
straight ahead position when operating
the driving mode switch.
• While making turns or accelerating and
decelerating, operating the driving mode
switch, turning the ignition switch to
“ACC” or “LOCK” position or pressing
the engine switch to change the ignition
mode to “ACC” or “LOCK” may cause a
shock, but this is not a system malfunc-
tion.
• When you operate your vehicle under
conditions that involve wheel spin, such
as driving off-road in the sand or water
or when a wheel has run off the road, the
difference in the amount of revolution
between front wheels and rear wheels
increases (wheels run idle). If this state
continues, the oil temperature of the
driving system parts increases. The 4WD warning light warns of this
condition by blinking. At the same time,
the information display shows this mes-
sage: “AWD SYSTEM HIGH TEMP
AWD IS OFF”.
57L30042
When the 4WD warning light blinks, park
the vehicle at a safe place and run the
engine idle. After a while, the 4WD warn-
ing light will go out and the system will
resume.
Warning and indicator messages
The information display shows the warning
and indicator message when the four-
mode 4WD system is operated, or has a
problem.
NOTICE
• Note that 4WD vehicles are not all-
around vehicles. Observe the fol-
lowing instructions when driving
your vehicle.
– Do not drive through water such
as by crossing a river.
– Do not drive continuously in
places such as sand and mud
where front wheels tend to race.
– When any wheel is in the air for
such reason as running off the
road, do not race it needlessly.
(Continued)
NOTICE
(Continued)
• If the 4WD warning light comes on
or blinks when driving, there may
be something wrong with the four-
mode 4WD system. Have the sys-
tem inspected by an authorized
SUZUKI dealer.
NOTICE
Unevenly worn tires can cause prob-
lems with the 4WD system. Rotate the
tires according to the maintenance
schedule. Refer to “Tires” and “Main-
tenance schedule” in “INSPECTION
AND MAINTENANCE” section for
proper tire rotation procedure.
3-42
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Cruise control (if equipped)
The cruise control system allows you to
maintain a steady speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal. The
controls for operating the cruise control
system are on the steering wheel.
You can use the cruise control system
under the following conditions:
• The gear position is in 3rd, 4th, 5th or
6th (if equipped).
• The vehicle speed is about 40 km/h (25
mph) or higher.Models without speed limiter
54P000361
(1) “CRUISE” switch
(2) “CANCEL” switch
(3) “RES +” switch
(4) “SET –” switchModels with speed limiter
54P000362
(1) “CRUISE” switch
(2) “CANCEL” switch
(3) “RES +” switch
(4) “SET –” switchWA R N I N G
To help avoid loss of vehicle control,
do not use the cruise control system
when driving in heavy traffic, on slip-
pery or winding roads, or on steep
downhills.
(1)(2)
(4) (3)
(1)
(2)
(4) (3)