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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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Warning and indicator
messageMaster warning
indicator lightSound Cause and remedy
54P000359
Blinks Beep (one time from interior
buzzer)The radar brake support system is disabled
temporarily because dirt is detected on the
sensor cover, or millimeter-waves from the
radar sensor cause diffused reflection.
If the message does not disappear for a
while, wipe the sensor cover with a soft
cloth.
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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Emergency stop signal (ESS) (if equipped)
ESS stands for Emergency Stop Signal.
ESS is a feature that gives a warning to a following vehicle by flashing all turn signal lights
faster than usual if all the following conditions are met. Also, within these conditions, it will
flash along with your turn signal in the instrument cluster.
• When you slam down on the brakes at speeds of approximately 55 km/h (34 mph) or
over.
• When the ABS is activated or when you suddenly brake similar to activating the ABS.
54P000339
The ESS will stop functioning in the following situations:
• When you release the brake
• When the ABS is no longer activated
• When you turn on the hazard warning switch
• When the car is no longer rapidly decelerating
EXAMPLENOTE:
• The ESS feature cannot be deactivated.
• Use of the hazard warning switch should
be given preference over the ESS.
• When driving on the following surfaces
and the ABS gives out momentarily, the
ESS may not function.
– When driving on slippery surfaces
– When driving over bumps on the road
such as highway joint seams
WA R N I N G
Although the ESS is designed to
reduce the number of rear-end
crashes that occur from sudden brak-
ing, by warning a following vehicle, it
cannot prevent all crashes. Always
make an effort to drive safely and
avoid unnecessary sudden braking
when stopping or decelerating.
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake
assist system determines it to be an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down
the brake pedal firmly.
NOTE:
If you quickly and forcefully depress the
brakes, you may hear a clicking sound in
the brake pedal. This is normal and indi-
cates that the brake assist system is acti-
vated properly.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering control
when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard.
The ABS works automatically, so you do
not need any special braking technique.
Just push the brake pedal down without
pumping. The ABS will operate wheneverit senses that the wheels are locking up.
You may feel the brake pedal move a little
while the ABS is operating.
NOTE:
The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is
under about 9 km/h (6 mph).63J081
(1) ABS warning light
(2) Brake system warning light
WA R N I N G
Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the
vehicle by pressing the brake pedal
harder than normally required. How-
ever, the stopping distance may be
longer.
WA R N I N G
• On some types of loose surfaces
(such as gravel, snow-covered
roads, etc.), the stopping distance
required for a vehicle with ABS
may be slightly greater than the
one required for a comparable vehi-
cle with a conventional brake sys-
tem. With a conventional brake
system, skidding tires are able to
plow the gravel or snow layer,
shortening the stopping distance.
ABS minimizes this resistance
effect. Allow for extra stopping dis-
tance when driving on loose sur-
faces.
• On regular paved roads, some driv-
ers may be able to obtain slightly
shorter stopping distances with
conventional brake systems than
with ABS.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• In both of the above conditions,
ABS will still offer the advantage of
helping you maintain directional
control. However, remember that
ABS will not compensate for bad
road or weather conditions or poor
driver judgment. Use good judg-
ment and do not drive too fast.
(1)(2)
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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How ABS works
A computer continuously monitors wheel
speed. The computer compares the
changes in wheel speed when braking. If
the wheels slow suddenly, indicating a
skidding situation, the computer will
change braking pressure several times
each second to prevent the wheels from
locking. When you start your vehicle or
when you accelerate after a hard stop, you
may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise as the system resets or checks itself.
Electronic stability program
(ESP®)
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
helps to control the vehicle during corner-
ing if front wheels or rear wheels skid. It
also assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces. It does this by regulating
the engine’s output, and by selectively
applying the brakes. In addition, ESP
®
helps to avoid skidding by controlling brak-
ing pressure.
WA R N I N G
• If the ABS warning light (1) on the
instrument cluster comes on and
stays on while driving, there may
be a problem with the ABS system.
Ask your SUZUKI dealer to inspect
the ABS system immediately. If the
ABS system becomes inoperative,
the brake system will function as
an ordinary brake system that has
no ABS.
• If the ABS warning light (1) and the
brake system warning light (2) on
the instrument cluster simultane-
ously stay on or come on while
driving, both anti-lock function and
rear brake force control function
(proportioning valve function) of
the ABS system may have failed. If
so, the rear wheels may easily skid
or the vehicle can even spin in the
worst case when braking on a slip-
pery road or when hard braking
even on a dry paved road. Ask your
SUZUKI dealer to inspect the ABS
system immediately. Drive care-
fully, avoiding hard braking as
much as possible.
WA R N I N G
The ABS may not work properly if
tires or wheels other than those
specified in the owner’s manual are
used. This is because the ABS works
by comparing changes in wheel
speed. When replacing tires or
wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.
WA R N I N G
The ESP® cannot enhance the vehi-
cle’s driving stability in all situations
and does not control your vehicle’s
entire braking system. The ESP
® can-
not prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed
in turns, or hydroplaning. Only safe
and attentive drive can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ESP
®-
equipped vehicle must never be used
as a substitute for careful driving.
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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The ESP® indicator lights are described
below:
ESP® warning light
52KM133
This light blinks 5 times per second when
one of the following systems is activated.
• Stability control system
• Traction control system
• Hill descent control system (if equipped)
If this light blinks, drive carefully.
When the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
position, or the engine switch is pressed to
change the ignition mode to “ON”, this light
comes on briefly so you can check that the
light is working.NOTE:
When the ESP
® warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, indicating a
malfunction of the ESP
® systems (other
than ABS), the brake system will function
as an ordinary ABS with no additional
ESP
® functions.
ESP® OFF indicator light
57L30045
You should turn the ESP® on during your
ordinary driving, so that you have the ben-
efits of all of the ESP
® systems.
It may be required to turn the ESP
® sys-
tems (other than ABS) off if your vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, or snow, where wheel
spin is necessary.
ESP® OFF switch
Models without parking sensors
61MM0A197
(1) ESP® OFF switch
NOTICE
If the ESP® warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, there may
be a malfunction of the ESP
® sys-
tems (other than ABS). You should
have the systems inspected by an
authorized SUZUKI dealer.
(1)
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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Models with parking sensors
61MM0A105
(1) ESP® OFF switch
When the ESP
® OFF switch located at the
instrument panel is pushed and held to
turn off the ESP
® systems (other than
ABS), the ESP® OFF indicator light in the
instrument cluster comes on.
When you have turned the ESP
® systems
(other than ABS) off, turn them back on
before resuming ordinary driving.
When you push the ESP
® OFF switch
again, the ESP® OFF indicator light will go
out and all of the ESP® systems will be
activated.
61MM0A178
If the message shown in the above illustra-
tion appears on the information display,
there may be a problem with the ESP
®
system. Have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
The ESP
® system will not activate while
this message is displayed.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with the radar
brake support system, when the ESP
®
system is turned off, the radar brake sup-
port system will be turned off.
ABS warning light / brake system
warning light
See “Braking” in this section.
Hill descent control system (if equipped)
The hill descent control system is designed
to reduce the driver’s workload when going
down steep, rough and/or slippery hills
where the vehicle cannot decelerate
enough by engine braking alone. The hill
descent control system helps to control
vehicle speed by automatically engaging
the vehicle’s brakes, as needed, so you
can concentrate on steering the vehicle.(1)
WA R N I N G
Do not rely excessively on the hill
descent control system. The hill
descent control system may not con-
trol the vehicle speed on a hill under
all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to control vehicle speed by
applying the brakes. Failure to pay
attention and control vehicle speed
using the brakes when necessary
may result in loss of control or an
accident.
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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Hill descent control switch
Models without ENG A-STOP system
54P000317
(1) Hill descent control switchModels with ENG A-STOP system
54P000318
(1) Hill descent control switch
To activate the hill descent control system:
1) Turn the driving mode switch (if
equipped) to “LOCK” position.
2) Shift the gearshift lever into a forward
gear or reverse gear.
3) Push the hill descent control switch (1)
when the vehicle speed is under 25 km/h
(15 mph). The hill descent control indica-
tor on the instrument cluster will come on
and the hill descent control system will be
activated.
If the driving mode switch (if equipped) is
in “LOCK” position, vehicle speed is main-
tained at approximately 10 km/h (6 mph)
when going down a hill.The brake/tail lights come on and the
ESP
® warning light blinks while the hill
descent control system applies the brakes
to maintain the vehicle speed.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is
depressed while the hill descent control
system is activated, the system will stop
working temporarily. As soon as the accel-
erator or brake pedal is released, the hill
descent control system begins to function
again if the hill descent control operating
conditions are fulfilled. However, when the
vehicle speed exceeds 25 km/h (15 mph),
the hill descent control system will be
deactivated automatically.
To deactivate the hill descent control sys-
tem, push the hill descent control switch
again.
(1)(1)
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OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
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61MM0A179
If the message shown in the above illustra-
tion appears on the information display,
there may be a problem with the hill
descent control system (if equipped) and
the hill hold control system. Have your
vehicle inspected by an authorized
SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
The hill hold control system will not acti-
vate while this message is displayed.
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (if equipped)
The tire pressure monitoring system is
designed to alert you when one or more of
the tires on your vehicle is significantly
under-inflated. The tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) sensor containing a
unique identification code is mounted on
each wheel. The TPMS sensors transmit
tire pressure signals to the receiver of the
tire pressure monitoring system controller.
When the inflation pressure of one or more
tires indicates significant under-inflation,
the low tire pressure warning light shown
below comes on.
NOTE:
The word “telltale” in this section, means
an indicator.
Low tire pressure warning light
52D305
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added fuel efficiency feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may