
3-28
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Downhill
1) Depress the brake pedal and shift thegearshift lever to the “D” position. Make
sure that the gear is in 1st by checking
the gear position indicator.
2) Release the brake pedal and depress
the accelerator pedal slowly. Even if the
accelerator pedal is not depressed, the
clutch will be engaged when the vehicle
speed increases.
Using engine braking:
When driving on a downhill slope, down-
shifting is recommended. So you can use
engine braking.
By placing the gearshift lever in the “M”
position, the Manual (M) mode is selected,
and you can shift to a lower gear manually.
For details of downshift operation, refer to
“Upshift and downshift” in the “Manual (M)
mode”. Manual (M) mode
The gears are not shifted automatically. To
shift the transaxle, the driver must operate
the gearshift lever to
the “+” or “–” direc-
tion. As for conventional manual transaxle
vehicles, releasing the accelerator pedal a
little may help the transaxle to shift
smoothly.
Upshift and downshift:
Upshifting
75RM258
Pull the gearshift lever to the “+” direction
and release it. Every time the lever is oper-
ated, the transaxle is upshifting 1 step in
the order of 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
gear. Downshifting
75RM259
Push the gearshift lever to the “–” direction
and release it. Every time the lever is oper-
ated, the transaxle is downshifted in the
order 5th
4th 3rd 2nd 1st gear.
The gear position is displayed on the gear
position indicator. The gear position indica-
tor shows the transaxle gear position.
Before starting off, always check the gear
position indicator to make sure that the
transaxle is engaged in 1st or reverse,
then depress the accelerator pedal.
NOTE:
• To downshift smoothly, the engine runs fast in some cases. This is done inten-
tionally by the system and is not mal-
function.
• When driving down a hill, downshift and use the engine braking appropriately. If
necessary, continuous downshifting is

3-29OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
possible. However, if downshifting more
than 3 steps, gear shifting will take more
time.
• When the gear is shifting, a noise can be heard in some case. This is not malfunc-
tion. Starting off:
1) Start the engine as instructed in “Start-
ing the engine” in this section.
2) With your foot on the brake pedal, shift the gearshift lever to the “M” position.
When the gearshift lever is shifted to
the “M” position, the gear will be shifted
to 1st. Before starting off, always make
sure that the intended gear is engaged
by checking the gear position indicator,
then depress the accelerator pedal.
NOTE:
• If 1st gear cannot be engaged even though the gearshift lever has been
shifted from the “N” to the “M” position,
the system will re-try shifting automati-
cally. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift-
ing gear shock may occur. However,
they do not indicate malfunction.
• The “N” indicator will flush, the depress brake pedal indicator will come on and a
warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound if any of the following cases
occur;
– If you shift the gearshift lever from the “N” to the “M” position without
depressing the brake pedal
– If the system is unable to re-try shifting
You should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,
then shift to “M” position again a few
seconds later.
WA R N I N G
• Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or braking
on a slippery surface. Sudden
acceleration or engine braking
could cause the vehicle to spin or
skid.
• To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
fail.
• While driving the vehicle, do not shift the gearshift lever to “N” posi-
tion. The engine brake may not
work and you may get involved in
an unexpected accident. If you
return the gearshift lever from “N”
to “M” because of unintended shift-
ing, the gear position will be shifted
according to the current vehicle
speed.
• Do not apply the parking brake
while driving. Otherwise, it could
cause a skid and you may get
involved in an unexpected acci-
dent.
NOTICE
• If the gearshift lever cannot shiftinto any position, or the gear is
changed to “N” position automati-
cally when the vehicle speed
becomes less than 10 km/h (6
mph), there may be a systematic
malfunction. In this case, ask your
SUZUKI dealer to inspect the Auto
Gear Shift system as soon as pos-
sible.
• The manual (M) mode does not
upshift even if the engine speed
reaches the rev-limit.
• The system will not allow shifting up or down to a gear that would
cause engine over-revving or
under-revving.
• If frequently driving at low speed using a high gear position, the life
cycle of the clutch may be reduced.
• Frequent downshif ting (more than
3 positions consecutively) causes
the reduction of transaxle life.

3-30
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
3) Release the parking brake and brakepedal. Depress the accelerator pedal
slowly for smooth starting. Starting off on an uphill/downhill slope:
Uphill
1) Apply the parking brake firmly so that
the vehicle does no t roll backwards.
2) Shift the gearshift lever to the “M” posi-
tion while depressing the brake pedal.
Make sure that the ge ar position indica-
tor in the instrumental cluster displays
1st gear.
3) Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator pedal gradually, and
when the vehicle starts to move,
release the parking brake and depress
the accelerator pedal to start off.
Downhill
1) Depress the brake pedal and shift the gearshift lever to the “M” position.
Check the gear position indicator to
make sure that the gear is in 1st.
2) Release the brake pedal and depress the accelerator pedal slowly. Even
though the accelerator pedal is not
depressed, the clutch will be engaged
when the vehicle speed increases. Backing up
After the vehicle has stopped completely,
depress the brake pedal and shift the gear-
shift lever to the “R” position. Depress the
accelerator pedal slowly as when starting
off in 1st gear. Before backing up, make
sure that reverse gear is selected by
checking the gear position indicator.
NOTE:
• If reverse gear cannot be engaged even
though the gearshift lever has been
shifted from the “N” to the “R” position,
the system will re-try shifting automati-
cally. This will take some time, noise
may be heard from the gears, and shift-
ing gear shock may occur. However,
they do not indicate malfunction.
• The “N” indicator will flush, the depress brake pedal indicator will come on and a
warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will
sound if any of the following cases
occur;
– If you shift the gearshift lever from the “N” to the “R” position without depress-
ing the brake pedal
– If the system is unable to re-try shifting
You should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,
then shift to “R” position again a few sec-
onds later.
WA R N I N G
Always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine
running. These operations prevent
the vehicle from starting due to unin-
tended activation of the creeping
function.
NOTICE
Do not operate the system as
described below. The life cycle of the
clutch may be reduced.
• Using the accelerator pedal to hold the vehicle on an uphill slope oper-
ation with the gearshift lever in the
“M” or “D” position. If you perform
this operation for a certain period
of time, a warning buzzer will
sound.
• Shifting the gearshift lever to the
“M”, “D” or “R” po sition while rac-
ing the engine.
• Driving at low speed using a high
gear.
• Stopping on a slope using the creeping function. If you perform
this operation for a certain period
of time, a warning buzzer will
sound.
NOTICE
On an uphill slope, never hold the
vehicle at a stop using only the accel-
erator pedal or creeping function. If
you perform this operation for a cer-
tain period of time, a warning buzzer
will sound, and in some cases the
engine will stall. This can also cause
excessive damage to the clutch.

3-35OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
ENG A-STOP system
(engine auto stop start system) (if equipped)The ENG A-STOP system (engine auto
stop start system) automatically stops and
restarts the engine when decelerating
before stopping and when the vehicle is
stopped, such as at a traffic signal, in order
to reduce exhaust gases, fuel consumption
and engine noise.
• This system automatically stops the engine under certain conditions. When
the vehicle will be stopped for a long
time or when you will leave the vehicle
unattended, set the parking brake firmly,
and then turn the ignition switch or press
the engine switch to stop the engine.
• If certain conditions are met, the engine is stopped automatically when decelerat-
ing (approximately 15 km/h (9 mph) or
less for manual transaxle vehicles,
approximately 13 km/h (8 mph) or less
for CVT vehicles) before stopping. How-
ever, the engine will not be stopped
automatically during deceleration until
confirmation of the system function is fin-
ished. NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with the auto-
matic heating and ai
r conditioning system,
you can change the automatic engine stop
condition via the information display. Refer
to “Setting mode” in “Information display
(instrument cluster with tachometer)” in the
“BEFORE DRIVING” section.
75RM054
CAUTION
• Do not get out of the vehicle when the engine has been stopped auto-
matically by the ENG A-STOP sys-
tem. This may result in an accident.
– For manual transaxle, if the
driver’s seat belt is unfastened or
the driver’s door is opened, the
engine will be restarted to warn
you that the engine was stopped
automatically by the ENG A-
STOP system.
– For CVT, if the driver’s seat belt is unfastened, even if the brake
pedal is pressed down, or the
driver’s door is opened, the
engine will be restarted to warn
you that the engine was stopped
automatically by the ENG A-
STOP system.
• If the engine is not restarted auto- matically after being stopped by the
ENG A-STOP system, turn the igni-
tion switch or press the engine
switch to start the engine. Operating
the vehicle without restarting the
engine will require more effort for
steering and braking operations and
may result in an accident.

3-37OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
• The audio and other electrical compo-nent can be used during the automatic
engine stop, but the air conditioner will
switch to the fan mode.
• If the vehicle is equipped with the auto- matic heating and air conditioning sys-
tem, the fan speed will be limited during
the automatic engine stop (only in the
auto control mode) to keep the cabin air-
conditioned for a longer time.
75RM281
3) Regardless of whether the vehicle has
stopped or not, depressing the clutch
pedal will restart the engine and the
ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) will
go off. While the engine is auto stopping,
depressing the clutch pedal will restart the
engine consuming fuel. Therefore, for fuel
economy, it is recommended to depress
the clutch pedal just before the vehicle
start.
• Without depressing the clutch pedal, the
engine may restart automatically if the
automatic engine restart conditions are
met.
For details, refer to the section, “Condi-
tions to restart the engine automatically”. CVT vehicles
1) While driving, the ENG A-STOP indica-
tor light (green) in the instrument clus-
ter comes on if the conditions allowing
the engine to be stopped automatically
(standby conditions) are met.
For details on the standby conditions,
refer to “Standby conditions” in this sec-
tion.
75RM233
EXAMPLE

3-38
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
2) Depress the brake pedal to deceleratewhile the gearshift lever is in the “D”
position will automatically stop the
engine before the vehicle is stopped
(approximately 13 km/h or less). At the
same time, the ENG A-STOP indicator
light (green) will remain on.
• The engine is not stopped automati-cally if all of the c onditions to stop the
engine automatically are not met,
even if the brake pedal is pressed
down to decelerate while the ENG A-
STOP indicator light (green) is on.
For details on the conditions for auto-
matically stopping the engine, refer to
“Conditions to stop the engine auto-
matically” in this section.
• To ensure safety when the engine is stopped automatically, the interior
buzzer may sound and the engine
will stall, or the engine may be
restarted.
75RM234
NOTE:
• The engine is not stopped automatically when decelerating without depressing
the brake pedal, for example, by using
engine braking.
• The engine may be stopped automati-
cally when the vehicle is stopped, even if
the engine is not stopped automatically
before stopping the vehicle (approxi-
mately 13 km/h or less).
• Electrical components, such as the navi- gation system or audio system, can be
used while the engine has been stopped
automatically, however, the air condi-
tioner switches to the ventilation posi-
tion.
• For the automatic heating and air condi-
tioning system, airflow is limited (only
under automatic operation) when the
engine is stopped aut omatically, in order
to improve the cooling and heating per-
formance.
3) When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, regardless of whether it is
before or after stopping the vehicle, the
engine is restarted and the ENG A-STOP
indicator light (green) goes off.
• The engine is restarted automatically
if the conditions to restart the engine
automatically are met, even if the
brake pedal is depressed.
For details on the conditions for auto-
matically restarting the engine, refer
to “Conditions to restart the engine
automatically” in this section.
75RM235
NOTE:
The hill hold control system is activated
when the engine is restarted automatically.
4) After driving for a while after the engine is restarted automatically, the ENG A-
STOP indicator light (green) comes on
if the conditions allowing the engine to
be stopped automatically (standby con-
ditions) are met.

3-39OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Precautions of when the engine is stopped automatically
WA R N I N G
Do not perform any of the following operations while the engine has been stopped automatically. This may result in an acci-
dent.
Operation/Vehicle Condition Solution
Common Engine hood opened
• The interior buzzer sounds intermittently.
• After the engine is stopped automatically, it stalls.
• The ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) goes off. To restart the engine, follow the procedure below.
1) Set the parking brake firmly, and then place the gearshift le
ver in
the “N” position (for m anual transaxle) or “P” position (for CVT).
2) Securely close the engine hood.
3) Turn the ignition switch or press the engine switch to restar t
the engine.
Manual
transaxle Driver’s seat belt unfast
ened or driver’s door opened
• The interior buzze r sounds 10 times.
• The engine is restarted automatically.
• The ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) blinks 5 times, then goes off. Fasten the driver’s seat belt
and/or close the driver’s door.
Gearshift lever shifted to a position other than “N”
without depressing the clutch pedal, driver’s seat belt
unfastened and driver’s door opened
• The interior buzzer sounds intermittently.
• After the engine is stopped automatically, it stalls.
• The ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) goes off. To restart the engine, follow the procedure below.
1) Set the parking brake firmly, a
nd then place the gearshift lever
in the “N” position.
2) Close the door and bu ckle the seat belt.
3) Turn the ignition switch or press the engine switch to restar t
the engine.
CVT Driver’s seat belt unfasten
ed, or driver’s door opened
• The interior buzzer sounds 10 times.
(for approximately 5 seconds).
• The engine is restarted automatically.
• The ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) blinks 5 times, then goes off. Before driving, close the door and buckle the seat belt. In add
i-
tion, before getting out of the vehicle, follow the procedure b elow.
1) Set the parking brake firmly, a nd then place the gearshift lever
in the “P” position.
2) When the vehicle will be stopped for a long time or when you will leave the vehicle unattended, press the engine switch to
stop the engine.

3-41OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Operating conditions of ENG A-STOP systemStandby conditions
If all of the following conditions are met while driving, the automatic engine stop will be permitted.
• For CVT, the ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) will come on.
#1: If the battery is discharged, for example, if the vehicle has not been used for a long time or electrical components, such as the navi-
gation system or audio system, have not been used for a long ti me while the engine was stopped, it may take some time until th e
system can be in standby.
#2: If any of the warning and indi cator lights affecting the ENG A-STOP system come on, the e ngine will not be stopped automati cally.
#3: The system will be in standby even though the gearshift leve r is in the “N” position, however, the engine will be stopped automati-
cally when the vehicl e is stopped, instead of when it is decelerating (approximately 13 km/ h or less) before stopping.
#4: After the ENG A-STOP indicator light (green) comes on, there may be a signal to prevent stopping the engine. In this case, the ENG
A-STOP indicator light (green) goes off when the vehicle is sto pped, and the engine is not stopped automatically. Also, if any of the
warning and indi cator lights affecting the ENG A-STOP system co me on, the engine will not be stopped automatically.
When the engine is started • The
engine is started with the engine hood securely closed.
When driving Common• The ENG A-STOP system is
not deactivated (OFF).
• The battery is charged more than a certain amount, and the tem perature inside the battery is within
the specified range. (#1)
• The engine coolant temperature i s within the specified range.
• The driver’s seat belt is fastened.
• The driver’s door is securely closed.
• The engine hood is s ecurely closed.
• The air from the outlets is su fficiently cooled while cooling or sufficiently warmed while heating.
• The defroster is turned off.
Manual
transaxle • There is no signal to prevent stopping the engine from any ele
ctronic control systems other than the
ENG A-STOP system. (#2)
CVT • The gearshift lever is in the
“D” or “N” position. (#3)
• The manual mode is not in use.
• There is no signal to prevent stopping the engine from any ele ctronic control systems other than the
ENG A-STOP system. (#4)