
2-115BEFORE DRIVING
75RM4-01E
Depress brake pedal indicator (if equipped)
76MH0A047
Refer to “Auto Gear Shift” in the “OPERAT-
ING YOUR VEHICLE” section for details.
Cruise indicator light (if equipped)
81P40090
When the cruise control system is on, this
light will be on.“SET” indicator light (if equipped)
65D474
When a cruising speed of the cruise con-
trol is set, this light will be on.
Master warning indicator light (if equipped)
80P0382
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.
When the information display shows warn-
ing and indicator messages, this indicator
light may also blink.
For details, refer to “Information display
(instrument cluster with tachometer)” in
this section.

2-126
BEFORE DRIVING
75RM4-01E
Windshield wipers
68PM00237
To turn the windshield wipers on, move the
lever down to one of the three operating
positions. In “INT” position, the wipers
operate intermittently. The “INT” position is
very convenient for driving in mist or light
rain. In “LO” position, the wipers operate at
a steady low speed. In “HI” position, the
wipers operate at a steady high speed. To
turn off the wipers, move the lever back to
“OFF” position.
Move the lever up and hold it to “MIST”
position, the windshield wipers will turn on
continuously at low speed.
68PM00238
If the lever is equipped with “INT TIME”
control, turn the control forward or back-
ward to adjust the int ermittent wiper opera-
tion to the desired interval.
Windshield washer
68PM00239
To spray windshield washer fluid, pull the
lever toward you. The windshield wipers
will automatically turn on at low speed if
they are not already on and your vehicle is
equipped with “INT” position.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
WA R N I N G
• To prevent windshield icing in cold weather, turn on the defroster to
heat the windshield before and
during windshield washer use.
• Do not use radiator antifreeze in
the windshield washer reservoir. It
can severely impair visibility when
sprayed on the windshield, and can
also damage your vehicle’s paint.EXAMPLE

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
3
75RM4-01E
60G408
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLEExhaust gas warning .......................................................... 3-1
Daily inspection checklist .................................... .............. 3-1
Engine oil consumption ........................................ ............. 3-2
Ignition switch
(vehicle without keyless push s tart system) ....................3-3
Engine switch
(vehicle with keyless push sta rt system) .......................... 3-5
Keyless push start system (if equipped) .......................... 3-6
Parking brake lever ........................................... .................. 3-10
Pedal ......................................................... ............................ 3-12
Starting engine
(vehicle without keyless push s tart system) ....................3-13
Starting engine
(vehicle with keyless push sta rt system) .......................... 3-14
Using transaxle ... ....................... ......................................... 3-17
Gearshift indicator (if equipped) ............................. ........... 3-33
ENG A-STOP system
(engine auto stop start system) (if equipped) ................. .3-35
Cruise control (if equipped) ............................................... 3-48
Speed limiter (if equipped) ................................... .............. 3-51
Dual camera brake support (if equipped) ......................... 3-53
Emergency stop signal (ESS) (if equipped) ......................3-71
Rearview camera (if equipped) ................................. ......... 3-72
Braking ....................................................... .......................... 3-75
Electronic stabi lity program (ESP
®) (if equipped) ........... 3-78
Tire pressure monito ring system (TPMS) (i f equipped) .. 3-85

3-1OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Exhaust gas warning
52D334
Daily inspection checklistBefore driving
60A187S
1) Check that windows, mirrors, lights andreflectors are clean and unobstructed.
2) Visually check the ti res for the following
points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel nuts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for details.
3) Look for fluid and oil leakage.
WA R N I N G
Avoid breathing exhaust gases.
Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, a potentially lethal gas that is
colorless and odorless. Since carbon
monoxide is difficult to detect by
itself, take the following precautions
to help prevent carbon monoxide
from entering your vehicle.
• Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Do not park with the engine run-
ning for a long period of time, even
in an open area. If it is necessary to
sit for a short time in a parked vehi-
cle with the engine running, check
that the air intake selector is set to
FRESH AIR and the blower is at
high speed.
• Avoid operating the vehicle with the tailgate or tr unk open. If it is
necessary to do so, check that the
sunroof (if equipped) and all win-
dows are closed, and the blower is
at high speed with the air intake
selector set to FRESH AIR.
• To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the air inlet grill in front of the wind-
shield clear of snow, leaves or
other obstructions at all times.
• Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear
of snow and other material to help
reduce the buildup of exhaust
gases under the vehicle. This is
particularly important when parked
in blizzard conditions.
• Have the exhaust system inspected
periodically for damage and leak-
age. Any damage or leakage
should be repaired immediately.

3-2
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air
conditioning system after use.
4) Check that the hood is fully closed andlatched.
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights, brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Adjust the seat and head restraint.
7) Check the brake pedal and the parking brake lever.
8) Adjust the mirrors.
9) Check that you and all passengers have properly fastened your seat belts.
10)Check that all warning lights come on as the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
position or the engine switch is pressed
to change the ignition mode to ON.
11)Check all gauges.
12)Check that the brake system warning light turns off when the parking brake is
released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Lead-acid battery solution level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Hood latch operation Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Check that you cannot open the hood all the way without releasing
the secondary latch. Close the hood
securely after checking for proper latch
operation. See the item “All latches,
hinges and locks” of “Chassis, body
and others” in “Maintenance schedule”
in the “INSPECTION AND MAINTE-
NANCE” section for lubrication sched-
ule.
Once a month, or each time you fill your
fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.
Engine oil consumptionIt is normal for the engine to consume
some engine oil during normal vehicle
operation.
The amount of engine oil consumption
depends on viscosity and quality of the oil
and your driving conditions.
More oil is consumed during high-speed
driving and when there is frequent acceler-
ation and deceleration. Under high loads,
your engine also will consume more oil.
A new engine also consumes more oil,
since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder
walls have not yet become conditioned.
New engines reach the normal level of oil
consumption only after approximately
5000 km (3000 miles) driving.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km
(1 Qt. per 600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil consump-
tion, note that the oil may become diluted
and it is difficult to judge the accurate oil
level.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more of driv-
ing. This is because the oil gradually
becomes diluted with fuel or moisture,
WA R N I N G
Check that the hood is fully closed
and latched before d riving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.

3-3OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
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)
65D611 68PH00310
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

3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
PedalManual transaxle
80J2121
Auto Gear Shift or CVT
80J2122
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
disc brakes and rear drum 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.
(2)
(1)(3)EXAMPLE
(3)
(2)
EXAMPLE
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.

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Starting off
To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine’s sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized and
provide quiet and easy shifting. Always
depress the clutch pedal all the way to the
floor before shifting gears. Keep the
engine speed from rising into the red zone
of the tachometer (if equipped).Downshifting maximum allowable speedsK12C engine modelK12M engine model
*NOTE:
You may not accelerate to the maximum
allowable speed because of the driving sit-
uation and/or the vehicle condition.
Downshifting km/h (mph)
2nd to 1st 45 (28)
3rd to 2nd 80 (50)
4th to 3rd 130 (81)
5th to 4th 175 (109)*
Downshifting km/h (mph)
2nd to 1st 45 (28)
3rd to 2nd 85 (53)
4th to 3rd 130 (81)
5th to 4th 175 (109)*
NOTICE
Do not downshift to a lower gear at
the speed faster than the maximum
allowable speeds for the next lower
speed, or severe damage to engine
and transaxle can result.
WA R N I N G
• Reduce your speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down
a long or steep hill. A lower gear
will allow the engine to provide
braking. Avoid riding the brakes or
they may overheat, resulting in
brake failure.
• When driving on slippery roads,
slow down before downshifting.
Excessive and/or sudden changes
in engine speed may cause loss of
traction, which could cause you to
lose control.
NOTICE
Check that the vehicle is completely
stationary before you shift into
reverse.
NOTICE
• To help avoid clutch damage, donot use the clutch pedal as a foot-
rest while driving or use the clutch
to keep the vehicle stationary on a
slope. Depress the clutch fully
when shifting.
• When shifting or starting off, do not race the engine. Racing the engine
can shorten engine life and cause
negative effect to smooth shifting.