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.
3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Starting engine
(vehicle without keyless push start system)Before starting engine
75RM256
1) Check that the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual transaxle – Shift into “N” (Neu- tral) and depress the clutch pedal all
the way to the floor. Hold the clutch
pedal while starting the engine.
CVT – If the gearshift lever is not in “P”
(Park) position, shift into “P” (Park). (If
you need to re-start the engine while
the vehicle is movi ng, shift into “N”.)
Auto Gear Shift – Shift into “N” (Neutral)
and depress the brake pedal. Hold the
brake pedal while starting the engine.
NOTE:
• CVT vehicles have a starter interlock device which is designed to keep the
starter from operating if the transaxle is
in any of the drive positions.
• For Auto Gear Shift vehicles, if the engine cannot be started, make sure the
gearshift lever is in “N” before restarting
the engine.
Starting a cold and warm engineWith your foot taken off the accelerator
pedal, crank the engine by turning the igni-
tion key to “START”. Release the key when
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after 12 sec-
onds of cranking, wait about 15 seconds,
and then press down the accelerator pedal
to 1/3 full of capacity and try cranking the
engine again. Release the key and accel-
erator pedal when the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, try holding
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor while cranking. This should clear the
engine if it is flooded.
MT
CVT
AGS
WA R N I N G
Check that the parking brake is set
fully and the transaxle is in Neutral
(or Park for vehicles with a CVT)
before attempting to start the engine.
NOTICE
• Stop turning the starter immedi-ately after the engine has started or
the starter system can be damaged.
• Do not crank the engine for more than 12 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start on the first
try, wait about 15 seconds before
trying again.
3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Starting engine
(vehicle with keyless push start system)Before starting engine
75RM257
1) Check that the parking brake is set fully.
2) Manual transaxle – Shift to “N” (Neutral) and fully depress the clutch pedal. Hold
the clutch and brake pedals fully
depressed.
CVT – If the gearshift lever is not in the
“P” (Park) position, shift it to “P”. Hold
the brake pedal fully depressed.
Auto Gear Shift – Shift into “N” (Neutral)
and depress the brake pedal. Hold the
brake pedal while starting the engine.
82K254
3) The “PUSH START SWITCH” messagewill appear on the information display in
the instrument cluster. Push the engine
switch (1). When the engine is started,
the starter motor will automatically stop. NOTE:
• You do not need to keep the engine
switch pressed to start the engine.
• The engine of a manual transaxle vehi- cle will not start unless the clutch pedal
is depressed.
• CVT vehicles have a starter interlock device which is designed to keep the
starter from operating if the transaxle is
in any of the drive positions.
MT
CVT
AGS
(1)
WA R N I N G
Check that the parking brake is set
fully and the transaxle is in Neutral
(or Park for vehicles with a CVTS)
before attempting to start the engine.
NOTICE
• Do not depress the accelerator
during the engine starting proce-
dure.
• If the engine does not respond when you try to start it with the
engine switch or if the engine
switch repeats cycling through
LOCK (OFF) – ACC – ON mode, the
lead-acid battery may be dis-
charged. Check the voltage of the
lead-acid battery before trying
again.
3-15OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
• For Auto Gear Shift vehicles, if theengine cannot be started, make sure the
gearshift lever is in “N” before restarting
the engine.
• During the engine starting procedure, messages on the information display will
help you. Refer to “Information display” in
the “BEFORE DRIVING” section for
details.
• You should turn off such loads as the headlights and air co nditioning system to
facilitate starting of the engine.
• Even if you fail to start the engine, the starter motor will stop turning automati-
cally after a short time. After the starter
motor has stopped or if there is some
problem with the system, the starter
motor will rotate only while the engine
switch is being pressed.
Stopping engine• Depress the engine switch to stop theengine after the vehicle stopped com-
pletely.
• In case of emergency, you can stop the engine by quickly pushing the engine
switch more than 3 times, or pushing
and holding the engine switch for more
than 2 seconds while the vehicle is in
motion.
NOTE:
Except in cases of emergency, do not stop
the engine while the vehicle is in motion.
The steering and braking operation will
require more effort when the engine is
stopped.
Refer to “Braking” in this section.
• If the engine remains stopped for while after it was stopped unexpectedly or was
raced before stopping, a clicking sound
may be heard from around the engine
when it is restarted. This is not a mal-
function. Always let the engine idle
before stopping it.
Starting a cold and warm engineWith your foot taken off the accelerator
pedal, crank the engine by pressing the
engine switch to change the ignition mode
to START.
After pressing the engine switch to change
the ignition mode to START, the starter
cranks the engine for about 12 seconds
before it can start the engine. If the engine
fails to start at the first attempt, wait about
15 seconds, and then try again while keep-
ing the engine switch pressed while press-
ing down the accelerator pedal 1/3 of full
capacity. Release the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.
If the engine still does not start, try holding
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor while cranking. This should clear the
engine if it is flooded.
If you are unable to start the engine using
this procedure, consult your SUZUKI
dealer.
NOTICE
If you stop the engine while the vehi-
cle is in motion, the CVT may be dam-
aged.
Avoid stopping the engine while driv-
ing.
NOTICE
Do not crank the engine for more
than 12 seconds at a time.
If the engine does not start on the
first try, wait abou t 15 seconds before
trying again.
3-17OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Returning ignition mode to LOCK (OFF)CVT – To ensure safety, the ignition mode
can be returned to LOCK (OFF) by press-
ing the engine switch only when the gear-
shift lever is placed in the “P” position
without pressing the knob button.
NOTE:
In the case of a CVT model, the ignition
mode cannot be returned to the LOCK
(OFF) position if the gearshift lever is in
any other position than “P”.
Certain problems like a fault in engine sys-
tem may prevent the engine switch from
going back to the LOCK (OFF) mode. If
this happens, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized SUZUKI dealer after
doing the following:
• Lock the doors using the key to prevent
theft. (The request switches and the key-
less push start system remote controller
cannot be used to lock them.)
• Disconnect the negative cable from the lead-acid battery to prevent discharge. LOCK (OFF) mode reminder buzzer
If the driver’s door is opened without
returning the ignition mode to LOCK (OFF)
by pressing the engine switch, a buzzer
sounds to warn you of this state.
• If you open the driver’s door after press-
ing the engine switch to change the igni-
tion mode to ACC, the interior buzzer
beeps intermittently.
• The buzzer will stop sounding if you then push the engine switch twice, thus bringing
it back the ignition mode to LOCK (OFF).NOTE:
Whenever you leave the vehicle, check
that you have returned the ignition mode to
LOCK (OFF) using the engine switch and
then lock the doors. Without returning the
ignition mode to LOCK (OFF), you cannot
use a request switch or keyless push start
system remote controller to lock the doors.
Steering lock warning buzzer
If the steering lock fails to engage due to a
fault in the system when the ignition mode
is turned to LOCK (OFF) by pressing the
engine switch and any door (including the
tailgate) is opened or closed, the interior
buzzer will warn you of this condition with
repeated short beeps. If this happens,
have the vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
Using transaxleManual transaxle
75RM254
WA R N I N G
Do not hang any items on the gear-
shift lever and do not use the gear-
shift lever as a handrest. Otherwise,
it could prevent proper operation of
the gearshift lever and cause its mal-
function, resulting in an unexpected
accident.EXAMPLE
3-20
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Models with switch of S-mode
75RM361
(1) Knob buttonNOTE:
• Always shift the gearshift lever without
pushing in the knob button (1) except
when you shift from “P” to “R”, from “D”
to “M” or “L”, from “N” to “R” or from “R”
to “P”. If you always push in the knob
button (1) when shifting the gearshift
lever, you could shift into “P”, “R”, “M” or
“L” by mistake.
• If driver’s or passenger’s knee hits the gearshift lever while driving, the lever
could move and the gear could be
changed unexpectedly.
Use the gearshift lever positions as fol-
lows:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting into
Reverse. NOTE:
For Hong Kong models, the warning
buzzer of Reverse position sounds when
you shift into Reverse to notify the driver
that the gearshift lever is in “R” range. The
warning buzzer of Reverse position is not
used for notifying the vehicle’s reverse to
persons outside the vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in “D” range you
can get an automatic downshift by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. The higher the
vehicle speed is, the more you need to
press the accelerator pedal to get a down-
shift.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in and the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift with the knob button (1)
pushed in.
Shift without the knob button (1)
pushed in.
(1)
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
Do not shift the gearshift lever into
“R” while moving forward, or the
transaxle may be damaged. If you
shift into “R” when the vehicle speed
is over 10 km/h (6 mph), the transaxle
will not shift into reverse.
3-24
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
1) Be sure the parking brake is firmlyapplied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the
engine.
3) Make sure the key is in the “ON” or “ACC” position, or the ignition mode is
ON or ACC.
4) Remove the cover ( 1) over the button.
5) With the release button (1) pushed by
the key or the flat end rod, push the
knob button (2) and shift the gearshift
lever to the desired position.
This procedure is for emergency use only.
If repeated use of this procedure is neces-
sary, or the procedure does not work as
described, take the vehicle to your dealer
for repair. Right Hand Drive Vehicle
75RM053
Vehicles with a CVT have an electrically
operated park-lock feat
ure. If the vehicle’s
lead-acid battery is discharged, or there is
some other electrical failure, the CVT can-
not be shifted out of Park in the normal
way. Jump starting may correct the condi-
tion. If not, follow the procedure described
below. This procedure will permit shifting
the transaxle out of Park. 1) Be sure the parking brake is firmly
applied.
2) If the engine is running, stop the
engine.
3) Make sure the key is in the “ON” or “ACC” position, or the ignition mode is
ON or ACC.
4) With the release button (1) pushed, push the knob button (2) and shift the
gearshift lever to t he desired position.
This procedure is for emergency use only.
If repeated use of this procedure is neces-
sary, or the procedure does not work as
described, take the vehicle to your dealer
for repair.
(1)
(2)
EXAMPLE
3-26
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Starting the engine
When starting the engine, always place the
gearshift lever in the “N” position and
depress the brake pedal firmly. The engine
cannot be started unless the gearshift
lever is in the “N” position and the brake
pedal is depressed.
If you parked vehicle with gear engaged on
last time (if you can see “1” or “R”), shift
into “N” (Neutral) and depress the brake
pedal. Hold the brake pedal while starting
the engine. You can hear buzzer in short
time.
NOTE:
If you start the engine without the gearshift
lever in the “N” position, the gear position
indicator in the instrument cluster will blink.
Clutch operation
You can select either the Drive (D) mode or
the Manual (M) mode. Since this vehicle
controls clutch operation electronically in
either mode, you do not need to operate
the clutch.Creeping function
This vehicle has a creeping function that
helps the vehicle to start smoothly by
engaging the clutch. When the gearshift
lever is in any of the positions “D”, “M” or
“R”, and you release your foot from the
brake pedal, the vehicle starts slowly with-
out depressing the accelerator pedal. The
creeping function is disabled if you
depress the brake pedal or pull up the
parking brake lever.
NOTE:
If the driver’s door is opened and/or the
parking brake lever is engaged with the
gear in the “M”, “D” or “R” position, the
creeping function will not operate.
Parking and Stopping the vehicle
Auto Gear Shift does not have a parking
position. Park the vehicle with a gear
engaged. Make sure that the gearshift
lever is “D”, “M”, or “R”.
Also, check the instrument cluster to make
sure that the transaxle is engaged in “1” or
“R” position.Drive (D) mode
When the Drive (D) mode is activated, the
most appropriate gear
position is automati-
cally selected upon operation of the accel-
erator pedal and variation of vehicle
speed.
Normal driving:
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 “D” position.
When the gearshift lever is shifted to
the “D” position, the gear will be shifted
to 1st.
NOTE:
• If 1st gear cannot be engaged even though the gearshift lever has been
shifted from the “N” to the “D” 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 “D” 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 “D” again.
NOTICE
A buzzer will sound continuously if
the vehicle is operated with the gear-
shift lever in-between of each shift
positions. The vehicle will become
inoperative if you continue to operate
the vehicle with the gearshift lever in-
between shift positions.