2-103BEFORE DRIVING
75RM4-01E
Brake system warning light
82K170
Three different types of operations exist
depending on the vehicle’s specification.
• The light comes on briefly when the igni- tion switch is turned to “ON” position or
the engine switch is pressed to change
the ignition mode to ON.
• The light comes on when the parking
brake is engaged with the ignition switch
in “ON” position or the ignition mode is
ON.
• The light comes on under either or both of above two conditions.
The light also comes on when the fluid in
the brake fluid reservoir falls below the
specified level.
The light should go out after starting the
engine and fully releasing the parking
brake, if the fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir is adequate.
The light also comes on together with the
ABS warning light when the rear brake
force control function (proportioning valve
function) of the ABS system fails. If the brake system warning light comes on
while you are driving the vehicle, it may
mean that there is something wrong with
the vehicle’s brake system.
If this happens:
1) Pull off the road and stop carefully.
2) Test the brakes by carefully starting and
stopping the vehicle on the shoulder of
the road.
3) If you determine that it is safe, drive the
vehicle cautiously at low speed to the
nearest dealer for repairs or tow the
vehicle to the nearest dealer for repairs. NOTE:
Because the brake system is self-adjust-
ing, the fluid level will drop as the brake
pads become worn. Replenishing the
brake fluid reservoir is considered normal
periodic maintenance.
NOTE:
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.
WA R N I N G
Remember that stopping distance
may be longer, you may have to push
harder on the pedal, and the pedal
may go down farther than normal.
WA R N I N G
If any of the following conditions
occur, you should immediately ask
your SUZUKI dealer to inspect the
brake system.
• If the brake system warning light
does not go out after the engine
has been started and the parking
brake has been fully released.
• If the brake system warning light does not come on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to “ON” posi-
tion or the engine switch is pressed
to change the ignition mode to ON.
• If the brake system warning light comes on at any time during vehi-
cle operation.
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.
3-56
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
75RM4-01E
Situations where the system does not activateUnder the following situations, the system
does not activate.
• When the engine is off (except when theengine is automatically stopped by the
ENG A-STOP system)
• After several seconds from starting the
engine
• When the gearshift lever is in reverse gear
• When the ESP
® system is activated
(except the frontal collision warning)
• When the following switches are pushed
and the system is turned off:
– Dual camera brake support OFFswitch
– ESP
® OFF switch
• When the stereo camera is temporarily stopped or malfunctioning
Situations where the system may not activate properlyUnder the following situations, the system
may not activate.
• When the stereo camera cannot detectobstacles in front of your vehicle
• When you take evasive action with the
steering wheel or a ccelerator pedal
Situations where the vehicle may not decelerate properlyUnder the following situations, the vehicle
may not decelerate properly even when
the system is activated.
• When the outside temperature is low, or
when the temperature of the brake is low
such as right after starting
• When the brake is overheating and the brake effect is deteriorated due to con-
tinuing to travel on a downhill road
• When the brake effect is deteriorated due to passing over puddles or washing
the vehicle
• When driving on the following roads – On sharp curves or extremely roughsurfaces
– On a steep slope
• When driving on the following slippery surfaces
– Frozen or snow-covered surfaces
– Over manholes or metal constructionplates
–Gravel
• When driving in a rainy day
Situations where the system may activate by chanceUnder the following situations, the stereo
camera may judge that there is an obstacle
in front of you, and the system may acti-
vate. Drive carefully and calmly.
• When passing through a toll booth with more than recommended speeds
• Before the parking lot gates or railroad crossing gates are opened fully
• When operating on hills that have vary-
ing slopes
• When you suddenly accelerate and approach the vehicle in front of you or on
neighboring lane
• Front visibility is poor due to that there is water vapor, sand or smoke or when the
vehicle in front of you or on oncoming
lane is surrounded by exhaust, water or
snow
• When passing through masses of water vapor or smoke
• When stopping close to an obstacle in
front of you
• When passing through near a vehicle or obstacle
4-1DRIVING TIPS
75RM4-01E
52D078S
Running-in
Catalytic converter
80G106
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to
minimize the amount of harmful pollutants
in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of leaded
fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic
converters is prohibited, because lead
deactivates the pollutant-reducing compo-
nents of the catalyst system.
The converter is designed to last the life of
the vehicle under normal usage and when
unleaded fuel is used. No special mainte-
nance is required on the converter. How-
ever, it is very important to keep the engine
properly tuned. Engine misfiring, which can
result from an improperly tuned engine,
may cause overheating of the catalytic
converter. This may result in permanent
WA R N I N G
• Fasten your seat belts at all times.Even though air bags are equipped
at the front seating positions, the
driver and all passengers should
be properly restrained at all times,
using the seat belts provided. Refer
to “Seat belts and child restraint
systems” section for instructions
on proper use of the seat belts.
• Never drive under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs. Alcohol and
drugs can seriously impair your
ability to drive safely, greatly
increasing the risk of injury to
yourself and others. You should
also avoid driving when you are
tired, sick, irritated or under stress.
NOTICE
The future performance and reliabil-
ity of the engine depends on the care
and restraint exercised during its
early life. It is especially important to
observe the following precautions
during the first 960 km (600 miles) of
vehicle operation.
•After starting, do not race theengine. Warm it up gradually.
• Avoid prolonged vehicle operation at a constant speed. Moving parts
will break in better if you vary your
speed.
• Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid full throttle starts.
• Avoid hard braking, especially during the first 320 km (200 miles)
of driving.
• Do not drive slowly with the trans- axle in a high gear.
• Drive the vehicle at moderate
engine speeds.
• Do not tow a trailer during the first 960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper-
ation.
6-5VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
75RM4-01E
60A186
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Be careful when overtaking othervehicles. Allow enough room for
your trailer before changing lanes,
and use turn signal lights properly
in advance.
• Slow down and shift into a lower gear before you reach long or steep
downhill grades. It is hazardous to
attempt downshifting while you are
descending a hill.
• Do not step on the brake pedal strongly. This could cause the
brakes to over-heat resulting in
reduced braking efficiency. Use
engine braking as much as possi-
ble.
• Because of the added trailer weight, your engine may overheat
on hot days when going up long or
steep hills. Pay attention to your
engine temperature. If the high
engine coolant temperature warn-
ing light (red color) indicates over-
heating, pull off the road and stop
the vehicle in a safe place. Refer to
“Engine trouble: Overheating” in
the “EMERGENCY SERVICE” sec-
tion.
WA R N I N G
When parking your vehicle and con-
nected trailer, always use the follow-
ing procedure:
1) Apply the vehicle’s brakes firmly.
2) Have another person place wheel
chocks under the wheels of the
vehicle and the trailer while you
are holding the brakes.
3) Slowly release the brakes until the wheel chocks absorb the load.
4) Fully engage the parking brake.
5) Manual transaxle – turn off the engine, then shift into reverse or
first gear.
Auto Gear Shift – shift into reverse
or first gear and check the gear
position indicator in the instru-
ment cluster to make sure that the
transaxle is engaged in 1st or
reverse, then turn off the engine.
CVT – shift into “P” (Park) and
turn off the engine.
When starting out after parking:
1) Depress the clutch and start the engine.
2) Shift into gear, release the parking brake, and slowly pull away from
the chocks.
3) Stop, apply the brakes firmly and hold them.
4) Have another person remove the
chocks.
7-1INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
75RM4-01E
60B128S
WA R N I N G
Take extreme care when working on
your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Carefully observe the follow-
ing precautions:
• To prevent damage or unintendedactivation of the air bag system or
seat belt pretensioner system, check
that the lead-acid battery is discon-
nected and the ignition switch has
been in “LOCK” position or the igni-
tion mode has been LOCK (OFF) for
at least 90 seconds before perform-
ing any electrical service work on
your SUZUKI vehicle. Do not touch
air bag system components, seat
belt pretensioner system compo-
nents or wires.
The wires are wrapped with yellow
tape or yellow tubing, and the cou-
plers are yellow for easy identifica-
tion.
• Do not leave the engine running in garages or other confined areas. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, tools, and other
objects away from the fan and drive
belt. Even though the fan may not
be moving, it can automatically
turn on without warning.
• When it is necessary to perform
service work with the engine run-
ning, check that the parking brake
is set fully and the transaxle is in
Neutral (for manual transaxle or
Auto Gear Shift vehicles) or Park
(for CVT vehicles).
• Do not touch ignition wires or other ignition system parts when starting
the engine or when the engine is
running, or you could receive an
electric shock.
•Be careful not to touch a hot engine, exhaust manifold and
pipes, muffler, radiator and water
hoses.
• Do not allow smoking, sparks, or flames around fuel or the battery.
Flammable fumes are present.
• Do not get under your vehicle if it is supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
• Be careful not to cause accidental short circuits between the positive
and negative battery terminals. (Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• Keep used oil, coolant, and other
fluids away from children and pets.
Dispose of used fluids properly;
never pour them on the ground,
into sewers, etc.
7-25INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
75RM4-01E
It is important to keep the engine oil at the
correct level for proper lubrication of your
vehicle’s engine. Check the oil level with
the vehicle on a level surface. The oil level
indication may be inaccurate if the vehicle
is on a slope. The oil level should be
checked either before starting the engine
or at least 5 minutes after stopping the
engine.
The handle of the engine oil dipstick is col-
ored with yellow for ea sy identification.
Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe oil off with a
clean cloth, insert the dipstick all the way
into the engine, and then remove it again.
The oil on the stick should be between the
upper and lower limits shown on the stick.
If the oil level indication is near the lower
limit, add enough oil to raise the level to
the upper limit.
Refilling
81A147
Remove the oil filler cap and pour oil slowly
through the filler hole to bring the oil level
to the upper limit on the dipstick. Be careful
not to overfill the oil. Too much oil is almost
as bad as too little oil. A fter refilling, start the
engine and allow it to idle for about a min-
ute. Stop the engine, wait about 5 minutes
and check the oil level again.
Changing engine oil and filterDrain the engine oil while the engine is still
warm.
56KN054
1) Remove the oil filler cap.
2) Place a drain pan under the drain plug.
3) Using a wrench, remove the drain plug and drain the engine oil.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
EXAMPLEOpen Close
CAUTION
The engine oil temperature may be
high enough to burn your fingers
when the drain plug is loosened. Wait
until the drain plug is cool enough to
touch with your bare hands.EXAMPLE
Open Close
9-1APPEARANCE CARE
75RM4-01E
Corrosion preventionIt is important to take good care of your
vehicle to protect it from corrosion. Listed
below are instructions for how to maintain
your vehicle to prevent corrosion. Please
read and follow these instructions carefully.Important information about corro-sionCommon causes of corrosion
1) Accumulation of road salt, dirt, moisture or chemicals in hard-to-reach areas of
the vehicle und erbody or frame.
2) Chipping, scratches and any damage to treated or painted metal surfaces
resulting from minor accidents or abra-
sion by stones and gravel.
Environmental conditions which accel-
erate corrosion
1) Road salt, dust control chemicals, sea air or industrial pollution will all acceler-
ate the corrosion of metal.
2) High humidity will increase the rate of
corrosion particularly when the tem-
perature range is just above the freez-
ing point.
3) Moisture in certain areas of a vehicle for an extended period of time may pro-
mote corrosion even though other body
sections may be completely dry. 4) High temperatures will cause an accel-
erated rate of corrosion to parts of the
vehicle which are not well-ventilated to
permit quick drying.
This information illustrates the necessity of
keeping your vehicle (particularly the
underbody) as clean and dry as possible. It
is equally important to repair any damage
to the paint or protective coatings as soon
as possible.
How to help prevent corrosionWash your vehicle frequently
The best way to preserve the finish on your
vehicle and to help avoid corrosion is to
keep it clean with frequent washing.
Wash your vehicle at least once during the
winter and once immediately after the win-
ter. Keep your vehicle, particularly the
underside, as clean and dry as possible.
If you frequently drive on salted roads,
your vehicle should be washed at least
once a month during the winter. If you live
near the ocean, your vehicle should be
washed at least once a month throughout
the year.
For washing instructi ons, refer to “Vehicle
cleaning” section. Remove foreign ma
terial deposits
Foreign material such as salts, chemicals,
road oil or tar, tree sap, bird droppings and
industrial fall-out may damage the finish of
your vehicle if it is left on painted surfaces.
Remove these types of deposits as quickly
as possible. If these deposits are difficult to
wash off, an additional cleaner may be
required. Check that any cleaner you use
is not harmful to painted surfaces and is
specifically intended for your purposes.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions when
using these special cleaners.
Repair finish damage
Carefully examine your vehicle for damage
to the painted surfaces. Should you find
any chips or scratches in the paint, touch
them up immediately to prevent corrosion
from starting. If the chips or scratches have
gone through to the bare metal, have a
qualified body shop make the repair.
Keep passenger and luggage compart-
ments clean
Moisture, dirt or mud can accumulate
under the floor mats and may cause corro-
sion. Occasionally, check under these
mats to ensure that this area is clean and
dry. More frequent checks are necessary if
the vehicle is used for off-road driving or in
wet weather.
Certain cargos such as chemicals, fertiliz-
ers, cleaners, salts, etc. are extremely cor-
rosive by nature. These products should
be transported in sealed containers. If they