Suzuki Forenza (2008 year). Instruction — part 8

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

ple, it is 0.05 percent in both France and

There’s something else about drinking and

Germany. The BAC limit for all commercial

driving that many people don’t know. Medi-

drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent.

cal research shows that alcohol in a per-

son’s system can make crash injuries

The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after

worse, especially injuries to the brain, spi-

three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course,

nal cord or heart. This means that when

as we’ve seen, it depends on how much

anyone who has been drinking - driver or

alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the

passenger - is in a crash, that person’s

person drinks them.

chance of being killed or permanently dis-

But the ability to drive is affected well

abled is higher than if the person had not

below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research

been drinking.

shows that the driving skills of many peo-

ple are impaired at a BAC approaching

WARNING

0.05 percent, and that the effects are

Drinking and then driving is very dan-

worse at night. All drivers are impaired at

gerous. Your reflexes, perceptions,

It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For

BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics

attentiveness and judgment can be

example, if the same person drank three

show that the chance of being in a collision

affected by even a small amount of

double martinis

(3 ounces or

90 ml of

increases sharply for drivers who have a

alcohol. You can have a serious - or

liquor each) within an hour, the person’s

BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with

even fatal - collision if you drive after

BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A per-

a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled

drinking. Please don’t drink and drive

son who consumes food just before or dur-

his or her chance of having a collision. At a

or ride with a driver who has been

ing drinking will have a somewhat lower

BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of

drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if

BAC level.

this driver having a collision is 12 times

you’re with a group, designate a

greater; at a level of

0.15 percent, the

There is a gender difference, too. Women

driver who will not drink.

chance is 25 times greater!

generally have a lower relative percentage

of body water than men. Since alcohol is

The body takes about an hour to rid itself

Control of a Vehicle

carried in body water, this means that a

of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of

You have three systems that make your

woman generally will reach a higher BAC

coffee or number of cold showers will

vehicle go where you want it to go. They

level than a man of her same body weight

speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right

are the brakes, the steering and the accel-

will when each has the same number of

answer. What if there’s an emergency, a

erator. All three systems have to do their

drinks.

need to take sudden action, as when a

work at the places where the tires meet the

child darts into the street? A person with

road.

The law in an increasing number of U.S.

even a moderate BAC might not be able to

states, and throughout Canada, sets the

react quickly enough to avoid the collision.

legal limit at 0.08 percent. In some other

countries, the limit is even lower. For exam-

4-2

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).

(if equipped)

That could be a lot of distance in an emer-

ABS is an advanced electronic braking

gency, so keeping enough space between

system that will help prevent a braking

your vehicle and others is important.

skid.

And, of course, actual stopping distances

When you start your engine and begin to

vary greatly with the surface of the road

drive away, your anti-lock brake system will

(whether it’s pavement or gravel) the condi-

check itself. You may hear a momentary

tion of the road (wet, dry, icy) tire tread the

motor or clicking noise while this test is

condition of your brakes the weight of the

going on, and you may even notice that

vehicle and the amount of brake force

your brake pedal moves a little. This is nor-

applied.

mal.

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some peo-

ple drive in spurts - heavy acceleration fol-

Sometimes, as when you’re driving on

lowed by heavy braking

- rather than

snow or ice, it’s easy to ask more of those

keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake.

control systems than the tires and road

Your brakes may not have time to cool

can provide. That means you can lose con-

between hard stops. Your brakes will wear

trol of your vehicle.

out much faster if you do a lot of heavy

braking. If you keep pace with the traffic

Braking

and allow realistic following distances, you

If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake

Braking action involves perception time

will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.

system, this warning light will stay on. See

and reaction time.

That means better braking and longer

“Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in

brake life.

section 3.

First, you have to decide to push on the

brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then

If your engine ever stops while you’re driv-

you have to bring up your foot and do it.

ing, brake normally but don’t pump your

That’s reaction time.

brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder

to push down. If your engine stops, you will

Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a

still have some power brake assist. But you

second. But that’s only an average. It might

will use it when you brake. Once the power

be less with one driver and as long as two

assist is used up, it may take longer to stop

or three seconds or more with another.

and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Age, physical condition, alertness, coordi-

nation and eyesight all play a part. So do

alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in

4-3

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Braking in Emergencies

At some time, nearly every driver gets into

a situation that requires hard braking.

If you have anti-lock, you can steer and

brake at the same time. However, if you

don’t have anti-lock, your first reaction - to

hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -

may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels

can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle

can’t respond to your steering. Momentum

will carry it in whatever direction it was

headed when the wheels stopped rolling.

That could be off the road, into the very

thing you were trying to avoid, or into traf-

fic.

Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving

As you brake, your computer keeps receiv-

safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in

ing updates on wheel speed and controls

If you don’t have anti-lock, use a “squeeze”

front of you. You slam on the brakes and

braking pressure accordingly.

braking technique. This will give you maxi-

continue braking. Here’s what happens

mum braking while maintaining steering

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the

with ABS:

control. You can do this by pushing on the

time you need to get your foot up to the

brake pedal with steadily increasing pres-

A computer senses that wheels are slow-

brake pedal or always decrease stopping

sure. In an emergency, you will probably

ing down. If one of the wheels is about to

distance. If you get too close to the vehicle

want to squeeze the brakes hard without

stop rolling, the computer will separately

in front of you, you won’t have time to apply

locking the wheels. If you hear or feel the

work the brakes at each front wheel and at

your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows

wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.

both rear wheels.

or stops. Always leave enough room up

This will help you retain steering control. If

ahead to stop, even though you have anti-

The anti-lock system can change the brake

you do have anti-lock, it’s different. See

lock brakes.

pressure faster than any driver could. The

“Anti-Lock Brake System” in this section.

computer is programmed to make the most

Using Anti-Lock

In many emergencies, steering can help

of available tire and road conditions. This

Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake

you more than even the very best braking.

can help you steer around the obstacle

pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for

while braking hard.

you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or

motor operate, and feel the brake pedal

pulsate, but this is normal.

4-4

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Steering

When this warning light is on, your vehicle

and braking - have to do their work where

will seem harder to steer than normal

the tires meet the road. Unless you have

Power Steering

when parking or driving slowly. You will still

four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the

If you lose power steering assist because

have power steering, but steering will be

hard braking can demand too much of

the engine stops or the system is not func-

stiffer than normal at slow speeds. See

those places. You can lose control.

tioning, you can steer but it will take much

your SUZUKI dealer for service.

more effort.

The same thing can happen if you’re steer-

ing through a sharp curve and you sud-

Steering Tips

Speed Sensitive Power Steering

denly accelerate. Those two control

System

Driving on Curves

systems - steering and acceleration - can

This system continuously adjusts the effort

It’s important to take curves at a reason-

overwhelm those places where the tires

you feel when steering at all vehicle

able speed.

meet the road and make you lose control.

speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet

A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents

What should you do if this ever happens?

a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.

mentioned on the news happen on curves.

Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal,

If your vehicle has this system, it varies the

Here’s why:

steer the vehicle the way you want it to go,

amount of effort required to steer the vehi-

and slow down.

Experienced driver or beginner, each of us

cle in relation to the speed of the vehicle.

is subject to the same laws of physics

Speed limit signs near curves warn that

The amount of steering effort required is

when driving on curves. The traction of the

you should adjust your speed. Of course,

less at slower speeds to make the vehicle

tires against the road surface makes it pos-

the posted speeds are based on good

more maneuverable and easier to park. At

sible for the vehicle to change its path

weather and road conditions. Under less

faster speeds, the steering effort increases

when you turn the front wheels. If there’s

favorable conditions you’ll want to go

to provide a sport-like feel to the steering.

no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle

slower.

This provides maximum control and stabil-

going in the same direction. If you’ve ever

If you need to reduce your speed as you

ity.

tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll

approach a curve, do it before you enter

understand this.

the curve, while your front wheels are

The traction you can get in a curve

straight ahead.

depends on the condition of your tires and

Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”

the road surface, the angle at which the

through the curve. Maintain a reasonable,

curve is banked, and your speed. While

steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you

you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor

L5U3004A

are out of the curve, and then accelerate

you can control.

gently into the straightaway.

This warning light will stay on, or come on

Suppose you’re steering through a sharp

while you are driving, if there’s a problem

curve. Then you suddenly apply the

with the SSPS system.

brakes. Both control systems - steering

4-5

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Steering in Emergencies

There are times when steering can be

more effective than braking. For example,

you come over a hill and find a truck

stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly

pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out

from between parked cars and stops right

in front of you. You can avoid these prob-

lems by braking - if you can stop in time.

But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.

That’s the time for evasive action - steer-

ing around the problem.

Your vehicle can perform very well in emer-

gencies like these. First apply your brakes

but, unless you have anti-lock, not enough

An emergency like this requires close

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly

to lock your wheels.

attention and a quick decision. If you are

below the pavement, recovery should be

See “Braking” in this section. It is better to

holding the steering wheel at the recom-

fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and

remove as much speed as you can from a

mended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can

then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so

possible collision. Then steer around the

turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly with-

that your vehicle straddles the edge of the

problem, to the left or right depending on

out removing either hand. But you have to

pavement. You can turn the steering wheel

the space available.

act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly

up to one-quarter turn until the right front

straighten the wheel once you have

tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn

avoided the object.

your steering wheel to go straight down the

roadway.

The fact that such emergency situations

are always possible is a good reason to

Passing

practice defensive driving at all times and

The driver of a vehicle about to pass

wear safety belts properly.

another on a two-lane highway waits for

just the right moment, accelerates, moves

Off-Road Recovery

around the vehicle ahead, then goes back

You may find that your right wheels have

into the right lane again. A simple maneu-

dropped off the edge of a road onto the

ver?

shoulder while you’re driving.

Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle

on a two-lane highway is a potentially dan-

4-6

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If

Driving at Night

• If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe

you start steering quickly enough, your

place and rest.

vehicle may straighten out. Always be

No one can see as well at night as in the

ready for a second skid if it occurs.

daytime. But as we get older these differ-

Of course, traction is reduced when water,

ences increase. A 50-year-old driver may

snow, ice, gravel or other material is on the

require at least twice as much light to see

road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down

the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.

and adjust your driving to these conditions.

What you do in the daytime can also affect

It is important to slow down on slippery

your night vision. For example, if you

surfaces because stopping distance will be

spend the day in bright sunshine you are

longer and vehicle control more limited.

wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will

While driving on a surface with reduced

have less trouble adjusting to night. But if

traction, try your best to avoid sudden

you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at

steering, acceleration or braking (including

night. They may cut down on glare from

engine braking by shifting to a lower gear).

headlamps, but they also make a lot of

Any sudden changes could cause the tires

Night driving is more dangerous than day

things invisible.

to slide. You may not realize the surface is

driving. One reason is that some drivers

You can be temporarily blinded by

slippery until your vehicle is skidding.

are likely to be impaired - by alcohol or

approaching headlamps. It can take a sec-

Learn to recognize warning clues - such

drugs, with night vision problems, or by

ond or two, or even several seconds, for

as enough water, ice or packed snow on

fatigue.

your eyes to readjust to the dark. When

the road to make a “mirrored surface” -

you are faced with severe glare (as from a

Here are some tips on night driving.

and slow down when you have any doubt.

driver who doesn’t lower the high beams,

• Drive defensively.

or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps),

If you have the anti-lock braking system,

• Don’t drink and drive.

slow down a little. Avoid staring directly

remember: It helps avoid only the braking

• Adjust your inside rearview mirror to

into the approaching headlamps.

skid. If you do not have anti-lock, then in a

reduce the glare from headlamps behind

braking skid

(where the wheels are no

Keep your windshield and all the glass on

you.

longer rolling), release enough pressure

your vehicle clean - inside and out. Glare

• Since you can’t see as well, you may

on the brakes to get the wheels rolling

at night is made much worse by dirt on the

need to slow down and keep more space

again. This restores steering control. Push

glass. Even the inside of the glass can

between you and other vehicles.

the brake pedal down steadily when you

build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass

• Slow down, especially on higher speed

have to stop suddenly. As long as the

makes lights dazzle and flash more than

roads. Your headlamps can light up only

wheels are rolling, you will have steering

clean glass would, making the pupils of

so much road ahead.

control.

your eyes contract repeatedly.

• In remote areas, watch for animals.

4-8

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Remember that your headlamps light up

reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pave-

far less of a roadway when you are in a

ment.

turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.

way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted

Even if your windshield wiper blades are in

objects. Just as your headlamps should be

good shape, a heavy rain can make it

checked regularly for proper aim, so

harder to see road signs and traffic signals,

should your eyes be examined regularly.

pavement markings, the edge of the road

Some drivers suffer from night blindness -

and even people walking.

the inability to see in dim light - and aren’t

even aware of it.

It’s wise to keep your windshield wiping

equipment in good shape and keep your

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads

windshield washer tank filled with washer

fluid. Replace your windshield wiper

inserts when they show signs of streaking

or missing areas on the windshield, or

when strips of rubber start

to

separate

Driving too fast through large water pud-

from the inserts.

dles or even going through some car

washes can cause problems, too. The

water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid

puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down

before you hit them.

WARNING

Wet brakes can cause accidents.

They won’t work as well in a quick

stop and may cause pulling to one

side. You could lose control of the

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trou-

vehicle.

ble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, acceler-

After driving through a large puddle

ate or turn as well because your tire-to-

of water or a car wash, apply your

road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.

brake pedal lightly until your brakes

And, if your tires don’t have much tread

work normally.

left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always

wise to go slower and be cautious if rain

starts to fall while you are driving. The sur-

face may get wet suddenly when your

4-9

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Hydroplaning

Driving Through Deep Standing Water

Allow yourself more clear room ahead,

Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much

and be prepared to have your view

water can build up under your tires that

CAUTION

restricted by road spray.

they can actually ride on the water. This

• Have good tires with proper tread depth.

If you drive too quickly through deep

can happen if the road is wet enough and

See “Tires” in section 5.

puddles or standing water, water can

you’re going fast enough. When your vehi-

come in through your engine’s air

cle is hydroplaning, it has little or no con-

City Driving

intake and badly damage your

tact with the road.

engine. Never drive through water

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it

that is slightly lower than the under-

can if your tires do not have much tread or

body of your vehicle. If you can’t

if the pressure in one or more is low. It can

avoid deep puddles or standing

happen if a lot of water is standing on the

water, drive through them very

road. If you can see reflections from trees,

slowly.

telephone poles or other vehicles, and

raindrops

“dimple” the water’s surface,

Driving Trough Flowing Water

there could be the possibility of hydroplan-

ing.

WARNING

Hydroplaning usually happens at higher

Flowing or rushing water creates

speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule

strong forces. If you try to drive

about hydroplaning. The best advice is to

through flowing water, as you might

slow down when it is raining.

at a low water crossing, your vehicle

One of the biggest

problems

with

city

can be carried away. As little as six

streets is the amount of traffic on them.

inches of flowing water can carry

You’ll want to watch out for what the other

away a smaller vehicle. If this hap-

drivers are doing and pay attention to traf-

pens, you and other vehicle occu-

fic signals.

pants could drown. Don’t ignore

police warning signs, and otherwise

Here are ways to increase your safety in

be very cautious about trying to drive

city driving:

through flowing water.

• Know the best way to get to where you

are going. Get a city map and plan your

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

trip into an unknown part of the city just

• Besides slowing down, allow some extra

as you would for a cross-country trip.

following distance. And be especially

• Try to use the freeways that rim and

careful when you pass another vehicle.

crisscross most large cities. You’ll save

4-10

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

time and energy. See the next part,

flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes

“Freeway Driving.”

passing lane.

quite sharply. The exit speed is usually

• Treat a green light as a warning signal. A

posted. Reduce your speed according to

At the entrance, there is usually a ramp

traffic light is there because the corner is

your speedometer, not to your sense of

that leads to the freeway. If you have a

busy enough to need it. When a light

motion. After driving for any distance at

clear view of the freeway as you drive

turns green, and just before you start to

higher speeds, you may tend to think you

along the entrance ramp, you should begin

move, check both ways for vehicles that

are going slower than you actually are.

to check traffic. Try to determine where you

have not cleared the intersection or may

expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge

be running the red light.

Before Leaving on a Long Trip

into the gap at close to the prevailing

Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well

speed. Switch on your turn signal, check

Freeway Driving

rested. If you must start when you’re not

your mirrors and glance over your shoulder

fresh - such as after a day’s work - don’t

as often as necessary. Try to blend

plan to make too many miles that first part

smoothly with the traffic flow.

of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing

Once you are on the freeway, adjust your

and shoes you can easily drive in.

speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-

Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you

ing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane

keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready

unless you want to pass.

to go. If it needs service, have it done

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.

before starting out. Of course, you’ll find

Then use your turn signal.

experienced and able service experts in

SUZUKI dealerships all across North

Just before you leave the lane, glance

America. They’ll be ready and willing to

quickly over your shoulder to make sure

help if you need it.

there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind”

spot.

Here are some things you can check

before a trip:

Once you are moving on the freeway,

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thru-

make certain you allow a reasonable fol-

• Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reser-

ways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or

lowing distance.

voir full? Are all windows clean inside

superhighways) are the safest of all roads.

and outside?

But they have their own special rules.

Expect to move slightly slower at night.

• Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?

The most important advice on freeway

When you want to leave the freeway, move

• Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you

driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to

to the proper lane well in advance. If you

checked all levels?

the right. Drive at the same speed most of

miss your exit, do not, under any circum-

• Lamps: Are they all working? Are the

the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or

stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the

lenses clean?

too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic

next exit.

4-11

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

• Tires: They are vitally important to a

• If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a

Shift to a lower gear when you go down

safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good

rest, service or parking area and take a

a steep or long hill.

enough for long-distance driving? Are

nap, get some exercise, or both. For

the tires all inflated to the recommended

safety, treat drowsiness on the highway

WARNING

pressure?

as an emergency.

If you don’t shift down, your brakes

• Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather

could get so hot that they wouldn’t

outlook along your route? Should you

Hill and Mountain Roads

work well. You would then have poor

delay your trip a short time to avoid a

braking or even none going down a

major storm system?

hill. You could crash. Shift down to let

• Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

your engine assist your brakes on a

steep downhill slope.

Highway Hypnosis

Is there actually such a condition as “high-

way hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling

WARNING

asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-

nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.

Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or

with the ignition off is dangerous.

There is something about an easy stretch

Your brakes will have to do all the

of road with the same scenery, along with

work of slowing you down. They

the hum of the tires on the road, the drone

could get so hot that they wouldn’t

of the engine, and the rush of the wind

work well. You would then have poor

against the vehicle that can make you

braking or even none going down a

sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does,

hill. You could crash. Always have

Driving on steep hills or mountains is differ-

your vehicle can leave the road in less than

ent from driving in flat or rolling terrain.

your engine running and your vehicle

a second, and you could crash and be

in gear when you go downhill.

injured.

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if

you’re planning to visit there, here are

What can you do about highway hypnosis?

• Know how to go uphill. You may want to

some tips that can make your trips safer

First, be aware that it can happen.

shift down to a lower gear. The lower

and more enjoyable.

gears help cool your engine and trans-

Then here are some tips:

• Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check

mission, and you can climb the hill bet-

• Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,

all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires,

ter.

with a comfortably cool interior.

cooling system and transmission. These

• Stay in your own lane when driving on

• Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road

parts can work hard on mountain roads.

two-lane roads in hills or mountains.

ahead and to the sides. Check your rear-

• Know how to go down hills. The most

Don’t swing wide or cut across the cen-

view mirrors and your instruments fre-

important thing to know is this: let your

ter of the road. Drive at speeds that let

quently.

engine do some of the slowing down.

you stay in your own lane.

4-12

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

• As you go over the top of a hill, be alert.

There could be something in your lane,

like a stalled car or an accident.

• You may see highway signs on moun-

tains that warn of special problems.

Examples are long grades, passing or

no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or

winding roads. Be alert to these and take

appropriate action.

Winter Driving

Include an ice scraper, a small brush or

Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard

broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid,

to drive on. But wet ice can be even more

a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small

trouble because it may offer the least trac-

shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a cou-

tion of all. You can get wet ice when it’s

ple of reflective warning triangles. And, if

about freezing (32°F; 0°C) and freezing

you will be driving under severe conditions,

rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on

include a small bag of sand, a piece of old

wet ice until salt and sand crews can get

carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help

there.

provide traction. Be sure you properly

Whatever the condition

- smooth ice,

secure these items in your vehicle.

packed, blowing or loose snow - drive with

caution.

Here are some tips for winter driving:

Driving on Snow or Ice

Most of the time, those places where your

Accelerate gently. Try not to break the frag-

• Have your vehicle in good shape for win-

tires meet the road probably have good

ile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the

ter.

traction.

drive wheels will spin and polish the sur-

• You may want to put winter emergency

face under the tires even more.

supplies in your trunk.

However, if there is snow or ice between

your tires and the road, you can have a

Unless you have an anti-lock braking sys-

very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot

tem, you’ll want to brake very gently, too. (If

less traction or “grip” and will need to be

you do have anti-lock, see “Braking” in this

very careful.

section. This system improves your vehi-

4-13

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

cle’s stability when you make a hard stop

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard

on a slippery road.) Whether you have an

anti-lock braking system or not, you’ll want

to begin stopping sooner than you would

on dry pavement. Without anti-lock brakes,

if you feel your vehicle begin to slide, let up

on the brakes a little. Push the brake pedal

down steadily to get the most traction you

can.

Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if

you brake so hard that your wheels stop

rolling, you’ll just slide. Brake so your

wheels always keep rolling and you can

still steer.

•

Whatever your braking system, allow

You can run the engine to keep warm, but

greater following distance on any slip-

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you

be careful.

pery road.

could be in a serious situation. You should

•

Watch for slippery spots. The road might

probably stay with your vehicle unless you

WARNING

be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered

know for sure that you are near help and

Snow can trap exhaust gases under

with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice

you can hike through the snow. Here are

your vehicle. This can cause deadly

patches may appear in shaded areas

some things to do to summon help and

CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get

where the sun can’t reach: around

keep yourself and your passengers safe:

inside. CO could overcome you and

clumps of trees, behind buildings or

• Turn on your hazard flashers.

kill you. You can’t see it or smell it, so

under bridges. Sometimes the surface of

• Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert

you might not know it is in your vehi-

a curve or an overpass may remain icy

police that you’ve been stopped by the

cle. Clear away snow from around the

when the surrounding roads are clear. If

snow.

base of your vehicle, especially any

you see a patch of ice ahead of you,

• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket

that is blocking your exhaust pipe.

brake before you are on it. Try not to

around you. If you have no blankets or

And check around again from time to

brake while you’re actually on the ice,

extra clothing, make body insulators

time to be sure snow doesn’t collect

and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

from newspapers, burlap bags, rags,

there.

floor mats

- anything you can wrap

Open a window just a little on the

around yourself or tuck under your cloth-

side of the vehicle that’s away from

ing to keep warm.

the wind. This will help keep CO out.

4-14

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Run your engine only as long as you must.

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out

This saves fuel. When you run the engine,

WARNING

First, turn your steering wheel left and

make it go a little faster than just idle. That

right. That will clear the area around your

If you let your tires spin at high

is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses

front wheels. Then shift back and forth

speed, they can explode, and you or

less fuel for the heat that you get and it

between REVERSE (R) and a forward

others could be injured. And, the

keeps the battery charged. You will need a

gear

(or with a manual transmission,

transmission or other parts of the

well-charged battery to restart the vehicle,

between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and

vehicle can overheat. That could

and possibly for signaling later on with your

REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as lit-

cause an engine compartment fire or

headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.

tle as possible. Release the accelerator

other damage. When you’re stuck,

pedal while you shift, and press lightly on

Then, shut the engine off and close the

spin the wheels as little as possible.

the accelerator pedal when the transmis-

window almost all the way to preserve the

Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph

sion is in gear. By slowly spinning your

heat. Start the engine again and repeat

(55 km/h) as shown on the speedom-

wheels in the forward and reverse direc-

this only when you feel really uncomfort-

eter.

tions, you will cause a rocking motion that

able from the cold. But do it as little as pos-

may free your vehicle. If that doesn’t get

sible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can.

you out after a few tries, you may need to

To help keep warm, you can get out of the

CAUTION

be towed out. If you do need to be towed

vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exer-

Spinning your wheels can destroy

out, see “Towing Your Vehicle” in the fol-

cises every half hour or so until help

parts of your vehicle as well as the

lowing section.

comes.

tires. If you spin the wheels too fast

while shifting your transmission back

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or

and forth, you can destroy your trans-

Snow

mission. See “Rocking Your Vehicle

In order to free your vehicle when it is

To Get It Out.”

stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but

you don’t want to spin your wheels too fast.

For information about using tire chains on

The method known as “rocking” can help

your vehicle, see “Tire Chains” in section 5.

you get out when you’re stuck, but you

must use caution.

4-15

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

Towing

Dolly Towing

Here are some important things to con-

sider before you do recreational vehicle

Towing Your Vehicle

towing:

Consult your SUZUKI dealer or a profes-

sional towing service if you need to have

• What’s the towing capacity of the towing

your disabled vehicle towed.

vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehi-

cle manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you want to tow your vehicle behind

• How far will you tow? Some vehicles

another vehicle for recreational purposes

have restrictions on how far and how

(such as behind a motorhome), see the fol-

long they can tow.

lowing section, “Recreational Vehicle Tow-

• Do you have the proper towing equip-

ing”.

ment? See your SUZUKI dealer or traile-

ring professional for additional advice

WARNING

and equipment recommendations.

Always use a safety chain when tow-

• Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just

ing your vehicle and be sure to

as you would prepare your vehicle for a

observe federal, state, and local

long trip, you’ll want to make sure your

CAUTION

requirement for trailer hitches, tow

vehicle is prepared to be towed. See

bars, lights, etc.

“Before Leaving on a Long Trip” in this

Do not tow the vehicle from the rear

section.

with the front wheels on the road.

This could cause severe transmis-

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Dinghy Towing

sion damage.

Recreational vehicle towing means towing

your vehicle behind another vehicle - such

CAUTION

Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To

as behind a motorhome. The two most

tow your vehicle using a dolly, follow these

common types of recreational vehicle tow-

Towing your vehicle with all four

steps:

wheels on the ground will damage

ing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing

your vehicle with all four wheels on the

drivetrain components. The repairs

1) Put the front wheels on the dolly.

would not be covered by your war-

2) Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for auto-

ground) and “dolly towing”

(towing your

vehicle with two wheels on the ground and

ranty.

matic transaxle and NEUTRAL (N) for

two wheels up on a device known as a

manual transaxle.

“dolly”).

Your vehicle was not designed to be towed

3) Set the parking brake and then remove

with all four wheels on the ground. If your

the ignition key.

With the proper preparation and equip-

vehicle must be towed, you should use a

4) For a vehicle with an automatic tran-

ment, many vehicles can be towed in these

dolly. See “Dolly Towing” that follows for

saxle, remove the hole cover from the

ways. See the following sections, “Dinghy

more information.

shift lock release slot, insert the key,

Towing” and “Dolly Towing”.

4-16

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DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE

and shift to NEUTRAL (N). See “Shift-

Tire and Loading Information Label

safely carry. Cargo load capacity is the dif-

ing Out of Park (P)” in Section 2.

ference between the total load capacity of

5) Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-

the vehicle and the total combined weight

ahead position with a clamping device

of all vehicle occupants. Refer to “Steps for

designed for towing.

Determining Correct Load Limit” for details

6) Release the parking brake.

on how to determine cargo load capacity.

The combined weight of occupants and carge should never exceed

Kg or lbs

GVWR - Maximum permissible overall

Loading Your Vehicle

TIRE

SIZE

COLD TIRE PRESSURE

weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including

It is very important to know how much

FRONT

all the occupants, accessories and cargo

weight your vehicle can carry. The load

REAR

plus the trailer tongue weight if towing a

capacities of your vehicle are indicated by

trailer).

the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),

SPARE

the Gross Axle Weight Rating

(GAWR,

GAWR - (Front and Rear) Maximum per-

front and rear), the total load capacity, the

missible weight on an individual axle.

J7U4001A

seating capacity, and the cargo load

Seating Capacity - Maximum number of

capacity. The GVWR and GAWR (front and

occupants the vehicle is designed to carry.

rear) are listed on the Safety Certification

Certification Label

Label which is located below the driver’s

NOTE:

side door latch striker. The total load

Even though the number of occupants is

capacity and seating capacity are listed on

within the seating capacity, you still must

the Tire and Loading Information Label

make sure that you do not exceed the total

which is located on the center pillar, near

load capacity of the vehicle.

the driver’s door latch.

The Tire and Loading Information label

Total Load Capacity - Maximum permissi-

also gives you the size and recommended

ble weight a vehicle can carry including the

inflation pressure for the factory installed,

weight of all the occupants, accessories

original equipment tires on your vehicle.

and cargo.

For more information on tires and inflation,

The weight of any accessories already

see “Tires” in section 5.

installed on your vehicle at the time of pur-

chase, or that you or the dealer install after

purchase, must be subtracted from the

The cargo load capacity

can be

deter-

total load capacity to determine how much

mined as described below.

capacity remains available for occupants

and cargo. Contact your SUZUKI dealer for

Cargo Load Capacity - Maximum weight

further information.

of cargo and luggage that the vehicle can

4-17