drive SUZUKI ALTO 2013 7.G Owner's Guide

3-16
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
53MH0-74E
Parking cancel
Depress the brake pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position, and shift the
gearshift lever to the “N” position. The gear
will be disengaged.
Warning functions
A warning buzzer will sound or the indica-
tor will blink under the following conditions.
The clutch is heated due to excessive
load.
The creeping function is being activated
for a long period of time.
The ignition switch is turned to the “OFF”
position with the gear in 2nd, 3rd, 4th or
5th. In this case, turn the ignition switch
to the “ON” position and shift the gear-
shift lever in the “N” position, shift it to
the “D” or “M” or “R” position, then turn
the ignition switch to “OFF”.
During a stop, the driver’s door is
opened with the gearshift lever in the
“R”, “D” or “M” position while the engine
is running.“N” indicator blinking
When the gear indicator lamp blinks “N”,
you should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position.
“1st” indicator blinking
When the gear indicator lamp blinks “1st”,
you should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position, then
shift to “D” or “M” position again a few sec-
onds later.
“R” indicator blinking
When the gear indicator lamp blinks “R”,
you should depress the brake pedal and
shift the gearshift lever to “N” position, then
shift to “R” position again a few seconds
later.
Braking
53M05022
The distance needed to bring any vehicle
to a halt increases with the speed of the
vehicle. The braking distance needed, for
example, at 60 km/h (37 mph) will be
approximately 4 times greater than the
braking distance needed at 30 km/h (19
mph). Start to brake the vehicle when there
is plenty of distance between your vehicle
and the stopping point, and slow down
gradually.
NOTICE
In the above cases, pull over to the
side of the road and stop the engine,
and then ask your MARUTI SUZUKI
dealer to inspect your vehicle. Other-
wise, the clutch disc may get dam-
aged.
EXAMPLE

3-17
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
53MH0-74E
Power-Assisted Brakes
(if equipped)
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes. If
power assistance is lost due to a stalled
engine or other failures, the system is still
fully operational on reserve power and you
can bring the vehicle to a complete stop by
pressing the brake pedal once and holding
it down. The reserve power is partly used
up when you depress the brake pedal and
reduces each time the pedal is pressed.
Apply smooth and even pressure to the
pedal. Do not pump the pedal.
Brake Assist System (if equipped)
When you slam the brakes on, the brake
assist system judges as an emergency
stop and provides more powerful braking
for a driver who cannot hold down the
brake pedal firmly.
NOTE:
If you quickly and forcefully depress the
brakes, you may hear a clicking sound in
the brake pedal. This is normal and indi-
cates that the brake assist system is acti-
vated properly.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
(if equipped)
ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering control
when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard.
The ABS works automatically, so you do
not need any special braking technique.
Just push the brake pedal down without
pumping. The ABS will operate whenever itsenses that the wheels are locking up. You
may feel the brake pedal moves a little
while the ABS is operating.
NOTE:
The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is
under about 10 km/h (6mph).
WA R N I N G
If water gets into the brake drums,
brake performance may become poor
and unpredictable.
After driving through water or washing
the underside of the vehicle, test the
brakes while driving at a slow speed
to see if they have maintained their
normal effectiveness. If the brakes are
less effective than normal, dry them
by repeatedly applying the brakes
while driving slowly until the brakes
have regained their normal effective-
ness.
WA R N I N G
Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the
vehicle by pressing the brake pedal
harder than normally required. How-
ever, the stopping distance may be
longer.
WA R N I N G
• On some types of loose surfaces
(such as gravel, snow-covered
roads, etc.) the stopping distance
required for an ABS-equipped vehi-
cle may be slightly greater than for
a comparable vehicle with a con-
ventional brake system. With a con-
ventional brake system, skidding
tires are able to “plow” the gravel
or snow layer, shortening the stop-
ping distance. ABS minimizes this
resistance effect. Allow for extra
stopping distance when driving on
loose surfaces.
• On regular paved roads, some driv-
ers may be able to obtain slightly
shorter stopping distances with
conventional brake systems than
with ABS.
(Continued)

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
53MH0-74E
63J081
(1) ABS warning light
(2) Brake system warning light
How the ABS Works
A computer continuously monitors wheel
speed. The computer compares the
changes in wheel speed when braking. If
the wheels slow suddenly, indicating a
skidding situation, the computer will
change braking pressure several times
each second to prevent the wheels from
locking. When you start your vehicle or
when you accelerate after a hard stop, you
may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise as the system resets or checks itself.WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• In both of the above conditions,
ABS will still offer the advantage of
helping you maintain directional
control. However, remember that
ABS will not compensate for bad
road or weather conditions or poor
driver judgment. Use good judg-
ment and do not drive faster than
conditions will safely allow.
WA R N I N G
• If the ABS warning light (1) on the
instrument panel comes on and
stays on while driving, there may
be a problem with the ABS system.
Ask your SUZUKI dealer to inspect
the ABS system immediately. If the
ABS system becomes inoperative,
the brake system will function as
an ordinary brake system that has
no ABS.
• If the ABS warning light (1) and the
Brake system warning light (2) on
the instrument panel simultane-
ously stays on or comes on when
driving, both anti-lock function and
rear brake force control function
(proportioning valve function) of
the ABS system may have failed. If
so, the rear wheels may easily skid
or the vehicle can even spin in the
worst case when braking on a slip-
pery road or when hard braking
even on a dry paved road. Ask your
SUZUKI dealer to inspect the ABS
system immediately. Drive care-
fully, avoiding hard braking as
much as possible.
WA R N I N G
The ABS may not work properly if
tires or wheels other than those
specified in the owner’s manual are
used. This is because the ABS works
by comparing changes in wheel
speed. When replacing tires or
wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.

4-1
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
68PHM4001
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 cat-
alyst. This may result in permanent heat
damage to the catalyst and other vehicle
components.
WA R N I N G
• WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS AT ALL
TIMES. Even though air bags may
be equipped at the front seating
positions, the driver and all pas-
sengers should be properly
restrained at all times, using the
seat belts provided. Refer to the
“Seat Belts and Child Restraint
Systems” section for instructions
on proper use of the seat belts.
• Never drive while under the influ-
ence 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 initial 960 km of vehicle
operation.
• After starting, do not race the
engine. 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 of driving.
• Do not drive slowly with the
transaxle in a high gear.
• Drive the vehicle at moderate
engine speeds.
• Do not tow a trailer.
EXAMPLE

4-2
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
54G584S
Improving Fuel Economy
The following instructions will help you
improve fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling
If you are to wait for more than a minute
while you are parked, stop the engine and
start it again later. When warming up a
cold engine, do not allow the engine to idle
or apply full throttle until the engine has
reached operating temperature. Allow the
engine to warm up while driving.
Avoid sudden acceleration
Sudden acceleration starting from rest or
while driving will consume fuel unneces-
sarily and shorten engine life. Start off
slowly.
Avoid unnecessary stops
Avoid unnecessary deceleration and stop-
ping. Try to maintain a slow, steady speed
whenever possible. Slowing down and then
accelerating again uses more fuel.
Keep a steady cruising speed
Keep as constant a speed as road and traf-
fic conditions will permit.NOTICE
To avoid damaging catalyst or other
vehicle damage:
• Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
• In the event of an engine malfunc-
tion, particularly one involving
engine misfiring or other apparent
loss of performance, have the vehi-
cle serviced promptly.
• Do not turn off the engine or inter-
rupt the ignition when the transaxle
is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by
pushing or towing the vehicle, or
coasting down a hill.
• Do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as during diagnos-
tic testing.
• Do not idle the vehicle for pro-
longed periods if idling seems
rough or there are other malfunc-
tions.
• Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
• Avoid driving your vehicle at
excessively high engine speed.
WA R N I N G
Be careful about where you park and
drive; the catalytic converter and
other exhaust components can get
very hot. As with any vehicle, do not
park or operate this vehicle in areas
where combustible materials such as
dry grass or leaves can come in con-
tact with a hot exhaust system.
EXAMPLE

4-3
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
Keep the air cleaner clean
60A183S
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting
in decreased power output and increased
fuel consumption.
Keep weight to a minimum
Heavier the load, more fuel the vehicle
consumes. Take out any luggage or cargo
when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressures correct
Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label on the driver’s
side door or the driver’s door lock pillar.
Highway Driving
When driving at high speeds, pay attention
to the following:
Stopping distance progressively
increases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping dis-
tance.
On rainy days, hydroplaning can occur.
Hydroplaning is the loss of direct contact
between the road surface and the vehi-
cle’s tires due to a water film forming
between them. Steering or braking the
vehicle while hydroplaning can be very
difficult, and loss of control can occur.
Keep speed down when the road surface
is wet.
At high speeds, the vehicle may be
affected by side winds. Therefore,
reduce speed and be prepared for unex-
pected buffeting, which can occur at the
exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of
a hill, or when being overtaken by large
vehicles, etc.
Driving on Hills
53M06005
When climbing steep hills, the vehicle
may begin to slow down and show a lack
of power. If this happens, you should
shift to a lower gear so that the engine
will again be operating in its normal
power range. Shift rapidly to prevent the
vehicle from losing momentum.
When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by shifting
into a lower gear.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

4-4
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
While moving uphill/gradient from a
stand still condition
Apply the parking brake firmly so that the
vehicle does not roll backwards.
Depress the Clutch pedal and Shift the
gearshift lever to 1
st Select position.
Do not slip the clutch.
When ready to start, press accelerator
pedal and slowly release the clutch
pedal simultaneously. When the vehicle
starts to move, gradually release the
parking brake.
Driving on Slippery Roads
60G089S
Under wet road conditions you should
drive at a lower speed than on dry roads
due to possible slippage of tires during
braking. When driving on icy, snow-cov-
ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speed
and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.
Tire Chains
Tire chains should only be used if they are
needed to increase traction or are required
by law. Make sure that the chains you use
are the correct size for your vehicle’s tires.
Also make sure that there is enough clear-
ance between the fenders and the chains
as installed on the tires.
Install the chains on the front tires tightly,
according to the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. Retighten the chains after
driving about 1.0 km (1/2 mile) if neces-
sary. With the chains installed, drive slowly.WA R N I N G
Try not to hold the brake pedal down
too long or too often while going
down a steep or long hill. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, result-
ing in reduced braking efficiency.
Failure to take this precaution could
result in loss of vehicle control.
NOTICE
When descending down a hill,
NEVER turn the ignition key to the
“OFF” position. Emission control
system damage may result.
EXAMPLE
NOTICE
• If you hear the chains hitting
against the vehicle body while driv-
ing, stop and tighten them.
• If your vehicle is equipped with full
wheel caps, remove the wheel caps
before installing the chains or the
wheel caps can be damaged by the
chain bands.

4-5
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) and reverse. This
will create a rocking motion which may
give you enough momentum to free the
vehicle. Press gently on the accelerator
to keep wheel spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting. Do not race
the engine. Excessive wheel spin will
cause the tires to dig deeper, making it
more difficult to free the vehicle.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, we recommend you
to consult your authorised Maruti
Suzuki workshop or a roadside assis-
tance service. If a towing service is not
available in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed by a towing
cable or chain secured to the towing
hook either on the front of the vehicle or
on the rear of the vehicle. Refer to
“Frame Hooks” in the “OTHER CON-
TROLS AND EQUIPMENT” section.
Driving On Wet Roads
WA R N I N G
Do not allow anyone to stand near
the vehicle when you are rocking it,
and do not spin the wheels faster
than an indicated 40 km/h on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/ or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
NOTICE
Do not continue rocking the vehicle
for more than a few minutes. Pro-
longed rocking can cause engine
overheating or transaxle damage.
CAUTION
• When driving on wet roads, avoid
driving through large amount of
standing water on the road. Large
amount of water entering the
engine compartment may cause
damage to the engine and or elec-
trical components.
• If stuck in deep water, do not start
till water level drops.
• Water is incompressible substance,
water inside engine is harmful to
the engine.
WA R N I N G
• In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important
to observe the following precau-
tions.
• Make sure your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE”
• Do not use tires other than those
specified by MARUTI SUZUKI.
Never use different sizes or types
of tires on the front and rear
wheels. For information regarding
the specified tires, refer to the Tire
Information Label located on the
driver’s door lock pillar.
• Never use oversized tires or spe-
cial shock absorbers and springs
to raise (jack up) your vehicle. This
will change the handling character-
istics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the vehicle body over
bumps, causing vehicle damage or
tire failure.
•After driving through water, test the
brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained their normal effectiveness. If
the brakes are less effective than
normal, dry them by repeatedly
applying the brakes while driving
slowly until the brakes have
regained their normal effective-
ness
.

4-6
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
82PHM04001
Do’s and Dont’s for Safe
Driving
Exercise care in handling your vehicle. Be
conscious of not only your own safety but
also the safety of others on the road, and
thus enjoy the best and most comfortable
driving experience.
Following are basic rules for safe driving.
Read them carefully for good understand-
ing of the content so that you can enjoy
safe and pleasant driving in your vehicle.
Starting
1) Adjust the driver’s seat for the proper
driving posture.
2) Adjust the rear view mirror so as to
obtain the best possible rear view.
72F08002
3) Before moving, look around your vehi-
cle to confirm safety.
4) Don’t accelerate suddenly, since it is
dangerous and wastes fuel.
General Driving
1) Be sure to stop before a stop light or
stop sign. When moving into an inter-
section without any traffic lights or
signs, drive slowly to confirm safety.
2) Always follow other vehicles at a safe
distance in order to prevent a rear-end
collision, in case the vehicle ahead
makes a sudden stop.
72F08008
3) Turn ON the turn signal at least 30
meters before making a turn or chang-
ing the lane so as not to be hit.
4) Before entering a corner, decelerate to
a safe speed. Don’t apply brakes during
cornering, or skidding may occur.
5) When overtaking other vehicles, watch
out for oncoming vehicles and carefully
ensure safety.
6) Don’t attempt zigzag driving as it will
hinder your control over the vehicle and
may cause an accident.
7) Avoid reckless high speed driving and
try to drive at a safe speed suitable for
the road conditions while maintaining a
constant speed.
8) The higher the speed, the narrower the
driver’s visual range becomes. In such
a state, it is difficult to anticipate any
hazard and the driver feels fatigued.

4-8
DRIVING TIPS
53MH0-74E
Night time driving
72F08020
1) Drive at lower speeds during the night
than in the daytime, as the visual range
is restricted at night.
2) Avoid overtaking other vehicles at night.
Darkness bothers your sense of speed
and hinders your judgment of vehicle-
to-vehicle distance.
72F08021
3) Don’t use headlights on high beam
unless its use is inevitable. It may cause
visual impairment to the driver of the
oncoming vehicle or the vehicle ahead
of you, which may cause an accident.
53M06015
4) Always keep the window glasses clean.
Don’t operate the windshield wiper
when the windshield glass is dry else
the wiper blade and glass may get dam-
aged.
Margin for Safety
It is important to allow yourself a margin for
safety during driving so that you can cope
with erroneous or unexpected driving of
other drivers. For that, observe the follow-
ing.
Drive at a safe speed.
Maintain a sufficient distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Don’t force yourself to overtake other
vehicles.
Don’t accelerate suddenly, steer sharply
or stop suddenly.
Keep ample gaps between driving
schedules.
Observe traffic rules and regulations.
Conclusion
A perfect driver does not exist. The
endeavour of every motorist should be to
strive for perfection. Safety consciousness
not only ensures your safety and the safety
of other road users, it also helps reduce
the wear and tear on your vehicle, length-
ens its life, gives better fuel efficiency and
ensures a comfortable driving experience.
Follow the do’s and dont’s listed, and
driving will never be the same again.