Power SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2006 User Guide

3-7OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Parking Brake Lever
64J081
(1) To set
(2) To release
(3) To release
The parking brake lever is located between
the seats. To set the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down and pull the parking
brake lever all the way up. To release the
parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
pull up slightly on the parking brake lever,
push the button on the end of the lever with
your thumb and lower the lever to its origi-
nal position.
For automatic transmission vehicles,
always set the parking brake before mov-
ing the gearshift lever to the “P” (Park)
position. If you park on an incline and shift
into “P” before you set the parking brake,
the weight of the vehicle may make it diffi-cult to shift out of “P” when you are ready
to drive the vehicle. When preparing to
drive the vehicle, move the gearshift lever
out of the “P” position before releasing the
parking brake.
WARNING
(Continued)
 Always return the ignition switch to
the “LOCK” position and remove
the ignition key and the remote
controller (if equipped) when leav-
ing the vehicle even if only for a
short time. Also do not leave chil-
dren or pets alone in a parked vehi-
cle. Unattended children could
cause accidental movement of the
vehicle or could tamper with power
windows or a power sunroof. Chil-
dren or pets could also suffer from
heatstroke in warm or hot weather,
which could result in severe injury
or even death.
CAUTION
 Do not turn the starter motor for
more than 15 seconds at a time. If
the engine does not start, wait 15
seconds before trying again. If the
engine does not start after several
attempts, check the fuel and igni-
tion systems or consult your
SUZUKI dealer.
 Do not leave the ignition switch in
the “ON” position if the engine is
not running or the battery will dis-
charge.
EXAMPLE
(2)
(3)(1)
WARNING
 Never drive your vehicle with the
parking brake set: rear brake effec-
tiveness can be reduced from over-
heating, brake life may be
shortened or permanent brake
damage may result.
 If the parking brake does not hold
the vehicle securely or does not
fully release, have your vehicle
inspected immediately by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully
before leaving your vehicle or it may
move, causing injury or damage.
When parking, make sure the gear-
shift lever for manual transmission
vehicles is in 1st gear or “R”
(Reverse) and the gearshift lever for
automatic transmission vehicles is in
“P” (Park). Never leave the transfer
lever (if equipped) in “N” (Neutral)
when you are parked. Remember,
even though the transmission is in
gear or in Park, you must set the
parking brake fully.
Using the Transmission: 10

3-8
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
PedalsManual transmission
64J082
Automatic transmission
64J083
Clutch Pedal (1)(For manual transmission)
The clutch pedal is used to disengage the
drive to the wheels when starting the
engine, stopping or shifting the gearshift
lever or transfer lever (if equipped).
Depressing the pedal disengages the
clutch.Brake Pedal (2)Your SUZUKI vehicle is equipped with front
and rear disc brakes. Depressing the 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)This pedal controls the speed of the
engine. Depressing the accelerator pedal
increases power output and speed.
(1)(2)(3)
EXAMPLE
(2)(3)
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
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.
WARNING
If brake squeal is excessive and
occurs each time the brakes are
applied, you should have the brakes
checked by your SUZUKI dealer.
WARNING
Do not “ride” the brakes by applying
them continuously or resting your
foot on the pedal. This will result in
overheating of the brakes which
could cause unpredictable braking
action, longer stopping distances or
permanent brake damage.
Using the Transmission: 10
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Gearshift lever
66J004
The gearshift lever is designed that it can-
not be shifted out of the “P” position unless
the ignition switch is in the “ON” position
and the brake pedal is depressed.Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transmission
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to back the vehicle from
stop. Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before shifting into
Reverse.
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 selector in “D” range, you can get
an automatic downshift by pressing the
accelerator pedal. The higher the vehiclespeed is, the more you will need to press
the accelerator pedal to get a downshift.
4 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can
be used in this position. The transmission
shifts up only to 4th gear.
3 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transmission will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.
WARNING
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle,
never leave the transfer switch in “N”
(Neutral) position when parked.
Otherwise the vehicle may roll even if
the transmission is in Park.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transmission
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.
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.
3 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can
be used in this position. The transmission
shifts up only to 3rd gear.
2 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transmission will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear.
WARNING
If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle,
never leave the transfer switch in “N”
(Neutral) position when parked.
Otherwise the vehicle may roll even if
the transmission is in Park.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transmission:
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
 Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “3”, “2”, or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
 Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “3”, “2”, or “L”) and the
rear wheels not moving.
 Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10

3-17OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Description of Transfer Switch PositionsN (Neutral)
64J223
In this position, engine power is not sup-
plied to the front or rear axles. Only use
this position for towing your vehicle.
When you turn the transfer switch to the
“N” position, “N” indicator will come on with
the buzzer sound.
WARNING
Never leave the transfer switch in “N”
(Neutral) when parked.
When the transfer switch is in “N”
(Neutral), the vehicle may roll even if
the transmission is in gear or in Park.
Braking: 6

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4H (4-wheel drive high range)
64J220
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles. Use this position
for normal driving.
Braking: 6

3-19OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4H LOCK (4-wheel drive high range center differential lock)
64J221
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles and you get better
traction than when driving in “4H”. Use this
position when you need better traction
than “4H” provides, such as when driving
on slippery roads etc.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):

3-20
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4L LOCK (4-wheel drive low range center differential lock)
64J222
In this position, engine power is supplied to
the front and rear axles and you get better
traction and more low-speed torque than
when driving in “4H”. Use this position
when you need better traction than “4H”
provides and more low-speed torque than
“4H LOCK” provides, such as when climb-
ing or descending steep, slippery hills etc.
NOTE:
When the transfer switch (if equipped) is
turned to the “4L LOCK” position, the
ESP
® systems (other than ABS) will be
canceled to provide improved vehicle trac-
tion, and the “ESP OFF” indicator light will
come on.
When the transfer switch (if equipped) is
turned to the “4L LOCK” position, brake-
traction control can be activated. Brake-
traction control brakes the spinning wheel
to distribute drive power to the other
wheels for increased climbing ability or for
better performance on a rolling hill or a
slippery surface.
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):

3-29OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Power-Assisted BrakesYour 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 SystemWhen 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)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 it
senses that the wheels are locking up.
You may feel the brake pedal pulsate while
the ABS is operating.
NOTE:
The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is
under about 6 km/h (4 mph).
WARNING
If water gets into the brake drums,
brake performance may become poor
and unpredictable. After driving
through water or washing the under-
side 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 effectiveness.
WARNING
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.

3-31OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
How the ABS WorksA 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
sound as the system resets or checks
itself.
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®)
ESP
® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
helps to control the vehicle during corner-
ing if front wheels or rear wheels skid. It
also assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces. It does this by regulating the
engine’s output, and by selectively apply-
ing the brakes. In addition, ESP
® helps to
avoid skidding by controlling braking pres-
sure.The ESP
® has the following three systems:
Stability Control SystemThe vehicle stability control system helps
provide integrated control of systems such
as anti-lock brakes, traction control, engine
control, etc. This system automatically
controls the brakes and engine to help pre-
vent the vehicle from skidding when cor-
nering on a slippery road surface or when
turning the steering wheel abruptly.Traction Control SystemThe traction control system automatically
helps prevent the spinning of wheels when
the vehicle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces. The system oper-
ates only if it senses that some of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system
operates the front or rear brakes and
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
NOTE:
You may hear a clicking sound in the
engine compartment for a few seconds
when you start the engine or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This means that
the above systems are in the self-check
mode. This sound does not indicate a mal-
function.
WARNING
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.
WARNING
The ESP
® cannot enhance the vehi-
cle’s driving stability in all situations
and does not control your vehicle’s
entire braking system. The ESP
® can-
not prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed
in turns, or hydroplaning. Only a safe
and attentive driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ESP
®-
equipped vehicle must never be used
as a substitute for careful driving.