s mode SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2009 User Guide

2-64
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Illumination Indicator Light
64J045
This indicator light comes on while the
position lights, tail lights and/or the head-
lights are on.
Transfer Position Indicator Light
(if equipped)
64J044
These indicators show the 4WD operating
mode as described below. When the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position,
these lights come on briefly to let you know
that the lights are working.
(1): Neutral
(2): 4-wheel drive high range center differ-
ential lock mode
(2) & (3): 4-wheel drive low range center
differential lock mode
No indicators: 4-wheel drive high range
mode
For details, refer to “Using the Transfer
Switch” in the “OPERATING YOUR VEHI-
CLE” section.If the indicators (all lights) continue to blink,
there is a problem in the transfer system
and you should have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer.
NOTE:
The information display shows the warning
and indicator message when the transfer
system is operated, or has a problem.
Master Warning Indicator Light
78K049
This light blinks or comes on for several
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position so you can check if the
light is working.
When the information display shows warn-
ing and indicator messages, this indicator
light may also come on or blink.
For details, refer to “Information Display” in
this section.
(2) (1) (3)

2-67BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
79K062
NOTE:
 If you do not turn the brightness control
knob within about 5 seconds of activat-
ing the brightness control display, the
brightness control display will be can-
celed automatically.
 When you reconnect the battery, the
brightness of the instrument panel lights
will be reinitialized. Readjust the bright-
ness according to your preference.
NOTE:
If you select the lowest brightness level
when the parking lights or headlights are
on, the instrument panel lights other than
meter lights are turned off.
Information Display
(if equipped)The information display is shown when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
79K048
(1) TRIP knob
(2) MODE/ILL knob
(3) Information displayThe information display shows the follow-
ing information.
Display (A)
A/T selector position indicator (for auto-
matic transmission)
Display (B)
Warning and Indicator Messages/Fuel
Consumption/Driving Range/Average
Speed
Display (C)
Trip meter/Thermometer
Display (D)
Odometer
79K063
NOTE:
 When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the message shown in the
above illustration will appear on the dis-
play for several seconds.
 Some warning and indicator messages
may appear on the display when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ACC” or the “LOCK”
position.
EXAMPLE
(2)
(1)
(3)
(A) (B)
(C) (D)

2-68
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
A/T Selector Position
(for automatic transmission)
79K121
The display (A) shows the automatic trans-
mission selector position. Fuel Consumption/Driving Range/
Average SpeedWhen there are no warning or indicator
messages on the display (B), you can
select one of the following five indications
to appear on the display, instantaneous
fuel consumption, average fuel consump-
tion, driving range, average speed, or no
indication.
79K065
(a) Instantaneous fuel consumption
(b) Average fuel consumption
(c) Driving range
(d) Average speed
(e) No indicationTo switch the display indication, push the
MODE/ILL knob (2) quickly.
NOTE:
The value of fuel consumption, driving
range and average speed shown in the dis-
play are affected by conditions such as the
following;
 road condition
 surrounding traffic condition
 driving condition
 vehicle condition
 a malfunction which causes the malfunc-
tion indicator light to come on or blink
EXAMPLE
(a)
(e) (d)(c) (b)EXAMPLE

2-69BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Instantaneous fuel consumption
If you selected instantaneous fuel con-
sumption the last time you drove the vehi-
cle, the display does not show the bar
graph when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position. The display shows the
bar graph only when the vehicle is moving.
Average fuel consumption
If you selected average fuel consumption
the last time you drove the vehicle, the dis-
play shows the last value of average fuel
consumption from previous driving when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON”
position. Unless you reset the value of
average fuel consumption, the display indi-
cates the value of average fuel consump-
tion which includes average fuel
consumption during previous driving.
NOTE:
When you reconnect the negative (–) ter-
minal to the battery, the value of average
fuel consumption will be shown after driv-
ing for a while.You can select when the value of average
fuel consumption is reset from among the
following three methods;
 Reset after refuel: the value of average
fuel consumption will be reset automati-
cally by refueling.
 Reset with trip A: the value of average
fuel consumption will be reset automati-
cally by resetting trip meter A.
 Reset manually: the value of average
fuel consumption will be reset by push-
ing and holding the MODE/ILL knob (2)
when the display indicates the average
fuel consumption.
To change when the value of average fuel
consumption is reset, refer to “Setting
Mode” later in this section.
NOTE:
If you add only a small amount of fuel
when you select “Reset after refuel”, the
average fuel consumption value may not
be reset.Driving range
If you selected driving range the last time
you drove the vehicle, the display indicates
“---” for a few seconds and then indicates
the current driving range when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position.
The driving range shown in the display is
the approximate distance you can drive
until the fuel gauge indicates “E”, based on
current driving conditions.
When the remaining fuel in fuel tank
reaches a low level, the display “---” will
appear.
If the low fuel warning light comes on, fill
the fuel tank immediately regardless of the
value of driving range shown in the display.
As the driving range after refueling is cal-
culated based on the most recent driving
condition, the value is different each time
you refuel.
NOTE:
 If you refuel when the ignition switch is in
the “ON” position, the driving range may
not indicate the correct value.
 When you reconnect the negative (–) ter-
minal to the battery, the value of driving
range will be shown after driving for a
while.

2-70
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Average speed
If you selected average speed the last time
you drove the vehicle, the display indicates
the last value of average speed from previ-
ous driving when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. Unless you
reset the value of average speed, the dis-
play indicates the value of average speed
which includes average speed during pre-
vious driving.
To reset the value of average speed, push
and hold the MODE/ILL knob (2) for about
2 seconds when the display indicates an
average speed. The display shows “---”
and then indicates a new average speed
after driving for a short time.
NOTE:
When you reconnect the negative (–) ter-
minal to the battery, the value of average
speed will be shown after driving for a
while.
Odometer/Trip meter/ThermometerWhen the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the display (C) shows one of
the following three indications, trip meter A,
trip meter B and thermometer. Also, the
display (D) shows the odometer reading.
79K122
(f) Trip meter A
(g) Trip meter B
(h) Thermometer
(i) Odometer
To switch the display indication (C), push
the TRIP knob (1) quickly.Odometer
The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
The trip meter can be used to measure the
distance traveled on short trips or between
fuel stops.
You can use the trip meter A or trip meter B
independently.
To reset the trip meter to zero, push and
hold the TRIP knob (1) for about 2 seconds
when the display shows the trip meter.EXAMPLE
(f) (i)
(g)
(h)
CAUTION
Keep track of your odometer reading
and check the maintenance schedule
regularly for required services.
Increased wear or damage to certain
parts can result from failure to per-
form required services at the proper
mileage intervals.

2-71BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Thermometer
The thermometer indicates the outside
temperature.
79K067
If the outside temperature nears freezing,
the message shown in the above illustra-
tion will appear on the display.
NOTE:
The outside temperature indication is not
the actual outside temperature when driv-
ing at low speed, or when stopped.
Setting Mode
79K068
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position and the vehicle is stationary, you
can enter the setting mode of the informa-
tion display by pushing and holding the
MODE/ILL knob (2) for more than 3 sec-
onds.
 To select the setting that you want to
change, turn the MODE/ILL knob (2) left
or right.
 To change the setting, push the MODE/
ILL knob (2).
 To exit the setting mode, select “Back”
and push the MODE/ILL knob (2).
79K069
NOTE:
Current settings appear with reversed text
and background colors.
NOTE:
 If you push and hold the MODE/ILL knob
to enter the setting mode when the dis-
play (B) shows average fuel consump-
tion or average speed, the value will be
reset simultaneously. If you do not want
to reset the value, push the MODE/ILL
knob quickly to switch the indication of
the display.
 If you turn the ignition switch or start to
move the vehicle when the display
shows the setting mode, the setting
mode will be canceled automatically.
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE

2-72
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Distance units
You can change the units odo/trip meter
distance is displayed in.
NOTE:
When you change the units odo/trip meter
distance is displayed in, the trip meter will
be reset automatically.
Fuel economy units
You can change the units that fuel con-
sumption is displayed in.
Language
You can change the language of the infor-
mation display.
Avg. fuel economy reset
You can change when the value of average
fuel consumption is reset.
Temperature units
You can change the units that temperature
is displayed in.
NOTE:
When you change the units that tempera-
ture is displayed in, the air conditioning
system temperature display units will be
changed automatically.
Default setting
If you select “YES” and push the MODE/
ILL knob (2), all settings will be reinitial-
ized.
Warning and Indicator MessagesThe display shows the warning and indica-
tor messages to let you know about certain
vehicle problems.
A tone may also sound to alert you.
If warning and indicator messages appear
on the display, follow the messages.
Master warning indicator
78K049
When the display shows warning and indi-
cator messages, the master warning indi-
cator may also come on or blink.
NOTE:
 When the problem that causes a mes-
sage to appear is corrected, the mes-
sage will disappear.
 If a message is displayed, and other
problems requiring a message occur, the
message for each of the problems will be
alternately displayed about every 5 sec-
onds.
 When you push and hold the MODE/ILL
knob for about 2 seconds while a mes-
sage is displayed, the message will dis-
appear temporarily. If the problem that
caused the message is not corrected,the message will appear again after 5
seconds.

3-11OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Using the TransmissionManual Transmission
65D449
Starting off
To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine’s sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, and easy shifting.
Always push in the clutch pedal fully before
shifting gears. Make sure the engine speed
does not rise into the red zone of the
tachometer.
5-Speed Automatic Transmission
66J003
D:
5-speed automatic transmission mode
4:
4-speed automatic transmission mode
The 4-speed mode is suitable for the fol-
lowing driving conditions:
 Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gearshifting
 Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
NOTE:
With the transfer switch in the “4L LOCK”
position, the 5-speed automatic transmis-
sion will remain in the 4-speed mode.
WARNING
 Reduce your speed and downshift
to a lower gear before going down
a long or steep hill. Downshifting
will allow the engine to provide
braking. Avoid riding the brakes or
they may overheat, resulting in
brake failure.
 When driving on slippery roads, be
sure to slow down before down-
shifting. Large and sudden
changes in engine speed may
cause loss of traction, which could
cause you to lose control.
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before you shift
into reverse.
CAUTION
 To help avoid clutch damage, do
not use the clutch pedal as a foot-
rest while driving or use the clutch
to keep the vehicle stationary on a
hill. Depress the clutch fully when
shifting.
 When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine
can shorten engine life and affect
smooth shifting.
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

3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
79K027
D:
4-speed automatic transmission mode
3:
3-speed automatic transmission mode
The 3-speed mode is suitable for the fol-
lowing driving conditions:
 Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gearshifting
 Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
NOTE:
With the transfer switch in the “4L LOCK”
position, the 4-speed automatic transmis-
sion will remain in the 3-speed mode.Gearshift lever
64J142
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.
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 stopped before shifting into
“P” or “R”.
 Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “4”, “3” or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
 Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “4”, “3” 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.
EXAMPLE
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.
Using the Transfer Switch: 10