media SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2011 Owner's Manual

7-23INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTE:
With disc brakes, the fluid level can be
expected to gradually fall as the brake
pads wear.Brake Pedal
79K138
With the engine running and the parking
brake set, measure the distance between
the brake pedal and floor carpet when the
pedal is depressed with approximately 300
N (66 lbs, 30 kg) of force. The minimum
distance required is as specified. Since
your vehicle’s brake system is self-adjust-
ing, there is no need for pedal adjustment.
If the pedal to floor carpet distance asmeasured above is less than the minimum
distance required, have your vehicle
inspected by your SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
When measuring the distance between the
brake pedal and floor wall, push in the floor
carpet as far as it goes and measure the
distance between the carpet surface and
the brake pedal.
60G104
Pedal to floor carpet minimum distance
“a”
80 mm (3.1 in.)
“a”
Floor carpet
WARNING
If you experience any of the following
problems with your vehicle’s brake
system, have the vehicle inspected
immediately by your SUZUKI dealer.
 Poor braking performance
 Uneven braking (brakes not work-
ing uniformly on all wheels.)
 Excessive pedal travel
 Brake dragging
 Excessive noise
 (Except ABS equipped vehicle)
Pedal pulsation (pedal pulsates
when pressed for braking.)
Tires: 6

7-39INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
NOTE:
Make sure that the fuse box cover always
carries spare fuses.
60A243
81A283
Headlight AimingSince special procedures are required, we
recommend you take your vehicle to your
SUZUKI dealer for headlight alignment.
WARNING
Always be sure to replace a blown
fuse with a fuse of the correct amper-
age. Never use a substitute such as
aluminum foil or wire to replace a
blown fuse. If you replace a fuse and
the new one blows in a short period
of time, you may have a major electri-
cal problem. Have your vehicle
inspected immediately by your
SUZUKI dealer.
BLOWNOKBLOWN OK
Bulb Replacement: 7
Wiper Blades: 3

8-9EMERGENCY SERVICE
79K21-03E
If the Engine is FloodedIf the engine is flooded with gasoline, it
may be hard to start. If this happens, press
the accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. (Do not operate the starter motor
for more than 15 seconds).
If the Engine OverheatsThe engine could overheat temporarily
under severe driving conditions. If the
engine coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating during driving:
1) Turn off the air conditioner, if equipped.
2) Take the vehicle to a safe place and
park.
3) Let the engine run at normal idle speed
for a few minutes until the indicator is
within the normal, acceptable tempera-
ture range shown by the white band
between “H” and “C”.If the temperature indication does not
come down to within the normal, accept-
able range:
1) Turn off the engine and check that the
water pump belt and pulleys are not
damaged or slipping. If any abnormality
is found, correct it.
2) Check the coolant level in the reservoir.
If it is found to be lower than the “LOW”
line, look for leaks at the radiator, water
pump and radiator and heater hoses. If
you locate any leaks that may have
caused the overheating, do not run the
engine until these problems have been
corrected.
3) If you do not find a leak, carefully add
coolant to the reservoir and then the
radiator, if necessary. (Refer to “Engine
Coolant” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section.)
WARNING
If you see or hear escaping steam,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and
immediately turn off the engine to let
it cool. Do not open the hood when
steam is present. When the steam
can no longer be seen or heard, open
the hood to see if the coolant is still
boiling. If it is, you must wait until it
stops boiling before you proceed.
Also, be careful not to touch hot
engine parts (radiator, water hoses,
engine etc.).

9-1APPEARANCE CARE
79K21-03E
Corrosion PreventionIt is important to take good care of your
vehicle to protect it from corrosion.
Listed below are instructions for how to
maintain your vehicle to prevent corrosion.
Please read and follow these instructions
carefully.Important Information About Corro-
sionCommon causes of corrosion
1) Accumulation of road salt, dirt, moisture
or chemicals in hard-to-reach areas of
the vehicle underbody or frame.
2) Chipping, scratches and any damage to
treated or painted metal surfaces
resulting from minor accidents or
impact from stones and gravel.
Environmental conditions which accel-
erate corrosion
1) Road salt, dust control chemicals, sea
air or industrial pollution will all acceler-
ate the corrosion of metal.
2) High humidity will increase the rate of
corrosion particularly when the temper-
ature range is just above the freezing
point.
3) Moisture in certain areas of a vehicle
for an extended period of time may pro-
mote corrosion even though other body
sections may be completely dry.
4) High temperatures will cause an accel-
erated rate of corrosion to parts of thevehicle which are not well ventilated to
permit quick drying.
52D151
This information illustrates the necessity of
keeping your vehicle (particularly the
underbody) as clean and dry as possible. It
is equally important to repair any damage
to the paint or protective coatings as soon
as possible.How to Help Prevent CorrosionWash your vehicle frequently
The best way to preserve the finish on your
vehicle and to help avoid corrosion is to
keep it clean with frequent washing.
Wash your vehicle at least once during the
winter and once immediately after the win-
ter. Keep your vehicle, particularly the
underside, as clean and dry as possible.If you frequently drive on salted roads, your
vehicle should be washed at least once a
month during the winter. If you live near the
ocean, your vehicle should be washed at
least once a month throughout the year.
Wash your vehicle immediately after using
it off-road. For washing instructions, refer
to the “Vehicle Cleaning” section.
Remove foreign material deposits
Foreign material such as salts, chemicals,
road oil or tar, tree sap, bird droppings and
industrial fall-out may damage the finish of
your vehicle if it is left on painted surfaces.
Remove these types of deposits as quickly
as possible. If these deposits are difficult to
wash off, an additional cleaner may be
required. Be sure that any cleaner you use
is not harmful to painted surfaces and is
specifically intended for your purposes.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions when
using these special cleaners.
WARNING
Foreign material can lodge between
the fuel tank of your vehicle and the
skid plate which covers it. You should
periodically clean out any foreign
material which has accumulated in
this area, since it could create a fire
hazard.
Corrosion Prevention: 5

9-2
APPEARANCE CARE
79K21-03E
Repair finish damage
Carefully examine your vehicle for damage
to the painted surfaces, especially if it is
used off-road. Should you find any chips or
scratches in the paint, touch them up
immediately to prevent corrosion from
starting. If the chips or scratches have
gone through to the bare metal, have a
qualified body shop make the repair.
Keep passenger and cargo compart-
ments clean
Moisture, dirt or mud can accumulate
under the floor mats and may cause corro-
sion. Occasionally, check under these
mats to ensure that this area is clean and
dry. More frequent checks are necessary if
the vehicle is used off road or in wet
weather.
Certain cargo such as chemicals, fertiliz-
ers, cleaners, salts, etc. are extremely cor-
rosive by nature. These products should
be transported in sealed containers. If a
spill or leak does occur, clean and dry the
area immediately.
Use mud and gravel shields
The use of mud and gravel shields will help
protect your vehicle, especially if you fre-
quently drive on gravel or salted roads.
Full-size shields, which extend as close to
the road as is practical, are the best. The
fittings for such shields should also be cor-
rosion resistant. Please check with yourauthorized SUZUKI dealer for information
on these shields.
Store your vehicle in a dry, well-venti-
lated area
Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly
ventilated area. If you often wash your
vehicle in the garage or if you frequently
drive it in when wet, your garage may be
damp. The high humidity in the garage
may cause or accelerate corrosion. A wet
vehicle may corrode even in a heated
garage if the ventilation is poor.Cover your vehicle
50G203
If you cannot regularly park your vehicle in
a garage, we recommend you use a vehi-
cle cover. Years of exposure to midday sun
can cause the colors in paint, plastic parts
and fabrics to fade. Covering your vehicle
with a high-quality, “breathable” vehicle
cover can help protect the finish from the
harmful UV rays in sunlight, and can
reduce the amount of dust and air pollution
reaching the surface. Your SUZUKI dealer
can help you select the right cover for your
vehicle.
WARNING
Do not apply additional undercoating
or rust preventive coating on or
around exhaust system components
such as the catalytic converter,
exhaust pipes, etc. A fire could be
started if the undercoating substance
becomes overheated.
Corrosion Prevention: 5

9-3APPEARANCE CARE
79K21-03E
Vehicle Cleaning
76G044S
Cleaning InteriorVinyl upholstery
Prepare a solution of soap or mild deter-
gent mixed with warm water. Apply the
solution to the vinyl with a sponge or soft
cloth and let it soak for a few minutes to
loosen dirt. Rub the surface with a clean,damp cloth to remove dirt and the soap
solution. If some dirt still remains on the
surface, repeat this procedure.
Fabric upholstery
Remove loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Using a mild soap solution, rub stained
areas with a clean damp cloth. To remove
soap, rub the areas again with a cloth
dampened with water. Repeat this until the
stain is removed, or use a commercial fab-
ric cleaner for tougher stains. If you use a
fabric cleaner, carefully follow the manu-
facturer’s instructions and precautions.
Leather upholstery
Remove loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Using a mild soap or saddle soap solution,
wipe dirt off with a clean damp soft cloth.
To remove soap, wipe the areas again with
a soft cloth dampened with water. Wipe the
areas dry with a soft dry cloth. Repeat this
until the dirt or stain is removed, or use a
commercial leather cleaner for tougher dirt
or stains. If you use a leather cleaner, care-
fully follow the manufacture’s instructions
and precautions. Do not use solvent type
cleaners or abrasive cleaners.
Seat belts
Clean seat belts with a mild soap and
water. Do not use bleach or dye on the
belts. They may weaken the fabric in the
belts.Vinyl floor mats
Ordinary dirt can be removed from vinyl
with water or mild soap. Use a brush to
help loosen dirt. After dirt is loosened,
rinse the mat thoroughly with water and
dry it in the shade.
Carpets
Remove dirt and soil as much as possible
with a vacuum cleaner. Using a mild soap
solution, rub stained areas with a clean
damp cloth. To remove soap, rub the areas
again with a cloth dampened with water.
Repeat this until the stain is removed, or
use a commercial carpet cleaner for
tougher stains. If you use a carpet cleaner,
carefully follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions and precautions.
Instrument panel and console
NOTE:
Wipe up spills containing chemicals, alco-
hol, etc., immediately with a soft, damp
cloth. Use a mild soap solution if neces-
sary. Do not use cleaners or polishes con-
taining strong solvents or acidic solutions.
These chemicals may stain and discolor
the instrument panel and console.
WARNING
When cleaning the interior or exterior
of the vehicle, NEVER USE flammable
solvents such lacquer thinners, gas-
oline, benzene or cleaning materials
such as bleaches and strong house-
hold detergents. The materials could
cause personal injury or damage to
the vehicle.
Vehicle Cleaning: 5

10-4
GENERAL INFORMATION
79K21-03E
Reporting Safety DefectsIf you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying American Suzuki Motor Corp.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or American Suzuki Motor
Corp.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the
Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-
888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153);
go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to: Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, D.C.
20590. You can also obtain other infor-
mation about motor vehicle safety
from http://www.safercar.gov.To contact American Suzuki, owners
in the continental United States can
call toll-free 1-800-934-0934, or write
to:
American Suzuki Motor Corporation
Automotive Customer Relations
3251 East Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92821-6795
For owners outside the continental
United States, please refer to the dis-
tributor’s address listed in your War-
ranty Information booklet.
For vehicles registered for use and
principally operated in Canada please
contact Suzuki Canada Inc. at 1-905-
889-2677 extension 2254 or write to:
Suzuki Canada Inc.
Customer Relations
100 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, On
L4B 1J6