instrument panel SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 User Guide

2-77BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
79K016
With the headlights on, push the lever for-
ward to switch to the high beams or pull
the lever toward you to switch to the low
beams. When the high beams are on, a
light on the instrument panel will come on.
To momentarily activate the high beams as
a passing signal, pull the lever slightly
toward you and release it when you have
completed the signal.
Auto-On Headlight System
66J026
The Auto-on headlight system automati-
cally turns on all lights that are operated by
the lighting control lever on the steering
column, when the following four conditions
are all met.
Conditions for Auto-on headlight system
operation:
1) It is dark around the light sensor (5).
2) The lighting control lever in the “AUTO”
position.
3) The ignition switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion.
4) The parking brake is released.
This system is operated by the signal from
the light sensor (5) on the right end of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor
(5). If you do, the system will not work cor-
rectly.NOTE:
This system does not react to all types of
ambient light. As the sensor is infrared
type, it will not work correctly with ambient
lights that do not contain infrared rays.
HIGH
LOW
PASS
(5)
WARNING
It takes about 5 seconds for the light
sensor to react to a change in light-
ing conditions. To help avoid an acci-
dent due to reduced visibility, turn on
your headlights before driving into a
tunnel, parking structure or the like.

2-78
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Daytime Running Light (D.R.L.)
SystemThe headlights light, but are dimmer than
the low beam, when the following three
conditions are all met. Also, the D.R.L. indi-
cator light on the instrument panel comes
on.
Conditions for D.R.L. system operation:
1) The engine is running.
2) The parking brake is released.
3) The headlights are off, or the lighting
switch in the “AUTO” position and it is
light around the light sensor.
NOTE:
Be sure to turn the headlights on at night
or at any time of the day when driving or
weather conditions require the headlights
to operate at full brightness and the tail-
lights to be on.
Lights “On” reminder
A buzzer sounds to remind you to turn off
the lights if they are left on when the igni-
tion key is removed and the driver’s door is
opened.
NOTE:
The warning and indicator message and
the illumination indicator light will be shown
on the information display when this
reminder is activated.
Front Fog Light Switch
(if equipped)
64J058
The front fog light comes on when the fog
light switch is pushed in with:
 the headlights are on and the beams set
to the low beam position, or
 the auto-on headlight system on and the
beams set to the low beam position.
Turn Signal Control Lever
65D611
WARNING
To avoid possible injury, do not oper-
ate controls by reaching through the
steering wheel.

3-5OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
of the remote controller may be unreli-
able.
NOTE:
 If the battery of the remote controller
runs down or there are strong radio
waves or noise, the operating range may
be narrower or the remote controller may
be inoperative.
 If the remote controller is too close to the
door, it may not operate.
 The ignition switch may not turn when
the remote controller is on the instru-
ment panel, in the glove box, in a stor-
age compartment, in the sun visor or on
the floor.You can also turn the ignition switch by
inserting the ignition key into the slot.
If you leave any of the doors open with the
ignition switch in the “ACC” position for a
while (and no key inserted), the engine
may not start when you turn the ignition
switch to “START”. If the engine does not
start, close all doors completely or turn the
ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position,
then start the engine.The ignition switch has the following four
positions:
LOCK (1)
This is the normal parking position. It is the
only position in which the key can be
removed. It locks the ignition, and prevents
normal use of the steering wheel.
For vehicles with an automatic transmis-
sion, the gearshift lever must be in the “P”
(Park) position to turn the key to the
“LOCK” position.
To release the steering lock, turn the igni-
tion switch clockwise to one of the other
positions. If you have trouble turning the
ignition switch to unlock the steering, try
turning the steering wheel slightly to the
right or left while turning the switch.
Manual transmission vehicle
You must push in the ignition switch to
turn it from the “LOCK” position to the
“ACC” position. To return to the “LOCK”
position from the “ACC” position, turn the
ignition switch counterclockwise while
pushing in the switch.
Automatic transmission vehicle
To turn the ignition switch, push the
switch.
ACC (2)
Accessories such as the radio can oper-
ate, but the engine is off.
CAUTION
The remote controller is a sensitive
electronic instrument. To avoid dam-
aging the remote controller:
 Do not expose it to impacts, mois-
ture or high temperature such as by
leaving it on the dashboard under
direct sunlight.
 Keep the remote controller away
from magnetic objects such as a
television.
Engine Block Heater: 1
Using the Transmission: 10

3-30
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
65D451
(1) ABS warning light Type 1
(2) ABS warning light Type 2
(3) Brake system warning light
WARNING
 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
conventional brake system, skid-
ding tires are able to “plow” the
gravel or snow layer, shortening
the stopping distance. ABS mini-
mizes 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.
 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.
WARNING
If the ABS warning light ((1) or (2)) on
the instrument panel comes on and
stays on while driving, there may be a
problem with the ABS system.
If this happens:
1) Pull off the road and stop care-
fully.
2) Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK”
and then start the engine again.
(Continued)
(1) (2)
(3)or
WARNING
(Continued)
If the warning light comes on briefly
then turns off, the system is normal.
If the warning light still stays on,
have the system inspected by your
SUZUKI dealer immediately. If the
ABS system becomes inoperative,
the brake system will function as an
ordinary brake system that has no
ABS.
WARNING
If the ABS warning light ((1) or (2))
and the Brake system warning light
(3) on the instrument panel simulta-
neously stay on or come on when
driving, both anti-lock function and
rear brake force control function
(Proportioning valve function) of the
ABS system may have failed. This
could cause the rear wheels to skid
or the vehicle to spin during braking
on a slippery road or hard braking on
a dry paved road. If both warning
lights come on, drive carefully, avoid-
ing hard braking as much as possi-
ble, and ask your SUZUKI dealer to
inspect the ABS system immediately.

3-34
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
“ESP OFF” switch
(without hill descent control)
78K045
(1) “ESP OFF” switch
(with hill descent control)
78K046
(1) “ESP OFF” switchWhen the “ESP OFF” switch located at the
center of the instrument panel is pushed
and held to turn off the ESP
® systems
(other than ABS), the “ESP OFF” indicator
light in the instrument cluster comes on.
When you push and hold the “ESP OFF”
switch again, the “ESP OFF” indicator light
will go out and all of the ESP
® systems will
be activated.
NOTE:
 When the vehicle speed is greater than
approximately 30 km/h (19 mph), the
ESP
® systems (other than ABS) will turn
on automatically and the “ESP OFF”
indicator light will go out.
 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
traction, 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 abil-
ity or for better performance on a rolling
hill or a slippery surface.
 If the ESP
® systems operate continu-
ously, such as when driving on slippery
roads, the traction control functions of
the ESP
® systems may be canceled
temporarily to avoid overheating the
brake pads, and the “ESP OFF” indicatorlight will come on. After a short period of
time, the ESP
® systems (other than
ABS) will turn on automatically and the
“ESP OFF” indicator light will go out.
 If your vehicle is equipped with a hill
descent control system and a hill hold
control system, these systems will not be
turned off when the “ESP OFF” switch is
pushed to turn off the ESP
® systems.
79K084
NOTE:
If you push the “ESP OFF” switch when the
transfer switch is in the “4H” position, the
ESP
® systems will not be turned off, and
the message shown in the above illustra-
tion will appear on the information display.
You should turn the transfer switch to the
“4H LOCK” position to turn off the ESP
®
systems. Refer to “Using the Transfer
Switch” in this section.ABS Warning Light / Brake System
Warning LightSee “Braking” in the “OPERATING YOUR
VEHICLE” section.
(1)
(1)

5-63OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Engine Hood
64J110
To open the engine hood:
1) Pull the hood release handle located on
the outboard side of the driver’s side of
the instrument panel. This will disen-
gage the engine hood lock halfway.
64J111
2) Push the under-hood release lever
sideways with your finger, as shown in
the illustration. While pushing the lever,
lift up the engine hood.
WARNING
If you need to replace the fuel cap,
use a genuine SUZUKI cap. Use of an
improper cap can result in a malfunc-
tion of the fuel system or emission
control system. It may also result in
fuel leakage in the event of an acci-
dent.

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