spec SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 Workshop Manual

4-5DRIVING TIPS
79K21-03E
Don’t Make Sharp Turns
As mentioned before, small multipurpose
vehicles have specific design characteris-
tics that allow them to perform in a wide
variety of applications. These characteris-
tics also change the cornering behavior
relative to conventional passenger cars.
Remember, small multipurpose vehicles
have more responsive steering and a
higher center of gravity than conventional
passenger cars. If at all possible, avoid
making sharp turns in your vehicle.
Slow Down on Curves
Learn to approach curves cautiously and
at a conservative speed. Do not attempt to
take curves at the same speeds that you
would in a vehicle with a lower center of
gravity. Just as you would not drive a
sports car on a trail, you should not
attempt to drive your vehicle around curves
like a sports car.
Slow Down and Use Caution on Slip-
pery Roads
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, snowcovered
or muddy roads, reduce your speed and
avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt braking
or sharp steering movements. Use 4-wheel
drive high range (4H) (if equipped) for bet-
ter traction.NOTE:
Avoid operating your vehicle in “4H LOCK”
or “4L LOCK” on wet pavement as much
as possible. Operating your vehicle in “4H
LOCK” or “4L LOCK” on wet pavement
may cause severe damage to the drive
train.
NOTE:
Operating your vehicle in “4H” on dry and
tight corner may cause some vibration on
your vehicle. This is not caused by the
vehicle malfunction, but caused by working
of the limited slip differential gear in the
center differential.
CAUTION
Do not operate your vehicle in “4H
LOCK” or “4L LOCK” on dry, hard
surfaces. Operating your vehicle in
“4H LOCK” or “4L LOCK” on dry,
hard surfaces puts severe stress to
the drive train, especially during tight
cornering, and can damage it. Also,
you may have some difficulty steer-
ing.
CAUTION
Unevenly worn tires can cause prob-
lems in the operation of the transfer
switch. Be sure to rotate the tires
according to the maintenance sched-
ule. Refer to “Tires” and “Mainte-
nance Schedule” in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE”
section for proper tire rotation proce-
dures.
Off-Road Driving: NO

4-6
DRIVING TIPS
79K21-03E
Off-Road DrivingYour vehicle has specific design character-
istics for off-road driving. When you leave
the pavement, you will encounter driving
surfaces of all kinds which may change
continually as you drive. In most cases, off-
road driving requires the use of 4-wheel
drive. If your vehicle is a 2-wheel drive
vehicle, you should limit your off-road driv-
ing only to hard, flat, nonslippery surfaces.
2-wheel drive vehicles have far less trac-
tion on off-road surfaces than 4-wheel
drive vehicles. It is important when driving
off-road to follow the guidelines below.
Use Caution on Steep Inclines
Always inspect hills before you attempt to
drive up them. Know what is on the other
side and how you will get back down. If you
have any doubt that it is safe, do not
attempt to drive over a hill. Never drive
your vehicle up an extremely steep incline.
Coming down a steep hill can be trickier
than getting up one. Keep the vehicle
heading straight down the hill and use low
gear. Do not lock the brakes. If the vehicle
begins to slide, accelerate slightly to regain
steering control.Do Not Turn on or Drive Across the Side
of Hills
Turning on or driving across the side of a
hill can be extremely hazardous. Most of
the vehicle’s weight will be transferred to
the downhill tires, which could result in the
vehicle rolling sideways. Whenever possi-
ble, avoid this potential hazard. Also, if you
have to exit your vehicle on a side-hill,
always get out on the uphill side.
Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times
You and your passengers should use the
seat belts at all times when driving off-
road. For proper seat belt use, refer to the
“Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems”
section in this manual.
Avoid Sudden Reactions in Mud, Ice or
Snow
Be careful when off-road conditions are
slick. Reduce your speed and avoid sud-
den movements of the vehicle. If your vehi-
cle is a 2-wheel drive vehicle, do not drive
in deep snow or mud. If your vehicle is a 4-
wheel drive vehicle, be aware that driving
in deep snow or mud can cause a loss of
traction and an increase in the resistance
to the vehicle’s forward motion. Use 4WD
low gear (4L) and maintain a steady but
moderate speed with a light touch on the
steering wheel and brakes.Do not drive in the field covered with
grown grass
If you drive in the field covered with grass,
it may cause unexpected accident or vehi-
cle damage by getting caught in grown
grass.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) (For vehicles equipped with transfer
switch) Turn the transfer switch to “4H
LOCK” or “4L LOCK”.
2) Shift the transmission back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transmission) 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 spin to a min-
imum. 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.
3) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, get another vehicle
to pull you out.

4-8
DRIVING TIPS
79K21-03E
WARNING
In addition to following the driving
tips in this section, it is important to
observe the following precautions for
on-road and off-road driving.
 Driver and passengers should wear
seat belts at all times.
 Do not let anyone else drive your
vehicle unless they are also aware
of the vehicle characteristics and
handling differences described in
this section.
 Avoid loaning your vehicle to any-
one unless you accompany them.
 Make sure your tires are in good
condition and always maintain the
specified tire pressure. Refer to
“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE” section for
details.
 Do not use tires other than those
specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif-
ferent sizes or types of tires on the
front and rear wheels. For informa-
tion regarding the specified tires,
refer to the Tire Inflation Pressure
Label located on the driver’s side
door pillar or the “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” section.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
 Never use oversized tires or special
shocks and springs to raise (jack
up) your vehicle. This will raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle and
change its handling characteris-
tics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the fender over bumps,
causing vehicle damage or tire fail-
ure.
 After driving through water, mud or
sandy ground, 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.
 Do not use “4H LOCK” or “4L
LOCK” drive for normal driving.
 After extended operation in mud,
sand or water, have the brakes
inspected by your authorized
SUZUKI dealer as soon as possi-
ble.

5-6
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Defrost
66J241
Temperature-controlled air comes out of
the windshield defroster outlets, the side
defroster outlets and the side outlets.
NOTE:
When the defrost switch (5) is pushed to
turn on the defroster, the air conditioning
system will come on and the “FRESH AIR”
mode will be selected automatically. In
very cold weather, however, the air condi-
tioning system will not turn on.
System Operating InstructionsAutomatic operation
78K051
You can let the climate control system work
automatically. To set the system for fully-
automatic operation, follow the procedure
below.
1) Start the engine.
2) Push the “AUTO” switch (7).
3) Set the desired temperature by turning
the temperature selector (1).
The blower speed, air intake and air flow
are controlled automatically to maintain the
set temperature.
You can use the air conditioning switch (8)
to manually turn the air conditioner on or
off according to your preference. When
you turn the air conditioning switch off, the
climate control system cannot lower theinside temperature below outside tempera-
ture.
To turn the climate control system off, push
the “OFF” switch (6).
NOTE:
If the “AUTO” on the LCD display blinks,
there is a problem in the heating system
and/or air conditioning system. You should
have the system inspected by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
 To find the temperature at which you are
most comfortable, start with the 22°C
(72°F) setting.
 If you turn the temperature selector (1)
until “HI” or “LO” appears on the LCD
display, the climate control system will
operate at the maximum cooling or heat-
ing and the blower will run at full speed.
 To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather
or hot air in hot weather, the system will
delay turning on the blower until warmed
or chilled air is available.
 If your vehicle has been left in the sun
with the windows closed, it will cool
faster if you open the windows briefly.
 Even under the automatic operation, you
can set individual selectors to the man-
ual mode. The manually selected func-
tions are maintained, and the other
functions remain under automatic opera-
tion.
(7)
(6)
Folding Seats: 14

5-7OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
 To return the blower speed selector (2),
air intake selector (3), and air flow selec-
tor (4) to automatic operation, push the
“AUTO” switch.
64J080
Be careful not to cover the interior temper-
ature sensor (F) located between the
steering wheel and the climate control
panel, or the solar sensor (G) located at
the top of the driver’s side dashboard.
These sensors are used by the automatic
system to regulate temperature.
Manual operation
You can manually control the climate con-
trol system. Set the selectors to the
desired positions.
64J074
NOTE:
If you need maximum defrosting:
 push the defrost switch (5) to turn on the
defroster (the air conditioning system will
come on and the “FRESH AIR” mode will
be selected automatically),
 set the blower speed selector to HIGH,
 adjust the temperature selector to the
“HI” indication on the LCD display, and
 adjust the side outlets so the air blows
on the side windows.
MaintenanceIf you do not use the air conditioner for a
long period, such as during winter, it may
not give the best performance when you
start using it again. To help maintain opti-
mum performance and durability of your air
conditioner, it needs to be run periodically.
Operate the air conditioner at least once a
month for one minute with the engine
idling. This circulates the refrigerant and oil
and helps protect the internal components.
Your air conditioner is equipped with air fil-
ters. Clean or replace them as specified in
the “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE” sec-
tion. Have this job done by your SUZUKI
dealer as the lower glove box must be low-
ered for this job.
NOTE:
Your vehicle uses the air conditioning
refrigerant HFC-134a, commonly called
“R-134a”. R-134a replaced R-12 around
1993 for automotive applications. Other
refrigerants are available, including recy-
cled R-12, but only R-134a should be used
in your vehicle.
(F)
(G)
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
Using the wrong refrigerant may
damage your air conditioning sys-
tem. Use R-134a only. Do not mix or
replace the R-134a with other refrig-
erants.
Armrest: 14
Sun Visor: 5
Interior Light Switch: 7

5-9OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Precautions When the inside of the car is very cold
and the player is used soon after switch-
ing on the heater, moisture may form on
the disc or the optical parts of the player
and proper playback may not be possi-
ble. If moisture forms on the disc, wipe it
off with a soft cloth. If moisture forms on
the optical parts of the player, do not use
the player for about one hour. This will
allow the condensation to disappear nor-
mally.
 Driving on extremely bumpy roads which
cause severe vibrations may cause
sound to skip.
 This unit uses a precision mechanism.
Even in the event that trouble arises,
never open the case, disassemble the
unit, or lubricate the rotating parts.
Please bring the unit to an authorized
SUZUKI dealer or a Clarion service
Department.
Cautions on Handling
52D274
This unit has been designed specifically for
playback of compact discs bearing the
mark (A).
No other discs can be played.
52D275
To remove the compact disc from its stor-
age case, press down on the center of the
case and lift the disc out, holding it care-
fully by the edges.
Always handle the compact disc by the
edges.Never touch the surface.
52D347
To remove fingermarks and dust, use a
soft cloth, and wipe in a straight line from
the center of the compact disc to the cir-
cumference.
52D277
New discs may have some roughness
around the edges. The unit may not work
or the sound may skip if such discs are
used. Use a ball-point pen (B), etc. to
remove the roughness (C) from edges of
the disc before insertion inside the unit.
(A)
Removing the disc Proper way to hold
the compact disc
(B)
(B)
(C)
Luggage Compartment Light: 7
Front Door Light:

5-25OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Listening to a XM Satellite Radio (Option)
79K110
(5)(2)
(8)
(6)
(3)
(4)
(7)
(1)(5)(2)
(8)
(6)
(3)
(4)
(7)
(1)
Type 1 AM/FM/XM CD PLAYER WITH CD CHANGER CONTROL
Type 2 AM/FM/XM 6-CD PLAYER WITH CD CHANGER CONTROL
Display
66J107
(1) XM button
(2) Category button (CAT)
(3) Seek up button
(4) Seek down button
(5) Manual tuning knob
(6) Display button (DISP)
(7) Preset button (1 to 6)
(8) Scan button (SCAN)
(A) Band
(B) Channel number
(C) Category indicator
If you want to purchase XM Satellite Radio
Service, contact your SUZUKI dealer.
It is necessary to buy a special tuner to
receive XM broadcasting.
Your vehicle is capable of receiving XM
Satellite Radio anywhere in the United
States except Hawaii, Alaska, and Can-
ada.
(A)
(B) (C)
HomeLink:

5-36
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Audio Systems (type B)AM/FM/XM CD PLAYER
WITH CD CHANGER CONTROL
(Built-in CD Player)
79KA001
Precautions When the inside of the car is very cold
and the player is used soon after switch-
ing on the heater, moisture may form on
the disc or the optical parts of the player
and proper playback may not be possi-
ble. If moisture forms on the disc, wipe it
off with a soft cloth. If moisture forms on
the optical parts of the player, do not use
the player for about one hour. This will
allow the condensation to disappear nor-
mally.
 Driving on extremely bumpy roads which
cause severe vibrations may cause
sound to skip.
 This unit uses a precision mechanism.
Even in the event that trouble arises,
never open the case, disassemble the
unit, or lubricate the rotating parts.
Please bring the unit to an authorized
SUZUKI dealer or a Clarion service
Department.
Cautions on Handling
52D274
This unit has been designed specifically for
playback of compact discs bearing the
mark (A).
No other discs can be played.
52D275
To remove the compact disc from its stor-
age case, press down on the center of the
case and lift the disc out, holding it care-
fully by the edges.
Always handle the compact disc by the
edges.
(A)
Removing the disc Proper way to hold
the compact disc

5-51OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Listening to a XM Satellite Radio (Option)
79KA007
(5)(2)
(8)
(6)
(3)
(4)
(7)
(1)
AM/FM/XM CD PLAYER WITH CD CHANGER CONTROL (Built-in CD Player)
Display
66J107
(1) XM button
(2) Category button (CAT)
(3) Seek up button
(4) Seek down button
(5) Manual tuning knob
(6) Display button (DISP)
(7) Preset button (1 to 6)
(8) Scan button (SCAN)
(A) Band
(B) Channel number
(C) Category indicator
If you want to purchase XM Satellite Radio
Service, contact your SUZUKI dealer.
It is necessary to buy a special tuner to
receive XM broadcasting.
Your vehicle is capable of receiving XM
Satellite Radio anywhere in the United
States except Hawaii, Alaska, and Can-
ada.
(A)
(B) (C)

5-65OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
ON (1)
The light comes on and stays on regard-
less of whether the door is open or closed.
DOOR (2)
The light comes on when the door is
opened.
After closing all doors (including the tail-
gate), the light will remain on for about 15
seconds and then fade out. If you push in
the ignition switch or insert the key during
this time, the light will start to fade out
immediately.
After removing the key from the ignition
switch, the light will turn on for about 15
seconds and then fade out.
OFF (3)
The light remains off even when the door is
opened.
78K146
NOTE:
The number of doors involved in the light-
ing operation of the interior light depends
on the vehicle specification. If there is a
switch (rubber projection) at the door
opening as shown, the door is involved in
the lighting operation.
Luggage Compartment Light
66J047
The luggage compartment light is located
at the left side of the rear luggage com-
partment.
When you open any of the doors including
the tailgate with the luggage compartment
light switch in the “DOOR” position (1), the
light comes on and remains on as long as
you keep the door open.
After closing all doors, the light will remain
on for about 15 seconds and then fade out.
If you push in the ignition switch or insert
the key during this time, the light will start
to fade out immediately.
After removing the key from the ignition
switch, the light will turn on for about 15
seconds and then fade out.
When the luggage compartment light
switch is in the “OFF” position (2), the light
EXAMPLE
(1)(2)