break SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2012 Owners Manual

2-4
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
64J202
3) Remove the cap (1) by hand.
4) Break the vinyl using a jack handle or a
flat blade screwdriver to access the
emergency lever (2).
64J203
5) Push down on the emergency lever (2)
using a jack handle or a flat blade
screwdriver. To lock the tailgate, push
up on the emergency lever (2).
After using the emergency lever, be sure to
see your SUZUKI dealer.
Keyless Start System Remote
Controller/Keyless Entry
System Transmitter
66J111
Your vehicle is equipped with either a key-
less start system remote controller (Type
A) or a keyless entry system transmitter
(Type B). The remote controller has a key-
less entry system and a keyless start sys-
tem. The transmitter has only a keyless
entry system. For details, refer to the fol-
lowing explanations.
(1)
WARNING
To avoid injury, do not use your fin-
ger to push the emergency lever.
(2)
Type A Type B
Door Locks: 3, 5, 8

2-28
BEFORE DRIVING
79K21-03E
Lap-Shoulder BeltEmergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The lap-shoulder seat belt has an emer-
gency locking retractor (ELR), which is
designed to lock the seat belt only during a
sudden stop or impact. It also may lock if
you pull the belt across your body very
quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back
to unlock it, then pull the belt across your
body more slowly.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
The front passenger’s seat belt and the
rear seat belts have emergency locking
retractors (ELRs) that can be temporarily
converted to function as automatic locking
retractors (ALRs). The ALR mode should
be used if you need to secure a child
restraint system in the seat. Refer to the
“Child Restraint Systems” section for
details.
WARNING
(Continued)
 Do not wear your seat belt over
hard or breakable objects in your
pockets or on your clothing. If an
accident occurs, objects such as
glasses, pens, etc. under the seat
belt can cause injury.
 Never use the same seat belt on
more than one occupant and never
attach a seat belt over an infant or
child being held on an occupant’s
lap. Such seat belt use could cause
serious injury in the event of an
accident.
 Periodically inspect seat belt
assemblies for excessive wear and
damage. Seat belts should be
replaced if webbing becomes
frayed, contaminated, or damaged
in any way. It is essential to replace
the entire seat belt assembly after it
has been worn in a severe impact,
even if damage to the assembly is
not obvious.
 Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in the rear
seat, if equipped.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
 Infants and small children should
never be transported unless they
are properly restrained. Restraint
systems for infants and small chil-
dren can be purchased commer-
cially and should be used. Make
sure that the system you purchase
meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Read and follow all the
directions provided by the manu-
facturer.
 Avoid contamination of seat belt
webbing by polishes, oils, chemi-
cals and particularly battery acid.
Cleaning may safely be carried out
using mild soap and water.
 For children, if the shoulder belt
irritates the neck or face, move the
child closer to the center of the
vehicle.
 All seatbacks should always be in
an upright position when driving,
or seat belt effectiveness may be
reduced. Seat belts are designed to
offer maximum protection when
seatbacks are in the upright posi-
tion.
Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems: 14

3-21OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
79K21-03E
Transfer Switch OperationOperate the transfer switch according to
the appropriate procedure described
below:
From N to 4H
Stop the vehicle completely, place the
transmission in “N” (Neutral) and depress
the brake pedal and the clutch pedal fully
(if equipped), then push in and turn the
switch to shift into “4H”.
From 4H to 4H LOCK
You can operate the transfer switch either
when the vehicle is stopped or while the
vehicle is moving.
Position the front wheels straight ahead
and turn the switch to shift into “4H LOCK”.
If the vehicle is moving, we recommend
that the speed be less than 100 km/h (60
mph) during this operation.
NOTE:
If it is difficult to shift between “4H” and “4H
LOCK” while the vehicle is moving, try
accelerating and decelerating your vehicle
several times after turning the transfer
switch. Be sure to wait until traffic condi-
tions allow you to accelerate and deceler-
ate safety before using this procedure.From 4H LOCK to 4L LOCK
Stop the vehicle completely, place the
transmission in “N” (Neutral) and depress
the brake pedal and the clutch pedal fully
(if equipped), then push in and turn the
switch to shift into “4L LOCK”.
From 4L LOCK to 4H LOCK
Stop the vehicle completely, place the
transmission in “N” (Neutral) and depress
the brake pedal and the clutch pedal fully
(if equipped), then push in and turn the
switch to shift into “4H LOCK”.
From 4H LOCK to 4H
You can operate the transfer switch either
when the vehicle is stopped or while the
vehicle is moving.
Position the front wheels straight ahead
and turn the switch to shift into “4H”. If the
vehicle is moving, we recommend that the
speed be less than 100 km/h (60 mph) dur-
ing this operation.
NOTE:
If it is difficult to shift between “4H” and “4H
LOCK” while the vehicle is moving, try
accelerating and decelerating your vehicle
several times after turning the transfer
switch. Be sure to wait until traffic condi-
tions allow you to accelerate and deceler-
ate safety before using this procedure.From 4H to N
64J209
Stop the vehicle completely, place the
transmission in “N” (Neutral) and depress
the brake pedal and the clutch pedal fully
(if equipped), then push in and turn the
switch to the mark (1) at the left of the “N”
position, and hold the switch in this posi-
tion for 5 seconds until the “N” indicator
blinks, then turn the switch to the “N” posi-
tion.
When you turn the transfer switch to the
“N” position, “N” indicator will come on with
the buzzer sound.
CAUTION
Do not operate the transfer switch
while tires are racing.
CAUTION
Do not operate the transfer switch
while tires are racing.
(1)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):
Break-In: 6

DRIVING TIPS
4
79K21-03E
60G409
DRIVING TIPSImportant Vehicle Design Features To Know ................... 4-1
Break-In ................................................................................ 4-2
Catalytic Converter ............................................................. 4-2
Improving Fuel Economy ................................................... 4-3
On-Pavement Driving .......................................................... 4-4
Off-Road Driving ................................................................. 4-6

4-2
DRIVING TIPS
79K21-03E
Shorter Wheelbase
Along with its higher ground clearance,
your vehicle has a shorter wheelbase and
shorter front and rear overhangs than
many passenger cars. These features
combine to allow you to drive your vehicle
over hillcrests without hanging up on them
or damaging the frame and chassis com-
ponents. The shorter wheelbase also
makes the steering of your vehicle more
responsive than that of vehicles with longer
wheelbases.
Narrower Body Width and Track
Your vehicle is narrower than the average
passenger car so that it can pass through
tight spaces.
Without the essential characteristics
described above: higher ground clearance,
shorter wheelbase and narrower body
width and track – your vehicle could not
provide you with excellent off road driving
performance. However, it is also true that
on-pavement driving, handling and steer-
ing will be different from what drivers expe-
rience with a conventional passenger car.
Break-In Catalytic Converter
54G236
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to
minimize the amount of harmful pollutants
in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of leaded
fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic
converters is prohibited by federal law,
because lead deactivates the pollutant-
reducing components of the catalyst sys-
tem.
The converter is designed to last the life of
the vehicle under normal usage and when
unleaded fuel is used. No special mainte-
nance is required on the converter. How-
ever, it is very important to keep the engine
properly tuned. Engine misfiring, which
can result from an improperly tuned
engine, may cause overheating of the cat-
alyst. This may result in permanent heat
damage to the catalyst and other vehicle
components.
CAUTION
The future performance and reliabil-
ity of the engine depends on the care
and restraint exercised during its
early life. It is especially important to
observe the following precautions
during the initial 960 km (600 miles)
of vehicle operation.
 After starting, do not race the
engine. Warm it up gradually.
 Avoid prolonged vehicle operation
at a constant speed. Moving parts
will break in better if you vary your
speed.
 Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid
full throttle starts.
 Avoid hard stopping, especially
during the first 320 km (200 miles)
of driving.
 Do not drive slowly with the trans-
mission in a high gear.
 Drive the vehicle at moderate
engine speeds.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first
960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper-
ation.
EXAMPLE
Important Vehicle Design Features To Know: NO
On-Pavement Driving: NO

5-72
OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Cup Holder and Storage Bin
(if equipped)Cup holders and a storage bin are pro-
vided as shown.
79K140
To access a bin, push the release button.
64J115
To use the console bin, pull the lever up
and open the lid.
64J116
To use the rear cup holders, open the lid.Bottle holder
64J200
You should hold a bottle with a cap in the
bottle holder.
EXAMPLE
WARNING
Do not use the cup holder or the stor-
age bin to hold cups containing hot
liquids or sharp-edged, hard or
breakable objects. Objects in these
bins may be thrown about during a
sudden stop or impact, and could
cause personal injury.
EXAMPLE

5-73OTHER CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT
79K21-03E
Front Seat Back Pocket
(if equipped)
64J127
This pocket is provided for holding light
and soft things such as gloves, newspa-
pers or magazines.
Shopping Hook (if equipped)
66J049
The shopping hooks are located on both
sides of the luggage compartment.
You can hang the shopping bag or other
suitable objects on the hook. This hook is
not designed for large or heavy items.
ArmrestCenter Console Armrest
64J263
WARNING
Do not put hard or breakable objects
in the pocket. If an accident occurs,
objects such as bottles, cans, etc.
can injure the occupants in the rear
seat.EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
CAUTION
To avoid damage to the armrest, do
not lean on it or allow a child to sit on
it.

7-46
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
Wiper Blades
54G129
If the wiper blades become brittle or dam-
aged, or make streaks when wiping,
replace the wiper blades.
To install new wiper blades, follow the pro-
cedures below.
NOTE:
Some wiper blades may be different from
the ones described here depending on
vehicle specifications. If so, consult your
SUZUKI dealer for proper replacement
method.For windshield wipers:
70G119
1) Hold the wiper arm away from the win-
dow.
52D102
2) Squeeze lock lever (1) towards wiper
arm (2) and remove the wiper frame
from the arm as shown.
CAUTION
To avoid scratching or breaking the
window, do not let the wiper arm
strike the window while replacing the
wiper blade.

7-48
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
79K21-03E
For rear wipers:
80G146
1) Hold the wiper arm away from the win-
dow.
2) Remove the wiper frame from the arm
as shown.
3) Slide the blade out as shown.
65D151
NOTE:
Do not flex the wiper blade frame end more
than necessary. If you do, it can break off.
54G135
(1) Retainer
4) If the new blade is provided without the
two metal retainers, move them from
the old blade to the new one.
5) Install the new blade in the reverse
order of removal.
Make sure the blade is properly
retained by all the hooks.
6) Reinstall wiper frame to arm in the
reverse order of removal.

13-1
INDEX
13
79K21-03E
INDEXSymbols“AIR BAG” Light
..................................................................2-61
“CRUISE” Indicator Light
...................................................2-62
“ESP OFF” Indicator Light ........................................ 2-59
, 3-33
“ESP” (Electronic Stability Program) Warning Light
.......2-59
“ESP” Warning Light
...........................................................3-33
“SET” Indicator Light ..........................................................2-62
Numerics4-Speed Automatic Transmission
......................................3-13
5-Speed Automatic Transmission ......................................3-11
AA/T Selector Position
..........................................................2-68
Accelerator Pedal
................................................................3-8
Accessory Socket ................................................................5-66
Adding Engine Coolant
.......................................................7-14
Adjusting Seat Position ......................................................2-19
Adjusting Seatbacks
................................................. 2-19
, 2-22
Air Cleaner
...........................................................................7-16
Air Conditioning System
.....................................................7-49
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
..........................................3-29
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
.................2-58
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
.......................................3-32
Armrest
.................................................................................5-73
Assist Grips
.........................................................................5-70
Audio Systems (type A)
......................................................5-8
Audio Systems (type B) ......................................................5-36
Automatic Heating and Air Conditioning System
(Climate Control)
.................................................................5-1Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
.................................. 2-28
Automatic Transmission Fluid
.......................................... 7-20
Auto-On Headlight System
................................................ 2-77
Average Speed
.................................................................... 2-68
BBasic Operations
.......................................................5-11
, 5-38
Battery
.................................................................................. 7-36
Brake Assist System
.......................................................... 3-29
Brake Fluid
.......................................................................... 7-22
Brake Pedal ..................................................................3-8
, 7-23
Brake System Warning Light
............................................. 2-57
Brakes
.................................................................................. 7-22
Braking ................................................................................. 3-28
Break-In ................................................................................ 4-2
Brightness Control
............................................................. 2-66
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 7-40
CCatalytic Converter
............................................................. 4-2
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
......................................... 7-11
Changing Wheels
................................................................ 8-3
Charging Light
.................................................................... 2-60
Child Lock System (rear doors)
......................................... 2-3
Child Restraint Systems
..................................................... 2-33
Cigarette Lighter and Ashtray
........................................... 5-67
Clutch Pedal
.................................................................3-8
, 7-20
Coat Hooks
.......................................................................... 5-70
Corrosion Prevention
......................................................... 9-1
Cruise Control
..................................................................... 3-26