ABS SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2015 User Guide

3-75
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake
assist system determines it to be an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down
the brake pedal firmly.
NOTE:
If you quickly and forcefully depress the
brakes, you may hear a clicking sound in
the brake pedal. This is normal and indi-
cates that the brake assist system is acti-
vated properly.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering control
when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard.
The ABS works automatically, so you do
not need any special braking technique.
Just push the brake pedal down without
pumping. The ABS will operate wheneverit senses that the wheels are locking up.
You may feel the brake pedal move a little
while the ABS is operating.
NOTE:
The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is
under about 9 km/h (6 mph).63J081
(1) ABS warning light
(2) Brake system warning light
WA R N I N G
Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the
vehicle by pressing the brake pedal
harder than normally required. How-
ever, the stopping distance may be
longer.
WA R N I N G
• On some types of loose surfaces
(such as gravel, snow-covered
roads, etc.), the stopping distance
required for a vehicle with ABS
may be slightly greater than the
one required for a comparable vehi-
cle with a conventional brake sys-
tem. With a conventional brake
system, skidding tires are able to
plow the gravel or snow layer,
shortening the stopping distance.
ABS minimizes this resistance
effect. Allow for extra stopping dis-
tance when driving on loose sur-
faces.
• On regular paved roads, some driv-
ers may be able to obtain slightly
shorter stopping distances with
conventional brake systems than
with ABS.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• 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 too fast.
(1)(2)

3-76
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
How ABS works
A computer continuously monitors wheel
speed. The computer compares the
changes in wheel speed when braking. If
the wheels slow suddenly, indicating a
skidding situation, the computer will
change braking pressure several times
each second to prevent the wheels from
locking. When you start your vehicle or
when you accelerate after a hard stop, you
may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise as the system resets or checks itself.
Electronic stability program
(ESP®)
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
helps to control the vehicle during corner-
ing if front wheels or rear wheels skid. It
also assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces. It does this by regulating
the engine’s output, and by selectively
applying the brakes. In addition, ESP
®
helps to avoid skidding by controlling brak-
ing pressure.
WA R N I N G
• If the ABS warning light (1) on the
instrument cluster comes on and
stays on while driving, there may
be a problem with the ABS system.
Ask your SUZUKI dealer to inspect
the ABS system immediately. If the
ABS system becomes inoperative,
the brake system will function as
an ordinary brake system that has
no ABS.
• If the ABS warning light (1) and the
brake system warning light (2) on
the instrument cluster simultane-
ously stay on or come on while
driving, both anti-lock function and
rear brake force control function
(proportioning valve function) of
the ABS system may have failed. If
so, the rear wheels may easily skid
or the vehicle can even spin in the
worst case when braking on a slip-
pery road or when hard braking
even on a dry paved road. Ask your
SUZUKI dealer to inspect the ABS
system immediately. Drive care-
fully, avoiding hard braking as
much as possible.
WA R N I N G
The ABS may not work properly if
tires or wheels other than those
specified in the owner’s manual are
used. This is because the ABS works
by comparing changes in wheel
speed. When replacing tires or
wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.
WA R N I N G
The ESP® cannot enhance the vehi-
cle’s driving stability in all situations
and does not control your vehicle’s
entire braking system. The ESP
® can-
not prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed
in turns, or hydroplaning. Only safe
and attentive drive can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ESP
®-
equipped vehicle must never be used
as a substitute for careful driving.

3-77
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
The ESP® has the following three sys-
tems:
Stability control system
The vehicle stability control system helps
provide integrated control of systems such
as anti-lock brakes, traction control, engine
control, etc. This system automatically
controls the brakes and engine to help pre-
vent the vehicle from skidding when cor-
nering on a slippery road surface or when
turning the steering wheel abruptly.
Traction control system
The traction control system automatically
helps prevent the spinning of wheels when
the vehicle is started or accelerated on
slippery road surfaces. The system oper-
ates only if it senses that some of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system
operates the front or rear brakes and
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
NOTE:
You may hear a clunking sound when you
start the engine or after the vehicle begins
to move. This means that the above sys-
tems are in the self-check mode. This
sound does not indicate a malfunction.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec-
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering control
when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard. The ABS works automati-
cally, so you do not have to use any spe-
cial braking technique. Just push the brake
pedal down without pumping. The ABS will
operate whenever it senses that wheels
are locking up. You may feel the brake
pedal pulsate while the ABS is operating.
(For more information on ABS, see “Brak-
ing” in this section.)
NOTE:
If the ABS system is activated, you may
hear a clunking noise and/or feel pulsating
in the brake pedal. This is normal and indi-
cates that the brake fluid pressure is being
controlled properly.WA R N I N G
• The ESP® may not work properly if
tires or wheels other than those
specified in the owner’s manual are
used. When replacing tires or
wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.
• The ESP
® may not work properly if
tires are not inflated to the recom-
mended tire inflation pressure.
• The ESP
® may not work properly if
tires are fitted with tire chains.
• The ESP
® may not work properly if
the tires are excessively worn.
Replace tires when the tread wear
indicators in the grooves appear on
the tread surface.
• The ESP
® is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a
snow-covered road.
WA R N I N G
• The ESP® may not work properly if
engine related parts such as the
muffler are not equivalent to stan-
dard equipment or are extremely
deteriorated.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s sus-
pension since the ESP
® may not
work properly.

3-78
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
The ESP® indicator lights are described
below:
ESP® warning light
52KM133
This light blinks 5 times per second when
one of the following systems is activated.
• Stability control system
• Traction control system
• Hill descent control system (if equipped)
If this light blinks, drive carefully.
When the ignition switch is turned to “ON”
position, or the engine switch is pressed to
change the ignition mode to “ON”, this light
comes on briefly so you can check that the
light is working.NOTE:
When the ESP
® warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, indicating a
malfunction of the ESP
® systems (other
than ABS), the brake system will function
as an ordinary ABS with no additional
ESP
® functions.
ESP® OFF indicator light
57L30045
You should turn the ESP® on during your
ordinary driving, so that you have the ben-
efits of all of the ESP
® systems.
It may be required to turn the ESP
® sys-
tems (other than ABS) off if your vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, or snow, where wheel
spin is necessary.
ESP® OFF switch
Models without parking sensors
61MM0A197
(1) ESP® OFF switch
NOTICE
If the ESP® warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, there may
be a malfunction of the ESP
® sys-
tems (other than ABS). You should
have the systems inspected by an
authorized SUZUKI dealer.
(1)

3-79
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
54P00-01E
Models with parking sensors
61MM0A105
(1) ESP® OFF switch
When the ESP
® OFF switch located at 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 have turned the ESP
® systems
(other than ABS) off, turn them back on
before resuming ordinary driving.
When you push the ESP
® OFF switch
again, the ESP® OFF indicator light will go
out and all of the ESP® systems will be
activated.
61MM0A178
If the message shown in the above illustra-
tion appears on the information display,
there may be a problem with the ESP
®
system. Have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized SUZUKI dealer.
NOTE:
The ESP
® system will not activate while
this message is displayed.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with the radar
brake support system, when the ESP
®
system is turned off, the radar brake sup-
port system will be turned off.
ABS warning light / brake system
warning light
See “Braking” in this section.
Hill descent control system (if equipped)
The hill descent control system is designed
to reduce the driver’s workload when going
down steep, rough and/or slippery hills
where the vehicle cannot decelerate
enough by engine braking alone. The hill
descent control system helps to control
vehicle speed by automatically engaging
the vehicle’s brakes, as needed, so you
can concentrate on steering the vehicle.(1)
WA R N I N G
Do not rely excessively on the hill
descent control system. The hill
descent control system may not con-
trol the vehicle speed on a hill under
all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to control vehicle speed by
applying the brakes. Failure to pay
attention and control vehicle speed
using the brakes when necessary
may result in loss of control or an
accident.

4-6
DRIVING TIPS
54P00-01E
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
• 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 information label
located on the driver’s door lock
pillar.
• Never use oversized tires or spe-
cial shock absorbers and springs
to raise (jack up) your vehicle. This
will change the handling character-
istics. Oversized tires may also rub
against the fender over bumps,
causing vehicle damage or tire fail-
ure.
• After driving through water, test the
brakes while driving at a slow
speed to see if they have main-
tained 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 effective-
ness.

6-5
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
54P00-01E
60A186
Trailer hitch installation points
61MM0B111
(1) Side
Maximum vertical load on trailer hitch
point (EU)
75 kg (165 lbs)
Maximum permissible overhang “a”
883 mm (34.7 in.)WA R N I N G
When parking your vehicle and con-
nected trailer, always use the follow-
ing procedure:
1) Apply the vehicle’s brakes firmly.
2) Have another person place wheel
chocks under the wheels of the
vehicle and the trailer while you
are holding the brakes.
3) Slowly release the brakes until the
wheel chocks absorb the load.
4) Fully engage the parking brake.
5) Turn off the engine, and then shift
into reverse or first gear.
(Continued)
WA R N I N G
(Continued)
When starting out after parking:
1) Depress the clutch and start the
engine.
2) Shift into gear, release the parking
brake, and slowly pull away from
the chocks.
3) Stop, apply the brakes firmly and
hold them.
4) Have another person remove the
chocks.
“a”(1)(1)(1) (1)

7-6
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
NOTE:
*1:Clean more frequently if the air flow from the air conditioner decreases.
For gasoline engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months,
whichever comes first.
km (×1000)204060miles (×1000)12.52537.5months122436Brake
Brake discs and padsI
Brake hoses and pipesI
Brake fluid ReplacementR
Brake lever and cable Adjustment (1st 20000 km only)I
Chassis, body and others
Clutch (Pedal and fluid level)I
Wheel bearingsSevere onlyI
Suspension systemI
Steering systemI
Air conditioner filter element
(if equipped)
*1Inspection First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
Replacement NormalR
Inspection or replacement
SevereIR
WA R N I N G
The shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble them or throw them into a fire. Avoid
storing them near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber
safely. Ask your dealer for assistance.

7-10
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
NOTE:
*1:Clean more frequently if the air flow from the air conditioner decreases.
For diesel engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months,
whichever comes first.
km (×1000)204060miles (×1000)12.52537.5months122436Brake
Brake discs and padsI
Brake hoses and pipesI
Brake fluid ReplacementR
Brake lever and cable Adjustment (1st 20000 km only)I
Chassis, body and others
Clutch (Pedal and fluid level)I
Wheel bearingsSevere onlyI
Suspension systemI
Steering systemI
Air conditioner filter element
(if equipped) *1Inspection First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
Replacement NormalR
Inspection or replacement
SevereIR
WA R N I N G
The shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble them or throw them into a fire. Avoid
storing them near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber
safely. Ask your dealer for assistance.

7-14
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
54P00-01E
For gasoline engine models
Select maintenance timing by mileage (odometer reading) or months,
whichever comes first.
miles (×1000)67.5121560km (×1000)1012.52025100months67.5121560Brake
Brake discs and pads (front, rear) First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
First time only
SevereI
Second time and afterSevereI
Brake hoses and pipes First time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
First time only
SevereI
Second time and afterSevereI
Brake fluid ReplacementIR
Brake pedal stroke AdjustmentI
Parking brake lever
and cable
Lever adjustmentFirst time only NormalI
Second time and after NormalI
First time only
SevereI
Second time and afterSevereI
Chassis, body and others
Wheel discs NormalISevereI
Wheel bearingsSevere onlyI
Suspension system NormalISevereI
WA R N I N G
The shock absorbers are filled with high pressure gas. Never attempt to disassemble them or throw them into a fire. Avoid
storing them near a heater or heating device. When scrapping the absorber, the gas must be released from the absorber
safely. Ask your dealer for assistance.