SUZUKI SX4 2008 1.G Owners Manual

7-4
DRIVING TIPS
80J21-03E
WARNING
(Continued)
 Never use oversized tires or special
shocks and springs to raise (jack
up) your vehicle. This will change
its handling characteristics. Over-
sized tires may also rub against the
fender over bumps, causing vehicle
damage or tire failure.
 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.
Driving on Slippery Roads: NO

7-5DRIVING TIPS
80J21-03E
MEMO

VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
8
80J21-03E
54G215
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWINGVehicle Loading ................................................................... 8-1
Trailer Towing ...................................................................... 8-2
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing) ...................... 8-2

8-1VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
80J21-03E
Vehicle Loading
80JS025
Your vehicle was designed for specific
weight capacities. The weight capacities of
your vehicle are indicated by the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR, front and rear)
and the Vehicle Capacity Weight. The
GVWR and GAWR (front and rear) are
listed on the Safety Certification Label
which is located below the driver’s side
door latch striker. The Vehicle Capacity
Weight is listed on the Tire Information
Label which is located below the Safety
Certification Label.
GVWR – Maximum permissible overall
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all the occupants, accessories and cargo).
GAWR – (Front and Rear) Maximum per-
missible weight on an individual axle.Vehicle Capacity Weight – Maximum per-
missible load weight a vehicle can carry
including the weight of all the occupants,
accessories and cargo.
The weight of any accessories already
installed on your vehicle at the time of pur-
chase, or that you or the dealer install after
purchase, must be subtracted from the
Vehicle Capacity Weight to determine how
much capacity remains available for occu-
pants and cargo. Contact your dealer for
further information.
Actual weight of the loaded vehicle and
actual loads at the front and rear axles can
only be determined by weighing the vehicle
using a vehicle scale. To measure the
weight and load, try taking your vehicle to
a highway weighing station, shipping com-
pany or inspection station for trucks, etc.
Compare these weights to the GVWR and
GAWR (front and rear) listed on the Safety
Certification Label. If the gross vehicle
weight or the load on either axle exceeds
these ratings, you must remove enough
weight to bring the load down to the rated
capacity.
WARNING
Never overload your vehicle. The
gross vehicle weight (sum of the
weights of the loaded vehicle, driver
and passengers) must never exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) listed on the Safety Certifica-
tion Label. In addition, never distrib-
ute a load so that the weight on either
the front or rear axle exceeds the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
listed on the Safety Certification
Label.
WARNING
 Always distribute cargo evenly.
 To avoid personal injury or damage
to your vehicle, always secure
cargo to prevent it from shifting if
the vehicle moves suddenly.
 Place heavier objects on the floor
and as far forward in the trunk or in
the cargo area as possible.
 Never pile cargo higher than the
top of the seat backs.
Vehicle Loading: 11

8-2
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
80J21-03E
Trailer Towing
54G639
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The
vehicle is not designed or intended for
such use. Towing a trailer can adversely
affect handling, durability and fuel econ-
omy.
Towing Your Vehicle
(recreational towing)Your vehicle may be towed behind another
vehicle (such as a motorhome), provided
you use the proper towing method speci-
fied for your vehicle. The towing method
you must use depends on the specifica-
tions of your vehicle: whether it is a 2-
wheel drive (2WD) or intelligent All Wheel
Drive (i-AWD) vehicle.
Use the towing instruction table to select
the proper towing method for your vehicle,
and carefully follow the corresponding
instructions. Be sure to use proper towing
equipment designed for recreational tow-
ing and make sure that towing speed does
not exceed 90 km/h (55 mph).TOWING INSTRUCTION TABLE
80J010
WARNING
Always use a safety chain when tow-
ing your vehicle and be sure to
observe federal, state, and local
requirements for trailer hitches, tow
bars, lights, etc.
DRIVE
TRAINTRAN-
SAXLETOWING
METHOD
2WDA/T (AUTO)A
M/T
(MANUAL)A B
i-AWD
including
2WD modeA/Tnone
M/TB
CAUTION
For the automatic transaxle of intelli-
gent All Wheel Drive (i-AWD) models,
don’t tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle such as a motor-
home, or the drive train may be seri-
ously damaged.
Trailer Towing: 5, 11, 13
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing): 13

8-3VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
80J21-03E
54G212
TOWING METHOD AFROM THE FRONT:
FRONT WHEELS ON A DOLLY
AND REAR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
A: 2WD (except 2WD mode of i-AWD)
VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRAN-
SAXLE OR AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
1) Secure the front wheels on a towing
dolly according to the instructions pro-
vided by the dolly manufacturer.
2) Release the parking brake.
80J011
CAUTION
Towing the 2WD or i-AWD automatic
transaxle vehicles with four wheels
on the ground can result in damage
to the automatic transaxle.
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing): 13

8-4
VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
80J21-03E
80J013
TOWING METHOD BFROM THE FRONT:
FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND
B: 2WD or i-AWD (including 2WD mode)
VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLE
1) Shift the manual transaxle lever into
neutral.
2) Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” posi-
tion to unlock the steering wheel.
3) Release the parking brake.
80J012
CAUTION
The steering column is not strong
enough to withstand shocks trans-
mitted from the front wheels during
towing. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
CAUTION
Towing the 2WD or i-AWD automatic
transaxle vehicles with four wheels
on the ground can result in damage
to the automatic transaxle.
Towing Your Vehicle (recreational towing): 13

8-5VEHICLE LOADING AND TOWING
80J21-03E
MEMO

INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
9
80J21-03E
60G410
INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCEMaintenance Schedule ....................................................... 9-2
Periodic Maintenance Schedule ........................................ 9-3
Maintenance Recommended under Severe Driving
Conditions ........................................................................... 9-7
Engine Oil and Filter ........................................................... 9-11
Gear Oil ................................................................................ 9-14
Automatic Transaxle Fluid ................................................. 9-16
Engine Coolant .................................................................... 9-17
Windshield Washer Fluid ................................................... 9-19
Air Cleaner ........................................................................... 9-19
Spark Plugs ......................................................................... 9-20
Brakes .................................................................................. 9-21
Steering Wheel .................................................................... 9-23
Clutch Pedal ........................................................................ 9-24
Tires ...................................................................................... 9-24
Battery .................................................................................. 9-35
Fuses .................................................................................... 9-35
Headlight Aiming ................................................................. 9-39
Bulb Replacement ............................................................... 9-39
Wiper Blades ....................................................................... 9-44
Air Conditioning System .................................................... 9-48

9-1INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
80J21-03E
60A187S
WARNING
You should take extreme care when
working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few pre-
cautions that you should be espe-
cially careful to observe:
 To prevent damage or unintended
inflation of the air bag system, be
sure the battery is disconnected
and the ignition switch has been in
the “LOCK” position for at least 90
seconds before performing any
electrical service work on your
SUZUKI. Do not touch air bag sys-
tem components or wires. The
wires are wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow tubing, and the couplers
are yellow for easy identification.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
 Do not leave the engine running in
garages or other confined areas.
 When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, tools and other
objects away from the moving fan
and drive belt.
 When it is necessary to do service
work with the engine running, make
sure that the parking brake is set
fully and the transaxle is in Neutral
(for manual transaxle vehicles) or
Park (for automatic transaxle vehi-
cles).
 Do not touch ignition wires or other
ignition system parts when starting
the engine or when the engine is
running, or you could receive an
electric shock.
 Be careful not to touch a hot
engine, exhaust manifold and
pipes, muffler, radiator and water
hoses.
 Do not allow smoking, sparks or
flames around gasoline or the bat-
tery. Flammable fumes are present.
 Do not get under your vehicle if it is
supported only with the portable
jack provided in your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
 Be careful not to cause accidental
short circuits between the positive
and negative battery terminals.
 Keep used oil, engine coolant and
other fluids away from children and
pets. Dispose of used fluids prop-
erly; never pour them on the
ground, into sewers, etc.