trans axle SUZUKI SX4 2010 1.G User Guide

3-10
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
3) Close the engine hood securely before
starting the engine.
Using the TransaxleManual Transaxle
80J2081
Starting off
To start off, depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor and shift into 1st gear.
After releasing the parking brake, gradually
release the clutch. When you hear a
change in the engine’s sound, slowly press
the accelerator while continuing to gradu-
ally release the clutch.
Shifting
All forward gears are synchronized, which
provides for quiet, and easy shifting.
Always depress the clutch pedal all the
way to the floor before shifting gears. Keep
the engine speed does not rise into the red
zone of the tachometer.
80J2082
Reverse gear: with lifting up ring, shift the
gearshift lever to the right, engage gear.
CAUTION
Secure the block heater cord back to
its original position or to the routed
position. A loose cord could get
caught in the engine accessory drive
belt(s) or other moving parts.
EXAMPLE

3-11OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
Continuously Variable Transaxle
(CVT)
80J2065
Gearshift lever
80J2035
WARNING
 Reduce your speed and downshift
to a lower gear before going down
a long or steep hill. Downshifting
will allow the engine to provide
braking. Avoid riding the brakes or
they may overheat, resulting in
brake failure.
 When driving on slippery roads, be
sure to slow down before down-
shifting. Large and sudden
changes in engine speed may
cause loss of traction, which could
cause you to lose control.
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped before you shift
into reverse.
CAUTION
 To help avoid clutch damage, do
not use the clutch pedal as a foot-
rest while driving or use the clutch
to keep the vehicle stationary on a
slope. Depress the clutch fully
when shifting.
 When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine
can shorten engine life and affect
smooth shifting.
WARNING
Always depress the brake pedal
before shifting from “P” (Park) (or
“N” (Neutral) if the vehicle is station-
ary) to a forward or reverse gear, to
help prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly when you shift.

3-12
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
The gearshift lever has a lock mechanism
to help prevent accidental shifting. To shift
the gearshift lever:
80J2036
NOTE:
 Always shift the gearshift lever without
pushing in the lock button (1) except
when you shift from “P” to “R”, from “N”
to “R” or from “R” to “P”. If you always
push in the lock button (1) when shifting
the gearshift lever, you could shift into
“P” or “R” by mistake.
 If driver’s or passenger’s knee hits the
gearshift lever while driving, the lever
could move and the gear could be
changed unexpectedly.Use the gearshift lever positions as
described below:
P (Park)
Use this position to lock the transaxle
when the vehicle is parked or when start-
ing the engine. Shift into Park only when
the vehicle is completely stationary.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to reverse the vehicle
from stop. Make sure that vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting into
Reverse.
N (Neutral)
Use this position for starting the engine if
the engine stalls and you need to restart it
while the vehicle is moving. You may also
shift into Neutral and depress the brake
pedal to hold the vehicle stationary during
idling. Shift with the lock button (1)
pushed in and the brake pedal
depressed.
Shift with the lock button (1)
pushed in.
Shift without the lock button (1)
pushed in.
(1)
CAUTION
Do not shift the gearshift lever into
“R” while moving forward, or the
transaxle may be damaged. If you
shift into “R” when the vehicle speed
is over 6mph (10km/h), the transaxle
will not shift into reverse.

3-13OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in “D” range you
can get an automatic downshift by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. The higher the
vehicle speed is, the more you need to
press the accelerator pedal to get a down-
shift.
M (manual mode)
Use this position for driving in the manual
mode.
Refer to “Manual mode” later in this section
for details on how to use the manual mode.Manual mode
The CVT can shift gears automatically.
When using the manual mode, you can
shift gears in the same manner as conven-
tional manual transaxle.
To use the manual mode, shift the gearshift
lever from “D” to “M”.
80J2037
80J2073
(1) Manual mode indicator
(2) Gear positionThe information display shows the manual
mode indicator (1) and the current gear
position (2).
NOTE:
 The indicated gear position on the infor-
mation display when you shift from “D” to
“M” is the gear position that was selected
automatically when the gearshift lever
was in “D”.
 You can change to the manual mode
temporarily by pulling the shift paddle (if
equipped) on the steering wheel toward
you when the gearshift lever is in “D”.
Shifting in the manual mode
You can shift gears from 1st to 6th depend-
ing on driving speed.
NOTE:
 When the engine is revved, the gear is
shifted up automatically to prevent dam-
age to the engine and the transaxle. If
the CVT fluid becomes hot such as
when driving on up hill, the engine speed
at which shifting occurs may be lower
than usual.
 When the driving speed becomes slow,
the gear shifts down automatically, and
when the vehicle stops, the gear position
will be in 1st gear without shifting the
gearshift lever.
 If you depress the accelerator pedal a
certain amount, the gear shifts down
automatically even if the gearshift lever
is in the manual mode.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
CVT:
 Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
 Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D” or “M” when the engine is run-
ning above idle speed.
 Do not rev the engine with the tran-
saxle in a drive position (“R”, “D”
or “M”) and the front wheels not
moving.
 Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
(1)
(2)
EXAMPLE

3-14
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
NOTE:
When you shift gears, the gear may not
shift to the desired position. This is to
maintain good drivability and to protect the
transaxle.
Using the gearshift lever
80J2039
(1) “+” side (shift up)
(2) “–” side (shift down)
To shift up, pull the gearshift lever to the “+”
side (rearward). When you remove your
hand from the gearshift lever, the lever will
return to the “M” position automatically.
To shift down, push the gearshift lever to
the “–” side (forward). When you remove
your hand from the gearshift lever, the
lever will return to the “M” position auto-
matically.NOTE:
To shift gears continuously, remove your
hand from the gearshift lever, then shift the
lever again. You cannot shift gears continu-
ously while holding the lever in the “+” or
“–” position.
Using the shift paddle (if equipped)
80J1358
To shift up, pull the “+” side shift paddle,
located on right side of the steering wheel,
toward you. When you remove your finger
from the switch, the switch will return to the
original position.
80J1359
To shift down, pull the “–” side shift paddle,
located on left side of the steering wheel,
toward you. When you remove your finger
from the switch, the switch will return to the
original position.
NOTE:
 To shift gears continuously, remove your
finger from the shift paddle, then pull the
shift paddle again. You cannot shift
gears continuously while holding the
shift paddle toward you.
 When you pull the both “+” and “–” shift
paddle simultaneously, the gear may not
shift.
(1)
(2)

3-18
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
Cruise Control (if equipped)
79JM005
The cruise control system allows you to
maintain a steady speed without keeping
your foot on the accelerator pedal. The
controls for operating the cruise control
system are on the steering wheel.
You can use the cruise control system with
the following conditions:
 For manual transaxle vehicle, the gear
position is in 4th, 5th or 6th.
 For CVT vehicle, the gearshift lever is in
“D” position, or the gear position is in
3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th in the manual mode.
 The vehicle speed is about 25 mph (40
km/h) or higher.
79JM006
(1) “CRUISE” switch
(2) “CANCEL” switch
(3) “SET/COAST” switch
(4) “RES/ACC” switch
CAUTION
Unevenly worn tires can cause prob-
lems in the operation of the 2WD/i-
AWD switch. Be sure to rotate the
tires according to the maintenance
schedule. Refer to “Tires” and “Main-
tenance Schedule” in the “INSPEC-
TION AND MAINTENANCE” section
for proper tire rotation procedures.
WARNING
To help avoid loss of vehicle control,
do not use the cruise control system
when driving in heavy traffic, on slip-
pery or winding roads, or on steep
downgrades.
(1)(2)
(3)(4)

3-20
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
80J23-03E
To Change Cruising Speed
Using the accelerator pedal
To reset at a faster cruising speed, acceler-
ate to the desired speed using the acceler-
ator pedal and push the “SET/COAST”
switch (3). The new speed will be main-
tained.
Using the brake pedal
To reset at a slower cruising speed, decel-
erate to the desired speed using the brake
pedal and push the “SET/COAST” switch
(3). The new speed will be maintained.
NOTE:
When the brake pedal is depressed, the
“SET” indicator light goes off until reset the
cruising speed.
Using the cruise control switch
To reset at a faster cruising speed, press
repeatedly or hold in the “RES/ACC”
switch (4). Vehicle speed will steadily
increase. When you release the switch, the
new speed will be maintained.
To reset at a slower cruising speed, press
repeatedly or hold in the “SET/COAST”
switch (3) until the vehicle has slowed to
the desired speed, then release the switch.
The new speed will be maintained.
NOTE:
You can adjust the set speed by approxi-
mately 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h) by pushing a
cruise control switch quickly.Cancellation of the Cruise Control
The “SET” indicator light will go off and the
cruise control will be canceled temporarily
with following procedures:
 Push the “CANCEL” switch (2).
 Depress the brake pedal.
 For manual transaxle, depress the clutch
pedal.
 For CVT, downshift from 3rd to 2nd in the
manual mode.
 The vehicle speed falls more than about
20 percent from the set speed.
 Any time the vehicle speed falls below
25 mph (40 km/h).
 When the vehicle skids and ESP
® (if
equipped) is activated.
To resume the previously set speed, push
the “RES/ACC” switch (4) and turn on the
“SET” indicator light. Besides, the vehicle
speed has to be above 25 mph (40 km/h)
when the vehicle is not in the above condi-
tions.
To turn off the cruise control system, push
the “CRUISE” switch (1) and make sure
the “CRUISE” indicator light is off.
Also, if the malfunction indicator light in the
instrument cluster comes on or blinks, the
cruise control system will be turned off.
NOTE:
If you turn off the cruise control system, the
previously set speed in the memory is
cleared. Reset your cruising speed again.
Braking
60G165
The distance needed to bring any vehicle
to a halt increases with the speed of the
vehicle. The braking distance needed, for
example, at 60 km/h (37 mph) will be
approximately 4 times greater than the
braking distance needed at 30 km/h (19
mph). Start to brake the vehicle when there
is plenty of distance between your vehicle
and the stopping point, and slow down
gradually.

4-2
DRIVING TIPS
80J23-03E
54G584S
Improving Fuel EconomyThe following instructions will help you
improve fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling
If you are to wait for more than a minute
while you are parked, stop the engine and
start it again later. When warming up a
cold engine, allow the engine to idle until
the temperature gauge pointer comes up
to the “C” position. In this position, the
engine is sufficiently warm for starting off.
Avoid “jackrabbit” starts
Fast starts away from lights or stop signs
will consume fuel unnecessarily and
shorten engine life. Start off slowly.
Avoid unnecessary stops
Avoid unnecessary deceleration and stop-
ping. Try to maintain a slow, steady speed
whenever possible. Slowing down and then
accelerating again uses more fuel.
Keep a steady cruising speed
Keep as constant a speed as road and traf-
fic conditions will permit.
CAUTION
To minimize the possibility of catalyst
or other vehicle damage:
 Maintain the engine in the proper
operating condition.
 In the event of an engine malfunc-
tion, particularly one involving
engine misfire or other apparent
loss of performance, have the vehi-
cle serviced promptly.
 Do not shut off the engine or inter-
rupt the ignition when the transaxle
is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
 Do not try to start the engine by
pushing or towing the vehicle or
coasting down a hill.
 Do not idle the engine with any
spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as during diagnos-
tic testing.
 Do not idle the vehicle for pro-
longed periods if idling seems
rough or there are other malfunc-
tions.
 Do not allow the fuel tank to get
near the empty level.
WARNING
Be careful where you park and drive;
the catalytic converter and other
exhaust components can get very
hot. As with any vehicle, do not park
or operate this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as dry
grass or leaves can come in contact
with a hot exhaust system.
Instrument Cluster: 8

4-3DRIVING TIPS
80J23-03E
60A183S
Keep the air cleaner clean
If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there
will be greater intake resistance, resulting
in decreased power output and increased
fuel consumption.
Keep weight to a minimum
The heavier the load, the more fuel the
vehicle consumes. Take out any luggage
or cargo when it is not necessary.
Keep tire pressure correct
Underinflation of the tires can waste fuel
due to increased running resistance of the
tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the label located below
the driver’s side door latch striker.
Highway DrivingWhen driving at highway speeds, pay
attention to the following:
 Stopping distance progressively
increases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping dis-
tance.
 On rainy days, “Hydroplaning” can occur.
“Hydroplaning” is the loss of direct con-
tact between the road surface and the
vehicle’s tires due to a water film forming
between them. Steering or braking the
vehicle while “Hydroplaning” can be very
difficult, and loss of control can occur.
Keep speed down when the road surface
is wet.
 At high speeds, the vehicle may be
affected by side winds. Therefore,
reduce speed and be prepared for unex-
pected buffeting, which can occur at the
exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of
a hill, or when being overtaken by large
vehicles, etc.
Driving on Hills
80J2066
 When climbing steep hills, the car may
begin to slow down and show a lack of
power. If this happens, you should shift
to a lower gear so that the engine will
again be operating in its normal power
range. Shift rapidly to prevent the car
from losing momentum.
 When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by shifting to
next lower gear. (Do this with EITHER a
CVT or manual transaxle.)
EXAMPLE
Warning and Indicator Lights: 8

4-4
DRIVING TIPS
80J23-03E
Driving on Slippery Roads
60G089S
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, snow-cov-
ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speed
and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.intelligent All Wheel Drive (i-AWD)
ModelsYour i-AWD provides greater traction on
slippery roads than 2-wheel drive models.
However, your i-AWD will not have as
much traction in deep snow, mud or sand
as multipurpose 4WD vehicles. You should
not attempt to drive your i-AWD in deep
snow, mud or sand. i-AWD models are not
sport/utility vehicles, and are not designed
for off-road use.If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud or
sand, follow the directions below:
1) Shift the transaxle back and forth
between a forward range (or first gear
for manual transaxle) 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 spinning to a minimum
wheel rpm. 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.
2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few
minutes of rocking, get another vehicle
to pull your vehicle out.
WARNING
Try not to hold the brake pedal down
too long or too often while going
down a steep or long hill. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, result-
ing in reduced braking efficiency.
Failure to take this precaution could
result in loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION
When descending a down hill,
NEVER turn the ignition key to the
“OFF” position. Emission control
system and CVT (if equipped) dam-
age may result.
WARNING
Do not allow anyone to stand near the
vehicle when you are rocking it, and
do not spin the wheels faster than an
indicated 40 km/h (25 mph) on the
speedometer. Personal injury and/or
vehicle damage may result from spin-
ning the wheels too fast.
Warning and Indicator Lights: 8