maintenance SUZUKI XL7 2007 2.G Owner's Manual

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BrakesBrake Fluid
809919
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is
filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. Refer to
“Engine Compartment Overview” in this
section for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake
fluid level in the reservoir might go down.
The first is that the brake fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other rea-
son is that fluid is leaking out of the brake
system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to top off your
brake fluid. Adding brake fluid will not cor-rect a leak. If you add fluid when your lin-
ings are worn, then you will have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You
should add or remove brake fluid, as nec-
essary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level,
your brake warning light will come on.
Refer to “Brake System Warning Light” in
“Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in
the “Instrument Panel” section.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid. Use new brake fluid
from a sealed container only. Refer to
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in
“Maintenance Schedule” in the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” section.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap
and the area around the cap before remov-
ing it. This will help keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
CAUTION
 When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage your
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system. Also, water
does not clean as well as washer
fluid.
 Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very
cold. This allows for expansion if
freezing occurs, which could dam-
age the tank if it is completely full.
 Do not use engine coolant (anti-
freeze) in your windshield washer.
It can damage your washer system
and paint.
WARNING
If your vehicle has too much brake
fluid, it can spill on the engine. The
fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be
burned, and your vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic
system.

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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front and rear disc
brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indica-
tors that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and
new pads are needed. The sound maycome and go or be heard all the time your
vehicle is moving, except when you are
pushing on the brake pedal firmly.
Some driving conditions or climates may
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with your
brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications.
Brake pads should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is arapid increase in pedal travel. This could
be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or
without the vehicle moving, your brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is com-
plex. Its many parts have to be of top qual-
ity and work well together if the vehicle is
to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality
brake parts. When you replace parts of
your braking system – for example, when
your brake pads wear down and you need
new ones put in – be sure you get new
approved replacement parts. If you do not,
your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake
pads that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear
brakes can change – for the worse. The
braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
BatteryYour vehicle has a maintenance free bat-
tery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number
shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
® replacement
battery.
WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake system, the brakes may not
work well, or they may not even work
at all. This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake fluid.
CAUTION
 Using the wrong fluid can badly
damage brake system parts. For
example, just a few drops of min-
eral-based oil, such as engine oil,
in the brake system can damage
brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do
not let someone put in the wrong
kind of fluid.
 If you spill brake fluid on your vehi-
cle’s painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Be careful
not to spill brake fluid on your vehi-
cle. If you do, wash it off immedi-
ately. Refer to “Washing Your
Vehicle” in this section.
WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to an acci-
dent. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
CAUTION
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.

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To disconnect the jumper cables from both
vehicles, do the following:
1) Disconnect the black negative (–) cable
from the vehicle that had the dead bat-
tery.
2) Disconnect the black negative (–) cable
from the vehicle with the good battery.
3) Disconnect the red positive (+) cable
from the vehicle with the good battery.
4) Disconnect the red positive (+) cable
from the other vehicle.
5) Return the fuse block cover to its origi-
nalposition.
All-Wheel DriveIf you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be
sure to perform the lubricant checks
described in this section. However, there
are two additional systems that need lubri-
cation.Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit)When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the lubricant.
Refer to “Scheduled Maintenance” in
“Maintenance Schedule” in the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” section.
How to Check Lubricant
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A. Fill Plug
B. Drain PlugTo get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need to add some lubri-
cant. Add enough lubricant to raise the
level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
Refer to “Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section.
Carrier Assembly-Differential
(Rear Drive Module)When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the lubricant
and when to change it. Refer to “Sched-
uled Maintenance” in “Maintenance
Schedule” in the “Maintenance Schedule”
section.

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How to Check Lubricant
AWD Differential Case
1716440
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need to add some lubri-
cant. Add enough lubricant to raise the
level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. A
fluid loss could indicate a problem; check
and have it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
Refer to “Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section.
Bulb ReplacementFor the proper type of replacement bulbs,
refer to “Replacement Bulbs” in this sec-
tion.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed
in this section, contact your dealer.Halogen BulbsTaillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
1802291
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Sidemarker Lamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Taillamp
C. Backup Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs, do the fol-
lowing:
1) Open the liftgate. Refer to “Liftgate” in
“Doors and Locks” in the “Features and
Controls” section for more information.
WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and can burst if you drop or
scratch the bulb. You or others could
be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.

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Windshield Wiper Blade
ReplacementWindshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. Refer to
“Scheduled Maintenance” in “Mainte-
nance Schedule” in the “Maintenance
Schedule” section for more information.
Replacement blades come in different
types and are removed in different ways.
For proper type and length, refer to “Nor-
mal Maintenance Replacement Parts” in
“Maintenance Schedule” in the “Mainte-
nance Schedule” section.
Here’s how to replace the windshield wiper
blades:
1) Make sure the front wipers are turned
off.
2) Pull the windshield wiper arm away
from the windshield.
811525
3) Pull up the release clip, located at the
connecting point of the blade and the
arm. Then, pull the blade assembly
down toward the glass to remove it
from the wiper arm.
4) Push the new wiper blade securely on
the wiper arm until you hear the release
clip “click” into place.
5) Push the release clip, from Step 3,
down to secure the wiper blade into
place.Rear Window Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace the rear window wiper blade,
do the following:
1) Make sure that the rear wiper is off.
2) Pull the wiper away from the rear win-
dow.
3) Pull up the release clip, located at the
connecting point of the blade and the
arm. Then, pull the blade assembly
down toward the glass to remove it
from the wiper arm.
4) Push the new wiper blade securely on
the wiper arm until you hear the release
clip “click” into place.
5) Push the release clip, from Step 3,
down to secure the wiper blade into
place.

5-32 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS will illuminate the low
tire pressure warning symbol on the instru-
ment panel cluster, and at the same time a
message to check the pressure in a spe-
cific tire will appear on the Driver Informa-
tion Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning symbol on the instru-
ment panel cluster and the check tire pres-
sure message will appear at each ignition
cycle until the tires are inflated to the cor-
rect inflation pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and dis-
plays refer to “DIC Operation and Dis-
plays” and “DIC Warnings and Messages”
in “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the
“Instrument Panel” section.
The low tire pressure warning light may
come on in cool weather when the vehicle
is first started, and then turn off as you
start to drive. This may be an early indica-
tor that the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information Label,
attached to your vehicle, shows the size of
your vehicle’s original equipment tires and
the correct inflation pressure for your vehi-
cle's tires when they are cold. Refer to
“Loading Your Vehicle” in “Your Driving,the Road, and Your Vehicle” in the “Driving
Your Vehicle” section, for an example of
the Tire and Loading Information Label
and its location on your vehicle. Also refer
to “Inflation - Tire Pressure” in this section.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition but it
does not replace normal tire maintenance.
Refer to “Tire Inspection and Rotation” and
“Tires” in this section.
The TPMS will not function properly if one
or more of the TPMS sensors are missing
or inoperable. If the system detects a miss-
ing or inoperable sensor, an error mes-
sage SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
will be shown on the DIC display. If you
have replaced a tire/wheel assembly with-
out transferring the TPMS sensors, the
error message will be displayed. Once you
re-install the TPMS sensors, the error
message should go off. See your SUZUKI
dealer for service if all TPMS sensors are
installed and the error message comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identifi-
cation code. Any time you replace one ormore of the TPMS sensors or rotate the
vehicle’s tires, the identification codes will
need to be matched to the new tire/wheel
position. The sensors are matched, to the
tire/wheel positions, in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side front
tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your SUZUKI dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors may also be matched
to each tire/wheel position by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure. When
increasing the tire’s pressure, do not
exceed the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match each
tire and wheel position. If it takes longer
than two minutes to match any tire and
wheel position, the matching process
stops and you will need to start over.
The TPMS matching process is outlined
below:
1) Set the parking brake.
2) Turn the ignition switch to RUN with the
engine off.
3) Using the DIC, press the vehicle infor-
mation button until the TIRE LOCA-
TIONS PRESS TO LEARN message
displays.
4) Press the set/reset button to allow the
system to learn the tire positions. The
horn will sound twice to indicate the
receiver is ready, and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message displays.
CAUTION
Do not use a tire sealant if your vehi-
cle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The
liquid sealant can damage the tire
pressure monitor sensors.

5-33 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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The TPMS system is ready for the sen-
sor matching process to begin.
5) Start with the driver side front tire.
6) Remove the valve cap from the tire’s
valve stem. Activate the TPMS sensor
by increasing or decreasing the tire’s
air pressure for five seconds, or until a
horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,
which may take up to 30 seconds to
sound, confirms that the sensor identifi-
cation code has been matched to the
tire/wheel position. To decrease the
tire’s air-pressure use the pointed end
of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pres-
sure gage, or a key.
7) Proceed to the passenger side front
tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
8) Proceed to the passenger side rear tire,
and repeat the procedure in Step 6.
9) Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
10)After hearing the confirming horn chirp
for the driver side rear tire, the tire
learning process ends. Turn the ignition
switch to LOCK.
11)Set all four tires to the recommended
air pressure level as indicated on the
tire and loading information label.
12)Put the valve caps back on the valve
stems.
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and com-
plies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Oper-ation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1) This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2) This device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
operates on a radio frequency and com-
plies with RSS-210 of Industry and Sci-
ence Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1) This device may not cause interfer-
ence.
2) This device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by
other than an authorized service facility
could void authorization to use this equip-
ment.
Tire Inspection and RotationTires should be rotated every 5000 to 8000
miles (8000 to 13000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate
your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged
tires or wheels. Refer to “When It Is Time
for New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement”
in this section for more information.The purpose of regular rotation is to
achieve more uniform wear for all tires on
the vehicle. The first rotation is the most
important. Refer to “Scheduled Mainte-
nance” in “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section for sched-
uled rotation intervals.
811106
When rotating your tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact spare tire in
your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust
the front and rear inflation pressures as
shown on the Tire and Loading Information
label. Refer to “Inflation -Tire Pressure” in
this section and “Loading Your Vehicle” in
“Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle”
in the “Driving Your Vehicle” section.

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If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a
drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal
and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then gently
brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require the
same correction you would use in a skid. In
any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you want
the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possi-
ble.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how
to use the jacking equipment to change a
flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat TireIf a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a level
place. Turn on your vehicle’s hazard warn-
ing flashers. Refer to “Hazard Warning
Flashers” in “Instrument Panel Overview”
in the “Instrument Panel” section for more
information.
When your vehicle has a flat tire, use the
following example as a guide to assist you
in the placement of wheel blocks.
809231
The following information will tell you next
how to use the jack and change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
To access the tools, do the following:
1) Locate the jack and wheel wrench,
which are located on the passenger’s
side of the rear cargo area, behind an
access door. Pull out the access door
to reach them.
WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it
to do maintenance or repairs is dan-
gerous without the appropriate safety
equipment and training. The jack pro-
vided with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others
could be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. Use the jack
provided with your vehicle only for
changing a flat tire.
WARNING
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack and
roll over or fall on you or other peo-
ple. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level
place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1) Set the parking brake firmly.
2) Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3) Turn off the engine and do not
restart while the vehicle is raised.
4) Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle
will not move, you should put blocks
at the front and rear of the tire far-
thest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire, on
the other side, at the opposite end of
the vehicle.

5-41 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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5) Put the compact spare tire near the flat
tire.
988777
6) Raise the vehicle by turning the jack
handle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far
enough off the ground so there is
enough room for the road tire to clear
the ground.
806071
7) Remove all of the wheel nuts.
8) Remove the flat tire.
WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle
slips off the jack you could be badly
injured or killed. Never get under a
vehicle when it is supported only by
a jack.
WARNING
Raising your vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage
the vehicle and even make the vehi-
cle fall. To help avoid personal injury
and vehicle damage, be sure to fit the
jack lift head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it
to do maintenance or repairs is dan-
gerous without the appropriate safety
equipment and training. The jack pro-
vided with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a flat tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others
could be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. Use the jack
provided with your vehicle only for
changing a flat tire.
WARNING
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make the wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come off
and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from the places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emer-
gency, you can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed,
to get all the rust or dirt off.

5-49 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
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 For solid dry soils: remove as much as
possible and then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1) Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth
with water or club soda.
2) Wring the cloth to remove excess mois-
ture.
3) Start on the outside edge of the soil and
gently rub toward the center. Continue
cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth
each time it becomes soiled.
4) Continue to gently rub the soiled area
until the cleaning cloth remains clean.
5) If the soil is not completely removed,
use a mild soap solution and repeat the
cleaning process that was used with
plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial
fabric cleaner or spot lifter may be neces-
sary. When a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness first. If
the locally cleaned area gives any impres-
sion that a ring formation may result, clean
the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been com-
pleted, a paper towel can be used to blot
excess moisture from the fabric or carpet.LeatherA soft cloth dampened with water may be
used to remove dust. If a more thorough
cleaning is necessary, a soft cloth damp-ened with a mild soap solution can be
used. Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do
not use heat to dry. Never use steam to
clean leather. Never use spot lifters or spot
removers on leather. Many commercial
leather cleaners and coatings that are sold
to preserve and protect leather may per-
manently change the appearance and feel
of your leather and are not recommended.
Do not use silicone or wax-based prod-
ucts, or those containing organic solvents
to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increas-
ing the gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Never use shoe polish on your leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic SurfacesA soft cloth dampened with water may be
used to remove dust. If a more thorough
cleaning is necessary, a clean soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution can
be used to gently remove dust and dirt.
Never use spot lifters or removers on plas-
tic surfaces. Many commercial cleaners
and coatings that are sold to preserve and
protect soft plastic surfaces may perma-
nently change the appearance and feel of
your interior and are not recommended.
Do not use silicone or wax-based prod-
ucts, or those containing organic solvents
to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increas-
ing the gloss in a non-uniform manner.Some commercial products may increase
gloss on your instrument panel. The
increase in gloss may cause annoying
reflections in the windshield and even
make it difficult to see through the wind-
shield under certain conditions.
Care of Safety BeltsKeep belts clean and dry.WeatherstripsSilicone grease on weatherstrips will make
them last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak. Apply silicone grease with a
clean cloth. During very cold, damp
weather frequent application may be
required. Refer to “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in “Maintenance Sched-
ule” in the “Maintenance Schedule” sec-
tion.Washing Your VehicleThe paint finish on the vehicle provides
beauty, depth of color, gloss retention, and
durability.
WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If
you do, it may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection. Clean
safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.