engine SUZUKI XL7 2007 2.G Service Manual

4-4 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking
skid.
When you start the engine and begin to
drive away, ABS will check itself. You may
hear a momentary motor or clicking noise
while this test is going on, and you may
even notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
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If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light will stay on. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in “Warning Lights,
Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument
Panel” section.
1527213
Let us say the road is wet and you are driv-
ing safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out
in front of you. You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slow-
ing down. If one of the wheels is about to
stop rolling, the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure faster
than any driver could. The computer is pro-
grammed to make the most of available tire
and road conditions. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while braking
hard.
1527212
As you brake, the computer keeps receiv-
ing updates on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time
you need to get your foot up to the brake
pedal or always decrease stopping dis-
tance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or
stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock
work for you. You may hear the anti-lock
pump or motor operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.

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Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering
can help you more than even the very best
braking.Traction Control System (TCS)Your vehicle has a traction control system
that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The sys-
tem operates only if it senses that one or
both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this hap-
pens, the system reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
1545635
This light will come on when your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal. This light may also come
on after extended heavy braking indicating
the brakes have become too hot to limit
wheel spin.
The traction control system automatically
comes on whenever you start your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery
road conditions, you should always leavethe system on. But you can turn the trac-
tion control system off if you ever need to.
You should turn the system off if your vehi-
cle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
Refer to “Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out” in this section.
78J001
The traction control system can be turned
off by pressing the traction control button,
located on the floor console to the left of
the shift lever.
The traction control system can be acti-
vated again by pressing the traction control
button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button, the traction control
off light will appear on the instrument panel
cluster. The system will not turn off until
there is no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. You can turn the system back
on at any time by pressing the button
again. If the light does not come on, you
may not have traction control and your
vehicle should be serviced by a dealer.
Adding non-SUZUKI accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. Refer to“Accessories and Modifications” in “Ser-
vice” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section for more information.
Electronic Stability ControlThe Electronic Stability Control (ESC) sys-
tem is an advanced computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain direc-
tional control of the vehicle in difficult driv-
ing conditions. This is accomplished by
selectively applying any one of the vehi-
cle’s brakes and reducing engine power.
The ESC system comes on automatically
whenever you start your vehicle.
The SERVICE STABILITY CTRL message
may be displayed in the DIC after first driv-
ing the vehicle and exceeding 30 mph 48
(km/h) for 30 seconds. The ESC system is
off until the message has turned off. This
could take up to 15 minutes. Refer to “DIC
Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor-
mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument
Panel” section for more information.
The SERVICE STABILITY CTRL message
will stay on if there is a problem with the
system. When this message is on, the sys-
tem is not operational. Adjust your driving
accordingly. ESC can be turned off using
the traction control button. To disable ESC,
press and hold the traction control button
for five seconds. ESC can be activated
again by pressing the traction control but-
ton.

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All-Wheel Drive (AWD) SystemIf your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD),
the AWD system operates automatically
without any action required by the driver. If
the front drive wheels begin to slip, the rear
wheels will automatically begin to drive the
vehicle as required. Torque is also applied
to the rear wheels during launches. There
may be a slight engagement noise during
hard use but this is normal.
1710820
This light and the SERVICE ALL WHEEL
DRIVE message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will come on and stay on to
indicate that there may be a problem with
the drive system and service is required.
Refer to “Service All-Wheel Drive Light” in
“Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in
the “Instrument Panel” section and “DIC
Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor-
mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument
Panel” section for more information.
1710823
This light will come on along with the ALL
WHEEL DRIVE OFF message when the
rear drive system is overheating. This light
will turn off when the rear drive system
cools down. If this light stays on, it must be
reset. To reset the light, turn the ignition off
and then back again. If the light stays on,
see your dealer for service.
Refer to “All Wheel Drive Off” under “DIC
Warnings and Messages” in “Driver Infor-
mation Center (DIC)” in the “Instrument
Panel” section for more information.SteeringPower Steering
If you lose power steering assist because
the engine stops or the power steering sys-
tem is not functioning, you can steer, but it
will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reason-
able speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:Experienced driver or beginner, each of us
is subject to the same laws of physics
when driving on curves. The traction of the
tires against the road surface makes it pos-
sible for the vehicle to change its path
when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle
going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve
depends on the condition of your tires and
the road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor
you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp
curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both
control systems – steering and accelera-
tion – have to do their work where the tires
meet the road. Adding the sudden acceler-
ation can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to
“Traction Control System (TCS)” and
“Electronic Stability Control” in this section.
What should you do if this ever happens?
Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal,
steer the vehicle the way you want it to go,
and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that
you should adjust your speed. Of course,
the posted speeds are based on good
weather and road conditions. Under less

4-11 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Driving Through Flowing Water
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
 Turn on your low-beam headlamps – not
just your parking lamps – to help make
you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead,
and be prepared to have your view
restricted by road spray.
 Have good tires with proper tread depth.
Refer to “Tires” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section.
City Driving
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One of the biggest problems with city
streets is the amount of traffic on them.
You will want to watch out for what the
other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
 Know the best way to get to where you
are going. Get a city map and plan yourtrip into an unknown part of the city just
as you would for a cross-country trip.
 Try to use the freeways that rim and
crisscross most large cities. You will
save time and energy. Refer to “Freeway
Driving” in this section.
 Treat a green light as a warning signal. A
traffic light is there because the corner is
busy enough to need it. When a light
turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that
have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
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Mile for mile, freeways – also called thru-
ways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes,
or superhighways – are the safest of all
roads. But they have their own special
rules.
CAUTION
If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air
intake and badly damage the engine.
Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of
your vehicle. If you cannot avoid
deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
WARNING
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. If you try to drive
through flowing water, as you might
at a low water crossing, your vehicle
can be carried away. As little as six
inches of flowing water can carry
away a smaller vehicle. If this hap-
pens, you and other vehicle occu-
pants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise
be very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.

4-12 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same speed most of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic
flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a
passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you
expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge
into the gap at close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors, and glance over your shoul-
der as often as necessary. Try to blend
smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-
ing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane
unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there is not another vehicle in your blind
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable fol-
lowing distance. Expect to move slightly
slower at night.When you want to leave the freeway, move
to the proper lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit, do not, under any circum-
stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long TripMake sure you are ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you are not
fresh – such as after a day’s work – do not
plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you
keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready
to go. If it needs service, have it done
before starting out. Of course, you will find
experienced and able service experts in
dealerships all across North America.
They will be ready and willing to help if you
need it.Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
 Windshield Washer Fluid:
Is the reservoir full? Are all windows
clean inside and outside?
 Wiper Blades:
Are they in good shape?
 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
 Lamps:
Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:
They are vitally important to a safe, trou-
ble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all
inflated to the recommended pressure?
 Weather Forecasts:
What is the weather outlook along your
route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
 Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as high-
way hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling
asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-
nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you
sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it

4-13 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and you could crash
and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
 Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated,
with a comfortably cool interior.
 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the sides. Check your
vehicle’s mirrors and instruments fre-
quently.
 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a
rest, service, or parking area and take a
nap, get some exercise, or both. For
safety, treat drowsiness on the highway
as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
806088
Driving on steep hills or mountains is differ-
ent from driving in flat or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if
you are planning to visit there, here are
some tips that can make your trips safer
and more enjoyable.
 Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transaxle. These
parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know is this: let your
engine do some of the slowing down.
Shift to a lower gear when you go down
a steep or long hill.
 Know how to go uphill. You may want to
shift down to a lower gear. The lower
gears help cool your engine and tran-
saxle, and you can climb the hill better.
 Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Do
not swing wide or cut across the center
WARNING
If you do not shift down, the brakes
could get so hot that they would not
work well. You would then have poor
braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to
let the engine assist the brakes on a
steep downhill slope.
WARNING
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down. They could
get so hot that they would not work
well. You would then have poor brak-
ing or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the
engine running and your vehicle in
gear when you go downhill.

4-15 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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vehicle has a traction system, you will want
to slow down and adjust your driving to the
road conditions. Under certain conditions,
you may want to turn the traction system
off, such as when driving through deep
snow and loose gravel, to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds. Refer to
“Traction Control System (TCS)” and
“Electronic Stability Control” in this section.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
improves your vehicle’s stability when you
make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have ABS, you will want to
begin stopping sooner than you would on
dry pavement. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS)” in this section.
 Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
 Watch for slippery spots. The road might
be fine until you hit a spot that is covered
with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice
patches may appear in shaded areas
where the sun cannot reach, such as
around clumps of trees, behind build-
ings, or under bridges. Sometimes the
surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead
of you, brake before you are on it. Try not
to brake while you are actually on the
ice, and avoid sudden steering maneu-
vers.If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you
could be in a serious situation. You should
probably stay with your vehicle unless you
know for sure that you are near help and
you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and
keep yourself and your passengers safe:
 Turn on your hazard flashers.
 Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert
police that you have been stopped by the
snow.
 Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket
around you. If you do not have blankets
or extra clothing, make body insulators
from newspapers, burlap bags, rags,
floor mats – anything you can wrap
around yourself or tuck under your cloth-
ing to keep warm.
808411
You can run the engine to keep warm, but
be careful.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine,
make it go a little faster than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses
less fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signal-
ing later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the
window almost all the way to preserve the
heat. Start the engine again and repeat
this only when you feel really uncomfort-
WARNING
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get
inside. CO could overcome you and
kill you. You cannot see it or smell it,
so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the
side of the vehicle that is away from
the wind. This will help keep CO out.

4-16 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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able from the cold. But do it as little as pos-
sible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get out of the
vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exer-
cises every half hour or so until help
comes.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or SnowIn order to free your vehicle when it is
stuck, you will need to spin the wheels, but
you do not want to spin your wheels too
fast. The method known as rocking can
help you get out when you are stuck, but
you must use caution.For information about using tire chains on
your vehicle, refer to “Tire Chains” in
“Tires” in the “Service and Appearance
Care” section.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front
wheels. If your vehicle has traction control,
you should turn the traction control system
off. Refer to “Traction Control System
(TCS)” in this section. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a for-
ward gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in
gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it may need to be
towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, refer to “Towing Your Vehicle”
in this section.
Loading Your VehicleIt is very important to know how much
weight your vehicle can carry. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certifica-
tion label.
WARNING
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could
cause an engine compartment fire or
other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible.
Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedom-
eter.
CAUTION
Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the
tires. If you spin the wheels too fast
while shifting the transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy the transaxle.
Refer to “Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out” in this section.
WARNING
Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum front
or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change
the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.

4-21 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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the ground. It can be towed with car carrier
equipment.Level ControlYour vehicle may have this feature. This
self-adjusting type of level control is fully
automatic and will provide a better leveled
riding position as well as better handling
under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. The system is activated when
sufficient weight is added to the vehicle,
and will automatically adjust vehicle height
thereafter. A hydraulic pump inside each
rear shock absorber raises the rear of the
vehicle to the proper height, based on
inputs from the road surface, while the
vehicle is being driven. It takes approxi-
mately two miles (3.2 km) of driving for the
leveling to complete, depending on the
road surface conditions.
If the loaded vehicle is not moved for
approximately twelve hours, the leveling
system may bleed down to a lower height.
This can be especially apparent if a trailer
is left attached to a parked vehicle for long
periods of time. The vehicle must be driven
to re-level the vehicle. If a self-equalizing
hitch is being used, the vehicle should be
driven approximately two miles (3.2 km)
with the trailer prior to adjusting (leveling)
the hitch.
Towing a TrailerTo identify the trailering capacity of your
vehicle, you should read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in
this section. Trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel economy. Suc-cessful, safe trailering takes correct equip-
ment, and it has to be used properly.
That is the reason for this section. In it are
many time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are impor-
tant for your safety and that of your pas-
sengers. So please read this section
carefully before you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
 There are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure your rig will be
legal, not only where you live but also
where you will be driving. A good source
for this information can be state or pro-
vincial police.
 Consider using a sway control. Refer to
“Hitches” later in this section.
 Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is
driven. Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
 During the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at
full throttle. This helps your engine and
other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
WARNING
If you do not use the correct equip-
ment and drive properly, you can lose
control when you pull a trailer. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the brakes may not work well – or
even at all. You and your passengers
could be seriously injured. Pull a
trailer only if you have followed all
the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle.
CAUTION
Pulling a trailer improperly can dam-
age your vehicle and result in costly
repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Always follow the
instructions in this section and check
with your dealer for more information
about towing a trailer with your vehi-
cle.

4-23 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
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 Will you have to make any holes in the
body of your vehicle when you install a
trailer hitch?
If you do, remember to seal the holes
when you remove the hitch. If you do not
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle. Refer to “Engine Exhaust” in
“Starting and Operating Your Vehicle” in
the “Features and Controls” section. Dirt
and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of the
trailer to help prevent the tongue from con-
tacting the road if it becomes separated
from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manu-
facturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Fol-
low the manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains and do not
attach them to the bumper. Always leave
just enough slack so you can turn with your
rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1000 lbs
(450 kg) loaded, then it needs its own
brakes, and they must be adequate. Be
sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so you will be able to
install, adjust and maintain them properly.Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems will
not work well, or at all.Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience. Before setting out for the
open road, you will want to get to know
WARNING
If you have the liftgate open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your
vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness or
death. Refer to “Engine Exhaust” in
“Starting and Operating Your Vehi-
cle” in the “Features and Controls”
section. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
 Have your exhaust system
inspected for leaks, and make nec-
essary repairs before starting on
your trip.
 Keep the liftgate closed.
 If exhaust does come into your
vehicle through a window in the
rear or another opening, drive with
your front, main heating or cooling
system on and with the fan on any
speed. This will bring fresh, out-
side air into your vehicle. Do not
use the climate control setting for
maximum air because it only recir-
culates the air inside your vehicle.
Refer to “Automatic Climate Con-
trol System” in “Climate Controls”
in the “Instrument Panel” section.