Get Operating Your Vehicle -> Using the transaxle Guide for Suzuki Ignis SUV First Generation (2000-2008)

3-16

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Returning ignition mode to LOCK

(OFF)

NOTE:

Certain problems like a fault in engine sys-

tem may prevent the engine switch from

going back to the “LOCK” (OFF) mode. If

this happens, have the vehicle inspected

by an authorised Maruti Suzuki workshop

after doing the following:

• Lock the doors using the key to prevent

theft (The request switches and the key-

less push start system remote controller

cannot be used to lock them).

• Disconnect the negative cable from the

battery to prevent discharge.

LOCK (OFF) mode reminder buzzer

If the driver’s door is opened without

returning the ignition mode to LOCK (OFF)

by pressing the engine switch, a buzzer

sounds to warn you of this state.

• If you open the driver’s door after press-

ing the engine switch to change the igni-

tion mode to ACC, the interior buzzer

beeps intermittently.

• The buzzer will stop sounding if you then

push the engine switch twice, thus bring-

ing it back the ignition mode to LOCK

(OFF).

NOTE:

Whenever you leave the vehicle, make

sure that you have returned the ignition

mode to LOCK (OFF) using the engine

switch and then lock the doors. Without

returning the ignition mode to LOCK

(OFF), you cannot use a request switch or

keyless push start system remote control-

ler to lock the doors.

Steering lock warning buzzer

If the steering lock fails to engage due to a

fault in the system when the ignition mode

is turned to LOCK (OFF) by pressing the

engine switch and any door (including the

tailgate) is opened or closed, the interior

buzzer will warn you of this condition with

repeated short beeps. If this happens,

have the vehicle inspected by an autho-

rised Maruti Suzuki workshop.

Using the transaxle

Manual transaxle

75RM254

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 and pro-

vide quiet and easy shifting. Always depress

the clutch pedal all the way to the floor before

shifting gears. Keep the engine speed from

rising into the red zone of the tachometer.

EXAMPLE

3-17

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Downshifting maximum allowable speeds

For petrol engine

For diesel engine

*NOTE:

You may not accelerate to the maximum

allowable speed because of the driving sit-

uation and/or the vehicle condition.

Auto Gear Shift

Auto Gear Shift is a 5-speed forward/

reverse transaxle.

Auto Gear Shift has the basic features of

conventional manual transaxle, but clutch

operation and transaxle gear shifting are

controlled electronically.

NOTE:

When you open the driver’s door, the Auto

Gear Shift systems run automatically and

you may hear an operating noise. This

sound does not indicate malfunction.

Downshifting km/h

2nd to 1st 20

3rd to 2nd 80

4th to 3rd 120

5th to 4th 155

Downshifting km/h

2nd to 1st 20

3rd to 2nd 55

4th to 3rd 90

5th to 4th 135

NOTICE

Do not downshift to a lower gear at

the speed faster than the maximum

allowable speeds for the next lower

speed, or severe engine damage can

result.

WARNING

• Reduce your speed and downshift

to a lower gear before going down

a long or steep hill. A lower gear

will allow the engine to provide

braking. Avoid riding the brakes or

they may overheat, resulting in

brake failure.

• When driving on slippery roads,

slow down before downshifting.

Excessive and/or sudden changes

in engine speed may cause loss of

traction, which could cause you to

lose control.

NOTICE

Make sure that the vehicle is com-

pletely stationary before you shift

into reverse.

NOTICE

• 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 cause

negative effect to smooth shifting.

NOTICE

Do not depress both the brake pedal

and accelerator pedal simultane-

ously. This can cause damage or

overheating to the clutch.

3-18

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

The features are as follows:

66RH043

66RH044

Depress brake pedal indicator

76MH0A047

This light will come on if you do not

depress the brake pedal in the following

situations.

• When starting the engine.

• When the engine is on and the gearshift

lever is shifted from “N” position to “D”,

“M” or “R” position.

• When the ignition switch is in the “ON”

position or the ignition mode is ON, and

the engine is off, the gearshift lever is

shifted into any position.

This light will also come on if one of the

gears cannot be engaged and the system

is unable to re-try shifting when you shift

the gearshift lever from “N” position to “D”,

“M” or “R” position.

Starting the engine

When starting the engine, always place the

gearshift lever in the “N” position and

depress the brake pedal firmly. The engine

cannot be started unless the gearshift

lever is in the “N” position and the brake

pedal is depressed.

If you parked vehicle with gear engaged on

last time (if you can see “1” or “R”), shift

into “N” (Neutral) and depress the brake

pedal. Hold the brake pedal while starting

the engine. You can hear buzzer in short

time.

Clutch operation

You can select either the Drive (D) mode or

the Manual (M) mode. Since this vehicle

controls clutch operation electronically in

either mode, you do not need to operate

the clutch.

EXAMPLE

3-19

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Creeping function

This vehicle has a creeping function that

helps the vehicle to start smoothly by

engaging the clutch. When the gearshift

lever is in any of the positions “D”, “M” or

“R”, and you release your foot from the

brake pedal, the vehicle starts slowly with-

out depressing the accelerator pedal. The

creeping function is disabled if you

depress the brake pedal or pull up the

parking brake lever. Creep is not possible

in manual mode with 2nd gear engaged.

NOTE:

If the driver’s door is opened and/or the

parking brake lever is engaged with the

gear in the “M”, “D” or “R” position, the

creeping function will not operate.

Parking and Stopping the vehicle

Auto Gear Shift does not have a parking

position. Park the vehicle with a gear

engaged. Make sure that the gearshift

lever is “D”, “M”, or “R”.

Also, check the instrument cluster to make

sure that the transaxle is engaged in “1” or

“R” position.

Drive (D) mode

When the Drive (D) mode is activated, the

most appropriate gear position is automati-

cally selected upon operation of the accel-

erator pedal and variation of vehicle

speed.

66RM03002

Normal driving:

1) Start the engine as instructed in “Start-

ing the engine” in this section.

2) With your foot on the brake pedal, shift

the gearshift lever to the “D” position.

When the gearshift lever is shifted to

the “D” position, the gear will be shifted

to 1st.

NOTE:

• If 1st gear cannot be engaged even

though the gearshift lever has been

shifted from the “N” to the “D” position,

the system will re-try shifting automati-

cally. This will take some time, noise

may be heard from the gears, and shift-

ing gear shock may occur. However,

they do not indicate a malfunction.

• The “N” indicator will flush, the depress

brake pedal indicator will come on and a

warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will

sound if any of the following cases

occur;

– If you shift the gearshift lever from the

“N” to the “D” position without depress-

ing the brake pedal.

– If the system is unable to re-try shifting

You should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,

then shift to “D” again.

3) Release the parking brake and brake

pedal.

4) Depress the accelerator pedal slowly.

NOTICE

A buzzer will sound continuously if

the vehicle is operated with the gear-

shift lever in-between of each shift

positions. The vehicle will become

inoperative if you continue to operate

the vehicle with the gearshift lever in-

between shift positions.

EXAMPLE

WARNING

• While driving the vehicle, do not

shift the gearshift lever to the “N”

position. The engine brake may not

work and you may get involved in

an unexpected accident. If you

return the gearshift lever from “N”

to “D” because of unintended shift-

ing, the gear position will be shifted

according to the current vehicle

speed.

• Always keep your foot on the brake

pedal while stopped with the

engine running. This operation pre-

vents the vehicle from moving due

to unintended activation of the

creeping function.

3-20

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Starting off on an uphill/downhill:

Uphill

1) Apply the parking brake firmly so that

the vehicle does not roll backwards.

2) Shift the gearshift lever to the “D” posi-

tion while depressing the brake pedal.

Make sure that the gear position indica-

tor in the instrumental cluster displays

1st gear.

3) Release the brake pedal and depress

the accelerator pedal gradually, and

when the vehicle starts to move,

release the parking brake and depress

the accelerator pedal to start off.

Downhill

1) Depress the brake pedal and shift the

gearshift lever to the “D” position. Make

sure that the gear is in 1st by checking

the gear position indicator.

2) Release the brake pedal and depress

the accelerator pedal slowly. Even if the

accelerator pedal is not depressed, the

clutch will be engaged when the vehicle

speed increases.

Using engine braking:

When driving on a downhill slope, down-

shifting is recommended. So you can use

engine braking.

By placing the gearshift lever in the “M”

position, the Manual (M) mode is selected,

and you can shift to a lower gear manually.

For details of downshift operation, refer to

“Upshift and downshift” in the “Manual (M)

mode”.

Manual (M) mode

The gears are not shifted automatically. To

shift the transaxle, the driver must operate

the gearshift lever to the “+” or “–” direc-

tion. As for conventional manual transaxle

vehicles, releasing the accelerator pedal a

little may help the transaxle to shift

smoothly.

NOTICE

If the gearshift lever cannot shift into

any position, or the gear is changed

to “N” position automatically when

the vehicle speed becomes less than

10 km/h, there may be a systematic

malfunction. In this case, ask your

authorised Maruti Suzuki workshop

to inspect the Auto Gear Shift system

as soon as possible.

NOTICE

Do not operate the system as

described below. The life cycle of the

clutch may be reduced.

• Using the accelerator pedal to hold

the vehicle on an uphill slope with

the gearshift lever in the “D” or “M”

position. If you perform this opera-

tion for a certain period of time, a

warning buzzer will sound.

• Shifting the gearshift lever to the

“D”, “M” or “R” position while rac-

ing the engine.

• Driving at low speed using a high

gear.

• Holding the vehicle on an uphill

slope using the creeping function.

If you perform this operation for a

certain period of time, a warning

buzzer will sound.

NOTICE

On an uphill slope, never hold the

vehicle at a stop using only the accel-

erator pedal or the creeping function.

If you perform this operation for a

certain period of time, a warning

buzzer will sound, and in some cases

the engine will stall. This can also

cause excessive damage to the

clutch.

3-21

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Upshift and downshift:

Upshifting

66RH045

Pull the gearshift lever to the “+” direction

and release it. Every time the lever is oper-

ated, the transaxle is upshifting 1 step in

the order of 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th

gear.

66RM03003

Downshifting

66RH046

Push the gearshift lever to the “–” direction

and release it. Every time the lever is oper-

ated, the transaxle is downshifted in the

order 5th  4th  3rd  2nd  1st gear.

66RM03004

The gear position is displayed on the gear

position indicator. The gear position indica-

tor shows the transaxle gear position.

Before starting off, always make sure the

gear position indicator to make sure that

the transaxle is engaged in 1st or reverse,

then depress the accelerator pedal. It’s

possible to start-off vehicle in 2nd gear

using manual mode, from stop condition.

NOTE:

• Always use 1st gear while starting off an

uphill slope, otherwise you can damage

the clutch.

• To downshift smoothly, the engine runs

fast in some cases. This is done inten-

tionally by the system and is not mal-

function.

• When driving down a hill, downshift and

use the engine braking appropriately. If

necessary, continuous downshifting is

possible. However, if downshifting more

than 3 steps, gear shifting will take more

time.

• When the gear is shifting, a noise can be

heard in some case. This is not malfunc-

tion.

EXAMPLE

3-22

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Starting off:

1) Start the engine as instructed in “Start-

ing the engine” in this section.

2) With your foot on the brake pedal, shift

the gearshift lever to the “M” position.

When the gearshift lever is shifted to

the “M” position, the gear will be shifted

to 1st. Before starting off, always make

sure that the intended gear is engaged

by checking the gear position indicator,

then depress the accelerator pedal.

NOTE:

• If 1st gear cannot be engaged even

though the gearshift lever has been

shifted from the “N” to the “M” position,

the system will re-try shifting automati-

cally. This will take some time, noise

may be heard from the gears, and shift-

ing gear shock may occur. However,

they do not indicate malfunction.

• The “N” indicator will flash, the depress

brake pedal indicator will come on and a

warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will

sound if any of the following cases

occur;

– If you shift the gearshift lever from the

“N” to the “M” position without

depressing the brake pedal.

– If the system is unable to re-try shifting

You should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,

then shift to “M” position again a few

seconds later.

WARNING

• Be careful when accelerating,

upshifting, downshifting or braking

on a slippery surface. Sudden

acceleration or engine braking

could cause the vehicle to spin or

skid. While starting off on a slip-

pery or snowy roads, please use

2nd gear (if required).

• To drive down a long or steep hill,

reduce your speed and downshift.

Remember, if you ride the brakes

excessively, they may overheat and

fail.

• While driving the vehicle, do not

shift the gearshift lever to “N” posi-

tion. The engine brake may not

work and you may get involved in

an unexpected accident. If you

return the gearshift lever from “N”

to “M” because of unintended shift-

ing, the gear position will be shifted

according to the current vehicle

speed.

• Do not apply the parking brake

while driving. Otherwise, it could

cause a skid and you may get

involved in an unexpected acci-

dent.

NOTICE

• If the gearshift lever cannot shift

into any position, or the gear is

changed to “N” position automati-

cally when the vehicle speed

becomes less than 10 km/h, there

may be a systematic malfunction.

In this case, ask your authorised

Maruti Suzuki workshop to inspect

the Auto Gear Shift system as soon

as possible.

• In manual (M) mode, the system

does not upshift even if the engine

speed reaches the rev-limit.

• The system will not allow shifting

up or down to a gear that would

cause engine over-revving or

under-revving.

• If frequently driving at low speed

using a high gear position, the life

cycle of the clutch may be reduced.

• Frequent downshifting (more than

3 positions consecutively) causes

the reduction of transaxle life.

3-23

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

3) Release the parking brake and brake

pedal. Depress the accelerator pedal

slowly for smooth starting.

Starting off on an uphill/downhill slope:

Uphill

1) Apply the parking brake firmly so that

the vehicle does not roll backwards.

2) Shift the gearshift lever to the “M” posi-

tion while depressing the brake pedal.

Make sure that the gear position indica-

tor in the instrumental cluster displays

1st gear.

3) Release the brake pedal and depress

the accelerator pedal gradually, and

when the vehicle starts to move,

release the parking brake and depress

the accelerator pedal to start off.

Downhill

1) Depress the brake pedal and shift the

gearshift lever to the “M” position. Make

sure the gear position indicator to make

sure that the gear is in 1st.

2) Release the brake pedal and depress

the accelerator pedal slowly. Even

though the accelerator pedal is not

depressed, the clutch will be engaged

when the vehicle speed increases.

Backing up

After the vehicle has stopped completely,

depress the brake pedal and shift the gear-

shift lever to the “R” position. Depress the

accelerator pedal slowly as when starting

off in 1st gear. Before backing up, make

sure that reverse gear is selected by

checking the gear position indicator.

NOTE:

• If reverse gear cannot be engaged even

though the gearshift lever has been

shifted from the “N” to the “R” position,

the system will re-try shifting automati-

cally. This will take some time, noise

may be heard from the gears, and shift-

ing gear shock may occur. However,

they do not indicate malfunction.

• The “N” indicator will flash, the depress

brake pedal indicator will come on and a

warning buzzer (long pulse sound) will

sound if any of the following cases

occur;

WARNING

Always keep your foot on the brake

pedal while stopped with the engine

running. These operations prevent

the vehicle from starting due to unin-

tended activation of the creeping

function.

NOTICE

Do not operate the system as

described below. The life cycle of the

clutch may be reduced.

• Using the accelerator pedal to hold

the vehicle on an uphill slope oper-

ation with the gearshift lever in the

“M” or “D” position. If you perform

this operation for a certain period

of time, a warning buzzer will

sound.

• Shifting the gearshift lever to the

“M”, “D” or “R” position while rac-

ing the engine.

• Driving at low speed using a high

gear.

• Stopping on a slope using the

creeping function. If you perform

this operation for a certain period

of time, a warning buzzer will

sound.

NOTICE

On an uphill slope, never hold the

vehicle at a stop using only the accel-

erator pedal or creeping function. If

you perform this operation for a cer-

tain period of time, a warning buzzer

will sound, and in some cases the

engine will stall. This can also cause

excessive damage to the clutch.

3-24

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

– If you shift the gearshift lever from the

“N” to the “R” position without depress-

ing the brake pedal.

– If the system is unable to re-try shift-

ing.

You should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position,

then shift to “R” position again a few sec-

onds later.

• The system will not allow shifting to the

“R” position if the vehicle speed is over

about 3 km/h. If the gearshift lever is

operated under this condition, the “N”

indicator in the instrument cluster will

blink. However, when the vehicle speed

drops below about 3 km/h, the gear will

be shifted to reverse. Make sure that the

vehicle has stopped completely before

shifting to the “R” position.

Stopping

The vehicle can be stopped by depressing

the brake pedal regardless of the gear

position. This is because the clutch is auto-

matically disengaged to prevent the engine

from stopping.

• If the gearshift lever is in the “D” position,

the gear will be downshifted to 1st when

the vehicle stops.

• If the gearshift lever is in the “M” posi-

tion, the gear will be downshifted to 1st

when the vehicle stops.

NOTICE

On a downhill slope, never hold the

vehicle at a stop using only the accel-

erator pedal or the creeping function.

If you perform this operation for a

certain period of time, a warning

buzzer will sound, and in some cases

the engine will stall. This can also

cause excessive damage to the

clutch.

WARNING

• When stopping, for example, at a

traffic light, be sure to depress the

brake pedal firmly. For your safety,

apply the parking brake, too, when

stopping on a hill.

• When racing the engine, make sure

that the gear is in the “N” position

by checking the gear position indi-

cator. If the accelerator is operated

with the gear in any other position,

the vehicle may move resulting in

an unexpected accident.

• Do not leave your vehicle unat-

tended while the engine is running.

• When leaving the vehicle, stop the

engine and park the vehicle with a

gear engaged. Remember, even

though the transaxle is in gear, you

must set the parking brake firmly. If

you need to leave the vehicle with

the engine running, apply the park-

ing brakes firmly, and shift the

gearshift lever to the “N” position

and confirm the neutral position by

checking the gear position indica-

tor. However basically don’t leave

the vehicle with the engine running.

Otherwise, the vehicle may move

unexpectedly and may cause an

accident.

3-25

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Parking

Unlike an automatic transaxle, Auto Gear

Shift does not have a parking position. The

vehicle can be parked with the gearshift

lever at “D” or “R” position. Remember,

even though the transaxle is in gear, you

must set the parking brake firmly.

1) Apply the parking brake and the brake

pedal firmly.

2) While depressing the brake pedal, shift

the gearshift lever to the “R” position on

a downhill slope, and to the 1st position

in the drive (D) mode or the “M (1)”

position in the manual (M) mode on an

uphill slope and confirm the gear posi-

tion by checking the gear position indi-

cator.

3) Stop the engine completely.

4) In the case of uphill/downhill slope,

release the parking brake and brake

pedal slowly in order to check the gear

is engaged.

5) After check the vehicle stopped by the

gear engaged, Apply the parking brake

and the brake pedal firmly again.

6) Get out of the vehicle and put chocks

under the wheels.

When you return to your vehicle, you must

remember to remove the wheel chocks.

NOTE:

• After the engine is stopped or ignition

switch is OFF, the gear in the transaxle

does not change even if you shift the

gearshift lever in any position. Always

shift the gearshift lever before turn igni-

tion switch OFF.

• Check the transaxle gear position by

looking at the gear position indicator,

then turn the ignition switch off to stop

the engine.

NOTICE

• On a slope, never hold the vehicle

at a stop using only the accelerator

pedal or the creeping function. If

you perform this operation for a

certain period of time, a warning

buzzer will sound, and in some

cases the engine will stall. This can

also cause excessive damage to

the clutch.

• If the gearshift lever is operated

more than necessary, the system

may not allow operation of the

gearshift lever for a certain period

of time, and the gear may not be

shifted appropriately. Therefore, do

not operate the gearshift lever if not

necessary.

WARNING

• If the gear is not engaged properly

and completely before the ignition

switch is turned to “LOCK” posi-

tion or the engine switch is pressed

to change the ignition mode to

LOCK (OFF), the vehicle may not

be parked with the gear engaged.

Always confirm the gear position

by checking the gear position indi-

cator when parking.

• On a downhill slope, the gear

should be put in reverse, and in 1st

gear on an uphill slope. In the case

of uphill/downhill slope, after check

the vehicle stopped by the gear

engaged, put chocks under the

wheels. Otherwise, the vehicle may

move, and cause an unexpected

accident. If the gear is left in the

“N” position, the vehicle cannot be

parked with a gear engaged.

3-26

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE

Parking cancel

Depress the brake pedal, turn the ignition

switch to “ON” position or press the engine

switch to change the ignition mode to ON,

and shift the gearshift lever to the “N” posi-

tion. The gear will be disengaged.

Warning functions

A warning buzzer will sound or the indica-

tor will blink under the following conditions.

Warning buzzer

• The clutch is heated due to excessive

load.

• The creeping function is being activated

for a long period of time.

• The ignition switch is turned to the

“LOCK” position or the engine switch is

pressed to change the ignition mode to

LOCK (OFF) with the gear in 2nd, 3rd,

4th or 5th. In this case, turn the ignition

switch to “ON” position or press the

engine switch to change the ignition

mode to ON, and shift the gearshift lever

in the “N” position, shift it to the “D” or

“M” or “R” position, then turn the ignition

switch to “LOCK” position or press the

engine switch to change the ignition

mode to LOCK (OFF).

• During a stop, the driver’s door is

opened with the gearshift lever in the

“R”, “D” or “M” position while the engine

is running.

“N” indicator blinking

When the gear indicator lamp blinks “N”,

you should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position.

“1st” indicator blinking

When the gear indicator lamp blinks “1st”,

you should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position, then

shift to “D” or “M” position again a few sec-

onds later.

“R” indicator blinking

When the gear indicator lamp blinks “R”,

you should depress the brake pedal and

shift the gearshift lever to “N” position, then

shift to “R” position again a few seconds

later.

NOTICE

In the above cases, pull over to the

side of the road and stop the engine,

and then ask your authorised Maruti

Suzuki workshop to inspect your

vehicle. Otherwise, the clutch disc

may be damaged.

Operating Your Vehicle -> Using the transaxle for Your Suzuki Ignis SUV First Generation (2000-2008)

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