Get DRIVING TIPS -> Off-Road Driving Guide for Suzuki Jimny SUV Fourth Generation (2018-2026)

NOTICE

Never operate your vehicle in

4H" or

on dry pavement and, as much

as possible, avoid using

4H" or

4L"

on wet pavement, as this puts severe

stress on the drive train, especially

during tight cornering, and can d~m-

age it. Also, you may have some d1ff1~

culty in steering.

Off-Road Driving

Your vehicle has specific design character-

istics for off-road driving. When you leave

the paved road, you will encounter driving

surfaces of all kinds which may change

continually as you drive. In most cases, off-

road driving requires the use of 4-wheel

drive.

Use Caution on Steep Inclines

Always inspect hills before you attempt to

drive up them. Know what is on the other

side and how you will get back down. If

you have any doubt that it. is safe, do not

attempt to drive over a hill. Nev".r d_nve

your vehicle up an extremely steep incline.

Coming down a steep hill can be trickier

than getting up one. Keep the vehicle

heading straight down the hill and use low

gear. Do not lock the brake~. If the vehicle

begins to slide, accelerate slightly to regain

steering control.

DRIVING TIPS

Do not Drive Across the Side of

Hills

Driving across the side of a hill can be

extremely hazardous. Most of the vehicle'.s

weight will be transferred to the downhill

tyres, which could result in the vehicle roll-

ing sideways. Whenever possible, avoid

this potential hazard. Also, 1f you have to

exit your vehicle on a side-hill, always get

out on the uphill side.

Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times

You and your passengers should use the

seat belts at all times when driving off-

road. For proper seat belt use, refer to the

"Seat Belts" section in this manual.

Avoid Sudden Reactions in Mud,

Ice, or Snow

Be careful when off-road conditions are

slippery. Reduce your speed and avoid

sudden movements of the vehicle. Be

aware that driving in deep snow or mud

can cause a loss of traction and an

increase in the resistance to the vehicle's

forward motion. Use 4WD low gear (4L)

and maintain a steady but moderate speed

with a light touch on the steering wheel

and brakes.

4-4

DRIVING TIPS

Snow chains

Snow chains should only be used if they

are needed to increase traction or are

required by law. Check that the chains you

use are the correct size for your vehicle's

tyres.

Also check that there is enough clearance

between the fenders and the chains as

installed on the tyres.

Install the chains on the rear tyres tightly,

according to the chain manufacturer's

instructions. Retighten the chains after

driving about 1.0 km (1/2 mile) if neces-

sary. With the chains installed, drive slowly.

NOTICE

If you hear the chains hitting against

the vehicle body while driving, stop

and tighten them.

4-5

Do not drive in the field covered

with grown grass

If you drive in the field covered with grass,

it may cause accident or vehicle damage

by getting caught in grown grass.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck

If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or

sand, follow the directions below:

1) Shift the transfer shift lever into the "4L"

position.

2) Shift the transmission back and forth

between a forward range (or first gear

for manual transmission) 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 spin to a min-

imum. Remove your foot from the

accelerator while shifting.

Do not race the engine. Excessive

wheel spin will cause the tyres to dig

deeper, making it more difficult to free

the vehicle.

3) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few

minutes of rocking, get another vehicle

to pull you out.

A 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 spinning the wheels too fast.

NOTICE

• Release the accelerator pedal when

operating the gearshift lever or the

transfer lever. Operating the gear-

shift lever or the transfer lever with

the engine racing can damage the

gears and the free axle mechanism.

• Do not continue rocking the vehicle

for more than a few minutes. Pro-

longed rocking can cause engine

overheating, transmission, trans-

fer case, axles, propeller shaft or

differential damage, or tyre dam-

age.

A WARNING

In addition to following the driving

tips in this section, it is important to

observe the following precautions.

• Check that your tyres are in good

condition and always maintain the

specified tyre pressure. Refer to

"Tyres" in "INSPECTION AND

MAINTENANCE" section for

details.

(Continued)

A WARNING

(Continued)

Do not use tyres other than those

specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif-

ferent sizes or types of tyres on the

front and rear wheels. For informa-

tion regarding the specified tyres,

refer to the tyre information label

located on the driver's door lock

pillar.

Never use oversized tyres or spe~

cial shock absorbers and springs

to raise uack up) your vehicle. This

will change the handling character-

istics. Oversized tyres may also

rub against the fender over bumps,

causing vehicle damage, drive train

damage or tyre failure.

After driving through water, test the

brakes while driving at a slow

speed to see if they have main-

tained their normal effectiveness. If

the brakes are less effective than

normal, dry them by repeatedly

applying the brakes while driving

slowly until the brakes have

regained their normal effective-

ness.

DRIVING TIPS

When encountering a flooded area

80J042

Avoid driving in a flooded area or a deep

puddle. If driving in a flooded area is

unavoidable, go slowly in the lowest gear.

In case that you have driven in a flooded

area, stop the vehicle in a safe place while

checking the brake effectiveness. Then,

ask a SUZUKI dealer or a qualified work-

shop to check the following inspection

items.

Function of brake

Function of electrical components

Changes of oil level and quality for

engine, transmission and differential. In

case that the oil is turbid whitely, water

has been mixed in the oil and an oil

change is required.

Lubricant condition of the bearings, sus-

pension joints, etc.

4-6

DRIVING TIPS

NOTICE

Avoid driving in a flooded area or a

deep puddle. It may cause an engine

stall, short in electrical components,

engine and transmission damages,

etc.

4-7

Do not drive through deep or rush-

ing water

Driving in deep or rushing water can be

hazardous. You could lose control of the

vehicle and the occupants could drown.

Also, your vehicle could be seriously dam-

aged. To avoid these risks, observe the

following instructions and precautions.

Do not drive through deep or rushing

water. Deep or rushing water, such as

fast-moving streams or fioodwaters,

could carry your vehicle away from your

intended path. The water is too deep if it

covers your wheel hubs, axles, or

exhaust tailpipe. Know the depth of the

water before you attempt to drive

through it.

If the vehicle goes across the river

unavoidably, follow the instructions below

before going across the river.

1) Confirm the depth of the river and the

terrain.

2) Select the place which is less than

30cm (11.8 inch) in depth of water. Go

across the river to a right angle for the

river or lower part of the river

3) Drive slowly at less than 5 km/h (3.1

mph) not to raise the wave and go

across the river immediately to avoid

operating the gearshift lever.

If the vehicle goes across the river that is

more than 30 cm (11.8 inch) in depth of

water unavoidably, stop the vehicle in a

safe place while checking the brake effec-

tiveness. Then, ask a SUZUKI dealer or a

qualified workshop to check the following

inspection items.

Function of brake

Function of electrical components

Changes of oil level and quality for

engine, transmission and differential. In

case that the oil is turbid whitely, water

has been mixed in the oil and an oil

change is required.

Lubricant condition of the bearings, sus-

pension joints, etc.

If water blocks the tailpipe, the engine

may not start or run. If the water is deep

enough to get drawn into the engine

intake system, the engine will be badly

damaged.

Submerged brakes will have poor brak-

ing performance. Drive slowly and care-

fully. Driving slowly will also help avoid

water splashing onto the ignition system,

which could cause the engine to stall.

Even when driving through shallow or

still waters, drive carefully since the

water may be hiding ground hazards

such as holes, ditches, or bumps.

DRIVING TIPS -> Off-Road Driving for Your Suzuki Jimny SUV Fourth Generation (2018-2026)

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