Get DRIVING TIPS Guide for Suzuki Swift 4 Door Second Generation (2010-2015)

DRIVING TIPS

Running-in ........................................................................... 4-1

Catalytic Converter ............................................................. 4-1

Improving Fuel Economy ................................................... 4-2

Highway Driving .................................................................. 4-3

Driving on Hills .................................................................... 4-3

Driving on Slippery Roads ................................................. 4-4

4

60G409

58MS0-14E

Highway Driving: NO

Driving on Hills: NO

DRIVING TIPS

Running-in

Catalytic Converter

NOTICE

The future performance and reliabil-

ity of the engine depends on the care

and restraint exercised during its

early life. It is especially important to

observe the following precautions

during the initial 960 km (600 miles)

of vehicle operation.

52D078S

WARNING

• After starting, do not race the

engine. Warm it up gradually.

• Avoid prolonged vehicle operation

at a constant speed. Moving parts

will break in better if you vary your

speed.

• Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times.

Even though air bags are equipped

at the front seating positions, the

driver and all passengers should

be properly restrained at all times,

using the seat belts provided. Refer

to the “Seat Belts and Child

Restraint Systems” section for

instructions on proper use of the

seat belts.

• Never drive while under the influ-

ence of alcohol or other drugs.

Alcohol and drugs can seriously

impair your ability to drive safely,

greatly increasing the risk of injury

to yourself and others. You should

also avoid driving when you are

tired, sick, irritated, or under

stress.

80G106

The purpose of the catalytic converter is to

minimize the amount of harmful pollutants

in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use of leaded

fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic

converters is prohibited, because lead

deactivates the pollutant-reducing compo-

nents of the catalyst system.

• Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid

full throttle starts.

• Avoid hard braking, especially dur-

ing the first 320 km (200 miles) of

driving.

• Do not drive slowly with the trans-

axle in a high gear.

• Drive the vehicle at moderate

engine speeds.

• Do not tow a trailer during the first

960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper-

ation.

The converter is designed to last the life of

the vehicle under normal usage and when

unleaded fuel is used. No special mainte-

nance is required on the converter. How-

ever, it is very important to keep the engine

properly tuned. Engine misfiring, which

can result from an improperly tuned

engine, may cause overheating of the cat-

alyst. This may result in permanent heat

damage to the catalyst and other vehicle

components.

4-1

58MS0-14E

Driving on Hills: NO

Driving on Slippery Roads: NO

DRIVING TIPS

Improving Fuel Economy

NOTICE

The following instructions will help you

improve fuel economy.

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 turn 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.

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 (if the idling is not pro-

hibited). In this position, the engine is suffi-

ciently warm for starting off.

Avoid “fast” starts

54G584S

Fast starts away from lights or stop signs

will consume fuel unnecessarily and

shorten engine life. Start off slowly.

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.

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.

4-2

58MS0-14E

Driving on Slippery Roads: NO

DRIVING TIPS

Keep the air cleaner clean

EXAMPLE

Highway Driving

Driving on Hills

When 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.

60A183S

58MST0401

If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there

will be greater intake resistance, resulting

in decreased power output and increased

fuel consumption.

• When climbing steep hills, the vehicle

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

vehicle 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.)

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 pressures 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 on the driver’s

side door or the driver’s door lock pillar.

4-3

58MS0-14E

DRIVING TIPS

Tire Chains

Driving on Slippery Roads

Tire chains should only be used if they are

needed to increase traction or are required

by law. Make sure that the chains you use

are the correct size for your vehicle’s tires.

Also make sure that there is enough clear-

ance between the fenders and the chains

as installed on the tires.

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.

Install the chains on the front tires 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

When descending

a

down hill,

NEVER turn the ignition key to the

“OFF” position or press the engine

switch to change the ignition mode to

“LOCK” (OFF). Emission control sys-

tem and CVT (if equipped) damage

may result.

NOTICE

60G089S

• If you hear the chains hitting

against the vehicle body while driv-

ing, stop and tighten them.

• If your vehicle is equipped with full

wheel caps, remove the wheel caps

before installing the chains or the

wheel caps can be damaged by the

chain bands.

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.

4-4

58MS0-14E

DRIVING TIPS

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck

If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud, or

sand, follow the directions below:

NOTICE

WARNING

Do not continue rocking the vehicle

for more than a few minutes. Pro-

longed rocking can cause engine

overheating or transaxle damage.

(Continued)

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 use tires other than those

specified by SUZUKI. Never use dif-

ferent sizes or types of tires on the

front and rear wheels. For informa-

tion regarding the specified tires,

refer to the Tire Information Label

located on the driver’s door lock

pillar.

• Never use oversized tires or special

shock absorbers and springs to

raise (jack up) your vehicle. This

will change the handling character-

istics. Oversized tires may also rub

against the fender over bumps,

causing vehicle damage or tire fail-

ure.

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.

• 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.

WARNING

54G638S

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

In addition to following the driving

tips in this section, it is important to

observe the following precautions.

• Make sure your tires are in good

condition and always maintain the

specified tire pressure. Refer to

“Tires” in the “INSPECTION AND

MAINTENANCE”

details.

section

for

(Continued)

4-5

58MS0-14E

DRIVING TIPS for Your Suzuki Swift 4 Door Second Generation (2010-2015)

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