Get DRIVING TIPS Guide for Suzuki Swift 4 Door Fourth Generation (2023-2026)

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

Off-road driving ................................................................... 4-6

4

60G409

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 first 960 km (600 miles) of

vehicle operation.

• 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.

• Start off from a stop slowly. Avoid

full throttle starts.

• Avoid hard braking, especially

during 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.

52D078

WARNING

• Fasten 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 “Seat belts and child restraint

systems” section for instructions

on proper use of the seat belts.

• Never drive under the influence 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.

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 catalytic

converter. This may result in permanent

• Do not tow a trailer during the first

960 km (600 miles) of vehicle oper-

ation.

4-1

DRIVING TIPS

heat damage to the catalytic converter and

other vehicle components.

Improving fuel economy

The following instructions will help you

improve fuel economy.

NOTICE

To minimize the possibility of cata-

lytic converter or other vehicle dam-

age:

• 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.

Avoid excessive idling

If you park your vehicle for more than one

minute, stop the engine and start it again

later. When warming up a cold engine, do

not allow the engine to idle or apply full

throttle until the engine has reached oper-

ating temperature. Allow the engine to

warm up by driving.

54G584S

Avoid fast starts

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 moderate, steady

speed whenever possible. Slowing down

and then accelerating again uses more

fuel.

Keep a steady cruising speed

Drive at a constant speed that road and

traffic conditions will permit.

• Do not allow the fuel tank to get

near the empty level.

4-2

DRIVING TIPS

Keep the air cleaner clean

EXAMPLE

Highway driving

Driving on hills

When driving at highway speeds, pay

attention to the following:

CVT

• 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 contact

between the road surface and the vehi-

cle’s tires due to a water film forming

between them. Steering or braking the

vehicle during hydroplaning can be very

difficult, and loss of control can occur.

Keep speed down when the road sur-

face 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.

57RK049

• When driving on 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 higher

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

the next lower gear.

60A183

If the air cleaner is clogged with dust, there

will be greater intake resistance, resulting

in decreased power output and increased

fuel consumption.

Keep weight to a minimum

The heavier the load is, the more fuel the

vehicle consumes. Unload any unneces-

sary luggage or cargo.

WARNING

Keep tire pressures correct

Do not 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, resulting in

reduced braking efficiency. Failure to

take this precaution could result in

loss of vehicle control.

Under-inflation of the tires can waste fuel

due to increased rolling resistance of the

tires. Keep your tires inflated to the correct

pressure shown in the label on driver’s

door lock pillar.

4-3

DRIVING TIPS

Tire chains

Driving on slippery roads

NOTICE

Tire 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 tires.

Also check that there is enough clearance

between the fenders and the chains as

installed on the tires.

When descending a downhill, Never

turn the ignition key to “LOCK” posi-

tion or press the engine switch to

change the ignition mode to LOCK

(OFF). Emission control system and

CVT (if equipped) damage may result.

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

60G089S

• If you hear the chains hitting

against the vehicle body while driv-

ing, stop and tighten them.

On wet roads, you should drive at a lower

speed than you do on dry roads due to

possible slippage of tires during braking.

When driving on icy, snow-covered or

muddy roads, reduce your speed and

avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt braking,

or sharp steering movements.

• 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.

4-4

DRIVING TIPS

Stuck vehicle

2) If your vehicle remains stuck after a few

minutes of rocking, we recommend you

to consult an authorized SUZUKI dealer

or a roadside assistance service. If a

towing service is not available in an

emergency, your vehicle may be tem-

porarily towed by other vehicle with a

towing cable or chain secured to the

towing hook either on the front of the

vehicle or on the rear of the vehicle.

Refer to “Frame hooks” in “OTHER

CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT” sec-

tion.

If your vehicle gets stuck in snow, mud or

sand, follow the directions below:

1) Shift the transaxle back and forth

between a “D” (drive) 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 excessively rev up the engine.

Excessive wheel spin will cause the

tires to dig deeper, making it more diffi-

cult to free the vehicle.

54G638

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.

WARNING

NOTE:

In addition to following the driving

tips in this section, it is important to

observe the following precautions.

• Check that your tires are in good

condition and always maintain the

specified tire pressure. Refer to

“Tires” in “INSPECTION AND

®

You may have to turn the ESP system off

in order to allow spinning the wheels.

NOTICE

MAINTENANCE”

details.

section

for

Do not continue rocking the vehicle

for more than a few minutes. Pro-

longed rocking can cause engine

overheating or transaxle damage.

(Continued)

4-5

DRIVING TIPS

Off-road driving

WARNING

(Continued)

• 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.

Do not drive in the field covered

with grown grass

If you drive in the field covered with grass,

it may cause unexpected accident or vehi-

cle damage by getting caught in grown

grass.

• Never use oversized tires or spe-

cial 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.

• 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.

4-6

DRIVING TIPS for Your Suzuki Swift 4 Door Fourth Generation (2023-2026)

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