Suzuki GRAND VITARA 2008, Owner'S Manual

Page: 106 / 308

3-15
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
78KS0-37E
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal driving.
With the gearshift lever in “D” range you
can get an automatic downshift by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. The higher the
vehicle speed is, the more you need to
press the accelerator pedal to get a down-
shift.
4 (Low 3)
Use this position for driving on moderate
uphill and downhill gradients. The engine
braking effect on moderate downhills can
be used in this position. The transmission
shifts up only to 4th gear.
3 (Low 2)
Use this position to provide extra power
when climbing hills, or to provide engine
braking when going down hills.
NOTE:
In these 4 or 3 positions, if the power mode
selector switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, the transmission will not downshift
into “L” (Low 1).
L (Low 1)
Use this position to provide maximum
power when climbing steep hills or driving
through deep snow or mud, or to provide
maximum engine braking when going
down steep hills.
NOTE:
If you move the gearshift lever to a lower
gear while driving faster than the maximum
allowable speed for the lower gear, the
transmission will not actually downshift
until your speed drops below the maximum
speed for the lower gear. 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
64J141
(1) Power mode selector switch
D:
4-speed automatic transmission mode
3:
3-speed automatic transmission mode
The 3-speed mode is suitable for the fol-
lowing driving conditions:
• Driving on hilly, winding roads
– You can drive more smoothly with less
frequent gearshifting
• Going down a steep hill
– Some engine braking is provided
NOTE:
With the transfer switch in the “4L LOCK”
position, the 4-speed automatic transmis-
sion will remain in the 3-speed mode.
CAUTION
Be sure to take the following precau-
tions to help avoid damage to the
automatic transmission:
• Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before shifting
into “P” or “R”.
• Do not shift from “P” or “N” to “R”,
“D”, “4”, “3”, or “L” when the
engine is running above idle speed.
• Do not rev the engine with the
transmission in a drive position
(“R”, “D”, “4”, “3”, or “L”) and the
rear wheels not moving.
• Do not use the accelerator to hold
the vehicle on a hill. Use the vehi-
cle’s brakes.
(1)
EXAMPLE
Using the Transfer Switch: 10