Suzuki GRAND VITARA 2008, Owner'S Manual

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4-2
DRIVING TIPS
78KS0-37E
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a per-
son wearing a seat belt.
Important Differences Between
Your Multipurpose Vehicle and
Ordinary Passenger Cars
Higher Ground Clearance
The higher ground clearance of your vehi-
cle enables it to clear off-road obstacles,
such as rocks and tree stumps, that ordi-
nary passenger cars can not drive over. An
unavoidable result of this higher ground
clearance is that the vehicle also has a
higher center of gravity. Consequently, your
vehicle will handle differently than a vehicle
with a lower center of gravity.
Shorter Wheelbase
Along with its higher ground clearance,
your vehicle has a shorter wheelbase and
shorter front and rear overhangs than the
typical passenger car. These features
combine to allow you to drive your vehicle
over hillcrests without hanging up on them
or damaging the frame and chassis com-
ponents. The shorter wheelbase also
makes the steering of your vehicle more
responsive than that of vehicles with longer
wheelbases.
Narrower Body Width and Track
Your vehicle is narrower than the average
passenger car so that it can pass through
tight spaces.
Without the essential characteristics
described above: higher ground clearance,
shorter wheelbase, and narrower body
width and track -your vehicle could not pro-
vide you with excellent off road driving per-
formance. However, it is also true that on-
road driving, handling, and steering will be
different from what drivers experience with
a conventional passenger car.
Break-In
CAUTION
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.
• 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.
• If possible, avoid hard braking,
especially during the first 320 km
(200 miles) of driving.
• Do not drive slowly with the trans-
mission 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.
Important Vehicle Design Features to Know: NO
On-Paved Road Driving: NO