DRIVING TIPS -> Improving fuel economy for Your Suzuki Vitara SUV 2020

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.  
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,  
allow the engine to idle until the tempera-  
ture gauge pointer comes up to “C” posi-  
tion (if the idling is not prohibited). In this  
position, the engine is sufficiently warm for  
starting off.  
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• 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 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 slow, 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.  
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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 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.  
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60A183S  
• 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  
the next lower gear.  
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.  
Keep tire pressures correct  
Under-inflation 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.  
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