Dear Suzuki,
My wife and
I always hit the
road in the
summer with our
motorhome, and
this year we're
especially excited
because we just
got a new 2004 four-wheel-drive Suzuki Grand
Vitara that we're going to bring with us. Do you have
any tips for safely towing our Grand Vitara behind
our motorhome?
Sincerely,
Ready to Roll
Dear Ready to Roll,
You made an excellent decision with the
ruggedly sporty 2004 Grand Vitara. Not only is this
Suzuki great for everyday driving, but it is also one
of the best vehicles in today's automotive market for
towing behind a motorhome. Here are those tips
you asked for...and happy summertime travels:
Before Towing
: Turn your ignition to the "ON"
position. Make sure your "4WD" light on the
instrument cluster comes on when the transfer lever
is shifted to the "4H" position and goes off when
the transfer lever is shifted to the "2H" position.
To Begin Towing:
If equipped with an automatic,
leave the shift lever in "Park," and if equipped with
a manual, leave it in 2nd gear. Turn your ignition
key to the "ON" position, then shift the transfer
lever into "Neutral." Make sure your "4WD" light
on the instrument cluster is off. Turn your ignition
key to the "ACC" position to unlock the steering
wheel. Finally, release the parking brake.
During Towing:
Stop towing your vehicle every
200 miles. With the transfer lever still in neutral,
start your vehicle's engine. If equipped with a
manual, leave it in 2nd gear with the clutch
engaged. If equipped with an automatic, shift the
lever to "D," or drive. Rev your engine for about
one minute to circulate the oil in the transfer case.
For an automatic, return the shift lever to "P," or
park, or for a manual, leave it in 2nd gear.
Just Ask
Suzuki
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Any over-the-counter
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Part or Accessory
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in-dealership work
(for parts components only)
BRING ON THE HEAT
With These Simple Maintenance
Procedures, Your Suzuki Will Be Ready
for Months of Summertime Fun
S
ummertime is supposed to be fun, fun, fun! So before you hit the
road for your warm-weather vacation to the beach, mountains or
desert, make sure that your Suzuki vehicle is ready to get you
there smoothly and reliably. After all, having to cut short your vacation
because of a vehicle problem that could have been easily avoided
with proper maintenance can quickly turn your entire family's smiles
upside down!
Below is a checklist of simple, low-cost maintenance procedures
that can be performed on your Suzuki to keep it in top condition
throughout the hot summer months...and beyond. Also, remember to
consult your owner's manual for a maintenance schedule to follow
year-round!
Fluid levels:
Before taking any trip, it's smart to have your
oil and filter checked and changed if necessary. At that time,
your Suzuki technician can also check your transmission oil as
well as your coolant, power steering, brake and windshield-
washer fluids.
Belts and hoses:
Over time, belts and hoses can
deteriorate--especially after winter driving--and require
replacement. Regularly have all of the belts and hoses on your
Suzuki checked to ensure your vehicle continues to run smoothly.
Tires:
Have your Suzuki technician check the air pressure of
your tires (including your spare tire) and inspect them for wear,
nicks and tread depth to make sure they're safe and ready to hit
the road. Also, remember to have your tires rotated regularly
and your alignment checked, since proper alignment ensures
long tire life and improves fuel economy.
Lights and signals:
It's also a good idea to check your
lights, including your vehicle's exterior headlights, emergency
flashers, turn signals and tail lights, to make sure they're in good
working condition. Have your Suzuki technician replace any
blown bulbs.
