2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner's Manual - Page 123

DRIVING TIPS Shorter Wheelbase Along with its higher ground clearance, your vehicle has a shorter wheelbase and shorter front and rear overhangs than many passenger cars. These features combine to allow you to drive your vehicle over hillcrests without hanging up on them or damaging the frame and chassis components. 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 provide you with excellent off road driving performance. However, it is also true that on-pavement driving, handling and steering will be different from what drivers experience with a conventional passenger car. On-Pavement Driving Government data show that most rollover accidents for multi-purpose vehicles are caused when a driver loses control of the vehicle and leaves the paved portion of the roadway striking a ditch, curb or other offroad object that causes the vehicle to overturn. The following driving practices may reduce the risk of rollover. Vehicle Slides Off-Road You can reduce the risk of this kind of rollover accident by always keeping the vehicle under control. Typically, drivers lose control of vehicles, often resulting in rollover accidents, when the driver is impaired because of alcohol or other drugs, falls asleep at the wheel or is otherwise inattentive, or is driving too fast for the road conditions. Rollovers On the Roadway If, for any reason, your vehicle slides sideways or spins out of control at highway speeds, while on the paved portion of the roadway, the risk of rollover is greatly increased. This condition can be created when two or more wheels drop off onto the shoulder and you steer sharply in an attempt to reenter the roadway. To reduce the risk of rollover in these circumstances, if conditions permit, you should hold the steering wheel firmly and slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes with controlled steering movements. All Types of Rollover Accidents As with many kinds of automobile accidents, rollovers can be greatly reduced by doing what all prudent drivers should do, i.e., don't drink and drive, don't drive when tired and don't do anything behind the wheel that could cause a loss of attention to the driving task. Additional guidelines are set out below for your on-road driving. Know Your Vehicle Take time to familiarize yourself with the unique handling characteristics of your vehicle by first driving around in an area away from traffic. Practice turning the vehicle at a variety of speeds and in different directions. Get a feel for the greater steering response that your vehicle has over a conventional car. Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times The driver and all passengers should be properly restrained at all times, using the seat belts provided. Refer to the "Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems" section for instructions on proper use of the seat belts. 7-2