2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner's Manual - Page 145

Important Vehicle Design Features To Know: NO On-Pavement Driving: NO 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. Break-In CAUTION The future performance and reliability 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. • Avoid hard stopping, especially during the first 320 km (200 miles) of driving. • Do not drive slowly with the transmission 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 operation. Catalytic Converter EXAMPLE 54G236 The purpose of the catalytic converter is to minimize the amount of harmful pollutants in your vehicle's exhaust. Use of leaded fuel in vehicles equipped with catalytic converters is prohibited by federal law, because lead deactivates the pollutantreducing components of the catalyst system. The converter is designed to last the life of the vehicle under normal usage and when unleaded fuel is used. No special maintenance is required on the converter. However, it is very important to keep the engine properly tuned. Engine misfiring, which can result from an improperly tuned engine, may cause overheating of the catalyst. This may result in permanent heat damage to the catalyst and other vehicle components. 4-2 79K21-03E