CAR CARE

• Maruti Suzuki's Daily Do's Before starting your vehicle, just briefly walk around to visually check:
• Tyre pressure and condition:
• Any oil leaks:
• Any coolant leaks:
• Wiper blade condition:
• Body scratches deep enough to cause rust:
• Rear view mirror condition:
• Top wash:
• Remove any leaves, dirt, etc.

• While doing the inspection, please ensure the following:
• Do not touch or open radiator cap when engine is hot.
• Do not fit non-genuine accessories that may affect performance.
• Do not use non genuine spares. Use only maruti's genuine parts.
• Do not park in sun for too long. Park under shade.
• Start vehicle periodically if parked /unused for long.
• Do not keep your engine idle.

The fuel filter should be changed at intervals of 20000 kms for carburettor vehicles. In case of MPFI vehicles, the interval is 40000 kms. However, if quality of fuel has been poor, it is recommended that you change the filter at earlier intervals as prescribed by the service manager of the Maruti Suzuki service station. You will find plenty of Maruti Suzuki service centres across India.

In your owner's Type, you will find "Periodic Maintenance Schedule" under the "Inspection and maintenance" section. This will guide you on how often you must send your car to a Maruti Suzuki service centre for check up and maintenance service. If you have bought a second hand car, you will have to do the maintenance check on a more frequent basis. Doing so will not only prolong the life of your vehicle, but will also reduce maintenance costs. The car will be trouble free and completely safe for use. We urge you to carry out your car maintenance services only at a Maruti Suzuki service station.

Yes, it is imperative that you follow the regular periodic maintenance schedule as listed in the owner's Type, especially if you have bought a used car. This will ensure trouble free operation of the vehicle and enhance the life of the engine. In addition, this is a pre requisite for any warranty claims to be processed, should any part fail within the warranty period.

If cooling efficiency of the AC is less than satisfactory, do check for gas leakage. There are various methods to check whether the quantity of gas is adequate. However, it is best that you rely on the AC maintenance experts at your nearest Maruti Suzuki service station to do the checking. They will have the right instruments and expertise to assess if gas in the AC system of your vehicle is below norms. Get your car’s AC serviced every year and do it around Feb - March so that you may enjoy best cooling during summer. Gas checking and topping is part of the service.

The cooling coil performs the function of evaporation of the refrigerant inside the coil. The air blows over these coils and emerges cooled. The condenser does the reverse work of the cooling unit, i.e. the condensation of the refrigerant and its cooling. The blower works like a fan by drawing in the air and circulating it inside the cabin.

The AC gas in cars reduces over time due to various factors like- leakage from the joints, o-rings etc., if they were not properly tightened during service. Leakage from the hose rubber may happen due to the natural permeability of the hose. However, this is extremely slow and is very difficult to detect, even with sophisticated equipment. The AC gas may need to be refilled during servicing of the AC, if it is found that the AC system is undercharged.

• Drive between 45-55 km/h
• Drive slow and steady. The faster you go, the more the wind resistance your vehicle will face. It has been established by trials that you can get upto 40% extra mileage at 40 km/h as compared to 80 km/h.
• Avoid accelerating or decelerating unnecessarily.

• Incorrect gear shifting can lead to as much as 20% increase in fuel consumption.
• Remember : For city driving, change to a higher gear when you are sure that the engine will not have to struggle.
• Get into top gear as soon as possible.

• Stop-and-go driving wastes fuel. When you slam on the brakes, a lot of useful energy is wasted in the form of heat.
• Proper synchronization of gear and accelerator is necessary for better mileage.
• Remember: check wheels for free rotation when your car is being serviced. Binding brakes restrict free wheel movement and the engine consumes more petrol in order to overcome resistance.

• Use your clutch only when you change gears. Riding the clutch causes loss of energy and damages clutch lining.
• Remember: Use your hand brakes when stopping on up gradient. Don't manipulate the clutch and accelerator while stationary because it wastes fuel, even if the car you are driving is the most fuel efficient petrol car in India.

Servicing of your vehicle must be carried out as specified in user's Type.

• Always use recommended spares and lubricants.
• Engine oil that is thicker than recommended can cause a 2% increase in fuel consumption. If you have bought a second hand car, be extra careful.
• Remember: Check the car Type and the oil manufacturer's recommendations, before using any particular grade of oil.

• Your air filter prevents air from fouling the engine. Dust causes rapid wear of engine components and increases fuel consumption.
• Remember: Cylinder bores and piston rings wear out faster in engines with dirty air cleaners.
• Clean air filters at every tune up for both petrol cars and diesel cars.

• Loss of one drop of petrol per second can amount to loss of 2000 litres per year.
• Make sure that the fuel tank cap has a good rubber seal.

• Instead, drive in low gear till the engine warms up.
• Do not use the choke longer than necessary.

• Unnecessary loads increase fuel consumption.
• Remember: A reduction of weight by about 50 kg can lead to a 2% saving in fuel, when driving in city.

• Under inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, leading to higher petrol consumption and faster wear out of tyres at sides.
• Remember: A 25% decrease in tyre pressure can cost you 5 -10% more on petrol and 25% on tyre life.

• Idling for an hour costs one litre of petrol - Always keep your car ready for starting quickly. Keep the battery, alternator and fan belt in good condition. This will ensure a good start whenever you need it.
• Remember: Switch off the engine at stops of over 2 minutes.

• Fuel consumption on a highly congested road can be double the normal.
• Rush hour or stop-and-go traffic can waste fuel excessively.
• Remember: You will get more mileage from each litre if you take a less congested route.

• Start little early. This can help avoid delays due to fog.
• Be patient and calm. Familiarize yourself with the vehicle. Know the position of all switches before you start driving.
• Drive at low speeds and watch your speedometer. Maintain safe distance from other vehicles. Maintain greater distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Do not accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is too close behind you.
• Drive with lights on low beam. High beams direct light up into the fog, making it difficult for you to see.
• Dipped headlights direct light down onto the road and help other drivers see you. Use fog lights.
• Listen for traffic you cannot see. Beware of other cars, and drivers not using headlights. Open your window a little, to hear better.
• Use wipers and demisters necessary for maximum visibility. Use painted road markings as a guide. If your car breaks down, park your car on the farthest corner of the road. Switch on your hazard warning lights. Place a reflective warning triangle at a safe distance. Watch out for traffic that might not be able to spot you.

• When driving down a hill, do not switch off the engine. Shift to a lower gear for reducing speed and by shifting to lower gear you will save fuel.
• When climbing steep hills, the car may begin to slow down and show a lack of power. If this happens, you should change to a lower gear so that the engine will again be operating in its normal power range.

• Drive between 45 and 55 km/h.
• It has been established by trials that you can get up to 40% extra mileage at 40 km/h as compared to 80 km/h.
• Avoid accelerating or decelerating unnecessarily.
  Incorrect gearshifts can lead to as much as 20% increase in fuel consumption. It does not matter whether it is a petrol or diesel car.
• For city driving, change to a higher gear when you are sure that the engine will not have to struggle.
• Get into top gear as soon as possible.
• Check wheels for free rotation when your car is being serviced. Binding brakes restrict free wheel movement and the engine consumes more petrol in order to overcome resistance. The law applies even if you compare petrol cars vs diesel cars.
• Riding the clutch causes loss of energy and damages the clutch lining.
• You can save as much as 6% fuel by regularly tuning your car. If your engine emits black or dark grey smoke, it has poor pulling power or consumes large quantities of oil. Have it checked immediately at an authorized service station.
• Your air filter prevents air from fouling the engine. Dust causes rapid wear of engine components and increases fuel consumption.
• Make sure that the fuel tank cap has a good rubber seal.
• Unnecessary loads increase fuel consumption. A reduction of weight by about 50 kg can lead to a 2% saving in fuel, when driving in the city. Lighten your load even if your car is claimed to be the most fuel efficient petrol car in India.
• Under inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, this leads to higher fuel consumption faster wears of tyres at the sides, whether it is a petrol or diesel car.

• Stopping distance progressively increases with vehicle speed. Apply the brakes far before of the stopping point to allow for the extra stopping distance.
• At high speeds, the vehicle may be affected by side winds. Therefore, reduce speed and be prepared for unexpected 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.

• Do all preventive maintenance of your vehicle and stick to the maintenance schedule.
• If you notice any fault, consult your service station.
• All drivers must carry out daily pre-driving checks both inside the vehicle and outside