Suzuki SWIFT Owner's Manual page 118

High-Speed Driving:
Driving on Hills:
DRIVING TIPS
WARNING
• Wear Your Seat Belts at All Times.
Even though air bags are equipped
at the front seating positions, 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.
• Never drive while under the influ-
ence of alcohol or other drugs.
Alcohol and drugs can seriously
impair your ability to drive safely,
greatly increasing the risk of injury
to yourself and others. You should
also avoid driving when you are
tired, sick, irritated, or
stress.
6-1
High-Speed Driving
When driving at high-speed, pay attention
to the following:
• Stopping distance
increases with vehicle speed. Apply the
brakes far enough ahead of the stopping
point to allow for the extra stopping dis-
52D078S tance.
• On rainy days, "Aquaplaning" can occur.
"Aquaplaning" is the loss of direct con-
tact between the road surface and the
vehicle's tires due to a water film forming
between them. Steering or braking the
vehicle while "Aquaplaning" 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.
under
Driving on Hills
progressively
• When climbing steep hills, the car 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 car
from losing momentum.
• When driving down a hill, the engine
should be used for braking by moving to
next lower gear. (Do this with EITHER
an automatic or manual transaxle.)
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