Suzuki VITARA Series Manual page 260

Operation of strong hybrid system
According to the vehicle conditions such
as driver's operation of the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal, vehicle speed, etc.,
the gasoline engine will automatically stop
and restart.
NOTE:
• You can check the energy flow related to
the remaining charged capacity of high
voltage battery and the state of the vehi-
cle on the energy flow indicator. Refer to
"Information display" in "BEFORE DRIV-
ING" section.
• Depending on remaining charged capac-
ity of the high voltage battery, EV run-
ning speed and the motor assisting level
will change.
• To improve fuel efficiency, avoid rapid
acceleration and deceleration You can
reduce fuel consumption by accelerating
or decelerating the vehicle gently.
Vehicle starting
When the engine is running, the vehicle
starts to move with the engine power
assisted by the drive motor. However,
while the engine is stopping, releasing the
brake pedal allows to move the vehicle
slowly only by the drive motor.
NOTE:
For vehicle equipped with a four-mode
4WD system, the engine will restart auto-
matically when the brake pedal is released
when the drive mode is set to other than
"AUTO".
Normal running (Mild acceleration /
constant speed running)
If the vehicle is running at a constant
speed below 80 km/h (50 mph), EV run-
ning only by the drive motor is possible
without using the engine.
NOTE:
• Depending on the vehicle and road con-
ditions, EV running may not be exe-
cuted.
• Depending on the road conditions and
remaining charged capacity of the high
voltage battery, EV running speed will
change.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Rapid acceleration
For rapid acceleration, power of the gaso-
line engine is assisted by the drive motor.
(Motor assisted running)
NOTE:
• While EV running, deep depressing of
the accelerator pedal makes the engine
auto-restart and the vehicle is acceler-
ated powerfully.
• Depending on the condition of the strong
hybrid system, the motor assisting ratio
will change.
Deceleration
When the vehicle speed is less than about
135 km/h (84 mph), the engine stops auto-
matically, but turning force of the tires turns
the drive motor for generating electricity
and charges the high voltage battery.
(Regenerative brake function)
Vehicle stopping
When the vehicle stops, the engine also
stops automatically. Depending on the
vehicle condition, the engine may not stop.
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