On-Pavement Driving - Suzuki SIDEKICK 2-DOOR HARDTOP - 1995 Owner's Manual

* 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 driv-
ing 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.
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60A23-07020

ON-PAVEMENT DRIVING

Since you will often use your vehicle on
paved roads, you should learn the guide-
lines 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, us-
ing the seat belts provided. Refer to the
"SEAT BELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS" section for instructions on
proper use of the seat belts.
* Don't Make Sharp Turns
As mentioned before, small multipur-
pose vehicles have specific design
characteristics that allow them to per-
form in a wide variety of applications.
These characteristics also change the
cornering behavior relative to con-
ventional passenger cars. Remember,
small multipurpose vehicles have more
DRIVING TIPS
responsive steering and a higher center
of gravity than conventional passenger
cars. If at all possible, avoid making
sharp turns in your vehicle.
* Slow Down on Curves
Learn to approach curves cautiously
and at a conservative speed. Do not at-
tempt to take curves at the same
speeds that you would in a vehicle
with a lower center of gravity. Just as
you would not drive a sports car on a
trail, you should not attempt to drive
your vehicle around curves like a sports
car.
* Slow Down and Use Caution on Slip-
pery Roads
Under wet road conditions you should
drive at a lower speed than on dry
roads due to possible slippage of tires
during braking. When driving on icy,
snowcovered, or muddy roads, reduce
your speed and avoid sudden accelera-
tion, abrupt braking, or sharp steering
movements. Use 4-wheel drive high
range (4H) (if equipped) for better
traction.
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