How to take care of my Suzuki?
To help keep your Suzuki in tip-top shape, we recommend that you regularly carry out your own ‘love my car’ check on your vehicle. These checks, in between regular services, can help avoid the need for expensive repairs and improve general vehicle performance and fuel consumption.
So, show your car a little love and give it a go.
1. Check your tyres
Get pumped…but not too much. The right tyre pressure is important, as the incorrect amount could affect the performance of your vehicle as well as increase your fuel consumption. You will find your vehicle's tyre pressures in your owner's manual.
2. Check your lights
See and be seen! For legal as well as safety reasons, check all your vehicle lights regularly. A new light bulb costs a little, but it could result in an expensive fine. Your local Dealer will be able to replace your light bulb for you in no time.
3. Check your engine oil
Keep it on the line. Every engine consumes oil and keeping yours topped up is easy. But don’t overfill, as this can damage your engine just as much as having too little. Contact your local Dealer if you need help on how to do this or which engine oil to use.
4. Check your windscreen wipers and screen wash
You missed a spot. We all know good visibility whilst driving in all weather conditions is a must. So, check your wiper blades are in good condition, the inside of your windscreen is clean, and your wash bottle is topped up with good quality screen wash to get rid of bugs in the summer and prevent frozen washer jets in the winter.
4. Take care of your battery
Petrol vehicles
Check your car battery regularly for any buildup of a white, powdery substance or corrosion. Clean the battery terminals and cables with a mixture of baking soda and water, using a wire brush to remove any corrosion gently, applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the terminals afterwards.
Pay attention to the warning signs of a failing battery, such as the slow turning of the engine when starting, dimming headlights, or the battery warning light on your dashboard and get your battery checked before you get stranded on the road.
Regularly driving your car helps keep the battery charged and if you're storing your car for an extended period, consider disconnecting the battery to prevent slow discharge. Just remember to reconnect it and charge it before using the vehicle again.
Hybrid vehicles
Take care to ensure you turn the ignition off completely when your vehicle is unattended for an extended time. Leaving it ON or in ACC mode (so you can listen to the radio while the car is off) can drain the battery to a level where it cannot recover. If the battery gets too low in charge, you may need to replace the battery, which is more expensive than replacing a regular battery.
If you are storing your hybrid vehicle, it is recommended to restart and drive your vehicle for more than 30 minutes at least once every four weeks. This will recharge the battery and avoid draining the lithium-ion battery completely flat.