check engine Hyundai Sonata

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
21
C190D01S-AATSafety ChainsShould the hitch connection between your
car and the trailer or vehicle you are towing
fail, the trailer or vehicle could wander
dangerously across other lanes of traffic
and ultimately leave the roadway. To
eliminate this potentially dangerous
situation, safety chains, attached between
your car and the trailer or towed vehicle,
are required in most states.
CAUTION:
o Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
o When towing a trailer on steep grades
(in excess of 6%) pay close attention
to the engine coolant temperature
gauge to ensure the engine does not
overheat. If the needle of the coolant
temperature gauge moves across the
dial towards "H" (HOT), pull over and
stop as soon as it is safe to do so, and
allow the engine to idle until it cools
down. You may proceed once the
engine has cooled sufficiently.
!
C190E02JM
Gross Axle WeightGross Vehicle
Weight2. The total gross vehicle weight with
trailer must not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) shown
on the vehicle identification plate (see
page 8-2). The total gross vehicle
weight is the combined weight of the
vehicle, driver, all passengers and
their luggage, cargo, hitch, trailer
tongue load and other optional
equipment.
C190E01NF-AATTrailer Weight Limit
Tongue Load Total Trailer Weight
o Keep the tongue load 10% of the total
trailer load.
o
Tongue load
o Tongue loads can be increased or de-
creased by re-distributing the load in
the trailer.
This can be verified by checking the
total weight of the loaded trailer and
then checking the load on the tongue.
C190E01JM
x 100 = 10% (MAX)
Total trailer weight
NOTE:1. Never load the trailer with more weight
in the back than in the front. About
60% of the trailer load should be in the
front half on the trailer and the
remaining 40% in the rear.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
22
C190F01Y-GATTrailer or Vehicle Towing Tips1. Before towing, check hitch and safety
chain connections as well as proper
operation of the trailer running lights,
brake lights, and turn signals.
2. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. (Less than 60 mph)
3. Trailer towing requires more fuel than
normal conditions.
4. To maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance,
do not tow a trailer with the transaxle in
fifth gear (manual transaxle).
5. Always secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
6. Check the condition and air pressure of
all tires on the trailer and your car. Low
tire pressure can seriously affect the
handling. Also check the spare tire.
7. The vehicle/trailer combination is more
affected by crosswind and buffeting.
When being passed by a large vehicle,
keep a constant speed and steer straight
ahead. If there is too much wind
buffeting, slow down to get out of the
other vehicle's air turbulence.
!
lbs(kg)
!
Tongue
100 (45)
- With3.3L
Brake 2.4L
Without BrakeMaximum Towable Weight
Trailer
1000 (450)
1000 (450)
500 (225)
CAUTION:
The following specifications are recom-
mended when towing a trailer. The loaded
trailer weight cannot safely exceed the
values in the chart below.
WARNING:
o Improperly loading your vehicle and
trailer can seriously affect its steer-
ing and braking performance causing
a crash which could cause serious
injury or death.
o Towing a trailer affects vehicle han-
dling and braking.
o Drive more slowly when towing a trailer
and allow more distance when
braking.
o Be careful when driving in slippery
and windy conditions.
o Be careful when turning and while
driving up and down hills. 3. The front or rear axle weight must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the vehicle identi-
fication plate (see page 8-2). It is
possible that your towing package
does not exceed the GVWR but
exceeds the GAWR. Improper trailer
loading and/or too much luggage in
the trunk can overload the rear axle.
Redistribute the load and check the
axle weight again.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
23
8. When parking your car and trailer, es-
pecially on a hill, be sure to follow all
the normal precautions. Turn your front
wheel into the curb, set the parking
brake firmly, and put the transaxle in 1st
or Reverse (manual) or Park (automatic).
In addition, place wheel chocks at each
of the trailer's tires.
9. If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving, and
then apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes are working.
This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
10. During your trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and that
the lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
11. Avoid jerky starts, sudden acceleration
or sudden stops.
12. Avoid sharp turns and rapid lane
changes.
13. Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, resulting
in reduced braking efficiency.
14. When going down a hill, shift into a
lower gear and use the engine braking
effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transaxle to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine overloading and/or overheat-
ing.
CAUTION:
If overheating should occur when tow-
ing, (the temperature gauge reads near
red zone), taking the following action
may reduce or eliminate the problem.
1. Turn off the air conditioner.
2. Reduce highway speed.
3. Select a lower gear when going uphill.
4. While in stop and go traffic, place the
gear selector in park or neutral and
idle the engine at a higher speed.
!
15. If you have to stop while going uphill,
do not hold the vehicle in place by
pressing on the accelerator. This can
cause the automatic transaxle to over-
heat. Use the parking brake or
footbrake.NOTE:When towing check transaxle fluid more
frequently.

32WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
IF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START!
D010A01A-AAT
D010B02A-AATIf Engine Doesn't Turn Over or Turns
Over Slowly
D010C02Y-AATIf Engine Turns Over Normally but
Does Not Start1. Check fuel level.
2. With the key in the "OFF" position, check
all connectors at ignition, coil and spark
plugs. Reconnect any that may be dis-
connected or loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine com-
partment.
4. If the engine still does not start, call a
Hyundai dealer or seek other qualified
assistance.
D010D01NF-AATIf Engine Stalls While Driving1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping
a straight line.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Move cautiously off the road to a safe
place.
4. Try to start the engine again. If your
vehicle will not start, contact a Hyundai
dealer or seek other qualified assis-
tance.If the engine stalls at a crossroad and
crossing1. Turn on your emergency flashers.
2. Set the shift lever in the N (Neutral)
position. Try to start the engine.
3. If your vehicle does not start, push the
vehicle to a safe place (if it is safe to do
so) with the shift lever in the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Try to start the engine again. If your
vehicle does not start, contact a
HYUNDAI dealer or seek other quali-
fied assistance.
WARNING:
If the engine will not start, do not push or
pull the car to start it. This could result in
a collision or cause other damage. In
addition, push or pull starting may cause
the catalytic converter to be overloaded
and create a fire hazard.
1. If your car has an automatic transaxle,
be sure the gear selector lever is in "N"
or "P" and the emergency brake is set.
2. Check the battery connections to be
sure they are clean and tight.
ONF078017
3. Turn on the interior light. If the light dims
or goes out when you operate the starter,
the battery is discharged.
4. Check the starter connections to be
sure they are securely tightened.
5. Do not push or pull the vehicle to start it.
See instructions for "Jump Starting".

3
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
3
JUMP STARTING!
o If you should accidentally get acid on
your skin or in your eyes, immediately
remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the area with clean water for at
least 15 minutes. Then promptly obtain
medical attention. If you must be trans-
ported to an emergency facility, continue
to apply water to the affected area with
a sponge or cloth.
o The gas produced by the battery during
the jump-start operation is highly
explosive. Do not smoke or allow a
spark or an open flame in the vicinity.
o The battery being used to provide the
jump start must be 12-volt. If you cannot
determine that it is a 12-volt battery, do
not attempt to use it for the jump start.
o To jump start a car with a discharged
battery, follow this procedure exactly:
1. If the booster battery is installed in
another vehicle, be sure the two vehicles
are not touching.
2. Turn off all unnecessary lights and
acces-sories in both vehicles.
3. Attach the clamps of the jumper cable in
the exact location shown on the illustra-
tion. First, attach one clamp of the jumper
cable to the positive (+) post or cable of
the discharged battery.Then attach the other end of the same
cable to the positive (+) post or cable of
the booster battery. Next, using the other
cable, attach one clamp to the negative
(-) post or cable of the booster battery.
Then attach the other end of that cable
to a solid metal part of the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery
away from the battery. Do not connect
the cable to any moving part.
4. Start the engine in the car with the
booster battery and let it run for a few
minutes. This will help to assure that the
booster battery is fully charged. During
the jumping operation, run the engine
in this vehicle at about 2,000 rpm.
5. Start the engine in the car with the
discharged battery using the normal
starting procedure. After the engine
starts, leave the jumper cables con-
nected and let the engine run at fast idle
or about 2,000 rpm for several minutes.
6. Carefully remove the jumper cables in
the reverse order of attachment.
If you do not know why your battery became
discharged (because the lights were left
on, etc.), have the charging system checked
by your Hyundai dealer.
D020A03A-AAT
WARNING:
The gas produced by the battery during
the jump-start operation is highly
explosive. If these instructions are not
followed exactly, serious personal injury
and damage to the vehicle may occur! If
you are not sure how to follow this
procedure, seek qualified assistance.
Automobile batteries contain sulfuric
acid. This is poisonous and highly
corrosive. When jump starting, wear pro-
tective glasses and be careful not to get
acid on yourself, your clothing or on the
car.
HNF4001
Booster
batteryDischarged
battery

34WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS
!!
!
WARNING:
While the engine is running, keep hair,
hands and clothing away from moving
parts such as the fan and drive belts to
prevent injury.
5. If the water pump drive belt is broken or
engine coolant is leaking out, stop the
engine immediately and call the nearest
Hyundai dealer for assistance.
WARNING:
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. This can allow coolant to be
blown out of the opening and cause se-
rious burns.6. If you cannot find the cause of the
overheat-ing, wait until the engine
temperature has returned to normal.
Then, if coolant has been lost, carefully
add coolant to the reservoir (page 6-9)
to bring the fluid level in the reservoir up
to the halfway mark.
7. Proceed with caution, keeping alert for
further signs of overheating. If
overheating happens again, call a
Hyundai dealer for assistance.
CAUTION:
Serious loss of coolant indicates there is
a leak in the cooling system and this
should be checked as soon as possible
by a Hyundai dealer.
D030A02A-AATIf your temperature gauge indicates over-
heating, you experience a loss of power, or
hear loud pinging or knocking, the engine
is probably too hot. If this happens, you
should:
1. Pull off the road and stop as soon as it
is safe to do so.
2. Place the gear selector lever in "P"
(automatic) or neutral (manual
transaxle) and set the parking brake. If
the air conditioning is on, turn it off.
3. If engine coolant is running out under
the car or steam is coming out from the
hood, stop the engine. Do not open the
hood until the coolant has stopped
running or the steaming has stopped. If
there is no visible loss of engine coolant
and no steam, leave the engine running
and check to be sure the engine cooling
fan is operating. If the fan is not running,
turn the engine off.
4. Check to see if the water pump drive belt
is missing. If it is not missing, check to
see that it is tight. If the drive belt seems
to be satisfactory, check for coolant
leaking from the radiator, hoses or under
the car. (If the air conditioning had been
in use, it is normal for cold water to be
draining from it when you stop).

3
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
15
D060J02O-AATAfter Changing Wheels
If you have a tire gauge, remove the
valve cap and check the air pressure. If
the pressure is lower than recom-
mended, drive slowly to the nearest
service station and inflate to the correct
pressure. If it is too high, adjust it until Wheel nut tightening torque:
Steel wheel & aluminium alloy wheel:
65-80 lb.ft (900-1,100 kg.cm)
HNF5016-A
it is correct. Always reinstall the valve
cap after checking or adjusting tire
pressure. If the cap is not replaced, air
may leak from the tire. If you lose a
valve cap, buy another and install it as
soon as possible.
After you have changed wheels, al-
ways secure the flat tire in its place and
return the jack and tools to their proper
storage locations.
IF YOUR VEHICLE MUST BE
TOWEDD080A01O-GATIf your vehicle has to be towed, it should be
done by your Hyundai dealer or a
commercial tow truck service. This will
help assure that your vehicle is not dam-
aged in towing. Also, professionals are
generally aware of local laws governing
towing. In any case, rather than risk damage
to your car, it is suggested that you show
this information to the tow truck operator.
Be sure that a safety chain system is used
and that all local laws are observed.
It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment with all the wheels off the
ground.!
CAUTION:
o Your vehicle can be damaged if towed
incorrectly!
o Be sure the transaxle is in neutral.
o When the engine will not start, be sure
the steering is unlocked by placing
the key in the "ACC" position.

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS2
F010C01A-AATSpecified Scheduled ProceduresThese are the procedures such as
inspections, adjustments and
replacements that are listed in the
maintenance charts starting on page 5-4.
These procedures must be performed at
the intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule to assure that your warranty
remains in effect. Although it is strongly
recommended that they be performed by
the trained technicians at your Hyundai
dealer, these procedures may be per-
formed at any qualified service facility.
It is suggested that genuine Hyundai
service parts be used for any required
repairs or replacements. Other parts of
equivalent quality such as engine oil,
engine coolant, manual or auto transaxle
oil, brake fluid and so on which are not
supplied by Hyundai Motor Company or its
distributor may be used without affecting
your warranty coverage but you should
always be sure these are equivalent to the
quality of the original Hyundai parts. Your
Owner's Handbook provides further
information about your warranty coverage.
F010A01A-AATService RequirementsTo ensure that you receive the greatest
number of miles of satisfying operation
from your Hyundai, certain maintenance
procedures must be performed. Although
careful design and engineering have
reduced these to a minimum, those that
are required are of the utmost importance.
It is your responsibility to have these main-
tenance procedures performed to comply
with the terms of the warranties covering
your new Hyundai. The Owner's Handbook
supplied with your new vehicle provides
further information about these warranties.
F010B01A-AATMaintenance RequirementsThe maintenance required for your
Hyundai can be divided into three main
areas:
o Specified scheduled procedures
o General checks
o Do-it-yourself maintenance
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
7
F060D01A-AATo Fuel Lines, Fuel Hoses and Con-
nectionsCheck the fuel lines, fuel hoses and con-
nections for leakage and damage. Have a
trained technician replace any damaged
or leaking parts immediately.F060B01NF-GATo Drive BeltsInspect all drive belts for evidence of cuts,
cracks, excessive wear or oil saturation
and replace if necessary. Drive belts should
be checked periodically for proper tension.
F060M01A-AATo Engine Oil and FilterThe engine oil and filter should be changed
at the intervals specified in the
maintenance schedule. If the car is being
driven in severe conditions, more frequent
oil and filter changes are required.F060C01A-AATo Fuel FilterA clogged filter can limit the speed at which
the vehicle may be driven, damage the
emission system and cause hard starting.
If an excessive amount of foreign matter
accumulates in the fuel tank, the filter may
require replacement more frequently.
After installing a new filter, run the engine
for several minutes, and check for leaks at
the connections. Fuel filters should be
installed by trained technicians.
F060F01A-AATo Vacuum, Crankcase Ventilation
HosesInspect the surface of hoses for evidence
of heat and/or mechanical damage. Hard
and brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts,
abrasions, and excessive swelling indicate
deterioration. Particular attention should
be paid to examine those hose surfaces
nearest to high heat sources, such as the
exhaust manifold.
Inspect the hose routing to assure that the
hoses do not come in contact with any heat
source, sharp edges or moving component
which might cause heat damage or
mechanical wear. Inspect all hose
connections, such as clamps and
couplings, to make sure they are secure,
and that no leaks are present. Hoses should
be replaced immediately if there is any
evidence of deterioration or damage.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ITEMS

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS8
F070G02A-AATo Brake FluidCheck brake fluid level in the brake fluid
reservoir. The level should be between
"MIN" and "MAX" marks on the side of the
reservoir. Use only hydraulic brake fluid
conforming to DOT 3 or DOT 4.F070F01A-AATo Brake Hoses and LinesVisually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and any
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts immediately.
F070E06A-AATo Automatic Transaxle FluidThe fluid level should be in the “HOT”
range of the dipstick, after the engine and
transaxle are at normal operating
temperature. Check the automatic
transaxle fluid level with the engine running
and the transaxle in neutral, with the
parking brake properly applied. Use
HYUNDAI GENUINE ATF SP III, DIAMOND
ATF SP III, SK ATF SP III or other brands
meeting the SP III specification approved
by Hyundai Motor Co. when adding or
changing fluid. Using the wrong ATF may
result in damage to the ATM.
F070H01A-AATo Rear Brake Drums and Linings/
Parking BrakeCheck the rear brake drums and linings for
scoring, burning, leaking fluid, broken parts,
and excessive wear. Inspect the parking
brake system including the parking brake
lever and cables. For detailed service
procedures, refer to the Shop Manual.
F070C01A-AATo CoolantThe coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.
F060J01A-AATo Spark PlugsMake sure to install new spark plugs of the
correct heat range.F060H01A-AATo Air Cleaner FilterA Genuine Hyundai air cleaner filter is
recommended when the filter is replaced.F060G01A-AATo Vapor Hose and Fuel Filler CapThe vapor hose and fuel filler cap should
be inspected at those intervals specified in
the maintenance schedule. Make sure that
a new vapor hose or fuel filler cap is correctly
replaced.
F070D01A-AATo Manual Transaxle OilInspect the manual transaxle oil according
to the maintenance schedule.NOTE:If the oil level is low, check for possible
leaks before adding oil. Do not overfill.
F060N02E-AATo Valve ClearanceInspect excessive valve noise and/or
engine vibration and adjust if necessary. A
qualified technician should perform the
operation.