winter tires Hyundai Accent 2003 Owner's Manual

2- 12 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
C160A01A-AAT
WINTER DRIVING
The more severe weather conditions of winter
result in greater wear and other problems. To
minimize the problems of winter driving, you
should follow these suggestions:
C160B01A-AATSnowy or Icy Conditions
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be
necessary to use snow tires or to install tire
chains on your tires. If snow tires are needed, it
is necessary to select tires equivalent in size
and type to the original equipment tires. Failure
to do so may adversely affect the safety and
handling of your car. Furthermore, speeding,
rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications,
and sharp turns are potentially very hazardous
practices.
During deceleration, use engine braking to the
fullest extent. Sudden brake applications on
snowy or icy roads may cause skids to occur.
You need to keep sufficient distance between
the vehicle in operation in front and your vehicle.
Also, apply the brake gently. It should be noted
that installing tire chains on the tire will provide
a greater driving force, but will not prevent side
skids.
NOTE:Tire chains are not legal in all states. Check
state laws before fitting tire chains.
C160D01A-AATCheck Battery and Cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the battery
system. Visually inspect the battery and cables
as described in Section 6. The level of charge in
your battery can be checked by your Hyundai
dealer or a service station.
C160E01A-AAT
Change to "Winter Weight" Oil if
Necessary
In some climates it is recommended that a lower
viscosity "winter weight" oil be used during cold
weather. See Section 9 for recommendations. If
you aren't sure what weight oil you should use,
consult your Hyundai dealer.
C160C01A-AATUse High Quality Ethylene Glycol
Coolant
Your Hyundai is delivered with high quality eth-
ylene glycol coolant in the cooling system. It is
the only type of coolant that should be used
because it helps prevent corrosion in the cooling
system, lubricates the water pump and prevents
freezing. Be sure to replace or replenish your
coolant in accordance with the maintenance
schedule in Section 5. Before winter, have your
coolant tested to assure that its freezing point is
sufficient for the temperatures anticipated dur-
ing the winter. o Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine. Lugging
is driving too slowly in too high a gear result-
ing in the engine bucking. If this happens,
shift to a lower gear. Over-revving is racing
the engine beyond its safe limit. This can be
avoided by shifting at the recommended
speeds.
o Use your air conditioning sparingly. The air
conditioning system is operated by engine
power so your fuel economy is reduced
when you use it.
C150A01A-AAT
SMOOTH CORNERING
Avoid braking or gear changing in corners, es-
pecially when roads are wet. Ideally, corners
should always be taken under gentle accelera-
tion. If you follow these suggestions, tire wear
will be held to a minimum.

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 13
C160H01A-AAT
Use Approved Anti-Freeze in Window
Washer System
To keep the water in the window washer system
from freezing, add an approved anti-freeze so-
lution in accordance with instructions on the
container. Window washer anti-freeze is avail-
able from Hyundai dealers and most auto parts
outlets. Do not use engine coolant or other types
of anti-freeze as these may damage the finish.
C160F01A-AATCheck Spark Plugs and Ignition
System
Inspect your spark plugs as described in Sec-
tion 6 and replace them if necessary. Also
check all ignition wiring and components to be
sure they are not cracked, worn or damaged in
any way.
C160G01A-AAT
To Keep Locks from Freezing
To keep the locks from freezing, squirt an ap-
proved de-icer fluid or glycerine into the key
opening. If a lock is covered with ice, squirt it
with an approved de-icing fluid to remove the
ice. If the lock is frozen internally, you may be
able to thaw it out by using a heated key. Handle
the heated key with care to avoid burning the
fingers.
C160I01A-AATDon't Let Your Parking Brake Freeze
Under some conditions your parking brake can
freeze in the engaged position. This is most
likely to happen when there is an accumulation
of snow or ice around or near the rear brakes or
if the brakes are wet. If you think the parking
brake may freeze, apply it only temporarily while
you put the gear selector lever in "P" (automatic)
or in first or reverse gear (manual transaxle) and
block the rear wheels so the car cannot roll.
Then release the parking brake.
C160K01A-AATCarry Emergency Equipment
Depending on the severity of the weather where
you drive your car, you should carry appropriate
emergency equipment. Some of the items you
may want to carry include tire chains, tow straps
or chains, flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a
shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper, gloves,
ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.
C160J01A-AAT
Don't Let Ice and Snow Accumulate
Underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice can build
up under the fenders and interfere with the
steering. When driving in severe winter condi-
tions where this may happen, you should peri-
odically check underneath the car to be sure the
movement of the front wheels and the steering
components is not obstructed.
C170A01A-AAT
HIGHER SPEED MOTORING
Pre-Trip Inspections
1. Tires:
Adjust the tire inflation pressures for highway
driving. Low tire inflation pressures will result in
overheating and possible failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires which may
result in reduced traction or tire failure.
NOTE:Never exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure shown on the tires.
2. Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil:
High speed travel consumes 1.5 times more fuel
than urban motoring. Do not forget to check both
engine coolant and engine oil.
3. Drive belt:
A loose or damaged drive belt may result in
overheating of the engine.

CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE 4- 3
E030A01A-AATWASHING AND WAXING
Washing Your Hyundai
Never wash your car when the surface is hot
from being in the sun. Always wash your car in
the shade.
Wash your car frequently. Dirt is abrasive and
can scratch the paint if it is not removed. Air
pollution or acid rain may damage the paint and
trim through chemical action if pollutants are
allowed to remain in contact with the surface. If
you live near the ocean or in an area where road
salts or dust control chemicals are used, you
should pay particular attention to the underside
of the car. Start by rinsing the car to remove
dust and loose dirt. In winter, or if you have
driven through mud or muddy water, be sure to
thoroughly clean the underside as well. Use a
hard direct stream of water to remove accumu-
lations of mud or corrosive materials. Use a
good quality car-washing solution and follow the
manufacturer's directions on the package. These
are available at your Hyundai dealer or auto
parts outlet. Don't use strong household deter-
gents, gasoline, strong solvents or abrasive
cleaning powders as these may damage the
finish.
Use a clean sponge or cloth, rinse it frequently
and don't damage the finish by rubbing too hard.
For stubborn spots, dampen them frequently
and remove them a little at a time.To clean whitewall tires, use a stiff brush or
soap-impregnated steel-wool scouring pad.
To clean plastic wheel covers, use a clean
sponge or soft cloth and water.
To clean cast aluminum alloy wheels, use a mild
soap or neutral detergent. Do not use abrasive
cleaners. Protect the bare-metal surfaces by
cleaning, polishing and waxing. Because alumi-
num is subject to corrosion, be sure to give
aluminum alloy wheels special attention in win-
ter. If you drive on salted roads, clean the
wheels thoroughly afterwards.
After washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly. If
soapy water dries on the finish, streaking will
result.
When the weather is warm and the humidity low,
you may find it necessary to rinse each section
immediately after washing to avoid streaking.
After rinsing, dry the car using a damp chamois
or soft, absorbent cloth. The reason for drying
the car is to remove water from the car so it will
dry without water spots. Don't rub, this can
damage the finish.
If you find any nicks or scratches in the paint,
use touch-up paint to cover them to prevent
corrosion. To protect the paintwork of the car
against corrosion, you must clean your Hyundai
(at least once a month). Give special attention
E020C01A-AATKeep Your Garage Dry
Don't park your car in a damp, poorly ventilated
garage. This creates a favorable environment
for corrosion. This is particularly true if you wash
your car in the garage or drive it into the garage
when it is still wet or covered with snow, ice or
mud. Even a heated garage can contribute to
corrosion unless it is well ventilated so moisture
is dispersed.
E020D01A-AAT
Keep Paint and Trim in Good Condition
Scratches or chips in the finish should be cov-
ered with "touch-up" paint as soon as possible
to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If bare
metal is showing through, the attention of a
qualified body and paint shop is recommended.
E020E01A-AAT
Don't Neglect the Interior
Moisture can collect under the floor mats and
carpeting to cause corrosion. Check under the
mats periodically to be sure the carpeting is dry.
Use particular care if you carry fertilizers, clean-
ing materials or chemicals in the car.
These should be carried only in proper contain-
ers and any spills or leaks should be cleaned
up, flushed with clear water and thoroughly
dried.