check engine Hyundai Elantra 2004 User Guide

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
15WINTER DRIVING
C160A01A-AAT
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. Speeding, rapid accelera-
tion, 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 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.
C160C01A-AAT
Use High Quality Ethylene Glycol
Coolant
Your Hyundai is delivered with high quality
ethylene glycol coolant in the cooling system. It
is the only type of coolant that should be used
because it helps prevent corrosion in the cool-
ing system, lubricates the water pump and
prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or replen-
ish your coolant in accordance with the main-
tenance schedule in Section 5. Before winter,
have your coolant tested to assure that its
freezing point is sufficient for the temperatures
anticipated during the winter.
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 Neces-
sary
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.
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
approved 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 injury.

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
16
C170A01A-AAT
HIGHER SPEED MOTORING
Pre-Trip Inspections
1. Tires:
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to specifica-
tion. 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
pressure shown on the tires.
2. Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil:
High speed travel consumes 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.
C180A01A-AATUSE OF LIGHTS
Check your lights regularly for correct opera-
tion and always keep them clean. When driving
during the day in conditions of poor visibility, it
is helpful to drive with headlights on low beam.
This enables you to be seen as well as to see.
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.
C160K01A-AATCarry Emergency Equipment
Depending on the severity of the weather where
you drive your car, you should carry appropri-
ate 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.
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
solution 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.
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 there is a risk the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only tempo-
rarily 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.

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
17TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWING
C190A02S-AAT
If you are considering towing with your car, you
should first check with your State's Department
of Motor Vehicles to determine their legal re-
quirements.
Since laws vary from State to State, the require-
ments for towing trailers, cars, other types of
vehicles, or apparatus may differ. Ask your
Hyundai dealer for further details before towing.
CAUTION:Do not do any towing with your car during
its first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) in order to
allow the engine to properly break in. Fail-
ure to heed this caution may result in seri-
ous engine or transaxle damage.
!
C190B01S-AAT
Trailer Hitches
Select the proper hitch and ball combination,
making sure that it's location is compatible with
that of the trailer or vehicle being towed.
Use a quality non-equalizing hitch which distrib-
utes the tongue load uniformly throughout the
chassis.
The hitch should be bolted securely to the car
and installed by a qualified technician. DO NOT
USE A HITCH DESIGNED FOR TEMPORARY
INSTALLATION AND NEVER USE ONE THAT
ATTACHES ONLY TO THE BUMPER.
C190C03S-AATTrailer Brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed and
operating correctly.
NOTE:If you tow a trailer or vehicle, your car will
require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. See "Maintenance Un-
der Severe Usage Conditions" on page 5-6.
C190D01S-AAT
Safety Chains
Should 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 dan-
gerous situation, safety chains, attached be-
tween 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 12%) 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.

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
19
!WARNING:Improperly loading your car and trailer can
seriously affect its steering and braking
performance causing a crash which could
cause serious injury or death.
C190F01S-AAT
Trailer or Vehicle Towing Tips
1. 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 use
fifth gear (manual transaxle) or overdrive
(automatic 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 af-
fected 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.
8. When parking your car and trailer, especially
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, occasionally check to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still work-
ing.
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, downshift
the transaxle to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
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 overheat. Use the parking
brake or footbrake.
NOTE:When towing check transaxle fluid more
frequently.
CAUTION:If overheating should occur when towing,
(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.

3WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
2
D010B02E
D010C01E
IF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
!
D010A01A-AAT D010B02A-AAT
If Engine Doesn't Turn Over or Turns
Over Slowly
D010C01A-AAT
If Engine Turns Over Normally but Does
Not Start
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 addi-
tion, 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.
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".1. Check fuel level.
2. With the key in the "OFF" position, check all
connectors at ignition, coils and spark plugs.
Reconnect any that may be disconnected or
loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine room.
4. If the engine still refuses to start, call a
Hyundai dealer or seek other qualified assis-
tance.

3WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
4IF 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 seri-
ous 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 fur-
ther signs of overheating. If overheating
happens again, call a Hyundai dealer for
assistance.
D030A01A-AAT
If your temperature gauge indicates overheat-
ing, you experience a loss of power, or hear loud
pinging or knocking and the engine is probably
too hot. If this happens and, 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" (auto-
matic), 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
engine 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 engine coolant leak-
ing 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). post or cable of the booster battery. Then
attach the other end of that cable to a solid
metal part of the engine 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 dis-
charged battery using the normal starting
procedure. After the engine starts, leave the
jumper cables connected 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.

3WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
5SPARE TIRE
!
D040A01S-AAT
The following instructions for the temporary
spare tire should be observed:
1. Check inflation pressure as soon as pos-
sible after installing the spare tire, and adjust
to the specified pressure. The tire pressure
should be periodically checked and main-
tained at the specified pressure while the tire
is stored.
Spare Tire PressureCAUTION:
Serious loss of engine coolant indicates
there is a leak in the cooling system and this
should be checked as soon as possible by
a Hyundai dealer.
Tire Size
Inflation Pressure
T125/70D(R)15
60 psi (420 kPa)
D040B01A-AAT
Handling the Spare Tire
Remove the installation bolt to remove the spare
tire. To replace the spare tire in its storage
compartment, tighten the bolt firmly with your
fingers until there is no more play in the spare
tire.
HFC4014
2. The spare tire should only be used tempo-
rarily and should be returned to the luggage
compartment as soon as the original tire can
be repaired or replaced.
3. Continuous use at speeds of over 50 mph
(80 km/h) is not recommended.
4. As the temporary spare tire is specifically
designed for your car, it should not be used
on any other vehicle.
5. The temporary spare tire should not be used
on any other wheels, nor should standard
tires, snow tires, wheel covers or trim rings
be used with the temporary spare wheel. If
such use is attempted, damage to these
items or other car components may occur.
6. The temporary spare tire pressure should
be checked once a month while the tire is
stored.
CAUTION:o Do not use snow chains with your tem-
porary spare tire.
o Do not use more than one temporary
spare tire at a time.
!

3WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
11
D080D02E-AD080C02E
EMERGENCY TOWING
NOTE:
Before towing, check the level of the
transaxle fluid. If it is below the "HOT" mark
on the dipstick, add fluid. If you cannot add
fluid, a towing dolly must be used as de-
scribed above. o OK FOR AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL
TRANSAXLE EQUIPPED VEHICLE
!
D080D01E-AAT
For emergency towing when no commercial
tow vehicle is available, attach a tow cable,
chain or strap to one of the towing hooks under
the front of your car. Do not attempt to tow your
vehicle in this manner on any unpaved surface.
This could result in serious damage to your car.
Nor should towing be attempted if the wheels,
drive train, axles, steering or brakes are dam-
aged. Before towing, be sure the transaxle is in
neutral and the key is in "ACC" (with the engine
off) or in the "ON" position (with the engine
running). A driver must be in the towed car to
steer it and operate the brakes.
CAUTION:If the car is being towed with all four wheels
on the ground, it can be towed only from the
front. Be sure that the transaxle is in neutral.
Do not tow at speeds greater than 30 mph
(50 km/h) and for more than 15 miles (25
km). Be sure the steering is unlocked by
placing the key in the "ACC" position. A
driver must be in the towed vehicle to
operate the steering and brakes.

5VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
2MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
F010D01A-AAT
General Checks
These are the regular checks you should per-
form when you drive your Hyundai or you fill the
fuel tank. A list of these items will be found on
page 6-3.
F010C01A-AAT
Specified Scheduled Procedures
These 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 re-
placements. 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 Hand-
book provides further information about your
warranty coverage.
F010A01A-AAT
Service Requirements
To ensure that you receive the greatest number
of miles of satisfying operation from your Hyundai,
certain maintenance procedures must be per-
formed. Although careful design and engineer-
ing have reduced these to a minimum, those that
are required are of the utmost importance.
It is your responsibility to have these mainte-
nance 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 Requirements
The maintenance required for your Hyundai
can be divided into three main areas:
o Specified scheduled procedures
o General checks
o Do-it-yourself maintenance
F010E01A-AATDo-It-Yourself Maintenance
If you are mechanically inclined, own a few tools
that are required and want to take the time to do
so, you can inspect and service a number of
items. For more information about doing it your-
self, see Section 6.

5VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
7EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
F060F01A-AATo Vacuum, Crankcase
Ventilation Hoses
Inspect 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.
F060D01A-AAT
o Fuel Lines, Fuel Hoses and
Connections
Check the fuel lines, fuel hoses and connec-
tions for leakage and damage. Have a trained
technician replace any damaged or leaking
parts immediately.
F060M01A-AAT
o Engine Oil and Filter
The engine oil and filter should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance sched-
ule. If the car is being driven in severe condi-
tions, more frequent oil and filter changes are
required.
F060C01A-AAT
o Fuel Filter
A clogged filter can limit the speed at which the
vehicle may be driven, damage the emission
system and cause hard starting. If an exces-
sive 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.
F060G01A-AAT
o Vapor Hose and Fuel Filler Cap
The 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 re-
placed.
F060H01A-AATo Air cleaner filter
A Genuine Hyundai air cleaner filter is recom-
mended when the filter is replaced.
F060J01A-AATo Spark plugs
Make sure to install new spark plugs of the
correct heat range.
F060N02E-AAT
o Valve Clearance
Inspect excessive valve noise and/or engine
vibration and adjust if necessary. A qualified
technician should perform the operation.