winter tires Hyundai Matrix 2003 Owner's Manual

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2- 10 C150A01A-AAT
SMOOTH CORNERING
Avoid braking or gear changing in corners, espe- cially when roads are wet. Ideally, corners should always be taken under gentle acceleration. If you follow these suggestions, tire wear will be held to a minimum.
curbs or driving too fast over irregular surfac- es. Poor alignment causes faster tire wear and may also result in other problems as well as greater fuel consumption.
o Keep your car in good condition. For better
fuel economy and reduced maintenance costs, maintain your car in accordance with the maintenance schedule in Section 5. If you drive your car in severe conditions, more frequent maintenance is required (see Sec- tion 5 for details).
o Keep your car clean. For maximum service, your Hyundai should be kept clean and free of corrosive materials. It is especially important that mud, dirt, ice, etc. not be allowed to accumulate on the underside of the car. This extra weight can result in increased fuel con- sumption and also contribute to corrosion.
o Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary weight
in your car. Weight reduces fuel economy.
o Don't let the engine idle longer than neces-
sary. If you are waiting (and not in traffic), turn off your engine and restart only when you're ready to go.
o Remember, your Hyundai does not require
extended warm-up. As soon as the engine is running smoothly, you can drive away. In very cold weather, however, give your engine a slightly longer warm-up period.
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 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-GAT Snowy or Icy ConditionsTo 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 acceleration, sud- den brake applications, and sharp turns are potentially very hazardous practices. During
C140A01A-GAT DRIVING FOR ECONOMY You can save fuel and get more kilometers from your car if you follow these suggestions:
o Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moderate
rate. Don't make "jack-rabbit" starts or full- throttle shifts and maintain a steady cruising speed. Don't race between stoplights. Try to adjust your speed to that of the other traffic so you don't have to change speeds unneces- sarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever possible. Always maintain a safe distance from other vehicles so you can avoid unnecessary brak- ing. This also reduces brake wear.
o Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you drive, the more fuel your car uses. Driving at a moderate speed, especially on the high- way, is one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption.
o Don't "ride" the brake or clutch pedal. This
can increase fuel consumption and also in- crease wear on these components. In addi- tion, driving with your foot resting on the brake pedal may cause the brakes to overheat, which reduces their effectiveness and may lead to more serious consequences.
o Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated to the recommended pressure. Incorrect infla- tion, either too much or too little, results in unnecessary tire wear. Check the tire pres- sures at least once a month.
o Be sure that the wheels are aligned correctly.
Improper alignment can result from hitting avoided by shifting at the recommendedspeeds.
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.

CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
4-2
E020C01A-AAT Keep 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.
E030A01A-AAT WASHING 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 thor- oughly clean the underside as well. Use a hard direct stream of water to remove accumulations 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 detergents, 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 soapy 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 mildsoap 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 corro- sion. To protect the paintwork of the car against corrosion, you must clean your Hyundai (at least once a month). Give special attention to the removal of salt, mud and other substances on the underside of the splashboards of the car. Make sure that the outlets and the underside of the doors are open. Paint damage can be caused by small accumulation of tar, industrial precipita- tion, tree resin, insects and bird droppings, when not removed immediately. If water alone is not strong enough to remove the accumulated dirt, use a mild car washing solution. Be sure to rinse