check oil Hyundai Santa Fe 2008 Owner's Manual

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
67
The brake fluid level warning light indi-
cates that the brake fluid level in the brake
master cylinder is low and hydraulic brake
fluid conforming to DOT 3 or DOT 4 speci-
fications should be added. After adding
fluid, if no other trouble is found, the car
should be immediately and carefully driven
to a Hyundai dealer for inspection. If further
trouble is experienced, the vehicle should
not be driven at all but taken to a dealer by
a professional towing service.
Your Hyundai is equipped with dual-di-
agonal braking systems. This means you
still have braking on two wheels even if
one of the dual systems should malfunc-
tion. With only one of the dual systems
working, more than normal pedal travel
and greater pedal pressure are required to
stop the car. Also, the car will not stop in as
short a distance with only half of the brake
system working. If the brakes malfunction
while you are driving, shift to a lower gear
for additional engine braking and stop the
car as soon as it is safe to do so.
B260J02TG-AAT
Charging System Warning
Light
The charging system warning light should
illuminate when the ignition is turned on,
then go out when the engine is running. If
the light stays on while the engine is run-
ning, there is a malfunction in the electrical
charging system. If the light illuminates
while you are driving, have the system
checked by your Hyundai dealer as soon
as possible.Parking brake warning chime
(if installed)The parking brake warning chime sounds
to remind you that the parking brake is
applied when your are driving above
6mph(10km/h). Always release the park-
ing brake before you drive.
B260G02A-AAT
Low Oil Pressure Warning
Light
CAUTION:
If the low oil pressure warning light stays
on while the engine is running, serious
engine damage may result. The oil pres-
sure warning light comes on whenever
there is insufficient oil pressure. In nor-
mal operation, it should illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned on, then go
out when the engine is started. If the oil
pressure warning light stays on while
the engine is running, there is a serious
malfunction.
If this happens, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so, turn off the engine and
check the oil level. If the oil level is low,
fill the engine oil to the proper level and
start the engine again. If the light stays
on with the engine running, turn the en-
gine off immediately. In any instance
where the oil light stays on when the
engine is running, the engine should be
checked by a Hyundai dealer before the
car is driven again.
!

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2
WARNING: ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS!
C010A03A-AATEngine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the
windows immediately.
o Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death by
asphyxiation.
o Be sure the exhaust system does not leak.
The exhaust system should be checked whenever the vehicle is raised to change the oil or for any other purpose. If you
hear a change in the sound of the exhaust or if you drive over something that strikes the underneath side of the car, have
the exhaust system checked as soon as possible by your Hyundai dealer.
o Do not run the engine in an enclosed area.
Letting the engine idle in your garage, even with the garage door open, is a hazardous practice. Never run the engine
in your garage any longer than it takes to start the engine and back the car out.
o Avoid idling the engine for prolonged periods with people inside the car.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the car, be sure to do so only in an open area
with the air intake set at "Fresh" and fan operating at one of the higher speeds so fresh air is drawn into the interior.
If you must drive with the tail gate open because you are carrying objects that make this necessary:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at "Floor" or "Face" and the fan at one of the higher speeds.
To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, be sure the ventilation air intakes located just in front of the windshield
are kept clear of snow, ice, leaves or other obstructions.
!

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
4
!
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINEC020A01CM-AATBefore you start the engine, you should
always:
1. Look around the vehicle to be sure
there are no flat tires, puddles of oil,
water or other indications of possible
trouble.
2. After entering the car, check to be sure
the parking brake is engaged.
3. Check that all windows, and lights are
clean.
4. Check that the interior and exterior mir-
rors are clean and in position.
5. Check your seat, seatback and head-
rest to be sure they are in their proper
positions.
6. Lock all the doors.
7. Fasten your seat belt and be sure that all
other occupants have fastened theirs.
8. Turn off all lights and accessories that
are not needed.
9. When you turn the ignition switch to
"ON", check that all appropriate warn-
ing lights are operating and that you
have sufficient fuel.
10. Check the operation of warning lights
and all bulbs when key is in the "ON"
position.
!
WARNING:
Your vehicle is equipped with tires de-
signed to provide for safe ride and han-
dling capability.
Do not use a size and type of tire and
wheel that is different from the one that
is originally installed on your vehicle. It
can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could lead to han-
dling failure or rollover and serious in-
jury.
When replacing the tires, be sure to equip
all four tires with the tire and wheel of the
same size, type, tread, brand and load-
carrying capacity.
WARNING:
o All passengers must be properly
belted whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing. Refer to pages: 1-27 through 1-
33 for more information on their proper
use.
o Always check the surrounding areas
near your vehicle for people, espe-
cially children, before putting a car
into 'drive.'
o Always wear appropriate shoes when
operating your vehicle. Unsuitable
shoes (high heels, ski boots, etc.) may
interfere with your ability to use the
brake and accelerator pedal, and the
clutch (if installed).
!
WARNING:
When you intend to park or stop the
vehicle with the engine on, be careful not
to depress the accelerator pedal for a
long period of time. It may overheat the
engine or exhaust system and cause
fire.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
25
C160D01A-AATCheck Battery and CablesWinter 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 ser-
vice station.
C160F01A-AATCheck Spark Plugs and Ignition
SystemInspect your spark plugs as described in
Section 6 and replace them if necessary.
Also check all ignition wiring and compo-
nents to be sure they are not cracked, worn
or damaged in any way.C160E01A-AATChange to "Winter Weight" Oil if
NecessaryIn 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.
C160G01A-GATTo Keep Locks from FreezingTo 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 inter-
nally, you may be able to thaw it out by
using a heated key. Handle the heated key
with care to avoid injury.NOTE:The proper temperature for using the
immobilizer key is from -40°F (-40°C) to
176°F (80°C). If you heat the immobilizer
key over 80°C to open the frozen lock, it
may cause damage to the transponder
in its head.
C160C01A-AATUse High Quality Ethylene Glycol
CoolantYour Hyundai is delivered with high qual-
ity 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 cooling system, lubricates
the water pump and prevents freezing. Be
sure to replace or replenish your coolant in
accordance with the maintenance sched-
ule in Section 5. Before winter, have your
coolant tested to assure that its freezing
point is sufficient for the temperatures an-
ticipated during the winter.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
27
TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWING!
C190A01S-AATIf you are considering towing with your car,
you should first check with your State's
Department of Motor Vehicles to deter-
mine their legal requirements.
Since laws vary from State to State the
requirements for towing trailers, cars, or
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.
Failure to heed this caution may result in
serious engine or transaxle damage.
USE OF LIGHTSC180A01A-AATCheck your lights regularly for correct op-
eration and always keep them clean. When
driving during the day in conditions of poor
visibility, it is helpful to drive with head-
lights on low beam. This enables you to be
seen as well as to see.
!
o Driving on tires with no or insufficient
tread is dangerous. Worn-out tires
can result in loss of vehicle control,
collisions, injury, and even death.
Worn-out tires should be replaced as
soon as possible and should never be
used for driving. Always check tire
tread before driving your car. Refer to
8-12 for further information and tread
limits.
WARNING:
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.

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.
D010D01CM-AATIf Engine Stalls While Driving1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping
a straight line. Move cautiously off the
road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. 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 CrossingIf the engine stalls at a crossroad or cross-
ing, set the shift lever in the N (Neutral)
position and then push the vehicle to a safe
place.
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.
OCM055016
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".

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS2
F010C01A-AATSpecified Scheduled ProceduresThese are the procedures such as inspec-
tions, adjustments and replacements that
are listed in the maintenance charts start-
ing 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 per-
formed by the trained technicians at your
Hyundai dealer, these procedures may be
performed at any qualified service facility.
It is suggested that genuine Hyundai ser-
vice 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 war-
ranty 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 re-
duced 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 Hand-
book supplied with your new vehicle pro-
vides further information about these war-
ranties.
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
SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONSA - Repeatedly driving short distance of
less than 5miles(8km) in normal tem-
perature or less than 10miles(16km) in
freezing temperature
B - Extensive engine idling or low speed
driving for long distances
C - Driving on rough, dusty, muddy, un-
paved, graveled or salt-spread roads
D - Driving in areas using salt or other
corrosive materials or in very cold
weather
E - Driving in sandy areas
F - More than 50% driving in heavy city
traffic during hot weather above 32°C
(90°F)
G - Driving in mountainous areas
H - Towing a Trailer, or using a camper, or
roof rack
I - Driving as a patrol car, taxi, other com-
mercial use or vehicle towing
J - Driving over 100 MPH(170 Km/h)
K - Frequently driving in stop-and-go con-
ditions
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.F060B01A-AATo 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
and adjusted as necessary.
F060M01A-AATo Engine Oil and FilterThe engine oil and filter should be changed
at the intervals specified in the mainte-
nance 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.EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
10
F070Q01A-AATo Air Conditioning RefrigerantCheck the air conditioning lines and con-
nections for leakage and damage. Check
air conditioning performance according to
the relevant shop manual if necessary.F070P01A-AATo Driveshafts and BootsCheck the drive shafts, boots and clamps
for cracks, deterioration, or damage. Re-
place any damaged parts and, if neces-
sary, repack the grease.F070N01A-AATo Power Steering Pump, Belt and
HosesCheck the power steering pump and hoses
for leakage and damage. Replace any
damaged or leaking parts immediately.
Inspect the power steering belt for evi-
dence of cuts, cracks, excessive wear,
oiliness and proper tension. Replace or
adjust it if necessary.
CALIFORNIA PERCHLORATE NOTICEF080A01NF-AATPerchlorate Material-special handling
may apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.Notice to California Vehicle Dismantlers:
Perchlorate containing materials, such
as airbag inflators, seatbelt
pretensioners and keyless remote en-
try batteries, must be disposed of ac-
cording to Title 22 California Code of
Regulations Section 67384.10 (a).

6
Engine Compartment .................................................... 6-2
General Checks ............................................................ 6-4
Checking the Engine Oil ............................................... 6-5
Checking the Engine Coolant ........................................ 6-7
Changing the Air Cleaner Filter ..................................... 6-8
Windshield Wiper Blades .............................................. 6-9
Checking the Transaxle Oil (Manual) .........................6-11
Checking the Transaxle Fluid (Automatic)..................6-12
Checking the Brakes ..................................................6-14
Air Conditioning Care..................................................6-15
Changing the Climate Control Air Filter .......................6-16
Checking and Replacing Fuses..................................6-17
Checking the Battery..................................................6-20
Power Steering Fluid Level .........................................6-23
Replacement of Light Bulbs ........................................6-24
Bulb Wattage ...............................................................6-31
Fuse Panel Description...............................................6-32
6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE