low coolant Hyundai Santa Fe 2008 Owner's Manual

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
63
1. Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light
2. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
3. TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Malfunction
Indicator
4. Low Tire Pressure Position Telltale
5. Low Tire Pressure Telltale
6. AWD System Warning Light (If installed)
7. AWD Lock Indicator Light (If installed)
8. Odometer / Tripmeter / Trip Computer (If installed)
9. Fuel Gauge
10. Low Fuel Warning Light
11. Seat Belt Warning Light (Driver's Side)
12. Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid Level Warning Light
13. Charging System Warning Light
14. Coolant Temperature Gauge15. Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
16. Supplemental Restraint (Air bag) System
Service Reminder Indicator (SRI)
17. Tail Gate Open Warning Light
18. Door Ajar Warning Light
19. Automatic Transaxle Position Indicator Light (If installed)
20. High Beam Indicator Light
21. Cruise SET Indicator Light
22. Cruise Indicator Light
23. ABS Service Reminder Indicator
24. Turn Signal Indicator Light
25. Speedometer
26. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light
27. Immobilizer Warning Indicator Light (If Installed)
28. Tachometer

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
26
!HIGHER SPEED MOTORINGC170A02A-AATPre-Trip Inspections1. Tires:
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to speci-
fication. 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 fail-
ure.NOTE:Never exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressure shown on the tires.
C160K01A-AATCarry Emergency EquipmentDepending 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-AATDon't Let Ice and Snow Accumulate
UnderneathUnder some conditions, snow and ice can
build up under the fenders and interfere
with the steering. When driving in severe
winter conditions where this may happen,
you should periodically check underneath
the car to be sure the movement of the front
wheels and the steering components is
not obstructed.
WARNING:
o Underinflated or overinflated tires can
cause poor handling, loss of vehicle
control, and sudden tire failure lead-
ing to accidents, injuries, and even
death. Always check tires are prop-
erly inflated before driving. Refer to
pages 2-31 and 8-3 for proper tire
pressures and further information.
C160H02A-AATUse Approved Window Washer Anti-
Freeze in SystemTo keep the water in the window washer
system from freezing, add an approved
window washer anti-freeze solution in
accordance with instructions on the con-
tainer. 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 paint finish.C160I01A-AATDon't Let Your Parking Brake FreezeUnder 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 temporarily while you
put the gear selector lever in "P" (auto-
matic) or in first or reverse gear (manual
transaxle) and block the rear wheels so the
car cannot roll. Then release the parking
brake.

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.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
28
C190C02Y-AATTrailer BrakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to federal
and/or local regulations and that it is prop-
erly 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
Under Severe Usage Conditions" on
page 5-6.
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.
!
C190D01S-AATSafety ChainsShould the hitch connection between your
vehicle 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 situa-
tion, safety chains, attached between your
car and the trailer or towed vehicle, are
required in most states.
C190B01S-AATTrailer HitchesSelect the proper hitch and ball combina-
tion, making sure that its location is com-
patible with that of the trailer or vehicle
being towed.
Use a quality non-equalizing hitch which
distributes 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.

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 near-
est 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 over-
heating, wait until the engine tempera-
ture has returned to normal. Then, if
coolant has been lost, carefully add
coolant to the reservoir (page 6-7) 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 over-
heating 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 un-
der the car. (If the air conditioning had
been in use, it is normal for cold water
to be draining from it when you stop).

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
5
Note : *1. For the first time replace the coolant at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months. After that replace it every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.
*2. Inspect every 37,500 miles (60,000 km) replace every 75,000 miles (120,000 km) or 60 months
*3. For every 12 months or 10,000 miles (15,000 km), whichever occurs first: "R"F030C01CM-AATR : Replace I : Inspect and, after inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary
GENERAL ITEMS
DRIVE BELT
COOLANT
TIMING BELT (ONLY 2.7 V6)
MANUAL TRANSAXLE FLUID
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID
BRAKE FLUID
BRAKE HOSES AND LINES
PARKING BRAKE
BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS (FRONT, REAR)
EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER
SUSPENSION MOUNTING BOLTS
STEERING GEAR BOX, LINKAGE & BOOTS / LOWER ARM
BALL JOINT
POWER STEERING PUMP, BELT AND HOSES
DRIVESHAFTS AND BOOTS
AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT
CLIMATE CONTROL AIR FILTER
(FOR EVAPORATOR AND BLOWER UNIT)
TRANSFER CASE OIL (AWD)
REAR AXLE OIL (AWD)
PROPELLER SHAFT (AWD) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 No. DESCRIPTIONMILES X 1000
KILOMETERS X 1000
MONTHS
2.7 V6 (ALT, P/STR'G, A/CON)
3.3 V6 (ALT, P/STR'G, A/CON)7.5
12
6
I
I15
24
12
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I22.5
36
18
I
I30
48
24
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I37.5
60
30
I
I45
72
36
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I52.5
84
42
I
I60
96
48
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I67.5
108
54
I
I75
120
60
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
R
I82.5
132
66
I
I90
144
72
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I97.5
156
78
I
I105
168
84
R
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I112.5
180
90
I
I120
192
96
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I127.5
204
102
I
I135
216
108
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I142.5
228
114
I
I150
240
120
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
ISee Note *
1
See Note *
2
See Note *
3

6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
4
GENERAL CHECKS
G020C01A-AATVehicle InteriorThe following should be checked each
time when the vehicle is driven:
o Lights operation
o Windshield wiper operation
o Horn operation
o Defroster, heating system operation
(and air conditioning, if installed)
o Steering operation and condition
o Mirror condition and operation
o Turn signal operation
o Accelerator pedal operation
o Brake operation, including parking
brake
o Manual transaxle operation, including
clutch operation
o Automatic transaxle operation, includ-
ing "Park" mechanism operation
o Seat control condition and operation
o Seat belt condition and operation
o Sunvisor operation
If you notice anything that does not operate
correctly or appears to be functioning cor-
rectly, inspect it carefully and seek assis-
tance from your Hyundai dealer if service
is needed.
G020B01A-AATVehicle ExteriorThe following should be checked monthly:
o Overall appearance and condition
o Wheel condition and wheel nut torque
o Exhaust system condition
o Light condition and operation
o Windshield glass condition
o Wiper blade condition
o Paint condition and body corrosion
o Fluid leaks
o Door and hood lock condition
o Tire pressure and condition
(including spare tire)
G020A01A-AATEngine CompartmentThe following should be checked regu-
larly:
o Engine oil level and condition
o Transaxle fluid level and condition
o Brake fluid level
o Clutch fluid level
o Engine coolant level
o Windshield washer fluid level
o Accessory drive belt condition
o Engine coolant hose condition
o Fluid leaks (on or below components)
o Power steering fluid level
o Battery condition
o Air filter condition

6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
7
!
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING:
This product contains a chemical known
to the State of California to cause can-
cer. Used engine oil may cause irritation
or cancer of the skin if left in contact with
the skin for prolonged periods of time.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by wash-
ing your hands thoroughly with soap and
warm water as soon as possible after
handling used oil.
G050B01A-AATRecommended Engine CoolantUse a high quality ethylene-glycol coolant
in a 50/50 mix with water. The engine
coolant should be compatible with alumi-
num engine parts. Additional corrosion
inhibitors or additives should not be used.
The cooling system must be maintained
with the correct concentration and type of
engine coolant to prevent freezing and
corrosion. Never allow the concentration
of antifreeze to exceed the 60% level or go
below the 35% level, or damage to the
cooling system may result. For proper con-
centration when adding or replacing the
engine coolant, refer to the following table.
Ambient
temperature
°F (°C)
5 (-15)
-13 (-25)
-31 (-35)
-49 (-45)
65%
60%
50%
40% 35%
40%
50%
60%Water Antifreeze
solution Engine Coolant concentration
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT!
G050A01TG-AAT
WARNING:
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. When the engine is hot, the
engine coolant is under pressure and
may erupt through the opening if the cap
is removed. You could be seriously
burned if you do not observe this precau-
tion. Do not remove the radiator cap until
the radiator is cool to the touch.NOTE:It is recommended that the engine cool-
ant should be changed by an authorized
Hyundai dealer.

6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
8
G050C01TG-AATTo Check the Coolant LevelThe coolant level can be seen on the side
of the plastic coolant reservoir. The level of
the coolant should be between the "L" and
"F" lines on the reservoir when the engine
is cool. If the level is below the "L" mark, add
engine coolant to bring it up between "L"
and "F". If the level is low, inspect for
coolant leaks and recheck the fluid level
frequently. If the level drops again, visit
your Hyundai dealer for an inspection and
diagnosis of the reason.
OCM055004L
!
WARNING:
The cooling fan is controlled by engine
coolant temperature and may some-
times operate even when the engine is
not running. Use extreme caution when
working near the blades of the cooling
fan so that you are not injured by a
rotating fan blade. As the engine coolant
temperature decreases, the fan will au-
tomatically shut off. This is a normal
condition.
CAUTION:
o Engine coolant can damage the finish
of your car. If you spill engine coolant
on the car, wash it off thoroughly with
clean water.
o The engine in your vehicle has alumi-
num engine parts and must be pro-
tected by an ethylene-glycol base
coolant to prevent corrosion and freez-
ing.
Do not use hard water. Hard water can
cause engine damage from corro-
sion, overheating or freezing.
!
CHANGING THE AIR
CLEANER FILTERG070A03Y-AATThe replacement of air cleaner filter is
performed in the following manner.
1. Unsnap the clips around the cover.
2. When this is done, the cover can be
lifted off, the old filter removed and the
new filter put in its place.
Genuine Hyundai replacement parts are
recommended.
CAUTION:
o Operating your vehicle without a
proper air filter in place can result in
excessive engine wear.
o When removing the air cleaner filter,
be careful that dust or dirt does not
enter the air intake. These may result
in damage to the air cleaner filter.
!
OCM055007