weight Hyundai Sonata 2007 Owner's Manual

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI2
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B010A01NF-A
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS
CAUTION:
Your Hyundai's New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty may not cover damage to the fuel
system and any performance problems that
are caused by the use of fuels containing
methanol or fuels containing MTBE (Methyl
Tertiary Butyl Ether) over 15.0% vol. (Oxy-
gen Content 2.7% weight.)
B010B01A-AATWhat About Gasohol?Gasohol (a mixture of 90% unleaded gasoline
and 10% ethanol or grain alcohol) may be used
in your Hyundai. However, if your engine devel-
ops driveability problems, the use of 100%
unleaded gasoline is recommended. Fuels with
unspecified quantities of alcohol, or alcohols
other than ethanol, should not be used.
B010A02NF-AATUse Unleaded GasolineUnleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane
Rating of 87 (Research Octane Number 91)
or higher must be used in your Hyundai.
B010C01A-AATUse of MTBEHyundai recommends that fuels containing
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) over 15.0%
vol. (Oxygen Content 2.7% weight) should not
be used in your Hyundai.
Fuel containing MTBE over 15.0% vol. (Oxygen
Content 2.7% weight) may reduce vehicle per-
formance and produce vapor lock or hard
starting.
B010D01A-AATDo Not Use MethanolFuels containing methanol (wood alcohol) should
not be used in your Hyundai. This type of fuel
can reduce vehicle performance and damage
components of the fuel system.
!
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
WARNING:
o Do not "top off" after the nozzle auto-
matically shuts off when refueling.
o Tighten the cap until it clicks, otherwise
the "
" light will illuminate.
o Always check that the fuel cap is in-
stalled securely to prevent fuel spillage
in the event of an accident.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
15
B080C02A-AATAdjusting Seatback AngleTo recline the seatback, lean forward to take
your weight off it, then pull up on the recliner
control lever at the outside edge of the seat. Now
lean back until the desired seatback angle is
achieved. To lock the seatback into position,
release the recliner control lever.
HNF2033
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WARNING:
Riding with a reclined seatback increases
your chance of serious or fatal injuries in
the event of a collision or sudden stop. The
protection of your restraint system (seat
belts and airbags) is greatly reduced by
reclining your seat. Seat belts must be snug
against your hips and chest to work prop-
erly. The more the seatback is reclined, the
greater the chance that an occupant's hips
will slide under the lap belt or the occupant's
neck will strike the shoulder belt. Drivers
and passengers should always sit well back
in their seats, properly belted, and with the
seatbacks upright.
B080D02JM-AATAdjustable HeadrestsHeadrests are designed to help reduce the risk
of neck injuries.
To raise the headrest, pull it up. To lower the
headrest, push it down while pressing the lock
knob. To remove the headrest, raise it as far as
it can go then press the lock knob while pulling
upward. This should only be done when the seat
is not occupied.
B080D01NF
Lock knob

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
21
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B140A01S-AATREAR SEAT WARNINGFor the safety of all passengers, luggage or
other cargo should not be piled higher than
the top of the seatback. In addition, do not
place objects on the rear shelf as they may
move forward during braking or in an acci-
dent and may strike and injure vehicle pas-
sengers.
B140A01NF-A
SEAT BELTSB150B04Y-AATInfant or Small ChildAll 50 states have child restraint laws. You
should be aware of the specific requirements in
your state. Child and/or infant safety seats must
be properly placed and installed in the rear seat.
Information about the use of these restraints
begins on page 1-28.
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B150A02S-AATSEAT BELT PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:All occupants of the vehicle must wear their
seat belts at all times. Seat belts and child
restraints reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injuries for all occupants in the event of a
collision or sudden stop. Without a seat
belt, occupants could be shifted too close
to a deploying airbag, strike the interior
structure or be thrown from the vehicle.
Properly worn seat belts greatly reduce
these hazards. Even with advanced airbags,
unbelted occupants can be severely in-
jured by a deploying airbag. Always follow
the precautions about seat belts, airbags
and occupant safety contained in this
manual.
!
WARNING:
Every person in your vehicle needs to be
properly restrained at all times, including
infants and children. Never hold a child in
your arms or lap when riding in a vehicle.
The violent forces created during a crash
will tear the child from your arms and throw
the child against the interior. Always use a
child restraint appropriate for your child's
height and weight, see page 1-28.NOTE:Small children are best protected from in-
jury in an accident when properly restrained
in the rear seat by a child restraint system
that meets the requirements of the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Before
buying any child restraint system, make
sure that it has a label certifying that it
meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dard 213. The restraint must be appropriate
for your child's height and weight. Check
the label on the child restraint for this
information. See page 1-28.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
43
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legs comfortably extended and their feet on the
floor), the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indi-
cator will be turned off and the front passenger's
airbag will be able to inflate, if necessary, in
frontal crashes.
You will find the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF"
indicator on the center facia panel. This system
detects the conditions 1~4 in the following table
and activates or deactivates front passenger
airbags based on these conditions.
Condition and operation in the front pas-
senger occupant classification system*1) The system judges a person of adult size as
an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front
passenger seat, the system may recognize
him/her as a child depending on his/her
physique and posture.
*2) Do not allow children to ride in the front
passenger seat. When a larger child who
has outgrown a child restraint system sits in
the front passenger seat, the system may
recognize him/her as an adult depending on
his/her physique or posture.
*3) Never install a child restraint system on the
front passenger seat.
Front
passenger
airbag
Activated
Deactivated
Deactivated
Activated Condition
detected by
the occupant
classification
system
1. Adult*
1
2. Child*
2 or
child restraint
system*3
3. Unoccupied
4. There is a
malfunction
in the
systemSRS
warning
light
Off
Off
Off
On
"Passenger
air bag off"
indicator light
Off
On
On
Off
WARNING:
Riding in an improper position or placing
weight on the front passenger's seat when
it is unoccupied by a passenger adversely
affects the occupant classification system
(OCS).
o NEVER excessively recline the front pas-
senger seatback.
B990A03O
o NEVER put a heavy load in the front passen-
ger seat.
B990A08O

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
45
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NOTE:The "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator
illuminates for about 6 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the "ON" position
or after the engine is started. If the front
passenger seat is occupied, the occupant
classification sensor will then classify the
front passenger within approximately 10
seconds after the ignition is turned on.
CAUTION:
If the occupant classification system is not
working properly, the SRS airbag warning
light on the instrument panel will
illuminate because the passenger's front
airbags are connected with the occupant
classification system. If there is a malfunc-
tion of the occupant classification system,
the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator
will not illuminate and the passenger's front
airbags will inflate in frontal impact crashes
even if there is no occupant in the front
passenger's seat. If the SRS airbag warning
light does not illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to the "ON" position, remains
illuminated after approximately 6 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to the "ON"
position, or if it illuminates while the vehicle
is being driven, have an authorized Hyundai
dealer inspect the occupant classification
system and the SRS airbag system as soon
as possible.
!
WARNING:
o Even though your vehicle is equipped
with the occupation classification sys-
tem, never install a child restraint system
in the front passenger's seat. A deploy-
ing airbag can forcefully strike a child
resulting in serious injuries or death.
Any child under 13 years of age should
ride in the rear seat. Children too large
for child restraints should use the avail-
able lap/shoulder belts. No matter what
type of crash, children of all ages are
safer when restrained in the rear seat.
o If the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indi-
cator is illuminated when the front
passenger's seat is occupied by an adult
and he/she sits properly (sitting upright
with the seatback in an upright position,
centered on the seat cushion with their
seat belt on, legs comfortably extended
and their feet on the floor), have that
person sit in the rear seat.
o If you change the weight on the front
passenger seat just after sit-in or restart
of the engine, the "PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF" indicator may be turned on or
off for a few seconds, disabling or en-
abling the passenger airbags. After the
initial stage of about 30 seconds, the
"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator
will not toggle.
WARNING:
Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in
the front seat when the “PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, be-
cause the airbag will not deploy in the event
of a crash. If the "PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF" indicator remains illuminated after
the passenger repositions themselves prop-
erly and the car is restarted, Hyundai recom-
mends that passenger move to the rear seat
because the passenger's front airbag will
not deploy.
The “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator
will not change according to the occupants
posture after the vehicle has been running
for 30 seconds. Front seat passengers
must stay properly seated to avoid serious
injury from a deploying airbag. For more
information see page 1-42.

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI46
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WARNING:
o Do not modify or replace the front pas-
senger seat. Don't place anything on or
attach anything such as a blanket or
after market seat heater to the front
passenger seat. This can adversely af-
fect the occupant classification system.
o Do not sit on sharp objects such as tools
when occupying the front passenger
seat. This can adversely affect the occu-
pant classification system.
o Do not use accessory seat covers on the
front seats.
o Accident statistics show that children
are safer if they are restrained in the rear,
as opposed to the front seat. It is recom-
mended that child restraints be secured
in a rear seat, including an infant riding
in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding
in a forward-facing child seat and an
older child riding in a booster seat.
o Airbags can only be used once – have an
authorized Hyundai dealer replace the
airbag immediately after deployment.
!
WARNING:
o A smaller-stature adult who is not seated
correctly (for example: seat excessively
reclined, leaning on the center console,
or hips shifted forward in the seat) can
cause a condition where the advanced
frontal airbag system senses less weight
than if the occupant were seated prop-
erly (sitting upright with the seatback in
an upright position, centered on the seat
cushion with their seat belt on, legs
comfortably extended and their feet on
the floor). This condition can result in an
adult potentially being misclassified and
illumination of the "PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF" indicator.
B990B05Y-AATSide Impact Airbag (If installed)Your Hyundai is equipped with a side impact
airbag in each front seat. The purpose of the
airbag is to provide the vehicle's driver and/or
the front passenger with additional protection
than that offered by the seat belt alone. The side
impact airbags are designed to deploy only
during certain side-impact collisions, depend-
ing on the crash severity, angle, speed and point
of impact. The side impact airbags are not
designed to deploy in all side impact situations.
B990B02LZ

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
16
o Remember, your Hyundai does not require
extended warm-up. After the engine has
started, allow the engine to run for 10 to 20
seconds prior to placing the vehicle in gear.
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
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. o Be sure that the wheels are aligned cor-
rectly. Improper alignment can result from
hitting curbs or driving too fast over irregular
surfaces. 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
Section 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 impor-
tant that mud, dirt, ice, etc. not be allowed to
accumulate on the underside of the car. This
extra weight can result in increased fuel
consumption and also contribute to corro-
sion.
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.
DRIVING FOR ECONOMYC140A02A-AATYou can save fuel and get more miles 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 unnec-
essarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
sible. Always maintain a safe distance from
other vehicles so you can avoid unneces-
sary braking. 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
increase wear on these components. In
addition, driving with your foot resting on the
brake pedal may cause the brakes to over-
heat, 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
inflation, either too much or too little, results
in unnecessary tire wear. Check the tire
pressures at least once a month.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
18
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 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.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 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.
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 instruc-
tions on the container. Window washer anti-
freeze is available 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.C160G01A-AATTo 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 internally, you may be able to
thaw it out by using a heated key. Handle the
heated key with care to avoid injury.
C160F01A-AATCheck Spark Plugs and Ignition
SystemInspect 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.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.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
21
C190D01S-AATSafety ChainsShould 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 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.
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C190E02JM
Gross Axle WeightGross Vehicle
Weight
2. The total gross vehicle weight with trailer
must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) shown on the
vehicle identification plate (see page 8-
2). The total gross vehicle weight is the
combined weight of the vehicle, driver,
all passengers and their luggage, cargo,
hitch, trailer tongue load and other op-
tional equipment.
C190E01NF-AATTrailer Weight Limit
Tongue Load Total Trailer Weight
o Keep the tongue load 10% of the total trailer
load.
o Tongue load
o Tongue loads can be increased or de-
creased by re-distributing the load in the
trailer.
This can be verified by checking the total
weight of the loaded trailer and then checking
the load on the tongue.
C190E01JM
x 100 = 10% (MAX)
Total trailer weight
NOTE:1. Never load the trailer with more weight in
the back than in the front. About 60% of
the trailer load should be in the front half
on the trailer and the remaining 40% in
the rear.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
22
C190F01Y-GATTrailer or Vehicle Towing Tips1. 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 tow
a trailer with the transaxle in fifth gear (manual
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.
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lbs(kg)
!
Tongue
200 (90)
- With3.3L
Brake 2.4L
Without BrakeMaximum Towable Weight
Trailer
2000 (900)
1500 (675)
1000 (450)
CAUTION:
The following specifications are recom-
mended when towing a trailer. The loaded
trailer weight cannot safely exceed the val-
ues in the chart below.
WARNING:
o Improperly loading your vehicle and
trailer can seriously affect its steering
and braking performance causing a
crash which could cause serious injury
or death.
o Towing a trailer affects vehicle handling
and braking.
o Drive more slowly when towing a trailer
and allow more distance when braking.
o Be careful when driving in slippery and
windy conditions.
o Be careful when turning and while driv-
ing up and down hills. 3. The front or rear axle weight must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the vehicle identifi-
cation plate (see page 8-2). It is possible
that your towing package does not ex-
ceed the GVWR but exceeds the GAWR.
Improper trailer loading and/or too much
luggage in the trunk can overload the
rear axle. Redistribute the load and check
the axle weight again.