light Hyundai Sonata

2- 16 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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.
!
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.
C190A01S-AAT
TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWING
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, or other types of
vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask your
Hyundai dealer for further details before towing.
C190B01S-AATTrailer Hitches
Select the proper hitch and ball combination,
making sure that its 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.
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.
!
C190C01Y-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 Under
Severe Usage Conditions" on page 5-6.

2- 18 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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.
!
C190F01S-AATTrailer 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, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
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 overloading
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.

3- 2 WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
!
!
D010A01A-AATIF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
D010B01A-AATIf Engine Doesn't Turn Over or Turns
Over Slowly
D010C01Y-AATIf Engine Turns Over Normally but Does
Not Start
1. Check fuel level.
2. Check all connectors at ignition, coil and
spark plugs. Re-connect any that may be
disconnected or loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine room.
4. If engine still refuses to start, call a Hyundai
dealer or seek other qualified assistance.
D010D01A-AATIf Engine Stalls While Driving
1. 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 assistance.
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" on the fol-
lowing pages.
D020A02A-AATJUMP STARTING
WARNING:
The gas produced by the battery during the
jump-start operation is highly explosive. If
these instructions are not followed exactly,
serious personal injury and damage to the
vehicle may occur! If you are not sure how
to follow this procedure, seek qualified
assistance. Automobile batteries contain
sulfuric acid. This is poisonous and highly
corrosive. When jump starting, wear pro-
tective glasses and be careful not to get
acid on yourself, your clothing or on the car.
D010B02YHEF194
Battery

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY 3- 3
o If you should accidentally get acid on your
skin or in your eyes, immediately remove
any contaminated clothing and flush the area
with clear water for at least 15 minutes. Then
promptly obtain medical attention. If you
must be transported to an emergency facil-
ity, continue to apply water to the affected
area with a sponge or cloth.
o The gas produced by the battery during the
jump-start operation is highly explosive. Do
not smoke or allow a spark or an open flame
in the vicinity.
o The battery being used to provide the jump
start must be 12-volt. If you cannot deter-
mine that it is a 12-volt battery, do not attempt
to use it for the jump start.
o To jump start a car with a discharged battery,
follow this procedure exactly:
1. If the booster battery is installed in another
vehicle, be sure the two vehicles are not
touching.
2. Turn off all unnecessary lights and acces-
sories in both vehicles.
3. Attach the clamps of the jumper cable in the
exact location shown on the illustration. First,
attach one clamp of the jumper cable to the
positive (+) post or cable of the discharged
battery. Then attach the other end of the
same cable to the positive (+) post or cable
of the booster battery. Next, using the other
cable, attach one clamp to the negative (-)
post or cable of the booster battery. Then
attach the other end of that cable to a solidmetal 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 your engine 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.D030A01A-AATIF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS
If your temperature gauge indicates overheat-
ing, 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" (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
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 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).

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY 3- 7
D060D02A-AAT3. Loosen Wheel NutsD060E01A-AAT4. Put the Jack in Place
The wheel nuts should be loosened slightly
before raising the car. To loosen the nuts, turn
the wrench handle counterclockwise. When
doing this, be sure that the socket is seated
completely over the nut so it cannot slip off. For
maximum leverage, position the wrench so the
handle is to the left as shown in the drawing.
Then, while holding the wrench near the end of
the handle, push down on it with steady pres-
sure. Do not remove the nuts at this time. Just
loosen them about one-half turn.The base of the jack should be placed on firm,
level ground. The jack should be positioned as
shown in the drawing.
D060F02E-AAT5. Raising the Car
After inserting a bar into the wheel nut wrench,
install the bar into the jack as shown in the
drawing. To raise the vehicle, turn the wheel nut
wrench clockwise. As the jack begins to raise
the vehicle, double check that it is properly
positioned and will not slip. If the jack is on soft
ground or sand, place a board, brick, flat stone
or other object under the base of the jack to keep
it from sinking.
Raise the car high enough so that the fully
inflated spare tire can be installed. To do this,
you will need more ground clearance than is
required to remove the flat tire.
D060D01Y
HFC4022
Wrench bar
Wheel nut wrench
HEF-111A

3- 8 WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
!
!WARNING:Do not get under the car when it is sup-
ported by the jack! This is very dangerous
as the vehicle could fall and cause serious
injury or death. No one should stay in the
car while the jack is being used.
D060G02Y-AAT6. Changing Wheels
D060H02A-AAT7. Reinstall Wheel Nuts
Loosen the wheel nuts and remove them with
your fingers. Slide the wheel off the studs and
lay it flat so it cannot roll away. To put the wheel
on the hub, pick up the spare tire, line up the
holes with the studs and slide the wheel onto
them. If this is difficult, tip the wheel slightly and
get the top hole in the wheel lined up with the top
stud. Then jiggle the wheel back and forth until
the wheel can be slid over the other studs.
WARNING:Wheels and wheel covers may have sharp
edges. Handle them carefully to avoid pos-
sible severe injury. Before putting the wheel
into place, be sure that there is nothing on
the hub or wheel (such as mud, tar, gravel,
etc.) that interferes with the wheel from
fitting solidly against the hub. If there is,
remove it. If there is not good contact on the
mounting surface between the wheel and
hub, the wheel nuts could come loose and
cause the loss of a wheel. Loss of a wheel
may result in loss of control of the vehicle.
This may cause serious injury or death.To reinstall the wheel, hold it on the studs, put
the wheel nuts on the studs and tighten them
finger tight. The nuts should be installed with
their small diameter ends directed inward. Jiggle
the tire to be sure it is completely seated, then
tighten the nuts as much as possible with your
fingers again.
D060G01YD060G02Y
D060H01Y

CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE 4- 5
Take a piece of cheese cloth and using any mild
soap and lukewarm water, work up a good
lather. Thoroughly wash the leather. Wipe clean
with a slightly damp cloth and dry with soft cloth.
Do this as often as the leather becomes
soiled.
During tanning operations, sufficient oils are
incorporated through processing that none need
be applied during the life of the leather. Oil
applied to the finished surface will in no way help
the leather and may do more harm than good.
Varnishes and furniture polishes should never
be used under any conditions.E040D01A-AATCleaning the Seat Belts
To clean the seat belts, use a cloth or sponge
with mild soap or detergent and warm water. Do
not use strong detergents, dye, bleach or abra-
sive materials on the seat belts as this may
weaken the fabric.
While cleaning the belts, inspect them for ex-
cessive wear, cuts, fraying or other signs of
damage and replace them if necessary.
E040C01A-AATCleaning the Carpets
Use a foam-type carpet cleaner. Cleaners of
this type are available in aerosol cans in liquid
form or powder. Read the instructions and
follow them exactly. Using a vacuum cleaner
with the appropriate attachment, remove as
much dirt from the carpets as possible. Apply
the foam following the manufacturer's direc-
tions, then rub in overlapping circles. Do not add
water. These cleaners work best when the
carpet is kept as dry as possible.
E050A01A-AATAny Questions?
If you have any questions about the care of your
car, consult your Hyundai dealer.
E040E01A-AATCleaning the Windows
You may use any household window cleaner on
the windows. However, when cleaning the in-
side of the rear window be careful not to damage
the rear window defroster wiring.

6- 4 DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
G020C01A-AATVehicle Interior
The 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, including
"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 incor-
rectly, inspect it carefully and seek assistance
from your Hyundai dealer if service is needed.
G020B01A-AATVehicle Exterior
The following should be checked monthly:
o Overall appearance and condition
o Air filter 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-AATGENERAL CHECKS
Engine Compartment
The following should be checked regularly:
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

6- 16 DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
G150A01A-AATCHECKING STEERING WHEEL
FREE-PLAYG140D01A-AATChecking the Compressor Drive Belt
G140C01A-AATLubrication
To lubricate the compressor and the seals in the
system, the air conditioning should be run for at
least 10 minutes each week. This is particularly
important during cool weather when the air
conditioning system is not otherwise in use.
G140B01A-AATChecking the Air Conditioning Opera-
tion
1. Start the engine and let it run at a fast idle for
several minutes with the air conditioning set
at the maximum cold setting.
2. If the air coming out of the in-dash vents is
not cold, have the air conditioning system
inspected by your Hyundai dealer.
CAUTION:Running the air conditioning system for
extended periods of time with a low refrig-
erant level may damage the compressor.
!
When the air conditioning is being used regu-
larly, the compressor drive belt tension should
be checked at least once a month with the
engine turned off.
To check the drive belt tension, press down on
the belt halfway between the engine crankshaft
and compressor pulleys. Pressing with your
finger, you should not be able to deflect this belt
anymore than 1/3 of an inch. If you have the
instruments to check it, with a force of 22 lb.
(98N), the deflection should be 0.315 inches
(approx 8.0 mm). If the belt is too loose, have it
adjusted by your Hyundai dealer.To check the steering wheel free-play, stop the
car with the wheels pointed straight ahead and
gently move the steering wheel back and forth.
Use very light finger pressure and be sensitive
to changes in resistance that mark the limits of
the free-play. If the free-play is greater than
specified, have it inspected by your Hyundai
dealer and adjusted or repaired if necessary.
HSM396
G150A01Y
Maximum
1.18 in.
(30 mm)
DOHC V6
Eng.pulleyCOMP
Eng.pulleyCOMP 0.315 in.
Auto tensioner

DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE 6- 17
G160A01A-AATCHECKING CLUTCH PEDAL
FREE-PLAY
With the engine off, press lightly on the clutch
pedal until you feel a change in resistance. This
is the clutch pedal free-play. The free-play
should be within the limits specified in the illus-
tration. If it is not, have it inspected by your
Hyundai dealer and adjusted or repaired if
necessary.
G170A02A-AATCHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
FREE-PLAY
With the engine off, press down on the brake
pedal several times to reduce the vacuum in the
brake booster.
Then, using your hand, press down slowly on
the brake pedal until you feel a change in
resistance. This is the brake pedal free-play.
The free-play should be within the limits speci-
fied in the illustration above. If it is not, have it
inspected by your Hyundai dealer and adjusted
or repaired if necessary.
G160A01EHXGS508
0.24~0.51 in.
(6~13 mm)0.12~0.31 in.
(3~8 mm)
G180A01A-AATCHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
CLEARANCE
You need a helper to check the brake pedal
clearance. With the engine running, have your
helper press down on the brake pedal several
times and then hold it down with a force of about
110 lbs (50 kg, 490 N). The brake pedal clear-
ance is the distance from the top surface of the
brake pedal to the asphalt sheeting under the
floor mat.
If the brake pedal clearance is not within the
limits specified in the illustration, have it in-
spected by your Hyundai dealer and adjusted
or repaired if necessary.
G180A01L
2.95 in. (75 mm)