HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID 2023 Owners Manual

06
6-141
The severe weather conditions of winter
quickly wear out tires and cause other
problems. To minimize winter driving
problems, you should take the following
suggestions:
Snow or Icy Conditions
You need to keep sufficient distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you.
Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid
acceleration, sudden brake applications,
and sharp turns are potentially
very hazardous practices. During
deceleration, use engine braking to the
fullest extent. Sudden brake applications
on snowy or icy roads may cause the
vehicle to skid.
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it
may be necessary to use snow tires or to
install tire chains on your tires.
Always carry emergency equipment.
Some of the items you may want to carry
include tire chains, tow straps or chains,
a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a
shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper,
gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket,
etc.
Snow tires
WARNING
Snow tires should be equivalent in size
and type to the vehicle’s standard tires.
Otherwise, the safety and handling of
your vehicle may be adversely affected.
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle,
make sure to use radial tires of the same
size and load range as the original tires.
Mount snow tires on all four wheels
to balance your vehicle’s handling in
all weather conditions. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your vehicle's
original equipment tires. Check with
the tire dealer for maximum speed
recommendations.
Information
Do not install studded tires without
first checking local, state and municipal
regulations for possible restrictions against
their use.
WINTER DRIVING

While Driving
6-142
Tire chains
ODN8069077LODN8069077L
Since the sidewalls of radial tires are
thinner than other types of tires, they
may be damaged by mounting some
types of tire chains on them. Therefore
the use of snow tires is preferred over the
use of tire chains.
If the road and weather conditions
require the use of tire chains, be sure to
use tire chains that have been properly
selected for the size of tire on your
HYUNDAI vehicle.
Be sure to follow the guidelines and
installation instructions provided from
the tire chain manufacturer.
Damage to your vehicle caused by
improper tire chain use is not covered by
your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
WARNING
The use of tire chains may adversely
affect vehicle handling:
• Drive less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer's
recommended speed limit,
whichever is lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, sharp turns, and other road
hazards, which may cause the
vehicle to bounce.
• Avoid sharp turns or locked wheel
braking.
Information
• Install tire chains on both left and right
front tires. It should be noted that
installing tire chains on the tires will
provide a greater driving force, but will
not prevent side skids.
• Do not install studded tires without
first checking local, state and municipal
regulations for possible restrictions
against their use.

06
6-143
Chain installation
When installing tire chains, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions and mount
them as tightly possible. Drive slowly
(less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) with
chains installed. If you hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop and
tighten them. If they still make contact,
slow down until the noise stops. Remove
the tire chains as soon as you begin
driving on cleared roads.
When mounting snow chains, park the
vehicle on level ground away from traffic.
Turn on the vehicle Hazard Warning
Flasher and place a triangular emergency
warning device behind the vehicle (if
available). Always place the vehicle in P
(Park), apply the parking brake and turn
off the engine before installing snow
chains.
NOTICE
When using tire chains:
• Wrong size chains or improperly
installed chains can damage your
vehicle's brake lines, suspension,
body and wheels.
• Use SAE "S" class or wire chains.
• If you hear noise caused by chains
contacting the body, retighten the
chain to prevent contact with the
vehicle body.
• To prevent body damage, retighten
the chains after driving 0.3-0.6 miles
(0.5-1.0 km).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles
equipped with aluminum wheels. If
unavoidable, use a wire type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 0.59 inch
(15mm) wide to prevent damage to
the chain’s connection.
Winter Precautions
Use high quality ethylene glycol
coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high
quality 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 schedule in
chapter 8. Before winter, have your
coolant tested to assure that its freezing
point is sufficient for the temperatures
anticipated during the winter.
Change to "winter weight" oil if
necessary
In some climates it is recommended that
a lower viscosity "winter weight" oil be
used during cold weather. See chapter 8
for recommendations. If you aren't sure
what weight oil you should use, consult
an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Check battery and cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the
battery system. Visually inspect the
battery and cables as described in
chapter 8. The level of charge in your
battery can be checked by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer or a service station.

While Driving
6-144
Check spark plugs and ignition
system
Inspect your spark plugs as described in
chapter 8 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.
Use approved window washer anti-
freeze in system
To keep the water in the window washer
system from freezing, add an approved
window washer anti-freeze solution in
accordance with instructions on the
container. Window washer anti-freeze is
available from an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer and most auto parts outlets. Do
not use engine coolant or other types
of antifreeze as these may damage the
paint finish.
Do not let your parking brake freeze
Under 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 and block the
rear wheels so the car cannot roll. Then
release the parking brake.
Do not let ice and snow accumulate
underneath
Under 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.
Don't place foreign objects
or materials in the engine
compartment
Placement of foreign object or materials
which prevent cooling of the engine, in
the engine compartment, may cause a
failure or combustion. The manufacturer
is not responsible for the damage caused
by such placement.
To keep locks from freezing
To 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.

06
6-145
Two labels on your driver's door sill show
how much weight your vehicle was
designed to carry: the Tire and Loading
Information Label and the Certification
Label.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize
yourself with the following terms for
determining your vehicle’s weight
ratings, from the vehicle's specifications
and the Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight
This is the weight of the vehicle
including a full tank of fuel and all
standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional
equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight
This is the weight of your new vehicle
when you picked it up from your dealer
plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight
This figure includes all weight added to
the Base Curb Weight, including cargo
and optional equipment.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)
This is the total weight placed on each
axle (front and rear) - including vehicle
curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle (front
or rear). These numbers are shown on
the Certification Label. The total load on
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual
Cargo Weight plus passengers.GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight
of the fully loaded vehicle (including
all options, equipment, passengers
and cargo). The GVWR is shown on the
Certification Label located on the driver’s
door sill.
Tire Loading Information Label

While Driving
6-146

06
6-147
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the "XXX" amount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
WARNING
Do not overload the vehicle as there
is a limit to the total weight, or load
limit, including occupants and cargo,
the vehicle can carry. Overloading can
shorten the life of the vehicle. If the
GVWR or the GAWR is exceeded, parts
on the vehicle can be broken, and it can
change the handling of your vehicle.
These could cause you to lose control
and result in an accident.

While Driving
6-148
Example 1
≥+
Maximum Load (1400 lbs.)(635 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs. × 2 = 300 lbs.) (68 kg × 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
(1100 lbs.)(499 kg)
Example 2
≥+
Maximum Load (1400 lbs.) (635 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs. × 5 = 750 lbs.) (68 kg × 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
(650 lbs.)(295 kg)
Example 3
≥+
Maximum Load (1400 lbs.) (635 kg) Passenger Weight
(172 lbs. × 5 = 860 lbs.) (78 kg × 5 = 390 kg) Cargo Weight
(540 lbs.)(245 kg)

06
6-149
Certification label
OBH059070OBH059070
The certification label is located on the
driver’s door sill at the center pillar and
shows the maximum allowable weight of
the fully loaded vehicle. This is called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel and cargo.
This label also tells you the maximum
weight that can be supported by the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).
The total weight of the vehicle, including
all occupants, accessories, cargo, and
trailer tongue load must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads on your front
and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Be sure
to spread out your load equally on both
sides of the centerline.
WARNING
Overloading
• Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, the GAWR for either the front
or rear axle and vehicle capacity
weight. Exceeding these ratings
can affect your vehicle’s handling
and braking ability, and cause an
accident.
• Do not overload your vehicle.
Overloading your vehicle can cause
heat buildup in your vehicle’s tires
and possible tire failure, increased
stopping distances and poor vehicle
handling-all of which may result in a
crash.
NOTICE
Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not overload your
vehicle.
WARNING
If you carry items inside your vehicle
(for example, suitcases, tools, packages,
or anything else), they are moving as
fast as the vehicle. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, the
items will keep going and can cause
an injury if they strike the driver or a
passenger.
• Put items in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
• Do not stack items like suitcases
inside the vehicle above the tops of
the seats.
• Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
• When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it.

While Driving
6-150
We do not recommend using this vehicle
for trailer towing.
TRAILER TOWING