HYUNDAI TUCSON 2008 Owners Manual

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
7
OPERATING THE MANUAL
TRANSAXLE
NOTE:
o To shift into reverse, rest the lever in
neutral for at least 3 seconds after your
car is completely stopped. Then move
the lever into the reverse position.
o During cold weather, shifting may be
difficult until the transaxle lubricant has
warmed up. This is normal and not harm-
ful to the transaxle.
o If you've come to a complete stop and
it's hard to shift into 1st or R(Reverse),
put the shift lever in N(Neutral) position
and release the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal down, and then shift into 1st or
R(Reverse) gear position.
o Do not use the shift lever as a handrest
during driving, as this can result in pre-
mature wear of the transaxle shift forks.
CAUTION:
When downshifting from fifth gear to fourth
gear, caution should be taken not to inad-
vertently press the gear lever sideways in
such a manner that second gear is en-
gaged. Such a drastic downshift may cause
the engine speed to increase to the point
that the tachometer will enter the red-zone.
Such over-revving of the engine may cause
engine damage.
!
C070A02A-AATYour Hyundai's manual transaxle has a con-
ventional shift pattern. This shift pattern is im-
printed on the shift knob. The transaxle is fully
synchronized in all forward gears so shifting to
either a higher or a lower gear is easily accom-
plished.
HJM3017C070B02A-AAT
Using the ClutchThe clutch should be pressed all the way to the
floor before shifting, then released slowly. The
clutch pedal should always be fully returned to
the original position. Do not rest your foot on the
clutch pedal while driving. This can cause un-
necessary wear.
Do not partially engage the clutch to hold the car
on an incline. This causes unnecessary wear.
Use the foot brake or parking brake to hold the
car on an incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal
rapidly and repeatedly.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
8
!
WARNING:
o Always buckle-up! In a collision, an
unbelted occupant is significantly more
likely to be seriously injured or killed
than a properly belted occupant.
o Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.
o Do not make quick steering wheel move-
ments, such as sharp lane changes or
fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly increased if
you lose control of your vehicle at high-
way speeds.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway and
the driver oversteers to reenter the road-
way.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the road-
way, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow
down before pulling back into the travel
lanes.
o Never exceed posted speed limits.
C070D02O-AATRecommended Shift PointsThe shift points as shown on the chart are
recommended for optimum fuel economy and
performance.
Shift
from-to
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5Recommended
mph (km/h)
15 (20)
25 (40)
35 (55)
45 (75)
C070D04O-AATGood Driving Practiceso Never take the car out of gear and coast
down a hill. This is extremely hazardous.
Always leave the car in gear.
o Don't "ride" the brakes. This can cause them
to overheat and malfunction. Instead, when
you are driving down a long hill, slow down
and shift to a lower gear. When you do this,
engine braking will help slow the car.
o Slow down before shifting to a lower gear.
This will help avoid over-revving the engine,
which can cause damage.
o Slow down when you encounter cross winds.
This gives you much better control of your
car.
o Be sure the car is completely stopped before
you attempt to shift into reverse. The
transaxle can be damaged if you do not. To
shift into reverse, depress the clutch, move
the shift lever to neutral, wait three seconds,
then shift to the reverse position.
o Exercise extreme caution when driving on a
slippery surface. Be especially careful when
braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a
slippery surface, an abrupt change in ve-
hicle speed can cause the drive wheels to
lose traction and the vehicle to go out of
control.
o Optimum vehicle performance and economy
is obtained by smoothly depressing and
releasing the accelerator pedal.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
9
HJM3018
OPERATING THE AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLEC090A01O-GATThe highly efficient Hyundai automatic transaxle
has four forward speeds and one reverse
speed. The individual speeds are selected au-
tomatically, depending on the position of the
speed selector lever. The selector lever has 2
gates; the main gate and the manual gate.NOTE:For information on manual gate operation,
refer to "Sports Mode".
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4
positions, and is equipped with a button to avoid
inadvertent selection.
NOTE:
Depress the brake pedal and push the
button when shifting.
Push the button when shifting.
The selector lever can be shifted freely.
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, or if the
battery has been disconnected, may be
somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condi-
tion, and the shifting sequence will adjust
after shifts are cycled a few times by the
T.C.M (Transaxle Control Module).
C090A01JM
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
indicate the selector lever position when the
ignition is switched "ON". During "D" range
operation, green lights indicate the gear cur-
rently in use.
CAUTION:
Never shift into "R" or "P" position while the
vehicle is moving.
!

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
10
!
C090E02O-AATo D(Drive):Use for normal driving. Bring the car to a
complete stop before shifting the selector to "D"
position. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a four gear sequence.C090D02O-AATo N (Neutral):In the "N" position, the transaxle is in neutral,
which means that no gears are engaged. The
engine can be started with the shift lever in "N"
position, although this is not recommended
except if the engine stalls while the car is
moving.
C090B02A-AATThe function of each position is as fol-
lows:
o P (Park):Use to hold the vehicle in place when parked or
while starting the engine. Whenever parking the
car, apply the parking brake and shift the selec-
tor lever to the "P" (Park) position.
C090C01A-AATo R(Reverse):Use for backing up the vehicle. Bring the car to
a complete stop before shifting the selector
lever to "R" position.
CAUTION:
Never place the selector lever in the "P"
(Park) position unless the vehicle is fully
stopped. Failure to observe this caution
will cause severe damage to the transaxle.
C090F01JM-GATSports ModeWhether the vehicle is stationary or in motion,
sports mode is selected by pushing the selector
lever from the "D" position into the manual gate.
To return to "D" range operation, push the
selector lever back into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the selector lever back-
wards and forwards can make gearshifts simple.
UP (+) : Push the lever forward once to shift up
one gear.
DOWN (-) : Pull the lever backwards once to
shift down one gear.
SKIP : By rapidly moving the selector forwards
or backwards twice, it is possible to skip one
gear, i.e. 1st to 3rd or 3rd to 1st.
HJM3020

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
11
!
o To maintain the required levels of ve-
hicle performance and safety, the sys-
tem may not execute certain gearshifts
when the selector lever is operated.
o Before driving away from a stop on a
slippery road, push the selector lever
forward into the +(UP) position. This
causes the transaxle to shift into 2nd
gear which is better for smooth driving
away on a slippery road. Push the selec-
tor lever to the -(DOWN) side to shift
back to 1st gear.
CAUTION:
o In sports mode, The driver must execute
shifts in accordance with prevailing road
conditions, taking care to keep the en-
gine speed below the red zone. For en-
gine protection, upward shifts are made
automatically when the engine rpm
reaches the red zone.
o By rapidly moving the selector lever back-
wards (-) twice, it is possible to skip one
gear, i.e., 3rd to 1st, 4th to 2nd. Since
sudden engine braking and/or rapid ac-
celeration can cause a loss of traction,
however, downshifts must be made care-
fully in accordance with the vehicle's
speed.NOTE:o In sports mode, only the four forward
gears can be selected. To select reverse
or park, move the selector lever to the "R"
or "P" position as required.
o In sports mode, downward shifts are
made automatically when the vehicle
slows down. When the vehicle stops, 1st
gear is automatically selected.
C090H01L-GATNOTE:o For smooth and safe operation, depress
the brake pedal when shifting from "Neu-
tral" position or "Park" position to a
forward or reverse gear.
o The ignition key must be in the "ON"
position and the brake pedal fully de-
pressed in order to move the shift lever
from the "P" (Park) position to any of the
other positions.
o It is always possible to shift from "R",
"N", "D" position to "P" position. The
vehicle must be fully stopped to avoid
transaxle damage.
!
C090I04L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into "R", "D" and "P" position only
when the vehicle has completely
stopped.
o Do not accelerate the engine in reverse
or any of the forward positions with the
brakes applied.
o Always apply the footbrake when shift-
ing from "P" or "N", to "R" or "D"position.
o Do not use the "P" (Park) position in
place of the parking brake. Always set
the parking brake, shift the transaxle
into "P" (Park) position and turn off the
ignition when you leave the vehicle, even
momentarily. Never leave the vehicle
unattended while the engine is running.
o When accelerating from a stop on a
steep hill, the vehicle may have a ten-
dency to roll backwards. Shifting the
shift lever into 2nd gear while in Sport
mode will help prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards.
o Check the automatic transaxle fluid level
regularly, and add fluid as necessary.
o See the maintenance schedule for the
proper fluid recommendation.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
12
!
C090N05O-AATGood Driving Practiceso Never move the gear selector lever from "P"
or "N" to any other position with the accelera-
tor pedal depressed.
o Never move the gear selector lever into "P"
when the vehicle is in motion.
o Be sure the car is completely stopped before
you attempt to shift into "R" or "D".
o Never take the car out of gear and coast
down a hill. This may be extremely hazard-
ous. Always leave the car in gear when
moving.
o Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause
them to overheat and malfunction. Instead,
when you are driving down a long hill, slow
down and shift to a lower gear. When you do
this, engine braking will help slow the car.
o Slow down before shifting to a lower gear.
Otherwise, the lower gear may not be en-
gaged.
o Always use the parking brake. Do not de-
pend on placing the transaxle in "P" to keep
the car from moving.
o Exercise extreme caution when driving on a
slippery surface. Be especially careful when
braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a
slippery surface, an abrupt change in ve-
hicle speed can cause the drive wheels to
lose traction and the vehicle to go out of
control.
WARNING:
o Always buckle-up! In a collision, an
unbelted occupant is significantly more
likely to be seriously injured or killed
than a properly belted occupant.
o Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.
o Do not make quick steering wheel move-
ments, such as sharp lane changes or
fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly increased if
you lose control of your vehicle at high-
way speeds.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway and
the driver oversteers to reenter the road-
way.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the road-
way, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow
down before pulling back into the travel
lanes.
o Never exceed posted speed limits. o Optimum vehicle performance and economy
is obtained by smoothly depressing and
releasing the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION:
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt to
rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this proce-
dure if people or objects are anywhere near
the vehicle. During the rocking operation
the vehicle may suddenly move forward of
backward as it becomes unstuck, causing
injury to nearby people or damage to ob-
jects.
!

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
13
!
WARNING:
ABS / TCS / ESC will not prevent accidents
due to improper or dangerous driving ma-
neuvers. Even though vehicle control is
improved during emergency braking, al-
ways maintain a safe distance between you
and objects ahead. Vehicle speeds should
always be reduced during extreme road
conditions.
The braking distance for cars equipped
with an anti-lock braking system / TCS / ESC
may be longer than for those without it in
the following road conditions. During these
conditions the vehicle should be driven at
reduced speeds:
o Rough, gravel or snow-covered roads.
o With tire chains installed.
o On roads where the road surface is pit-
ted or has different surface height.
The safety features of an ABS / TCS / ESC
equipped vehicle should not be tested by
high speed driving or cornering. This could
endanger the safety of yourself or others.
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM (TCS)C300A03Y-GAT(If installed)
C300A01JM-U
On slippery road surfaces, the traction control
system (TCS) limits the drive wheels from
spinning excessively, thus helping the car to
accelerate. It also helps to provide sufficient
driving force and steering performance as the
car turns.SLIP ControlLimits the drive wheels from spinning exces-
sively during starting or while making acceler-
ated turns on slippery roads to avoid losing the
driving force of the front wheels.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)C120A01JM-AAT(If installed)The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed
to prevent wheel lock-up during sudden braking
or on hazardous road surfaces. The ABS con-
trol module monitors the wheel speed and con-
trols the pressure applied to each brake. Thus,
in emergency situations or on slick roads, ABS
will increase vehicle control during braking.NOTE:o A click sound may be heard in the engine
compartment when the vehicle begins
to move after the engine is started. These
conditions are normal and indicate that
the anti-lock brake system / Traction
Control System / Electronic Stability Con-
trol is functioning properly.
o During ABS / TCS / ESC operation, a
pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal
when the brakes are applied. Also, a
noise may be heard in the engine com-
partment while braking. These condi-
tions are normal and indicate that the
anti-lock brake system / Traction Con-
trol System / Electronic Stability Control
System is functioning properly.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
14
!
Driving HintsTCS does not actively apply brakes. Be sure to
decelerate the car sufficiently before entering
curves.
CAUTION:
When the TCS indicator blinks, SLIP con-
trol function has been activated. It also
means that the road is slippery or your car
is accelerating excessively. In this situa-
tion, gently release foot pressure from the
accelerator pedal and maintain moderate
speed.
!
WARNING:
Traction control is a driving aid; all normal
precautions for driving in inclement weath-
er and on slippery driving surfaces should
be observed.
C310B02O-AATTCS ON/OFF ModeWhen the TCS is operating, the TCS indicator
in the instrument cluster will blink.
If you turn the system off by pressing the TCS
switch, the TCS-OFF indicator will come on and
stay on. In the TCS-OFF mode, the SLIP control
will be deactivated. Adjust you driving accord-
ingly. To turn the system back on, press the
switch again. The TCS-OFF indicator should go
off.NOTE:1) The TCS mode will automatically be
turned ON after the engine is turned off
and restarted.
2) When the traction control system is op-
erating properly, you can feel a slight
pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the
effect of brake control and indicates
nothing unusual.
3) When the engine starts, a click may be
heard from the engine compartment;
this is the sound of the traction control
being checked.
4) When moving out of the mud or fresh
snow, pressing the accelerator pedal
may not cause the engine speed to in-
crease due to TCS operation.
C310D01JM-AATIndicators and WarningThe indicators should illuminate when the igni-
tion key is turned to ON or START but should
go out after approximately three seconds.
If the indicators do not illuminate, or the TCS or
TCS-OFF indicator does not go out after 3
seconds, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Should there be any unusual conditions in the
TCS System while driving, TCS-OFF indicator
illuminates as a warning.
If TCS-OFF indicator illuminates, pull your car
to a safe place and stop the engine.
Then, start the engine again to check if the TCS-
OFF indicator goes out.
If the indicator remains lit even after the engine
has been started, have your car checked by an
authorized Hyundai dealer.NOTE:When the TCS-OFF indicator illuminates,
traction control is automatically deacti-
vated.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
15
!
CAUTION:
Driving with varying tire or wheel size may
cause the ESC system to malfunction. When
replacing tires, make sure they are the same
size as your original tires.
!
ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEMC310A03JM-AAT(If installed)
C310A01JM-U
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system
is designed to stabilize the vehicle during cor-
nering manuevers. ESC checks where you are
steering and where the vehicle is actually going.
ESC applies the brakes at individual wheels and
intervenes in the engine management system
to stabilize the vehicle.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system
is an electronic system designed to help the
driver maintain vehicle control under adverse
conditions. It is not a substitute for safe driving
practices. Factors including speed, road con-
ditions and driver steering input can all affect
whether ESC will be effective in preventing a
loss of control. It is still your responsibility to
drive and corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
WARNING:
Never drive too fast for the road conditions
or too quickly when cornering. Electronic
stability control (ESC) will not prevent ac-
cidents. Excessive speed in turns, abrupt
maneuvers and hydroplaning on wet sur-
faces can still result in serious accidents.
Only a safe and attentive driver can prevent
accidents by avoiding maneuvers that
cause the vehicle to lose traction. Even with
ESC installed, always follow all the normal
precautions for driving - including driving
at safe speeds for the conditions.
C310B01JM-AATESC ON/OFF ModeWhen the ESC is operating, the ESC indicator
in the instrument cluster will blink.
If you turn the system off by pressing the ESC
switch, the ESC-OFF indicator will come on and
stay on. In the ESC-OFF mode, the stability
control will be deactivated. Adjust your driving
accordingly. To turn the system back on, press
the switch again. The ESC-OFF indicator should
go off.NOTE:The ESC mode will automatically be turned
ON after the engine is turned off and re-
started.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
16
C310D01JM-AATIndicators and WarningThe indicators should illuminate when the igni-
tion key is turned to ON or START but should
go out after three seconds.
If the indicators do not illuminate, or the ESC or
ESC-OFF indicator does not go out after 3
seconds, have the vehicle checked by an
authorized dealer.
Should there be any unusual conditions in the
device while driving, ESC-OFF indicator illumi-
nates as a warning.
If ESC-OFF indicator illuminates, pull your car
to a safe place and stop the engine.
Then, start the engine again to check if the ESC-
OFF indicator goes out.
If the indicator remains lit even after the engine
has been started, have your car checked by an
authorized Hyundai dealer.
FULL-TIME 4WD OPERATIONC350A02JM-AAT(If installed)Engine power can be delivered to all wheels.
Full-time 4WD is useful when good traction is
required, such as, when driving on slippery, wet
or snow-covered roads and when moving out
of mud. Your vehicle is not designed for chal-
lenging off-road use. Full-time 4WD vehicles
are designed primarily to improve traction and
performance on paved roads and highways in
wet and/or slippery conditions. Occasional off-
road use such as established unpaved roads
and trails is considered normal use. It is always
important when traveling off-highway that the
driver carefully reduce their speed to a level that
does not exceed the safe operating speed for
those conditions. In general, off-road conditions
provide less traction and braking effectiveness
than on road conditions. These factors must be
carefully considered when driving off-road.
Keeping the vehicle in contact with the driving
surface and under control in these conditions is
always the driver's responsibility for the safety
of him/herself and his or her passengers.
!
WARNING:
This vehicle is designed primarily for on
road use. Driving the vehicle in challenging
off-road conditions may result in damage
to the vehicle. Driving in conditions that
exceed the vehicle's intended design or the
driver's experience level may result in se-
vere injury or death.Driving 4WD Safely(1) As always, be sure to wear the seat belt.
(2) Do not drive in challenging off-road condi-
tions or areas that exceed the vehicle's
basic design intent or the driver's experi-
ence level.
(3) Drive at lower speeds in strong crosswinds.
Because of your vehicle's higher center of
gravity, its stability will be affected in cross-
winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
(4) Check the brake condition after driving in wet
or muddy conditions. Press the brake sev-
eral times as you move slowly until you feel
normal braking forces return.
(5) Do not drive the vehicle through water. (i.e.
streams, rivers, lakes, etc.)