2003 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

YOUR VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
B250A04Y-AAT
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
HEF-042
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
2021 22

YOUR VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
1. Hood Release Lever
2. Instrument Panel Junction box
3. Multi-Function Light/Front Fog Light Switch
(If installed)
4. Steering Wheel Tilt Lever
5. Horn and Driver Airbag (If installed)
6. Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
7. Hazard Warning Switch
8. Digital Clock
9. Audio System
10.Heating and Cooling Controls11.Passenger Air Bag (If installed)
12.Glove Box
13.Traction Control System (If installed)
14.Panel Brightness Control Knob (Rheostat Switch)
15.Cruise Control Switch (If installed)
16.Power Outlet
17.Ashtray
18.Cigarette Lighter
19.Shift Lever
20.Parking Brake Lever
21.Cup Holder
22.Center Console
CAUTION:When installing a container of liquid air freshener inside a vehicle, do not place it near the instrument cluster nor
on the instrument panel pad surface. If there is any leakage from the air freshener onto these areas (Instrument
cluster, instrument panel pad or air ventilator), it may damage these parts. If the liquid from the air freshener does
leak onto these areas, wash them with water immediately.
!
NOTE:Switch arrangements from No. 13 to No. 15 can be changed according to options.

YOUR VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
B255A01Y-AAT
INDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
* A detail explanations of these items will be found on page 1-35
SRS (Airbag) Service Reminder
Indicator
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
High Beam Indicator Light
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Parking Brake/Brake Level
Warning Light
Charging System Warning Light
Tail Gate Open Warning LightDoor Ajar Warning Light and Chime
Low Fuel Level Warning Light
Malfunction Indicator Light
Seat Belt Reminder Light
Traction Control Indicator
Cruise Indicator
ABS Service Reminder Indicator
Front Fog Lamp Indicator Lamp

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1. FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI ........................................................................... 1-1
2. DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI ..................................................................................... 2-1
3. WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY ....................................................................... 3-1
4. CORROSION PREVENTION & APPEARANCE CARE ........................................... 4-1
5. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................................................ 5-1
6. DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE....................................................................... 6-1
7. EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS ......................................................................... 7-1
8. CONSUMER INFORMATION & REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS ........................ 8-1
9. VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................. 9-1
10. INDEX..................................................................................................................10-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1.FEA 1.FEA1.FEA 1.FEA
1.FEA
TURES OF TURES OF TURES OF TURES OF
TURES OF
Y YY Y
Y
OUR HYUND OUR HYUNDOUR HYUND OUR HYUND
OUR HYUND
AI AIAI AI
AI
Fuel Recommendations .............................................................................. 1-2
Breaking in Your New Hyundai .................................................................... 1-3
Key (Immobilizer system) ........................................................................... 1-3
Door locks (Theft-alarm system) ................................................................. 1-4
Power windows........................................................................................... 1-9
Seat..........................................................................................................1-10
Seat Belt ...................................................................................................1-16
Child restraint system ...............................................................................1-22
Supplemental restraint (AIRBAG) system .................................................1-28
Instrument cluster and indicator lights .......................................................1-34
Warning Light and Indicator .......................................................................1-35
Trip computer ............................................................................................1-40
Multi-Function Light Switch .......................................................................1-41
Windshield wiper/Washer Switch ...............................................................1-42
Sunroof.....................................................................................................1-47
Mirror........................................................................................................1-50
Homelink Mirror .........................................................................................1-53
Hood Release...........................................................................................1-59
Cruise control ............................................................................................1-62
Heating and cooling control .......................................................................1-65
Stereo sound system ................................................................................1-78
Audio system ............................................................................................1-80
Antenna..................................................................................................1-100
1

1- 2 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
!
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.
B010A02A-AATFUEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Use Unleaded Gasoline
Unleaded gasoline with a Pump Octane Rating
of 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher
must be used in your Hyundai.
If leaded gasoline is used, it will cause the
catalytic converter to become ineffective and
the emission control system to malfunction.
This can also result in increased maintenance
expense.
To avoid accidental use of leaded fuel, the larger
nozzle used with leaded gasoline at service
stations cannot be inserted into the fuel tank
opening of your Hyundai.
B010C01A-AAT
Use of MTBE
Hyundai 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 Methanol
Fuels 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.
B010F01A-AAT
Operation in Foreign CountriesIf you are going to drive your Hyundai in another
country, be sure to:
o Observe all regulations regarding registra-
tion and insurance.
o Determine that acceptable fuel is available.
!
WARNING:o Do not "TOP-OFF" after the first nozzle
shut off when refueling.
o The fuel cap must be tightened at least
3 clicks, otherwise " " light may
illuminate.
B010A03Y-1
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY

FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI 1- 3
B010E01A-AATGasolines for Cleaner AirTo help contribute to cleaner air, Hyundai rec-
ommends that you use gasolines treated with
detergent additives, which help prevent deposit
formation in the engine. These gasolines will
help the engine run cleaner and the Emission
Control System performance.
B020A01S-AATBREAKING IN YOUR NEW HYUNDAI
During the First 1,200 Miles (2,000 Km)
No formal "break-in" procedure is required with
your new Hyundai. However, you can contrib-
ute to the economical operation and durability of
your Hyundai by observing the following recom-
mendations during the first 1,200 miles (2,000
km).
o Don't drive faster than 55 MPH (88 km/h).
o While driving, keep your engine speed (rpm,
or revolutions per minute) between 2,000
rpm and 4,000 rpm.
o Use moderate acceleration. Don't start
quickly or depress the accelerator pedal
fully.
o For the first 200 miles (300 km), try to avoid
hard stops.
o Don't lug the engine (in other words, don't
drive so slowly in too high a gear that the
engine "bucks"-shift to a lower gear).
B030A01Y-AATKEYS
B030B01A-AAT
Record Your Key Number
o Whether going fast or slow, vary your speed
from time to time.
o Don't let the engine idle longer than 3 minutes
at one time.
o Don't tow a trailer during the first 1,200 miles
(2,000 km) of operation.
A code number is stamped on the number plate
that came with the keys to your Hyundai. This
key number plate should not be left with the keys
but kept in a safe place, not in the vehicle. The
key number should also be recorded in a place
where it can be found in an emergency.
If you need additional keys, or if you should lose
your keys, your authorized Hyundai dealer can
make new keys if you can supply the key
number. For greater convenience, your Hyundai has
two master keys and a sub key. The master
keys will open all locks on your vehicle. The sub
key will only function in the ignition and the door
locks.
Leaving your sub key with a parking attendant
will ensure that your vehicle's trunk, trunk lid
release, glovebox compartment and rear trunk
access may not be unlocked in your absence.NOTE:Before leaving your sub key with a parking
attendant, make sure that the lock levers of
the rear seat back lock and the trunk lid lock
are switched to the "LOCK" position.
B030A01YB030B01B
Master key Sub key

1- 4 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
!
B030C01Y-AATILLUMINATED IGNITION SWITCH
(If installed)B040A01A-AATDOOR LOCKSB040B01A-AATLocking and unlocking front doors with a
key
Whenever a door is opened, the ignition switch
will be illuminated for your convenience, pro-
vided the ignition switch is not in the "ON"
position.
The light will go off approximately 10 seconds
after closing the door or when the ignition switch
is turned on.
B030C01L
o The door can be locked or unlocked with a
key.
o Lock the door by turning the key toward the
front of the vehicle and unlock it by turning the
key toward the rear.
B040B01Y
LOCK
UNLOCK
WARNING:o Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Be-
fore you drive away (especially if there
are children in the car), be sure that all the
doors are securely closed and locked so
that the doors cannot be opened from
the inside. This helps assure that doors
will not be opened accidentally. Also,
when combined with the proper use of
seat belts, locking the doors helps keep
occupants from being ejected from the
car in case of an accident.
o Before opening the door, always look for
and avoid oncoming traffic.