2003 Hyundai Sonata coolant level

1- 34 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
B260A05Y-GATINSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
1. Malfuction Indicator Light (If installed)
2. Tachometer
3. Turn Signal Indicator Light
4. Coolant Temperature Gauge
5. Fuel Gauge
6. Speedometer
7. Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light (If installed)
8. SRS (Airbag) Warning Light (If installed)
9. Seat Belt Warning Light (If installed)10.Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
11.Door Ajar Warning Light
12.Trip odometer or Trip computer (If installed)
reset switch
13.High Beam Indicator Light
14.Front Fog Indicator Light (If installed)
15.Automatic Transaxle Position Indicator Light
(If installed)
16.Odometer/Trip odometer/Trip Computer
(If installed)17.Low Fuel Warning Light
18.Trip odometer or Trip computer (If installed)
mode convert switch
19.Parking Brake/Brake Fluid Level Warning
Light
20.Charging System Warning Light
21.Oil Pressure Warning Light
22.Cruise Indicator (If installed)
23.Traction Control Indicator Light (If installed)
B260A04Y-A1
12345637
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1- 38 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
!
B290A01A-AATENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
WARNING:
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. The engine coolant is under
pressure and could erupt and cause severe
burns. Wait until the engine is cool before
adding coolant to the reservoir.
The needle on the engine coolant temperature
gauge should stay in the normal range. If it
moves across the dial to "H" (Hot), pull over and
stop as soon as possible and turn off the engine.
Then open the hood and check the coolant
reservoir level and the water pump drive belt. If
you suspect cooling system trouble, have your
cooling system checked by a Hyundai dealer as
soon as possible.
B300A01A-AATSPEEDOMETER
Your Hyundai's speedometer is calibrated in
miles per hour (on the outer scale) and kilome-
ters per hour (on the inner scale).HEF-009HEF-008B
B280A01A-AATFUEL GAUGE
The needle on the gauge indicates the approxi-
mate fuel level in the fuel tank. The fuel capacity
is given in Section 9.
HEF-010 B270A01A-AAT
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING SOUND
The front disc brake pads have wear indicators
that should make a high-pitched squealing or
scraping noise when new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or be heard all the time
when the vehicle is moving. It may also be heard
when the brake pedal is pushed down firmly.
Excessive rotor damage will result if the worn
pads are not replaced. See your Hyundai dealer
immediately.

2- 14 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
C160G01A-AATTo 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 burning the
fingers.
C160D01A-AAT
Check Battery and Cables
Winter puts additional burdens on the battery
system. Visually inspect the battery and cables
as described in Section 6. The level of charge
in your battery can be checked by your Hyundai
dealer or a service station.
C160F01A-AATCheck Spark Plugs and Ignition
System
Inspect 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
Necessary
In 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.
C160C01A-AATUse High Quality Ethylene Glycol
Coolant
Your Hyundai 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 cool-
ing system, lubricates the water pump and
prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or replen-
ish your coolant in accordance with the main-
tenance schedule in Section 5. Before winter,
have your coolant tested to assure that its
freezing point is sufficient for the temperatures
anticipated during the winter.
C160B01A-AATSnowy or Icy Conditions
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be
necessary to use snow tires or to install tire
chains on your tires. If snow tires are needed,
it is necessary to select tires equivalent in size
and type of the original equipment tires. Failure
to do so may adversely affect the safety and
handling of your car. Furthermore, 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 skids to occur.
You need to keep sufficient distance between
the vehicle in operation in front and your vehicle.
Also, apply the brake gently. It should be noted
that installing tire chains on the tire will provide
a greater driving force, but will not prevent side
skids.
NOTE:Tire chains are not legal in all states. Check
state laws before fitting tire chains.

3- 4 WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
!
!WARNING:While the engine is running, keep hair,
hands and clothing away from moving parts
such as the fan and drive belts to prevent
injury.
D040A01Y-AATSPARE TIRE
The following instructions for the temporary
spare tire should be observed:
1. Check inflation pressure as soon as practi-
cal after installing the spare tire, and adjust
to the specified pressure. The tire pressure
should be periodically checked and main-
tained at the specified pressure while the tire
is stored.
Tire Size
Inflation Pressure
T125/80R15
60 psi (420 kPa) 5. If the water pump drive belt is broken or
engine coolant is leaking out, stop the engine
immediately and call the nearest Hyundai
dealer for assistance.
WARNING:Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. This can allow coolant to be
blown out of the opening and cause seri-
ous burns.
6. If you cannot find the cause of the overheat-
ing, wait until the engine temperature has
returned to normal. Then, if coolant has been
lost, carefully remove the radiator cap and
add coolant to bring the fluid level in the
reservoir up to the halfway mark.
7. Proceed with caution, keeping alert for fur-
ther signs of overheating. If overheating
happens again, call a Hyundai dealer for
assistance.
CAUTION:Serious loss of coolant indicates there is a
leak in the cooling system and this should
be checked as soon as possible by a Hyundai
dealer.
!
4. As the temporary spare tire is specifically
designed for your car, it should not be used
on any other vehicle.
5. The temporary spare tire should not be used
on any other wheels, nor should standard
tires, snow tires, wheel covers or trim rings
be used with the temporary spare wheel. If
such use is attempted, damage to these
items or other car components may occur.
6. The temporary spare tire pressure should
be checked once a month while the tire is
stored.
Spare Tire Pressure
2. The spare tire should only be used tempo-
rarily and should be returned to the luggage
compartment as soon as the original tire can
be repaired or replaced.
3. Continuous use at speeds of over 50 mph
(80 km/h) is not recommended.
CAUTION:o Do not use snow chains with your tem-
porary spare tire.
o Do not use more than one temporary
spare tire at a time.
!

6- 2 DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake Booster
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (If installed)
5. Under hood junction box 6. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine oil level dipstick
9. Engine cover
G010A02Y-GATENGINE COMPARTMENT (2.4 DOHC)
10.Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick
(If installed)
11.Radiator cap
12.Air cleaner
13.Coolant reservoir cap
14.Battery
HEF-064
12345
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DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE 6- 3
1. Air cleaner
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Brake booster
4. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
5. Power steering fluid reservoir6. Engine oil level dipstick
7. Engine cover
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick
(If installed)
G010B03Y-AATENGINE COMPARTMENT (2.7 V6 Delta)
10.Radiator cap
11.Battery
12.Coolant reservoir cap
13.Under hood junction box
G010B04Y
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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- 6 DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
!WARNING:Be very careful when draining the engine oil
as it may be hot enough to burn you!
G040A02A-AATCHANGING THE OIL AND FILTERG030D01A-AATAdding Oil
If the oil level is close to or below the "L" mark,
add oil until it reaches the "F" mark. To add oil:
1. Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counter-
clockwise.
2. Add oil, then check the level again. Do not
overfill.
3. Replace the cap by turning it clockwise.
The distance between the "F" and "L" marks is
equal to about 1 quart of oil.The engine oil and filter should be changed at
those intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule in Section 5. If the car is being driven
in severe conditions, more frequent oil and filter
changes are required.
The procedure for changing the oil and filter is
as follows:
1. Park the car on level ground and set the
parking brake. Start the engine and let it
warm up until the needle on the coolant
temperature gauge moves above the lowest
mark. Turn the engine off and place the gear
selector lever in "P" (automatic) or reverse
gear (manual transaxle). Set the parking
brake.
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil
filler cap.
3. Slide underneath the car and loosen the
drain plug by turning it counterclockwise with
a wrench of the proper size. Be sure that a
drain pan is in position to catch the oil as it
drains out, then remove the drain plug.
G030D01Y
HSM394
DOHC V6DOHC V6