2003 Hyundai Sonata snow chains

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 11
!
o Driving on rough, gravel or snow-cov-
ered roads.
o Driving with tire chains installed.
o Driving on roads where the road surface
is pitted or has different surface height.
During these conditions the vehicle should
be driven at reduced speeds. The safety
features of an ABS equipped vehicle should
not be tested by high speed driving or
cornering. This could endanger the safety
of yourself or others.
C300A03Y-GAT
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
(If installed)
!
C300B01E-GATTCS ON/OFF Mode
In the TCS ON mode, the indicator in the
instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
To switch the TCS OFF mode, press the TCS
switch . And the SLIP control will be deactivated
and the TCS indicator in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
NOTE:1) Turn off the engine. Then restart the
engine, and the TCS mode will automati-
cally turn "ON".
2) When the traction control is operating
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 is heard
from the engine compartment; however,
this is only the sound of 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. On slippery road surfaces, the traction control
system (TCS) limits the drive wheels from
spinning excessively, thus helping the car to
accelerate. It also provides sufficient driving
force and steering performance as the car turns
at accelerated speeds. TCS has - SLIP control.
SLIP Control
Limits 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.
Driving hints
TCS does not actively apply brakes. Be sure to
decelerate the car sufficiently before entering
curves.
CAUTION:When the TCS indicator blinks, SLIP control
has been activated. It also means that the
road is slippery or your car is accelerating
excessively. In this situation, release foot
pressure from the accelerator pedal and
maintain moderate speed.
WARNING:Traction control is only a driving aid; all
normal precautions for driving in inclement
weather and on slippery road surfaces
should be observed.
HEF-051A

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.

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 15
C160J01A-AATDon't 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 condi-
tions where this may happen, you should peri-
odically check underneath the car to be sure the
movement of the front wheels and the steering
components is not obstructed.
C160I01A-AAT
Don't 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 tempo-
rarily while you put the gear selector lever in "P"
(automatic) or in first or reverse gear (manual
transaxle) and block the rear wheels so the car
cannot roll. Then release the parking brake.
C160H01A-AATUse Approved Anti-Freeze in Window
Washer System
To keep the water in the window washer system
from freezing, add an approved anti-freeze
solution in accordance with instructions on the
container. Window washer anti-freeze is avail-
able from Hyundai dealers and most auto parts
outlets. Do not use engine coolant or other types
of anti-freeze as these may damage the finish.
C160K01A-AAT
Carry Emergency Equipment
Depending on the severity of the weather where
you drive your car, you should carry appropri-
ate emergency equipment. Some of the items
you may want to carry include tire chains, tow
straps or chains, flashlight, emergency flares,
sand, a shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper,
gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.
C170A01A-AATHIGHER SPEED MOTORING
Pre-Trip Inspections
1. Tires:
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to specifica-
tion. Low tire inflation pressures will result in
overheating and possible failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires which may
result in reduced traction or tire failure.
NOTE:Never exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure shown on the tires.
2. Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil:
High speed travel consumes 1.5 times more
fuel than urban motoring. Do not forget to check
both engine coolant and engine oil.
3. Drive belt:
A loose or damaged drive belt may result in
overheating of the engine.

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.
!

8. CONSUMER INFORMATION
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ................................................. 8-2
Engine number ................................................................................. 8-2
Recommended inflation pressures ................................................... 8-2
Snow tires ........................................................................................ 8-3
Tire chains ....................................................................................... 8-3
Tire rotation ...................................................................................... 8-3
Tire balancing ................................................................................... 8-4
Tire traction ...................................................................................... 8-4
When to replace tires ....................................................................... 8-4
Spare tire and tools .......................................................................... 8-5
8

CONSUMER INFORMATION & REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS 8- 3
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!
I050A02Y-AATTIRE CHAINS
Tire chains, if necessary, should be installed on
the front wheels. Be sure that the chains are the
proper size and that they are installed in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instructions.
To minimize tire and chain wear, do not continue
to use tire chains when they are no longer
needed.
I040A01S-AATSNOW TIRES
If you equip your car with snow tires, they should
be the same size and have the same load
capacity as the original tires. Snow tires should
be installed on all four wheels; otherwise, poor
handling may result.
Snow tires should carry 4 psi (28 kPa) more air
pressure than the pressure recommended for
the standard tires on the tire label on the driver's
door edge , or up to the maximum pressure
shown on the tire sidewall whichever is less.
Do not drive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h)
when your car is equipped with snow tires. These pressures were chosen to provide the
most satisfactory combination of ride comfort,
tire wear and stability under normal conditions.
Tire pressures should be checked at least
monthly. Proper tire inflation pressures should
be maintained for these reasons:
o Lower-than-recommended tire pressures
cause uneven tread wear and poor handling.
o Higher-than-recommended tire pressures
increase the chance of damage from im-
pacts and cause uneven tread wear.
!
WARNING:When driving on roads covered with snow
or ice, drive at less than 20 mph (30 km/h).
I060A02A-AATTIRE ROTATION
Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles
(12,000 km). If you notice that tires are wearing
unevenly between rotations, have the car
checked by a Hyundai dealer so the cause may
be corrected.
After rotating, adjust the tire pressures and be
sure to check the wheel nut tightness.
CAUTION:Always observe the following:
o Check pressures when the tires are cold.
That is, after the car has been parked for
at least three hours and hasn't been
driven more than one mile or 1.6 km since
starting up.
o Check the pressure of your spare tire
each time you check the pressure of
other tires.
o Never overload your car. Be especially
careful about overloading if you equip
your car with a luggage rack or car top
carrier.
WARNING:o Do not use the temporary spare tire for
tire rotation.
o Do not mix bias ply and radial ply tires
under any circumstances. This may
cause unusual handling characteristics
that could result in death, serious injury,
or property damage.
HEF-241

INDEX 10- 5
T
Tachometer.......................................................................................1-39
Theft-Alarm system ............................................................................ 1-6
Tires
Balancing ........................................................................................ 8-4
Chains............................................................................................ 8-3
Changing a flat tire ......................................................................... 3-5
If you have a flat tire ....................................................................... 3-5
Information ...................................................................................... 8-2
Pressure......................................................................................... 8-2
Replacement.................................................................................. 8-4
Rotation .......................................................................................... 8-3
Snow tires ....................................................................................... 8-3
Spare tire ........................................................................................ 3-4
Traction.......................................................................................... 8-4
Towing
A trailer (or vehicle) ......................................................................2-16
Emergency...................................................................................3-11
If your car must be towed .............................................................. 3-9
Traction Control System ...................................................................2-11
Transaxle
Automatic ........................................................................................ 2-7
Automatic transaxle fluid checking ..............................................6-12
Manual ............................................................................................ 2-5
Manual transaxle oil checking .....................................................6-12
Trip Computer ...................................................................................1-40
Trip Odometer ...................................................................................1-39
Trunk Lid ...........................................................................................1-56V
Vehicle Identification Number ............................................................. 8-2
W
Warning Lights ...................................................................... 1-35 ~ 1-38
Windows
Manual ............................................................................................ 1-9
Power............................................................................................. 1-9
Windshield Wiper and Washer ..........................................................1-42
Windshield Wiper Blades ..................................................................6-11