2003 Hyundai Sonata trailer

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

2. DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
Before starting the engine ................................................................ 2-3
Key position ..................................................................................... 2-3
Starting ............................................................................................. 2-4
Operating the manual transaxle ....................................................... 2-5
Automatic transaxle ......................................................................... 2-7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................................... 2-10
Traction Control System (TCS) ..................................................... 2-11
Good braking practices .................................................................. 2-12
Driving for economy ....................................................................... 2-13
Winter Driving ................................................................................. 2-13
Trailer or vehicle towing ................................................................. 2-16
2

2- 16 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
C190D01S-AAT
Safety Chains
Should the hitch connection between your car
and the trailer or vehicle you are towing fail, the
trailer or vehicle could wander dangerously
across other lanes of traffic and ultimately leave
the roadway. To eliminate this potentially dan-
gerous situation, safety chains, attached be-
tween your car and the trailer or towed vehicle,
are required in most states.
CAUTION:o Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
o When towing a trailer on steep grades (in
excess of 12%) pay close attention to the
engine coolant temperature gauge to
ensure the engine does not overheat. If
the needle of the coolant temperature
gauge moves across the dial towards
"H" (HOT), pull over and stop as soon as
it is safe to do so, and allow the engine
to idle until it cools down. You may
proceed once the engine has cooled
sufficiently.
!
C180A01A-AATUSE OF LIGHTS
Check your lights regularly for correct opera-
tion and always keep them clean. When driving
during the day in conditions of poor visibility, it
is helpful to drive with headlights on low beam.
This enables you to be seen as well as to see.
C190A01S-AAT
TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWING
If you are considering towing with your car, you
should first check with your State's Department
of Motor Vehicles to determine their legal re-
quirements.
Since laws vary from State to State the require-
ments for towing trailers, cars, or other types of
vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask your
Hyundai dealer for further details before towing.
C190B01S-AATTrailer Hitches
Select the proper hitch and ball combination,
making sure that its location is compatible with
that of the trailer or vehicle being towed.
Use a quality non-equalizing hitch which distrib-
utes the tongue load uniformly throughout the
chassis.
The hitch should be bolted securely to the car
and installed by a qualified technician. DO NOT
USE A HITCH DESIGNED FOR TEMPORARY
INSTALLATION AND NEVER USE ONE THAT
ATTACHES ONLY TO THE BUMPER.
CAUTION:Do not do any towing with your car during
its first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) in order to
allow the engine to properly break in. Fail-
ure to heed this caution may result in seri-
ous engine or transaxle damage.
!
C190C01Y-AATTrailer Brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed and
operating correctly.
NOTE:If you tow a trailer or vehicle, your car will
require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. See Maintenance Under
Severe Usage Conditions" on page 5-6.

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 17
!
Trailer
2000 (907)
1000 (453)Maximum Towable Weight
C190E02Y-AATTrailer Weight Limit
o Tongue loads can be increased or de-
creased by re-distributing the load in the
trailer.
This can be verified by checking the total
weight of the loaded trailer and then checking
the load on the tongue.
NOTE:1. Never load the trailer with more weight in
the back than in the front. About 60% of
the trailer load should be in the front half
on the trailer and the remaining 40% in
the rear.
2. The total gross vehicle weight with trailer
must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) shown on the
vehicle identification plate (see page 8-
2). The total gross vehicle weight is thecombined weight of the vehicle, driver,
all passengers and their luggage, cargo,
hitch, trailer tongue load and other op-
tional equipment.
3. The front or rear axle weight must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the vehicle identifi-
cation plate (see page 8-1). It is possible
that your towing package does not ex-
ceed the GVWR but exceeds the GAWR.
Improper trailer loading and/or too much
luggage in the trunk can overload the
rear axle. Redistribute the load and check
the axle weight again.
WARNING:Improperly loading your car and trailer can
seriously affect its steering and braking
performance causing a crash in which you
may be seriously injured or killed.Lbs. (kg)
Tongue
200 (90.7)
100 (45.3) With Brake
Without Brake
C190E01L
C190E02L
Tongue load
Total trailer weight
Gross axle weight
Gross vehicle weight
!CAUTION:The following specifications are recom-
mended when towing a trailer. The loaded
trailer weight cannot safely exceed the val-
ues in the chart.

2- 18 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
CAUTION:If overheating should occur when towing,
(the temperature gauge reads near red zone),
taking the following action may reduce or
eliminate the problem.
1. Turn off the air conditioner.
2. Reduce highway speed.
3. Select a lower gear when going uphill.
4. While in stop and go traffic, place the gear
selector in park or neutral and idle the engine
at a higher speed.
!
C190F01S-AATTrailer or Vehicle Towing Tips
1. Before towing, check hitch and safety chain
connections as well as proper operation of
the trailer running lights, brake lights, and
turn signals.
2. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed (Less than 60 mph)
3. Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
conditions.
4. To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
fifth gear (manual transaxle) or overdrive
(automatic transaxle).
5. Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
6. Check the condition and air pressure of all
tires on the trailer and your car. Low tire
pressure can seriously affect the handling.
Also check the spare tire.
7. The vehicle/trailer combination is more af-
fected by crosswind and buffeting.
When being passed by a large vehicle, keep
a constant speed and steer straight ahead.
If there is too much wind buffeting slow down
to get out of the other vehicle's air turbulence.
8. When parking your car and trailer, especially
on a hill, be sure to follow all the normal
precautions. Turn your front wheel into the
curb, set the parking brake firmly, and put the
transaxle in 1st or Reverse (manual) or Park
(automatic). In addition, place wheel chocks
at each of the trailer's tires.9. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving, and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check
your electrical connection at the same time.
10.During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
11.Avoid jerky starts, sudden acceleration or
sudden stops.
12.Avoid sharp turns and rapid lane changes.
13.Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking
efficiency.
14.When going down a hill, shift into a lower gear
and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift the
transaxle to a lower gear and reduce speed
to reduce chances of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
15.If you have to stop while going uphill, do not
hold the vehicle in place by pressing on the
accelerator. This can cause the automatic
transaxle to overheat. Use the parking brake
or footbrake.
NOTE:When towing check transaxle fluid more
frequently.

5- 6 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONSA - Repeated short distance driving
B - Extensive idling
C - Driving in dusty, rough roads
D - Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in
very cold weather
E - Driving in sandy areas
F040A04Y-AATMAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars normally used under severe driving conditions. Refer to the chart below for the appropriate
maintenance intervals.
R : Replace I : Inspect and, after inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary
F - More than 50% driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather
above 90°F (32°C)
G - Driving in mountainous areas
H - Towing a trailer
I - Driving for patrol car, taxi or commercial car and vehicle towing
J - Driving over 100 mph ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
AIR CLEANER FILTER
SPARK PLUGS
BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS
REAR BRAKE DRUMS/LININGS,
PARKING BRAKE
STEERING GEAR BOX, LINKAGE & BOOTS/
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT, UPPER ARM BALL JOINT
DRIVESHAFTS AND BOOTS
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OIL
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID AND FILTER
AIR FILTER (FOR EVAP. AND BLOWER UNIT)
MAINTENANCE ITEM
R
R
R
I
I
I
I
R
R
RVERY 3,000 MILES (4,800 KM) OR 3 MONTHS
MORE FREQUENTLY
MORE FREQUENTLY
MORE FREQUENTLY
MORE FREQUENTLY
MORE FREQUENTLY
EVERY 7,500 MILES (12,000 KM) OR 6 MONTHS
EVERY 60,000 MILES (96,000 KM)
EVERY 30,000 MILES (48,000 KM)
MORE FREQUENTLY
DRIVING
CONDITION MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
A, B, C, F, H
C, E
B, H
C, D, G, H
C, D, G, H
C, D, E, F, G
C, E, F
A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J
A, C, E, F, G, H, I
C, E

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