DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2- 7 SKIP : By rapidly moving the selector forward
or backward twice, it is possible to skip one
gear, i.e. 1st to 3rd or 3rd to 1st .
CAUTION:o In sports mode, the driver must execute
upward shifts in accordance with pre-
vailing road conditions, taking care to
keep the engine speed below the red
zone.
o For engine 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 by using the sports mode. 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 reverse or park
the vehicle, 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.
o To maintain the required levels of vehicle
performance and safety, the system 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.
C090H01L-GAT
NOTE: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.
C090I02L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into “R” 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”, “D”position.
C090N01O-AATGood Driving Practices
o Never move the gear selector lever from “P”
or “N” to any other position with the acceler-
ator 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 be-
fore you attempt to shift into “R”.
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 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 igni-
tion when you leave the vehicle, even
momentarily. Never leave the vehicle
unattended while the engine is running.
o Check the automatic transaxle fluid level
regularly, and add fluid as necessary.
o See the maintenance schedule for the
proper fluid recommendation.
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2- 13
C190B01S-AAT
Trailer 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 distributes
the tongue load uniformly throughout the chas-
sis.
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.
C190A02S-AATTRAILER 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 re-
quirements for towing trailers, cars, other types
of vehicles, or apparatus may differ. Ask your
Hyundai dealer for further details before towing.
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.
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.
C180A01A-AAT
USE OF LIGHTSCheck your lights regularly for correct operation
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.
C190C02S-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 Un-
der Severe Usage Conditions" on page 5-5.
CAUTION:o Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly 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.
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2- 15 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, occasionally check 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.
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 nor-
mal 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, especial-
ly 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.
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 en-
gine at a higher speed.
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
3-1
2. Check the battery connections to be sure
they are clean and tight.
3. Turn on the interior light. If the light dims or
goes out when you operate the starter, the
battery is discharged.
4. Check the starter connections to be sure
they are securely tightened.
5. Do not push or pull the vehicle to start it. See
instructions for "Jump Starting".D020A02A-AATJUMP STARTING3. WHAT TO DO IN AN
EMERGENCY
D010A01A-AATIF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
CAUTION:
If the engine will not start, do not push or
pull the car to start it. This could result in a
collision or cause other damage. In addi-
tion, push or pull starting may cause the
catalytic converter to be overloaded and
create a fire hazard.
D010B02A-AATIf Engine Doesn’t Turn Over or Turns
Over Slowly
1. If your car has an automatic transaxle, be
sure the gear selector lever is in "N" or "P"
and the emergency brake is set.
D010C01A-AATIf Engine Turns Over Normally but Does
Not Start
1. Check fuel level.
2. Check all connectors at ignition, coil and
spark plugs. Reconnect any that may be
disconnected or loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine room.
4. If the engine still refuses to start, call a
Hyundai dealer or seek other qualified as-
sistance.
D010D01A-AAT
If the Engine Stalls While Driving1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a
straight line. Move cautiously off the road to
a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try to start the engine again. If your vehicle
will not start, contact a Hyundai dealer or
seek other qualified assistance.
WARNING:The gas produced by the battery during the
jump-start operation is highly explosive. If
these instructions are not followed exactly,
serious personal injury and damage to the
vehicle may occur! If you are not sure how
3
D010B01GK
HGK184Battery
HGK184A
DOHC
V6
Battery
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
3-8
D080B01A-AATTowing a Car With a Manual Transaxle
o OK FOR AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL
TRANSAXLE EQUIPPED VEHICLE
WITH NO DAMAGE
o If the car is being towed with the rear wheels
on the ground, be sure the parking brake is
released.
o If the car is being towed with the front
wheels on the ground, be sure that the
transaxle is in neutral. Also, be sure that the
ignition key is in the "ACC" position. This is
necessary to prevent damage to the steer-
ing lock mechanism, which is not designed
to hold the front wheels straight while the car
is being towed.
o If any of the loaded wheels or suspension
components are damaged, a towing dolly
must be used.
D080A01A-AATIF YOUR CAR MUST BE TOWED
o OK FOR AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL
TRANSAXLE EQUIPPED VEHICLE
CAUTION:Your car can be damaged if towed incor-
rectly!
If your car has to be towed, it should be done by
your Hyundai dealer or a commercial tow truck
service. This will help assure that your car is
not damaged in towing. Also, professionals are
generally aware of state and local laws govern-
ing towing. In any case, rather than risk dam-
age to your car, it is suggested that you show
this information to the tow truck operator. Be
sure that a safety chain system is used and that
all state and local laws are observed.
D060J01FC-GATAfter Changing Wheels
If you have a tire gauge, remove the valve cap
and check the air pressure. If the pressure is
lower than recommended, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and inflate to the correct
pressure. If it is too high, adjust it until it is
correct. Always reinstall the valve cap after
checking or adjusting tire pressure. If the cap is
not replaced, air may leak from the tire. If you
lose a valve cap, buy another and install it as
soon as possible.
After you have changed wheels, always secure
the flat tire in its place in the luggage compart-
ment and return the jack and tools to their
proper storage locations.
HGK195
D080A01GK
HGK199
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
5- 6
F060A01A-AATEXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED MAIN-
TENANCE ITEMS
F060M01A-AAT
o Engine Oil and Filter
The engine oil and filter should be changed at
the intervals specified in the maintenance sched-
ule. If the car is being driven in severe condi-
tions, more frequent oil and filter changes are
required.
F060C01A-AAT
o Fuel Filter
A clogged filter can limit the speed at which the
vehicle may be driven, damage the emission
system and cause hard starting. If an exces-
sive amount of foreign matter accumulates in
the fuel tank, the filter may require replacement
more frequently.
After installing a new filter, run the engine for
several minutes, and check for leaks at the
connections. Fuel filters should be installed by
trained technicians.
F060B02A-AAT
o Drive Belts
Inspect all drive belts for evidence of cuts,
cracks, excessive wear or oil saturation and
replace if necessary. Drive belts should be
checked periodically for proper tension and
adjusted as necessary.
F060D01A-AATo Fuel Lines, Fuel Hoses and Connec-
tions
Check the fuel lines, fuel hoses and connec-
tions for leakage and damage. Have a trained
technician replace any damaged or leaking parts
immediately.
F060G01A-AAT
o Vapor Hose and Fuel Filler CapThe vapor hose and fuel filler cap should be
inspected at those intervals specified in the
maintenance schedule. Make sure that a new
vapor hose or fuel filler cap is correctly re-
placed.
F060F01A-AATo Vacuum, Crankcase
Ventilation Hoses
Inspect the surface of hoses for evidence of
heat and/or mechanical damage. Hard and brit-
tle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and
excessive swelling indicate deterioration. Par-
ticular attention should be paid to examine
those hose surfaces nearest to high heat sourc-
es, such as the exhaust manifold.
Inspect the hose routing to assure that the
hoses do not come in contact with any heat
source, sharp edges or moving component
which might cause heat damage or mechanical
wear. Inspect all hose connections, such as
clamps and couplings, to make sure they are
secure, and that no leaks are present. Hoses
should be replaced immediately if there is any
evidence of deterioration or damage.
F060H01A-AAT
o Air cleaner filter
A Genuine Hyundai air cleaner filter is recom-
mended when filter is replaced.
F060J01A-AATo Spark plugs
Make sure to install new spark plugs of the
correct heat range.
F060E01A-AAT
o Timing beltInspect all parts related to the timing belt for
damage and deformation. Replace any dam-
aged parts immediately.
F070C01A-AAT
o CoolantThe coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance sched-
ule.
F070D01A-AAT
o Manual transaxle oilInspect the manual transaxle oil according to
the maintenance schedule.
NOTE:If the oil level is low, check for possible
leaks before adding oil. Do not overfill.
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
6-6
35% 65%
40% 60%
50% 50%
60% 40%
Ambient
temperature
°C ( °F)
-15 (5)
-25 (-13)
-35 (-31)
-45 (-49)
Antifreeze
solutionWater Engine Coolant concentration
G050C01A-AAT
To Check the Coolant Level
The coolant level can be seen on the side of the
plastic coolant reservoir. The level of the cool-
ant should be between the "LOW" and "FULL"
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
If the level is below the "LOW" mark, add
engine coolant to bring it up between "LOW"
and "FULL". If the level is low, inspect for
coolant leaks and recheck the fluid level fre-
quently. If the level drops again, visit your
Hyundai dealer for an inspection and diagnosis
of the reason.
G050D02A-AATTo Change the Engine Coolant
The engine coolant should be changed at those
intervals specified in the vehicle maintenance
schedule in Section 5.
CAUTION:Engine coolant can damage the finish of
your car. If you spill engine coolant on the
car, wash it off thoroughly with clean water.
1. Park the car on level ground, set the park-
ing brake and remove the radiator cap when
cool.
2. Be sure your drain receptacle is in place.
Open the drain cock on the radiator. Allow
all the engine coolant to drain from the
cooling system, then securely close the drain
cock.
3. Check Section 9 for the capacity of the
cooling system in your car. Then, following
the manufacturer’s directions on the engine
coolant container, add the appropriate quan-
tity of coolant to the radiator.
4. Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise with-
out pressing down on it, until it stops. This
relieves any pressure remaining in the cool-
ing system. And remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning counterclockwise.
Now fill the radiator with clean demineral-
ized or distilled water. Continue to add clean
demineralized or distilled water in small quan-
tities until the fluid level stays up in the
radiator neck.5. Replace the radiator and reservoir caps and
check to be sure the drain cocks are fully
closed and not leaking.
WARNING:The cooling fan is controlled by engine cool-
ant temperature and may sometimes oper-
ate even when the engine is not running.
Use extreme caution when working near the
blades of the coolant fan so that you are not
injured by a rotating fan blade. As the en-
gine coolant temperature decreases, the fan
will automatically shut off. This is a normal
condition.
G060A01GK-AATSPARK PLUGS
YN60100A
V6 DOHC
Your engine was originally equipped with plati-
num-tipped spark plugs. Platinum-tipped spark
plugs will last longer than conventional type
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
6-9
G100B01A-AATTo Check the Manual Transaxle
Fluid Level
SSA6100B
Park the car on level ground with the engine off.
1. Using a wrench of the correct size, loosen
the oil filler plug by turning it counterclock-
wise and remove it with your fingers.
2. Use your finger or suitable tool to feel inside
the hole. The oil level should be at its bottom
edge. If it is not, check for leaks before
adding oil. To refill the transaxle or bring the
oil level up,add oil slowly until it reaches the
proper level. Do not overfill.
3. Replace the plug, screw it in with your fin-
gers and then tighten securely with the
wrench.
G090A01A-AATFILLING THE WASHER RESERVOIR
The washer fluid reservoir supplies fluid to the
windshield washer system.
A good quality washer fluid should be used to fill
the washer reservoir. The fluid level should be
checked more frequently during bad weather or
whenever the washer system is in more fre-
quent use.
The capacity of the washer reservoir is 3.2 U.S.
quarts (3.0 Liters).
CAUTION:o Radiator anti-freeze (engine coolant)
should not be used in the washer system
because it will damage the car’s finish.
o The washer lever should not be pulled
and the washer should not be operated
if the washer reservoir is empty. This can
damage the washer fluid pump.
Transaxle lubricant in the manual transaxle should
be checked at those intervals specified in the
vehicle maintenance schedule in Section 5.
Recommended OilUse only HYUNDAI GENUINE PARTS MTF
75W/90 (API GL-4) or equivalents in the manual
transaxle.
Manual Transaxle Oil CapacityThe oil capacity of the manual transaxle:
2.3 us quarts (2.15L)
WARNING:It is always better to check the transaxle oil
level when the engine is cool or cold. If the
engine is hot, you should exercise great
caution to avoid burning yourself on hot
engine or exhaust parts.
G100A02GK-AATCHECKING THE TRANSAXLE OIL
(MANUAL)
G110A01E
Filler plug
Drain plugHGK217