2003 Hyundai Tiburon towing

FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
1- 27
B260M01A-AATLow Fuel Level Warning Light
The low fuel level warning light comes on when
the fuel tank is approaching empty. When it
comes on, you should add fuel as soon as
possible. Driving with the fuel level warning light
on or with the fuel level below "E" can cause the
engine to misfire and damage the catalytic
converter.
B260J01A-AATCharging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light should come
on when the ignition is turned on, then go out
when the engine is running. If the light stays on
while the engine is running, there is a malfunc-
tion in the electrical charging system. If the light
comes on while you are driving, stop, turn off
the engine and check under the hood. First,
make certain the generator drive belt is in
place. If it is, check the tension of the belt. Do
this as shown on page 6-13 by pushing down
on the center of the belt. And then have the
system checked by your Hyundai dealer.
B260K01F-AATTail Gate Open Warning Light
This light remains on unless the tail gate is
completely closed.
B260L01Y-AATDoor Ajar Warning Light
and Chime
The door ajar warning light warns you that a
door is not completely closed and the chime
warns you that driver's side front door is not
completely closed.
NOTE:To remind you not to lock the key inside the
car, the warning light comes on whenever
the key is in the "LOCK" position and a door
is open. The warning chime only sounds
whenever the key is in the "LOCK" position
and the driver's side front door is open. The
chime sounds and the light remains on until
the key is removed from the ignition.
B260H01GK-AAT
Parking Brake/Brake Fluid
Level Warning Light
WARNING:
If you suspect brake trouble, have your
brakes checked by a Hyundai dealer as soon
as possible. Driving your car with a problem
in either the brake electrical system or brake
hydraulic system is dangerous, and could
result in a serious injury or death.
Warning Light Operation
The parking brake/brake fluid level warning light
should come on when the parking brake is ap-
plied and the ignition switch is turned to "ON" or
"START". After the engine is started, the light
should go out in three seconds.
If the parking brake is not applied, the warning
light should come on when the ignition switch is
turned to "ON" or "START", then go out in three
seconds. If the light comes on at any other time,
you should slow the vehicle and bring it to a
complete stop in a safe location off the roadway.
The brake warning light indicates that the brake
fluid level in the brake master cylinder is low and
hydraulic brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or
DOT 4 specifications should be added. After
adding fluid, if no other trouble is found, the car
should be immediately and carefully driven to a
Hyundai dealer for inspection. If further trouble is
experienced, the vehicle should not be driven at
all but taken to a dealer by a professional towing
service or some other safe method.Your Hyundai is equipped with dual-diagonal
braking systems. This means you still have brak-
ing on two wheels even if one of the dual systems
should fail. With only one of the dual systems
working, more than normal pedal travel and
greater pedal pressure are required to stop the
car. Also, the car will not stop in as short a
distance with only half of the brake system work-
ing. If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to
a lower gear for additional engine braking and
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so.

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- 14
Gross axle weight Gross vehicle weightSSA2200D
Lbs. (kg)
Maximum Towable Weight
Trailer
1000 (453)Tongue
100 (45)
CAUTION:The following specifications are recommend-
ed when towing a trailer. The loaded trailer
weight cannot safely exceed the values in
the chart below.
WARNING:Improperly loading your car and trailer can
seriously affect its steering and braking per-
formance causing a crash which could cause
serious injury or death.
C190E01GK-AATTrailer Weight Limit
Tongue load Total trailer weightSSA2200B 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.
Tongue loads can be increased or decreased
by redistributing 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 8-1). The
total gross vehicle weight is the com-
bined 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 identifica-
tion 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.

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
3-8
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

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
3-9
D080C02A-AATTowing a Car With an Automatic
Transaxle
o NOT FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
EQUIPPED VEHICLE
o OK FOR MANUAL TRANSAXLE
CAUTION:A car with an automatic transaxle should
never be towed from the rear with the front
wheels on the ground. This can cause seri-
ous damage to the transaxle. If the car must
be towed from the rear, a towing dolly must
be used under the front wheels.
If the car is being towed with the rear wheels on
the ground, be sure the parking brake is re-
leased. o OK FOR AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL
TRANSAXLE EQUIPPED VEHICLE
HGK200D080C01GK
D080D01GK
D080D02A-AATEmergency Towing
For emergency towing when no commercial
tow vehicle is available, attach a tow cable,
chain or strap to one of the tie-down hooks
under the front of your car. Do not attempt to
tow your vehicle in this manner on any unpaved
surface. This could result in serious damage to
your car.
Nor should towing be attempted if the wheels,
drive train, axles, steering or brakes are dam-
aged. Before towing, be sure the transaxle is in
neutral and the key is in "ACC" (with the engine
off) or in the "ON" position (with the engine
running). A driver must be in the towed car to
steer it and operate the brakes.
NOTE:Before towing, check the level of the tran-
saxle fluid. If it is below the "HOT" mark on
the dipstick, add fluid. If you cannot add
fluid, a towing dolly must be used as de-
scribed above.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
5-5 ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
AIR CLEANER FILTER
SPARK PLUGS
BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS AND ROTORS
REAR BRAKE DRUMS/LININGS/PADS,
PARKING BRAKE
STEERING GEAR RACK, LINKAGE & BOOTS/
LOWER ARM BALL JOINT
DRIVESHAFTS AND BOOTS
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OIL
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID
AIR FILTER (FOR BLOWER UNIT)
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONSThe 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
F040A01GK-AAT
R
R
R
I
I
I
I
R
R
R
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, commercial car or vehicle towing
J - Driving over 100 mph SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
A - 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 areasDRIVING
CONDITION MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE ITEMMAINTENANCE
OPERATION
EVERY 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 FREQUENTLYA, B, C, F, H
C, E
B, H
C, D, G, H
C, D, G, H
C, D, E, F, G
C, E, F, G
A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J
A, C, E, F, G, H, I
C, E

INDEX
10-4Snow tires .......................................................................................... 8-2
Spare tire ........................................................................................... 3-3
Traction .............................................................................................. 8-3
Towing
A trailer (or vehicle) .......................................................................... 2-13
Emergency ......................................................................................... 3-9
If your car must be towed .................................................................. 3-8
Transaxle
Automatic ........................................................................................... 2-5
Automatic transaxle fluid checking ................................................... 6-10
Manual ................................................................................................ 2-4
Manual transaxle oil checking ........................................................... 6-9
Traction Control System ...................................................................... 2-9
Trip Odometer ...................................................................................... 1-29
V
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ....................................................... 8-1
Vehicle Specification .............................................................................. 9-1
Ventilation
Center ventilator ............................................................................... 1-46
Side ventilator ................................................................................... 1-46
W
Warning Lights .......................................................................... 1-26 ~ 1-28
Windows Glass ...................................................................................... 1-6
Windshield Wiper and Washer ............................................................. 1-31
Windshield Wiper Blades ....................................................................... 6-8