OWNER'S MANUAL
A030A03E-AAT
Operation
Maintenance
Specifications
All information in this Owner's Manual is current at the time of publication. However, Hyundai reserves the right to make changes at any
time so that our policy of continual product improvement may be carried out.
This manual applies to all Hyundai ELANTRA models and includes descriptions and explanations of optional as well as standard equipment.
As a result, you may find material in this manual that does not apply to your specific vehicle.
HXDFL280
A040A01A-AAT
FOREWORD
Thank you for choosing Hyundai. We are pleased to welcome you to the growing number of discriminating people who
drive Hyundais. The advanced engineering and high-quality construction of each Hyundai we build is something of which
we're very proud.
Your Owner's Manual will introduce you to the features and operation of your new Hyundai. It is suggested that you read
it carefully because the information it contains can contribute greatly to the satisfaction you receive from your new car.
The manufacturer also recommends that all service and maintenance on your car be performed by an authorized Hyundai
dealer. Hyundai dealers are prepared to provide high-quality service, maintenance and any other assistance that may
be required.
A050A05A-AATHYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Note: Because future owners will also need the information included in this manual, if you sell this Hyundai, please leave
the manual in the vehicle for their use. Thank you.
CAUTION:Severe engine and transaxle damage may result from the use of poor quality fuels and lubricants that do not
meet Hyundai specifications. You must always use high quality fuels and lubricants that meet the specifica-
tions listed on Page 9-4 in the Vehicle Specifications section of the Owner's Manual and which also appear
in the Service Station Information on the back cover of the Owner's Manual.
Copyright 2003 Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Hyundai Motor
Company.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION
5 1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
CORROSION PREVENTION & APPEARANCE CARE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONSUMER INFORMATION & REPORTING SAFETY
DEFECTS
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
46
B260G01A-AAT
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
B260H03A-AAT
Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid
Level Level Warning Light
CAUTION:
If the oil pressure warning light stays on
while the engine is running, serious engine
damage may result. The oil pressure warn-
ing light comes on whenever there is insuf-
ficient oil pressure. In normal operation, it
should come on when the ignition switch
is turned on, then go out when the engine
is started. If the oil pressure warning light
stays on while the engine is running, there
may be a serious malfunction.
If this happens, stop the car as soon as it is
safe to do so, turn off the engine and check
the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the
engine oil to the proper level and start the
engine again. If the light stays on with the
engine running, turn the engine off imme-
diately. In any instance where the oil light
stays on when the engine is running, the
engine should be checked by a Hyundai
dealer before the car is driven again.
!
Warning Light Operation
The parking brake/brake fluid level warning light
should come on when the parking brake is
applied and the ignition switch is turned to "ON"
or "START". After the engine is started, the light
should go out when the parking brake is re-
leased.
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 when
the engine starts. 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 fluid level 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 care-
fully 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
braking 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
working. 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.
!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 sys-
tem or brake hydraulic system is danger-
ous, and could result in a serious injury or
death.
2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
18
C190E02L
Gross Axle WeightGross Vehicle
Weight
C190E01L
Tongue
187.4 (85)
100 (45.3)Lbs. (kg)Trailer
1874(850)
1000(453) Maximum Towable Weight
With Brake
Without Brake
!CAUTION:The following specifications are recom-
mended when towing a trailer. The loaded
trailer weight cannot safely exceed the val-
ues in the following chart.
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 the
combined 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 8-2). 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.
C190E01E-AAT
Trailer Weight Limit
o Keep the tongue load 10% of the total trailer
load.
Tongue load
Total trailer weight
o Tongue loads can be increased or de-
creased 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.Tongue load
x 100 = 10% (MAX)Total trailer weight
6DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
15CHECKING THE BRAKES
G120D01A-AATTo Check the Fluid Level
The fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir should
be checked periodically. The level should be
between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or below the
"MIN" mark, carefully add fluid to bring it up to
"MAX". Do not overfill.
!
G120C02A-AAT
Recommended Brake Fluid
Use only hydraulic brake fluid conforming to
DOT 3 or DOT 4 specifications in your braking
system. Follow the instructions printed on the
container.
G120B01A-AATChecking the Brake Fluid Level
G120A01A-AAT
CAUTION:Because brakes are essential to the safe
operation of the car, it is suggested that
they be checked and inspected by your
Hyundai dealer. The brakes should be
checked and inspected for wear at those
intervals specified in the vehicle mainte-
nance schedule in Section 5.
WARNING:Use caution when handling brake fluid. It
can damage your vision if it gets into your
eyes. It will also damage your vehicle's
paint if spilled on it and not removed imme-
diately.
!
!
3. If the transaxle fluid level is low, use a funnel
to add transaxle fluid through the dipstick
tube until the level reaches the "HOT" range.
Do not overfill.
WARNING:The cooling fan is controlled by the engine
coolant temperature and may sometimes
operate even when the engine is not run-
ning. Use extreme caution when working
near the blades of the cooling fan, so that
you are not injured by a rotating fan blade.
As the engine coolant temperature de-
creases, the fan will automatically shut off.
This is a normal condition.
HKSOM120
Fluid level should be within this range
8CONSUMER INFORMATION & REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
5
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I080A01A-AAT
TIRE TRACTION
Tire traction can be reduced if you drive on worn
tires, tires that are improperly inflated or on
slippery road surfaces. Tires should be re-
placed when tread wear indicators appear. To
reduce the possibility of losing control, slow
down whenever there is rain, snow or ice on the
road.
I070A01A-AAT
TIRE BALANCING
A tire that is out of balance may affect handling
and tire wear. The tires on your Hyundai were
balanced before the car was delivered but may
need balancing again during the years you own
the car.
Whenever a tire is dismounted for repair, it
should be rebalanced before being reinstalled
on the car.
I090A01A-AAT
WHEN TO REPLACE TIRES
The original tires on your car have tread wear
indicators. The tread wear indicators appear
when the tread depth is 0.06 in. (1.6 mm). The
tire should be replaced when these appear as
a solid bar across two or more grooves of the
tread. Always replace your tires with those of
the recommended size. If you change wheels,
the new wheel's rim width and offset must meet
Hyundai specification.
WARNING:o Driving on worn-out tires is dangerous!
Worn-out tires can cause loss of braking
effectiveness, steering control and trac-
tion. When replacing tires, never mix
radial and bias ply tires on the same car.
If you replace radial tires with bias-ply
tires, they must be installed in sets of
four.
o Using tires and wheels of other than the
recommended sizes could cause un-
usual handling characteristics that could
cause death, serious injury, or property
damage.
o Wheels that do not meet Hyundai's di-
mensional specifications may fit poorly
and result in damage to the vehicle,
including broken wheel studs.
HXDFL248
Wear indicator 0.06 in. (1.6 mm)
Measurement ................................................................ 9-2
Engine...........................................................................9-3
Lubrication Chart ........................................................... 9-4
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
9
9