
2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
3BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
!!WARNING:o The 2WD Santa Fe is not designed for
off-road use. The 4WD Santa Fe is de-
signed primarily for use on paved roads.
However, occasional use in off-highway
conditions such as established unpaved
roads and non-challenging off-road
trails is allowed. The 4WD Santa Fe is not
designed for blazing new trails, chal-
lenging off-road conditions, or unpaved
hill climbing. Exceeding the conditions
that were intended for the vehicle's pri-
mary design may result in injury or death.
o Utility vehicle has a significantly higher
collision rate than other type of vehicles.
C020A01A-AAT
Before you start the engine, you should always:
1. Look around  the vehicle to be sure there are
no flat tires, puddles of oil, water or other
indications of possible trouble.
2. After entering the car, check to be sure the
parking brake is engaged.
3. Check that all windows, and lights are clean.
4. Check that the interior and exterior mirrors
are clean and in position.
5. Check your seat, seatback and headrest to
be sure they are in their proper positions.
6. Lock all the doors.
7. Fasten your seat belt and be sure that all
other occupants have fastened theirs.
8. Turn off all lights and accessories that are
not needed.
9. When you turn the ignition switch to "ON",
check that all appropriate warning lights are
operating and that you have sufficient fuel.
10.Check the operation of warning lights and all
bulbs when key is in the "ON" position. o Utility vehicle have higher ground clear-
ance   and a narrower track to make them
capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them a higher center
of gravitiy than ordinary cars. An advan-
tage of the higher ground clearance is a
better view of the road allowing you to
anticipate problem. They are not de-
signed for cornering at the same speeds
as conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles
any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily un-
der off-road conditions. If at all possible,
avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
As with other vehicles of this type, fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle rollover.
o In a collision crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seatbelt.WARNING:  

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
19
(6) The stopping distance of the full-time 4WD
vehicle differs very little from that of the 2WD
vehicle.
When driving on a snow-covered road or a
slippery, muddy surface, make sure that
you keep a sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the one ahead of you.
(7) Since the driving torque is always applied to
the 4 wheels, the performance of the full-time
4WD vehicle is greatly affected by the con-
dition of the tires. Be sure to equip it with all
four tires of the same size and type.
o When replacement of any of the tires or
disc wheels is necessary, replace all of
them.
o Rotate the tires and check the tire pres-
sure at regular intervals.
(8)The full-time 4WD vehicle cannot be
towed by an ordinary tow truck. Make
sure that the vehicle is towed with its
four wheels raised off the ground.
o Roadside Assistance Program:
Off-roading is not covered. To receive
service, the vehicle must be on a publicly
maintained road.
o If the vehicle is towed with its only two
wheels raised off the ground, the 4WD
system could be damaged.
o In unavoidable case, if the vehicle is
being towed with all four wheels on the
ground, it should be towed only forward
direction with rope.
HSM281Roll tester(Speedometer)Temporary free roller
o In rare cases when it's unavoidable that
a 4WD vehicle is to be inspected for
speedometer test on 2WD roll tester,
strictly follow the procedures next.
1. Check the tire pressures recom-
mended for your vehicle.
2. Place the front wheels on the roll
tester for speedometer as shown in
the illustration.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Place the rear wheels on the tempo-
rary free roller as shown in the illustra-
tion.
CAUTION:Never engage the parking brake while per-
forming these tests.
!
(9)For speedometer test or inspection/mainte-
nance (I/M) program of SANTA FE 4WD,
use a four wheel chassis dynamometer. o While towing, check the following items.
1. The ignition switch is in "ACC" or
"ON".
2. Place the shift lever in neutral (For
Automatic Transaxle, "N" position).
3. Release the parking brake.
NOTE:To avoid serious damage to your 4WD ve-
hicle, limit towing to 10 mph and not for
more than 1 mile at ANY TIME.
!WARNING:Keep away from the front of the vehicle
while inspecting. This is very dangerous as
the vehicle can jump forward and cause
serious injury or death.    

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
20LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
!CAUTION:o While the full-time 4WD vehicle is being
raised on a jack, never start the engine or
cause the tires to rotate.
There is the danger that rotating tires
touching the ground could cause the
vehicle to go off the jack and to jump
forward.
o If one of the front or rear wheels begins
to spin in mud, snow, etc., the vehicle
can sometimes be driven out by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal further;
however, avoid running the engine con-
tinuously at high rpm because doing so
could damage the 4WD system.
!
D190A01O-GAT
(If installed)
A limited-slip differential, if equipped, is for the
rear wheel differential only. The features of this
limited-slip differential are described below:
Just as with a conventional differential, the
wheel on one side is allowed to turn at a different
speed from the wheel on the other side when the
vehicle is cornering. The difference between
the limited-slip differential and a conventional
differential is that if the wheel on one side of the
vehicle loses traction, a greater amount of
torque is applied to the rear wheel on the other
side to improve traction.WARNING:o Avoid high cornering speeds.
o Do not make quick steering wheel move-
ments, such as sharp lane charges or
fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly increased if
you lose control of your vehicle at high-
way speeds.
o In a collision crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die a per-
son weara seatbelt.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway and
the driver oversteers to reenter the road-
way.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the road-
way, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow
down before pulling back into the travel
lanes. (10)When using tire chains, always attach them
to the front wheels.
(11)If the front or rear wheels get stuck in the
mud, do not spin them recklessly. The 4WD
system could be damaged.  

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
22DRIVING FOR ECONOMY
o Be sure that the wheels are aligned cor-
rectly. Improper alignment can result from
hitting curbs or driving too fast over irregular
surfaces. Poor alignment causes faster tire
wear and may also result in other problems
as well as greater fuel consumption.
o Keep your car in good condition. For better
fuel economy and reduced maintenance
costs, maintain your car in accordance with
the maintenance schedule in Section 5. If
you drive your car in severe conditions,
more frequent maintenance is required (see
Section 5 for details).
o Keep your car clean. For maximum service,
your Hyundai should be kept clean and free
of corrosive materials. It is especially impor-
tant that mud, dirt, ice, etc. not be allowed to
accumulate on the underside of the car. This
extra weight can result in increased fuel
consumption and also contribute to corro-
sion.
o Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary
weight in your car. Weight reduces fuel
economy.
o Don't let the engine idle longer than neces-
sary. If you are waiting (and not in traffic),
turn off your engine and restart only when
you're ready to go.o Remember, your Hyundai does not require
extended warm-up. As soon as the engine
is running smoothly, you can drive away. In
very cold weather, however, give your en-
gine a slightly longer warm-up period.
o Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine. Lugging
is driving too slowly in too high a gear result-
ing in the engine bucking. If this happens,
shift to a lower gear. Over-revving is racing
the engine beyond its safe limit. This can be
avoided by shifting at the recommended
speeds.
o Use your air conditioning sparingly. The air
conditioning system is operated by engine
power so your fuel economy is reduced
when you use it.C140A01A-AAT
You can save fuel and get more miles from your
car if you follow these suggestions:
o Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moderate
rate. Don't make "jack-rabbit" starts or full-
throttle shifts and maintain a steady cruising
speed. Don't race between stoplights. Try to
adjust your speed to that of the other traffic
so you don't have to change speeds unnec-
essarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
sible. Always maintain a safe distance from
other vehicles so you can avoid unneces-
sary braking. This also reduces brake wear.
o Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you
drive, the more fuel your car uses. Driving at
a moderate speed, especially on the high-
way, is one of the most effective ways to
reduce fuel consumption.
o Don't "ride" the brake or clutch pedal. This
can increase fuel consumption and also
increase wear on these components. In
addition, driving with your foot resting on the
brake pedal may cause the brakes to over-
heat, which reduces their effectiveness and
may lead to more serious consequences.
o Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated
to the recommended pressure. Incorrect
inflation, either too much or too little, results
in unnecessary tire wear. Check the tire
pressures at least once a month.  

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
23SMOOTH CORNERING
C160A01A-AAT
The more severe weather conditions of winter
result in greater wear and other problems. To
minimize the problems of winter driving, you
should follow these suggestions:
C150A01A-AAT
Avoid braking or gear changing in corners,
especially when roads are wet. Ideally, corners
should always be taken under gentle accelera-
tion. If you follow these suggestions, tire wear
will be held to a minimum.
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.
WINTER DRIVING
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.
C160C01A-AAT
Use 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.  

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
25HIGHER SPEED MOTORING
C170A01A-AAT
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 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.
C160K01A-AATCarry 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.
USE OF LIGHTS
C180A01A-AAT
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.  

2DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
28
8. 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.
9. During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and  that  the
lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
10.Avoid jerky starts, sudden acceleration or
sudden stops.
11.Avoid sharp turns and rapid lane changes.
12.Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking
efficiency.
13.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.
14.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.
15.If the transaxle shifts frequently while going
up a hill, shift down one gear.
NOTE:When towing check transaxle fluid more
frequently.
!
C190F01O-AAT
Trailer 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. Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
conditions.
3. To maintain engine braking efficiency, do not
tow a trailer with the transaxle in fifth gear
(manual transaxle) or overdrive (automatic
transaxle).
4. Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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. 4. The gross combination weight (sum of
your vehicle weight plus its load and the
total trailer weight) must not exceed the
following.
4WD
-
7400(3357)
7500(3402)Lbs. (kg)
2WD
6000(2721)
7700(3493)
7800(3538)Combination WeightEngine
2.4
2.7
3.5
WARNING:o Improperly loading your car and trailer
can seriously affect its steering and brak-
ing performance causing a crash which
could cause serious injury or death.
o Do not exceed 45 mph or the posted
towing speed limit, whichever is lower.  

3
6
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
CHANGING A FLAT TIREIF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
D060A01A-AAT
The procedure described on the following pages
can be used to rotate tires as well as to change
a flat tire. When preparing to change a flat tire,
check to be sure the gear selector lever is in "P"
(automatic) or reverse gear (manual transaxle)
and that the parking brake is set, then:
D060A01O4. Lift up the hanger and separate it from the
holder, then lower the hanger and remove
the spare tire.
To reinstall the spare tire
1. Set the spare tire on the center of the hanger,
and then raise the hanger and hook it onto the
holder.
2. Tighten the mounting bolt with the wheel nut
wrench.
3. Install the mounting bolt cover with a screw
driver.
D050A01A-AAT
If a tire goes flat while you are driving:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and
let the car slow down while driving straight
ahead. Do not apply the brakes immediately
or attempt to pull off the road as this may
cause a loss of control. When the car has
slowed to such a speed that it is safe to do
so, brake carefully and pull off the road.
Drive off the road as far as possible and park
on firm, level ground. If you are on a divided
highway, do not park in the median area
between the two traffic lanes.
2. When the car is stopped, turn on your emer-
gency hazard flashers, set the parking brake
and put the transaxle in "P" (automatic) or
reverse (manual transaxle).
3. Have all passengers get out of the car. Be
sure they all get out on the side of the car that
is away from traffic.
4. Change the tire following the instructions
provided on the following pages.
D040B03O