
2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
16
C160H02A-AATUse Approved Window Washer Anti-
Freeze in SystemTo keep the water in the window washer system
from freezing, add an approved window washer
anti-freeze solution in accordance with instruc-
tions on the container. Window washer anti-
freeze is available from Hyundai dealers and
most auto parts outlets. Do not use engine
coolant or other types of anti-freeze as these
may damage the paint finish.C160I01A-AATDon’t Let Your Parking Brake FreezeUnder some conditions your parking brake can
freeze in the engaged position. This is most
likely to happen when there is an accumulation
of snow or ice around or near the rear brakes
or if the brakes are wet. If there is a risk the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only tempo-
rarily while you put the gear selector lever in "P"
(automatic) or in first or reverse gear (manual
transaxle) and block the rear wheels so the car
cannot roll. Then release the parking brake.
C160C01A-AATUse High Quality Ethylene Glycol Cool-
antYour 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.C160D01F-AATCheck Battery and CablesWinter puts additional burdens on the battery
system. Visually inspect the battery and cables
as described in Section 6 (See page 6-23). The
level of charge in your battery can be checked
by your Hyundai dealer or a service station.
C160E01A-AATChange to "Winter Weight" Oil if Neces-
saryIn some climates it is recommended that a lower
viscosity "winter weight" oil be used during cold
weather. See Section 9 for recommendations.
If you aren’t sure what weight oil you should use,
consult your Hyundai dealer.C160F01F-AATCheck Spark Plugs and Ignition SystemInspect your spark plugs as described in Sec-
tion 6 (See page 6-10) and replace them if
necessary. Also check all ignition wiring and
components to be sure they are not cracked,
worn or damaged in any way.C160G01A-AATTo Keep Locks from FreezingTo keep the locks from freezing, squirt an
approved de-icer fluid or glycerine into the key
opening. If a lock is covered with ice, squirt it with
an approved de-icing fluid to remove the ice. If
the lock is frozen internally, you may be able to
thaw it out by using a heated key. Handle the
heated key with care to avoid injury.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
18
C190C02S-AATTrailer BrakesIf 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 5-6.
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.
!
TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWINGC190A01S-AATIf 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, 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.
!
C190B01S-AATTrailer HitchesSelect 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.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
20
(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, 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.
CAUTION:
The following specifications are recom-
mended when towing a trailer. The loaded
trailer weight cannot safely exceed the val-
ues in the chart below.
!!
WARNING:
o Improperly loading your vehicle and
trailer can seriously affect its steering
and braking performance causing a
crash which could cause serious injury
or death.
o Towing a trailer affected vehicle han-
dling and braking.
o Drive more slowly when towing a trailer
and allow more distance when braking.
o Be careful when driving in slippery and
windy conditions.
o Be careful when turning and while driv-
ing up and down hills.Lbs. (kg)
Maximum Towable Weight
Trailer
1000 (453)Tongue
100 (45)
C190F01S-AATTrailer or Vehicle Towing Tips1. 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

36WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
D060A02A-AATThe procedure described on the follow-
ing 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 transaxle) or reverse gear
(manual transaxle) and that the parking
brake is set, then:
D060A01GK 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 high-
way, do not park in the median area
between the two traffic lanes.
2. When the car is stopped, turn on your
emergency 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 instruc-
tions provided on the following pages.
D040B01A-AATHandling the Spare Tire
Remove the installation bolt to remove
the spare tire. To replace the spare tire
in its storage compartment, tighten the
bolt firmly with your fingers until there is
no more play in the spare tire.
HGK4010

3
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
13
!
HGK4017
CAUTION:
A vehicle with an automatic transaxle should
never be towed from the rear with the front
wheels on the ground. This can cause se-
rious damage to the transaxle. Be sure to
use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
EMERGENCY TOWINGD080D02A-AATFor emergency towing when no commercial
tow vehicle is available, attach a tow cable,
chain or strap to one of the towing hooks under
the front /rear 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.
HGK4018
Front
Rear
!
CAUTION:
o If the car is being towed with all four
wheels on the ground, it can be towed
only from the front. Be sure that the
transaxle is in neutral. Do not tow at
speeds greater than 30 mph (50 km/h)
and for more than 15 miles (25 km).
o Be sure the steering is unlocked by plac-
ing the key in the "ACC" position. A
driver must be in the towed vehicle to
operate the steering and brakes. o Automatic Transaxle:
Be sure to use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
3) It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with all the wheels off the ground.

Do-It-Yourself Maintenance
6
Engine Compartment .................................................... 6-2
General Checks ............................................................ 6-4
Checking the Engine Oil ............................................... 6-5
Changing the Oil and Filter ............................................ 6-6
Checking and Changing the Engine Coolant ................ 6-7
Spark Plugs................................................................6-10
Changing the Air Cleaner Filter ...................................6-12
Checking the Transaxle Oil (manual) .........................6-14
Checking the Transaxle Fluid (Automatic)..................6-15
Checking the Brakes ..................................................6-17
Checking the Clutch Fluid...........................................6-19
Air Conditioning Care..................................................6-19
Checking Drive Belts ..................................................6-23
Checking and Replacing Fuses..................................6-24
Checking the Battery..................................................6-26
Power Steering Fluid Level .........................................6-28
Headlight Aiming Adjustment......................................6-29
Replacement of Light Bulbs ........................................6-30
Bulb Wattage ...............................................................6-39
Fuse Panel Description...............................................6-40
6

6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
16
G110D02Y-AATTo Check the Transaxle Fluid LevelPark the car on level ground with the parking
brake engaged. When the transaxle fluid level
is checked, the transaxle fluid should be at
normal operating temperature and the engine
idling.
While the engine is idling, apply the brakes and
move the gear selector lever from "P" to each
of its other positions — "R", "N", "D" — and then
return to "N" or "P". With the engine still idling:
1. Open the hood, being careful to keep hands,
long hair and clothing clear of any moving
parts.
HGK3025
G110B05A-AATRecommended FluidYour Hyundai automatic transaxle is specially
designed to operate with HYUNDAI GENUINE
ATF SP III, DIAMOND ATF SP III, SK ATF SP
III or other brands meeting the SP III specifica-
tion approved by Hyundai Motor Co.. Damage
caused by a nonspecified fluid is not covered by
your new vehicle limited warranty.
CAUTION:
Use of aftermarket ATF additives may cause
damage to the automatic transaxle. Only
use HYUNDAI GENUINE ATF SP III, DIA-
MOND ATF SP III, SK ATF SP III or other
brands meeting the SP III specification ap-
proved by Hyundai Motor Co.. If you are
having your vehicle serviced at a facility
other than a Hyundai dealer, verify ATF is
used for your vehicle.
!
G110C02Y-AATTransaxle Fluid CapacityThe fluid capacity of the automatic transaxle is
8.2 U.S. quarts (7.8 liters).
WARNING:
The transaxle fluid level should be checked
when the engine is at normal operating
temperature. This means that the engine,
radiator, exhaust system etc., are very hot.
Exercise great care not to burn yourself
during this procedure.
!

6
DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
17
!
HGK5008
Fluid level should be within this range
2. Remove the transaxle dipstick, wipe it clean,
reinsert the dipstick as far as it will go, then
remove it again. Now check the fluid level on
the dipstick. It should be in the "HOT" range
on the dipstick.
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.
HGK5007
2.0L 2.7L
WARNING:
The cooling fan is controlled by 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.
CHECKING THE BRAKESG120A01A-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.
!