2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

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CAUTION:
o Radiator antifreeze (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.
!
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 (4.0 liters).
!
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.
CHECKING THE TRANSAXLE OIL
(MANUAL)G100A02NF-AAT
HNF5010
Filler plug
Drain plug
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/85 (API GL-4) in the manual transaxle.Manual Transaxle Oil CapacityThe oil capacity of the manual transaxle is 2.0
U.S. quarts (1.9 liters).
!
WARNING:
o Windshield washer fluid agents contain
some amounts of alcohol and can be
flammable under certain circumstances.
Do not allow sparks or flame to contact
the washer fluid or the washer fluid
reservoir. Damage to the vehicle or its
occupants could occur.
o Windshield washer fluid is poisonous to
humans and animals. Do not drink wind-
shield washer fluid. Serious injury or
death could occur.
NOTE:It is recommended that the manual transaxle
fluid should be checked by an authorized
Hyundai Dealer.

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CHECKING THE TRANSAXLE
FLUID (AUTOMATIC)G110A01E-AATTransaxle fluid in the automatic transaxle should
be checked at those intervals specified in the
vehicle maintenance schedule in Section 5.NOTE:Automatic transaxle fluid is basically red in
color. As driving distance increases, the
fluid color turns darkish red gradually. It is
a normal condition and you should not
judge the need to replace based upon the
changing color.
You must replace the automatic transaxle
fluid in accordance with intervals specified
in the vehicle maintenance schedule in
section 5.
!
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,
DIAMOND 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 that the
correct ATF is used for your vehicle.
!
G110C01NF-AATTransaxle Fluid CapacityThe fluid capacity of the automatic transaxle is:
WARNING:
The transaxle fluid level should be checked
when the engine is at normal operating
temperature. This means that the engine,
radiator, radiator hose, exhaust system etc.,
are very hot. Exercise great care not to burn
yourself during this procedure.2.4L
3.3L
8.24 U.S. quarts (7.8 liters)
11.52 U.S. quarts (10.9 liters)

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2. After the transaxle is warmed up sufficiently
(fluid temperature 70~80°C (158~176°F),
for example by 10 minutes usual driving,
move the shift lever through all positions then
place the selector lever in “N (Neutral) or P
(Park)” position.
G110D03O-AATChecking the automatic transaxle fluid
levelThe automatic transaxle fluid level should be
checked regularly.
Keep the vehicle on the level ground with the
parking brake applied and check the fluid level
according to the following procedure.
1. Place the selector lever in N (Neutral) posi-
tion and confirm the engine is running at
normal idle speed.
G110D01NF
G110D02NF
Fluid level should be within "HOT" range
3. Confirm that the fluid level is in “HOT” range
on the level gauge. If the fluid level is lower,
add the specified fluid from the fill hole. If the
fluid level is higher, drain the fluid from the
drain hole.
4. If the fluid level is checked in cold condition
(fluid temperature 20~30°C (68~86°F) add
the fluid to “COLD” line and then recheck the
fluid level according to the above step 2.

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CHECKING THE BRAKES!
G120B01A-AATChecking the Brake Fluid Level
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.
!
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.
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.
!
G120D01A-AATTo Check the Fluid LevelThe 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-AATRecommended Brake FluidUse only hydraulic brake fluid conforming to
DOT 3 or DOT 4 specifications in your braking
system. Follow the instructions printed on the
container.

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G140C01A-AATLubricationTo lubricate the compressor and the seals in the
system, the air conditioning should be run for at
least 10 minutes each week. This is particularly
important during cool weather when the air
conditioning system is not otherwise in use.
!
G120E02A-AATAdding Brake Fluid
WARNING:Handle brake fluid carefully. It can damage
your vision if it gets into your eyes. Use only
DOT 3 or DOT 4 specification fluid from a
sealed container. Do not allow the fluid can
or reservoir to remain open any longer than
required. This will prevent entry of dirt and
moisture which can damage the brake sys-
tem and cause improper operation.
To add brake fluid, first wipe away any dirt, then
unscrew the fluid reservoir cap. Slowly pour the
recommended fluid into the reservoir. Do not
overfill. Carefully replace the cap on the reser-
voir and tighten.
AIR CONDITIONING CARE!
G140A01A-AATKeeping the Condenser CleanThe air conditioning condenser (and engine
radiator) should be checked periodically for
accumulation of dirt, dead insects, leaves, etc.
These can interfere with maximum cooling ef-
ficiency. When removing such accumulations,
brush or hose them away carefully to avoid
bending the cooling fans.G140B01A-AATChecking the Air Conditioning Opera-
tion1. Start the engine and let it run at a fast idle for
several minutes with the air conditioning set
at the maximum cold setting.
2. If the air coming out of the in-dash vents is
not cold, have the air conditioning system
inspected by your Hyundai dealer.
CAUTION:
Running the air conditioning system for
extended periods of time with a low refrig-
erant level may damage the compressor.
HNF5013

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3. Lower the glove box down completely by
pushing both sides of the glove box inward.
HNF2163
CHANGING THE CLIMATE CON-
TROL AIR FILTERB145A01NF-AAT(For Evaporator and Blower Unit)
(If Installed)The climate control air filter is located in the right
side of the instrument panel.
It helps to decrease the amount of pollutants
entering the car.
1. Remove the cover (1) which is located to the
right side of the instrument panel by pulling
it.
2. Pull the glove box cylinder (2) to unlock the
glove box retainer.
HNF2163-1
4. Remove the climate control air filter cover by
pressing both side clips.
HNF2164
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage filter fixing clips.
!

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1.18 in.
(30 mm)
CHECKING THE FREE-PLAYG150A01A-AATSTEERING WHEELTo check the steering wheel free-play, stop the
car with the wheels pointed straight ahead and
gently move the steering wheel back and forth.
Use very light finger pressure and be sensitive
to changes in resistance that mark the limits of
the free-play. If the free-play is greater than
specified, have it inspected by your Hyundai
dealer and adjusted or repaired if necessary.
HNF2165
!
5. Replace the climate control air filter by lifting
it.
6. Installation is the reverse order of disassem-
bly.
CAUTION:
To prevent pollutants from entering the car,
be sure to properly install the climate con-
trol air filter.
HNF5018
G160A01A-GATCLUTCH PEDALWith the engine off, press lightly on the clutch
pedal until you feel a change in resistance. This
is the clutch pedal free-play. The free-play
should be within the limits specified in the illus-
tration. If it is not, have it inspected by your
Hyundai dealer and adjusted or repaired if
necessary.
G160A01HR
0.24~0.51 in.
(6~13 mm)

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G170A01A-AATBRAKE PEDALWith the engine off, press down on the brake
pedal several times to reduce the vacuum in the
brake booster.
Then, using your hand, press down slowly on
the brake pedal until you feel a change in
resistance. This is the brake pedal free-play.
The free-play should be within the limits speci-
fied in the illustration above. If it is not, have it
inspected by your Hyundai dealer and adjusted
or repaired if necessary.
G160A01HR
0.12 ~ 0.31 in.
(3 ~ 8 mm)
CHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
CLEARANCEG180A01A-AATYou need a helper to check the brake pedal
clearance. With the engine running, have your
helper press down on the brake pedal several
times and then hold it down with a force of about
110 lbs (50 kg, 490 N). The brake pedal clear-
ance is the distance from the top surface of the
brake pedal to the asphalt sheeting under the
floor mat.
If the brake pedal clearance is not within the
limits specified in the illustration, have it in-
spected by your Hyundai dealer and adjusted
or repaired if necessary.
G180A01L
2.95 in.
(75 mm)
G190A02NF-GATCHECKING DRIVE BELTS
G140D01NF
(2.4L)
(3.3L)
G140D02NF
Power steering
COMP Water
pump pullyGenerator
Power steering
COMP Water pump pully
Generator
Damper pulleyDamper pulley
Auto tensionerAuto tensioner