2009 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

4
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE2
CORROSION PROTECTION
E020B01A-AATKeep Your Car CleanThe best way to prevent corrosion is to
keep your car clean and free of corrosive
materials. Attention to the underside of the
car is particularly important.
o If you live in a high-corrosion area —
where road salts are used, near the
ocean, areas with industrial pollution,
acid rain, etc.—, you should take extra
care to prevent corrosion. In winter,
hose off the underside of your car at
least once a month and be sure to clean
the underside thoroughly when winter
is over.
o When cleaning underneath the car, give
particular attention to the components
under the fenders and other areas that
are hidden from view. Do a thorough
job; just dampening the accumulated
mud rather than washing it away will
accelerate corrosion rather than prevent
it. Water under high pressure and steam
are particularly effective in removing
accumulated mud and corrosive
materials.E020A01A-AATYou can help prevent corrosion from getting
started by observing the following:
E010D01A-AATMoisture Breeds CorrosionMoisture creates the conditions in which
corrosion is most likely to occur. For
example, corrosion is accelerated by high
humidity, particularly when temperatures
are just above freezing. In such conditions,
the corrosive material is kept in contact
with the car surfaces by moisture that is
slow to evaporate.
Mud is particularly corrosive because it is
slow to dry and holds moisture in contact
with the vehicle. Although the mud appears
to be dry, it can still retain the moisture and
promote corrosion.
High temperatures can also accelerate
corrosion of parts that are not properly
ventilated so the moisture can be dispersed.
For all these reasons, it is particularly
important to keep your car clean and free
of mud or accumulations of other materials.
This applies not only to the visible surfaces
but particularly to the underside of the car.E010C01A-AATHigh-Corrosion AreasIf you live in an area where your car is
regularly exposed to corrosive materials,
corrosion protection is particularly
important. Some of the common causes of
accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust
control chemicals, ocean air and industrial
pollution.
E010B01A-AATCommon Causes of CorrosionThe most common causes of corrosion on
your car are:
o Road salt, dirt and moisture that is
allowed to accumulate underneath the
car.
o Removal of paint or protective coatings
by stones, gravel, abrasion or minor
scrapes and dents which leave
unprotected metal exposed to corrosion.E010A01A-AATProtecting Your Hyundai from Cor-
rosionBy using the most advanced design and
construction practices to combat corrosion,
Hyundai produces cars of the highest
quality. However, this is only part of the job.
To achieve the long-term corrosion
resistance your Hyundai can deliver, the
owner's cooperation and assistance is also
required.
TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION

4
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
3
WASHING AND WAXING
E020E01A-AATDon't Neglect the InteriorMoisture can collect under the floor mats
and carpeting to cause corrosion. Check
under the mats periodically to be sure the
carpeting is dry. Use particular care if you
carry fertilizers, cleaning materials or
chemicals in the car.
These should be carried only in proper
containers and any spills or leaks should
be cleaned up, flushed with clean water
and thoroughly dried.
E020C01A-AATKeep Your Garage DryDon't park your car in a damp, poorly
ventilated garage. This creates a favorable
environment for corrosion. This is
particularly true if you wash your car in the
garage or drive it into the garage when it is
still wet or covered with snow, ice or mud.
Even a heated garage can contribute to
corrosion unless it is well ventilated so
moisture is dispersed.
E030A02A-AATWashing Your HyundaiNever wash your car when the surface is
hot from being in the sun. Always wash
your car in the shade.
Wash your car frequently. Dirt is abrasive
and can scratch the paint if it is not removed.
Air pollution or acid rain may damage the
paint and trim through chemical action if
pollutants are allowed to remain in contact
with the surface. If you live near the ocean
or in an area where road salts or dust
control chemicals are used, you should
pay particular attention to the underside of
the car. Start by rinsing the car to remove
dust and loose dirt. In winter, or if you have
driven through mud or muddy water, be
sure to thoroughly clean the underside as
well. Use a hard direct stream of water to
remove accumulations of mud or corrosive
materials. Use a good quality car-washing
solution and follow the manufacturer's
directions on the package. These are
available at your Hyundai dealer or auto
parts outlet. Don't use strong household
detergents, gasoline, strong solvents or
abrasive cleaning powders as these may
damage the finish.
Use a clean sponge or cloth, rinse it
frequently and don't damage the finish by
rubbing too hard. For stubborn spots,
dampen them frequently and remove them
a little at a time. o When cleaning lower door panels,
rocker panels and frame members, be
sure that drain holes are kept open
so that moisture can escape and not
be trapped inside to ac-celerate
corrosion.
E020D02A-AATKeep Paint and Trim in Good
ConditionScratches or chips in the finish should be
covered with "touch-up" paint as soon as
possible to reduce the possibility of
corrosion. If bare metal is showing through,
the attention of a qualified body and paint
shop is recommended.
Bird droppings : Bird droppings are highly
corrosive and may damage painted
surfaces in just a few hours. Always remove
bird droppings as soon as possible.

4
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE4
If you find any nicks or scratches in the
paint, use touch-up paint to cover them to
prevent corrosion. To protect the paintwork
of the car against corrosion, you must
clean your Hyundai (at least once a month).
Give special attention
to the removal of salt, mud and other sub-
stances on the underside of the
splashboards of the car. Make sure that the
outlets and the underside of the doors are
open. Paint damage can be caused by
small accumulation of tar, industrial
precipitation, tree resin, insects and bird
droppings, when not removed immediately.
If water alone is not strong enough to
remove the accumulated dirt, use a mild
car washing solution. Be sure to rinse the
surface after washing to remove the
solution. Never allow the solution to dry on
the painted surfaces. To clean whitewall tires, use a stiff brush or
soapy steel-wool scouring pad.
To clean plastic wheel covers, use a clean
sponge or soft cloth and water.
To clean cast aluminum alloy wheels, use
a mild soap or neutral detergent. Do not
use abrasive cleaners. Protect the bare-
metal surfaces by cleaning, polishing and
waxing. Because aluminum is subject to
corrosion, be sure to give aluminum alloy
wheels special attention in winter. If you
drive on salted roads, clean the wheels
thoroughly afterwards.
After washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
If soapy water dries on the finish, streaking
will result.
When the weather is warm and the humidity
low, you may find it necessary to rinse each
section immediately after washing to avoid
streaking.
After rinsing, dry the car using a damp
chamois or soft, absorbent cloth. The
reason for drying the car is to remove water
from the car so it will dry without water
spots. Don't rub, this can damage the finish.
CAUTION:
!
OJB037800
o Water washing in the engine compart-
ment including high pressure water
washing may cause the failure of elec-
trical circuits located in the engine
compartment.
o Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electrical/elec-
tronic components inside the vehicle
as this may damage them.

4
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
5
CLEANING THE INTERIORE040A01A-AATTo Clean the Vinyl UpholsteryTo clean the vinyl upholstery, first remove
loose dirt and dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Then apply a solution of mild soap or
detergent and water using a clean sponge
or soft cloth. Allow this to stay on the surface
to loosen the dirt, then wipe with a clean
damp sponge or cloth. If all the dirt stains
are not removed, repeat this procedure
until the upholstery is clean. Do not use
gasoline, solvent, paint thinner or other
strong cleaners.
E030E01A-AATMaintaining BumpersSpecial precautions must be observed to
preserve the appearance of the bumpers
on your Hyundai. They are:
o Be careful not to spill battery electrolyte
or hydraulic brake fluid on the bumpers.
If you do, wash it off immediately with
clean water.
o Be gentle when cleaning the bumper
sur-faces. They are made of soft plastic
and the surface can be damaged if
mistreated. Do not use abrasive
cleaners. Use warm water and mild
soap or car-washing solution.
o Do not expose the bumpers to high tem-
peratures. For example, if you have
your car repainted, do not leave the
bumpers on the car if the car is going to
be placed in a high-temperature paint
booth.
E030D01A-AATWhen to Wax AgainYou should polish and wax the car again
when water no longer beads on a clean
surface but spreads out over a larger area.E030C01A-AATPolishing and WaxingAlways wash and dry the car before
polishing or waxing or using a combination
cleaner and wax. Use a good quality
commercial product and follow the
manufacturer's directions on the container.
Polish and wax the bright trim pieces as
well as the paint.E030B01A-AATSpot CleaningDon't use gasoline, strong solvents or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. These can
damage the finish of the car. To remove
road tar, use turpentine on a clean, soft
cloth. Be gentle.
To remove dead insects or tree sap, use
warm water and mild soap or car-washing
solution. Soak the spot and rub gently. If
the paint has lost its luster, use a
commercial car-cleaning polish.

4
CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE6
ANY QUESTIONS?
E040D01A-AATCleaning the Seat BeltsTo clean the seat belts, use a cloth or
sponge with mild soap or detergent and
warm water. Do not use strong detergents,
dye, bleach or abrasive materials on the
seat belts as this may weaken the fabric.
While cleaning the belts, inspect them for
excessive wear, cuts, fraying or other signs
of damage and replace them if necessary.E040C01A-AATCleaning the CarpetsUse a foam-type carpet cleaner. Cleaners
of this type are available in aerosol cans in
liquid form or powder. Read the instructions
and follow them exactly. Using a vacuum
cleaner with the appropriate attachment,
remove as much dirt from the carpets as
possible. Apply the foam following the
manufacturer's directions, then rub in
overlapping circles. Do not add water.
These cleaners work best when the carpet
is kept as dry as possible.
E050A01A-AATIf you have any questions about the care of
your car, consult your Hyundai dealer.
E040E01A-AATCleaning the WindowsYou may use any household window
cleaner on the windows. However, when
cleaning the inside of the rear window be
careful not to damage the rear window
defroster wiring.
E040B01A-AATTo Clean the Leather Upholstery
(If Installed)In the normal course of use, leather
upholstered surfaces will, like any material,
pick-up dust and dirt. This dust and dirt
must be cleaned off or it may work into the
surface of the leather, causing damage.
Fine leather needs care, and should be
cleaned when necessary. Washing leather
thoroughly with soap and water will keep
your leather lustrous, beautiful and ensure
you have many years of wear.
Take a piece of cheese cloth and using any
mild soap and lukewarm water, work up a
good lather. Thoroughly wash the leather.
Wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth and
dry with soft cloth. Do this as often as the
leather becomes soiled.
During tanning operations, sufficient oils
are incorporated through processing that
none need be applied during the life of the
leather. Oil applied to the finished surface
will in no way help the leather and may do
more harm than good. Varnishes and
furniture polishes should never be used
under any conditions.

5
Maintenance Intervals ................................................... 5-2
Scheduled Maintenance ................................................ 5-4
Maintenance under Severe Usage Conditions ............. 5-6
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Items .............. 5-7
California Perchlorate Notice......................................5-10VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
5

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS2
F010C01A-AATSpecified Scheduled ProceduresThese are the procedures such as
inspections, adjustments and
replacements that are listed in the
maintenance charts starting on page 5-4.
These procedures must be performed at
the intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule to assure that your warranty
remains in effect. Although it is strongly
recommended that they be performed by
the trained technicians at your Hyundai
dealer, these procedures may be per-
formed at any qualified service facility.
It is suggested that genuine Hyundai
service parts be used for any required
repairs or replacements. Other parts of
equivalent quality such as engine oil,
engine coolant, manual or auto transaxle
oil, brake fluid and so on which are not
supplied by Hyundai Motor Company or its
distributor may be used without affecting
your warranty coverage but you should
always be sure these are equivalent to the
quality of the original Hyundai parts. Your
Owner's Handbook provides further
information about your warranty coverage.
F010A01A-AATService RequirementsTo ensure that you receive the greatest
number of miles of satisfying operation
from your Hyundai, certain maintenance
procedures must be performed. Although
careful design and engineering have
reduced these to a minimum, those that
are required are of the utmost importance.
It is your responsibility to have these main-
tenance procedures performed to comply
with the terms of the warranties covering
your new Hyundai. The Owner's Handbook
supplied with your new vehicle provides
further information about these warranties.
F010B01A-AATMaintenance RequirementsThe maintenance required for your
Hyundai can be divided into three main
areas:
o Specified scheduled procedures
o General checks
o Do-it-yourself maintenance
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS

5
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
3
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
REQUIREMENTSF020A02Y-AATo Inspection should be performed any
time a malfunction is experienced or
suspected.
o Receipts for all emission control system
services should be retained to
demonstrate compliance with
conditions of the emissions system
warranty.
o After 120 months or 150,000 miles
(240,000 km), continue to follow the
prescribed maintenance intervals.
o For severe usage maintenance require-
ments, see page 5-6 of this section.
F010D02A-AATGeneral ChecksThese are the regular checks you should
perform when you drive your Hyundai or
you fill the fuel tank. A list of these items will
be found on page 6-4.F010E01A-AATDo-It-Yourself MaintenanceIf you are mechanically inclined, own a few
tools that are required and want to take the
time to do so, you can inspect and service
a number of items. For more information
about doing it yourself, see Section 6.
F010F01A-AATA Few Tipso Whenever you have your Hyundai
serviced, keep copies of the service
records in your glove box. This will help
ensure that you can document that the
required procedures have been
performed to keep your warranties in
effect. This is especially important when
service is not performed by an authorized
Hyundai dealer.
o If you choose to do your own
maintenance and repairs, you may find
it helpful to have an official Hyundai
Shop Manual. A copy of this publication
may be purchased at your Hyundai
dealer's parts department.