2009 Hyundai Sonata tires

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DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE
27
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT YOUR HYUNDAIG250A01A-AATIf you desire additional information about
maintaining and servicing your Hyundai,
you may purchase a factory Shop Manual
at your Hyundai dealer's parts department.
This is the same manual used by
dealership technicians and while it is highly
technical it can be useful in obtaining a
better understanding of your car and how
it works.
HEADLIGHT AIMING ADJUST-
MENTG290A03O-AATBefore performing aiming adjustment,
make sure of the following.
1. Keep all tires inflated to the correct
pressure.
2. Place the vehicle on level ground and
press the front bumper & rear bumper
down several times.
Place vehicle at a distance of 118 in.
(3m) from the test wall.
3. See that the vehicle is unloaded (except
for full levels of coolant, engine oil and
fuel, and spare tire, jack, and tools).
Have the driver or equivalent weight
placed in driver's seat.
4. Clean the headlight lenses and turn on
the headlights (Low beam).
5. Open the hood.
G290A01NF-A
Vertical
aiming
!
6. Draw a vertical line (through the center
of each headlight beam pattern) and a
horizontal line (through the center of
each headlight beam pattern) on the
aiming screen measured from ground
to center mark on headlight lens.
7. Adjust the right side of each cut-off line
of the low beam to the horizontal line
with a phillips screwdriver - VERTICAL
AIMING.
WARNING:
Never attempt to adjust the horizontal
alignment of your headlights. Horizontal
aiming must be adjusted by an
authorized Hyundai dealer to avoid
incorrect alignment that will reduce the
effectiveness of your headlights.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............................. 8-2
Engine Number ............................................................. 8-2
Tire Information ............................................................. 8-2
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressures ............... 8-3
Checking Tire Inflation Pressure ................................... 8-5
Tire Sidewall Labeling ................................................... 8-5
Tire Terminology and Definitions ................................... 8-7
All Season Tires ............................................................ 8-9
Snow Tires .................................................................... 8-9
Tire Chains .................................................................... 8-9
Tire Rotation................................................................8-10
Tire Balancing.............................................................8-10
Tire Traction................................................................8-11
When to Replace Tires ...............................................8-11
Tire Maintenance........................................................8-12
Spare Tire and Tools ...................................................8-13
Warranties for Your Hyundai Vehicle..........................8-13
Consumer Information.................................................8-14
Reporting Safety Defects............................................8-16
Binding Arbitration of Warranty Claims.......................8-17
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CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING
SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING
ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS

8CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS2
ENGINE NUMBER
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (VIN)
I010B01A-AAT I010A01O-AAT
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
the number used in registering your car
and in all legal matters pertaining to its
ownership, etc. It can be found in three
different places on your car:
1. On the bulkhead between the engine
and passenger compartments.
2. On the left top side of the instrument
panel where it can be seen by looking
down through the windshield.
3. On the lower side of the center pillar
outer panel.
The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown in the drawing.
TIRESI020A02A-AATTIRE INFORMATION
The tires supplied on your new Hyundai
are chosen to provide the best perfor-
mance for normal driving.
If you ever have questions about your
tire warranty and where to obtain ser-
vice, see the tire manufacturer's book-
let included with your vehicle's Owner's
Manual Literature Kit.
I010A01NF-AONF088003
(2.4L)(3.3L)
ONF088004

8CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS4
!
CAUTION:
Always observe the following:
o Check pressures when the tires
are cold. (After the vehicle has
been parked for at least three hours
or hasn't been driven more than 1
mile (1.6 km) since starting up.)
o Check the pressure of your spare
tire each time you check the pres-
sure of other tires.
o Worn, old tires can cause acci-
dents. If your tread is badly worn,
or if your tires have been dam-
aged, replace them.
!
NOTE:
o Underinflation also results in ex-
cessive wear, poor handling and
reduced fuel economy. Wheel de-
formation also is possible. Keep
your tire pressures at the proper
levels. If a tire frequently needs
refilling, have it checked by your
Hyundai Dealer.
o Overinflation produces a harsh
ride, excessive wear at the center
of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of damage from road
hazards.
WARNING:
Overinflation or underinflation can
reduce the tire life, adversely affect
vehicle handling, and lead to sud-
den tire failure. This could rusult in
loss of vehicle control and potential
injury.
!
WARNING:
o Inspect your tires frequently for
proper inflation as well as wear
and damage. Always use a tire
pressure gauge.
o Tires with too much or too little
pressure wear unevenly causing
poor handling, loss of vehicle
control, and sudden tire failure
leading to accidents, injuries, and
even death. The recommended
cold tire pressure for your vehicle
can be found in this manual and
on the tire label located on the
driver's side of the center pillar.
o Worn tires can cause accidents.
Replace tires that are worn, show
uneven wear, or are damaged. See
page 8-11.
o Remember to check the pressure
of your spare tire. Hyundai recom-
mends that you check the spare
every time you check the pressure
of the other tires on your vehicle.

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CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS
5
Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve stem. Press the tire gauge firmly
onto the valve to get a pressure mea-
surement. If the cold tire inflation pres-
sure matches the recommended pres-
sure on the tire and loading information
label, no further adjustment is neces-
sary. If the pressure is low, add air until
you reach the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by
pushing on the metal stem in the center
of the tire valve. Recheck the tire pres-
sure with the tire gauge. Be sure to put
the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
I035A01JM-AATCHECKING TIRE INFLATION PRES-
SURE
Check your tires once a month or more.
Also, check the tire pressure of the
spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality gauge to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires
are properly inflated simply by looking
at them. Radial tires may look properly
inflated even when they're underinflated.
Check the tire's inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. - "Cold" means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1
mile (1.6 km).Federal law requires tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on
the sidewall of all tires. This information
identifies and describes the fundamen-
tal characteristics of the tire and also
provides the tire identification number
(TIN) for safety standard certification.
The TIN can be used to identify the tire
in case of a recall.
I030B01NF-AATTIRE SIDEWALL LABELING
I030B04JM
1
234 5, 6
7
1

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CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS
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6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kilograms and pounds that
can be carried by the tire. When
replacing the tires on the vehicle,
always use a tire that has the same
load rating as the factory installed
tire.
7. Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG):
Tire manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three perfor-
mance factors: treadwear, traction
and temperature resistance. For more
information, see Uniform Tire Qual-
ity Grading on page 8-14.
I030D01JM-AATTIRE TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINI-
TIONS
Air Pressure: The amount of air inside
the tire pressing outward on the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight: This means the
combined weight of optional accesso-
ries. Some examples of optional ac-
cessories are, automatic transmission,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that
is located between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from steel or
other reinforcing materials.
Bead: The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that hold
the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which
the plies are laid at alternate angles
less than 90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.Cold Tire Pressure: The amount of air
pressure in a tire, measured in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascals
(kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving.
Curb Weight: This means the weight of
a motor vehicle with standard and op-
tional equipment including the maxi-
mum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant,
but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings: A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation motor vehicle
safety standards. The DOT code in-
cludes the Tire Identification Number
(TIN), an alphanumeric designator which
can also identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand and date of
production.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the front Axle.
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the rear axle.

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CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS
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Vehicle Capacity Weight: The number
of designated seating positions multi-
plied by 150 lbs. (68 kg) plus the rated
cargo and luggage load.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:
Load on an individual tire due to curb
and accessory weight plus maximum
occupant and cargo weight.
Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire:
That load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle
its share of the curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight
and dividing by 2.
Vehicle Placard: A label permanently
attached to a vehicle showing the origi-
nal equipment tire size and recom-
mended inflation pressure.
I050A04Y-AATTIRE CHAINS
Tire chains, if necessary, should be
installed on the front wheels. Be sure
that the chains are the proper size and
that they are installed in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
To minimize tire and chain wear, do not
continue to use tire chains when they
are no longer needed.
I040B01JM-AATALL SEASON TIRES
Hyundai specifies all season tires on
some models to provide good perfor-
mance for use all year round, including
snowy and icy road conditions. All sea-
son tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire
sidewall. Snow tires have better snow
traction than all season tires an may be
more appropriate in some areas.I040A01O-AATSNOW TIRES
If you equip your car with snow tires,
they should be the same size and have
the same load capacity as the original
tires. Snow tires should be installed on
all four wheels; otherwise, poor han-
dling may result.Snow tires should carry 4 psi (28 kPa)
more air pressure than the pressure
recommended for the standard tires on
the tire label on the driver's side of the
center pillar , or up to the maximum
pressure shown on the tire sidewall,
whichever is less.
Do not drive faster than 75 mph (120
km/h) when your car is equipped with
snow tires.

8CONSUMER INFORMATION, REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS & BINDING ARBITRATION OF WARRANTY CLAIMS10
I070A01A-AATTIRE 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 re-
pair, it should be rebalanced before
being reinstalled on the car.
!
I060A02A-AATTIRE ROTATION
Tires should be rotated every 7,500
miles (12,000 km). If you notice that
tires are wearing unevenly between ro-
tations, have the car checked by a
Hyundai dealer so the cause may be
corrected.
After rotating, adjust the tire pressures
and be sure to check the wheel nut
torque. WARNING:
o Do not use the temporary spare
tire for tire rotation.
o Do not mix bias ply and radial ply
tires under any circumstances.
This may cause unusual handling
characteristics that could result in
death, serious injury, or property
damage.
I060A02NF
!
WARNING:
o When driving on roads covered
with snow or ice, drive at less than
20 mph (30 km/h).
o Use the SAE "S" class or wire &
plastic chains.
o If you have noise caused by chains
contacting the body, retighten the
chain to avoid contact with the
vehicle body.
o To prevent body damage, retighten
the chains after driving 0.3~0.6
miles.
o Don't use a tire chains on a vehicle
equipped with aluminium wheels.
If it is unavoidable use wire-type
chains.
o Use wire chains less than 15mm to
prevent damage to the chain's con-
nection.