2009 HYUNDAI TUCSON Owners Manual

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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C090E02O-AATo D (Drive):Use for normal driving. Bring the car to a
complete stop before shifting the selector
to "D" position. The transaxle will automati-
cally shift through a four gear sequence.C090D02O-AATo N (Neutral):In the "N" position, the transaxle is in neu-
tral, which means that no gears are en-
gaged. The engine can be started with the
shift lever in "N" position, although this is
not recommended except if the engine
stalls while the car is moving.
C090B02A-AATThe function of each position is as
follows:
o P (Park):Use to hold the vehicle in place when
parked or while starting the engine. When-
ever parking the car, apply the parking
brake and shift the selector lever to the "P"
(Park) position.
C090C01A-AATo R (Reverse):Use for backing up the vehicle. Bring the
car to a complete stop before shifting the
selector lever to "R" position.
CAUTION:
Never place the selector lever in the "P"
(Park) position unless the vehicle is fully
stopped. Failure to observe this caution
will cause severe damage to the
transaxle.
C090F01JM-GATSports ModeWhether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, sports mode is selected by push-
ing the selector lever from the "D" position
into the manual gate. To return to "D" range
operation, push the selector lever back
into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the selector lever
backwards and forwards can make gear-
shifts simple.
UP (+) : Push the lever forward once to shift
up one gear.
DOWN (-) : Pull the lever backwards once
to shift down one gear.
SKIP : By rapidly moving the selector for-
wards or backwards twice, it is possible to
skip one gear, i.e. 1st to 3rd or 3rd to 1st.
HJM3020

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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o To maintain the required levels of ve-
hicle performance and safety, the sys-
tem may not execute certain gear-
shifts when the selector lever is oper-
ated.
o Before driving away from a stop on a
slippery road, push the selector lever
forward into the +(UP) position. This
causes the transaxle to shift into 2nd
gear which is better for smooth driv-
ing away on a slippery road. Push the
selector lever to the -(DOWN) side to
shift back to 1st gear.
CAUTION:
o In sports mode, The driver must ex-
ecute shifts in accordance with pre-
vailing road conditions, taking care to
keep the engine speed below the red
zone. For engine protection, upward
shifts are made automatically when
the engine rpm reaches the red zone.
o By rapidly moving the selector lever
backwards (-) twice, it is possible to
skip one gear, i.e., 3rd to 1st, 4th to
2nd. Since sudden engine braking
and/or rapid acceleration can cause a
loss of traction, however, downshifts
must be made carefully in accordance
with the vehicle's speed.NOTE:o In sports mode, only the four forward
gears can be selected. To select re-
verse or park, move the selector le-
ver to the "R" or "P" position as re-
quired.
o In sports mode, downward shifts are
made automatically when the vehicle
slows down. When the vehicle stops,
1st gear is automatically selected.
C090H01L-GATNOTE:o For smooth and safe operation, de-
press the brake pedal when shifting
from "Neutral" position or "Park"
position to a forward or reverse gear.
o The ignition key must be in the "ON"
position and the brake pedal fully de-
pressed in order to move the shift
lever from the "P" (Park) position to
any of the other positions.
o It is always possible to shift from "R",
"N", "D" position to "P" position. The
vehicle must be fully stopped to avoid
transaxle damage.
!
C090I04L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into "R", "D" and "P" position
only when the vehicle has completely
stopped.
o Do not accelerate the engine in re-
verse or any of the forward positions
with the brakes applied.
o Always apply the footbrake when
shifting from "P" or "N", to "R" or
"D"position.
o Do not use the "P" (Park) position in
place of the parking brake. Always
set the parking brake, shift the
transaxle into "P" (Park) position and
turn off the ignition when you leave the
vehicle, even momentarily. Never
leave the vehicle unattended while
the engine is running.
o When accelerating from a stop on a
steep hill, the vehicle may have a
tendency to roll backwards. Shifting
the shift lever into 2nd gear while in
Sport mode will help prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling backwards.
o Check the automatic transaxle fluid
level regularly, and add fluid as nec-
essary.
o See the maintenance schedule for
the proper fluid recommendation.

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C090N05O-AATGood Driving Practiceso Never move the gear selector lever
from "P" or "N" to any other position with
the accelerator pedal depressed.
o Never move the gear selector lever into
"P" when the vehicle is in motion.
o Be sure the car is completely stopped
before you attempt to shift into "R" or "D".
o Never take the car out of gear and coast
down a hill. This may be extremely
hazardous. Always leave the car in gear
when moving.
o Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause
them to overheat and malfunction. In-
stead, when you are driving down a
long hill, slow down and shift to a lower
gear. When you do this, engine braking
will help slow the car.
o Slow down before shifting to a lower
gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not
be engaged.
o Always use the parking brake. Do not
depend on placing the transaxle in "P"
to keep the car from moving.
o Exercise extreme caution when driving
on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an
abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
WARNING:
o Always buckle-up! In a collision, an
unbelted occupant is significantly
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed than a properly belted occu-
pant.
o Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.
o Do not make quick steering wheel
movements, such as sharp lane
changes or fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly in-
creased if you lose control of your
vehicle at highway speeds.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway
and the driver oversteers to reenter
the roadway.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the
roadway, do not steer sharply. In-
stead, slow down before pulling back
into the travel lanes.
o Never exceed posted speed limits. o Optimum vehicle performance and
economy is obtained by smoothly de-
pressing and releasing the accelerator
pedal.
CAUTION:
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt to
rock the vehicle free by moving it for-
ward and backward. Do not attempt this
procedure if people or objects are any-
where near the vehicle. During the rock-
ing operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward of backward as it becomes
unstuck, causing injury to nearby people
or damage to objects.
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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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WARNING:
ABS / TCS / ESC will not prevent acci-
dents due to improper or dangerous driv-
ing maneuvers. Even though vehicle
control is improved during emergency
braking, always maintain a safe distance
between you and objects ahead. Vehicle
speeds should always be reduced dur-
ing extreme road conditions.
The braking distance for cars equipped
with an anti-lock braking system / TCS /
ESC may be longer than for those with-
out it in the following road conditions.
During these conditions the vehicle
should be driven at reduced speeds:
o Rough, gravel or snow-covered
roads.
o With tire chains installed.
o On roads where the road surface is
pitted or has different surface height.
The safety features of an ABS / TCS /
ESC equipped vehicle should not be
tested by high speed driving or corner-
ing. This could endanger the safety of
yourself or others.
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM (TCS)C300A03Y-GAT(If installed)
C300A01JM-U
On slippery road surfaces, the traction
control system (TCS) limits the drive wheels
from spinning excessively, thus helping
the car to accelerate. It also helps to pro-
vide sufficient driving force and steering
performance as the car turns.SLIP ControlLimits the drive wheels from spinning ex-
cessively during starting or while making
accelerated turns on slippery roads to avoid
losing the driving force of the front wheels.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS)C120A01JM-AAT(If installed)The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is de-
signed to prevent wheel lock-up during
sudden braking or on hazardous road
surfaces. The ABS control module moni-
tors the wheel speed and controls the
pressure applied to each brake. Thus, in
emergency situations or on slick roads,
ABS will increase vehicle control during
braking.NOTE:o A click sound may be heard in the
engine compartment when the ve-
hicle begins to move after the engine
is started. These conditions are nor-
mal and indicate that the anti-lock
brake system / Traction Control Sys-
tem / Electronic Stability Control is
functioning properly.
o During ABS / TCS / ESC operation, a
pulsation may be felt in the brake
pedal when the brakes are applied.
Also, a noise may be heard in the
engine compartment while braking.
These conditions are normal and indi-
cate that the anti-lock brake system
/ Traction Control System / Electronic
Stability Control System is function-
ing properly.

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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Driving HintsTCS does not actively apply brakes. Be
sure to decelerate the car sufficiently be-
fore entering curves.
CAUTION:
When the TCS indicator blinks, SLIP
control function has been activated. It
also means that the road is slippery or
your car is accelerating excessively. In
this situation, gently release foot pres-
sure from the accelerator pedal and
maintain moderate speed.
!
WARNING:
Traction control is a driving aid; all nor-
mal precautions for driving in inclement
weather and on slippery driving surfaces
should be observed.
C310B02O-AATTCS ON/OFF ModeWhen the TCS is operating, the TCS indi-
cator in the instrument cluster will blink.
If you turn the system off by pressing the
TCS switch, the TCS-OFF indicator will
come on and stay on. In the TCS-OFF
mode, the SLIP control will be deactivated.
Adjust you driving accordingly. To turn the
system back on, press the switch again.
The TCS-OFF indicator should go off.NOTE:1) The TCS mode will automatically be
turned ON after the engine is turned
off and restarted.
2) When the traction control system is
operating properly, you can feel a
slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is
only the effect of brake control and
indicates nothing unusual.
3) When the engine starts, a click may
be heard from the engine compart-
ment; this is the sound of the traction
control being checked.
4) When moving out of the mud or fresh
snow, pressing the accelerator pedal
may not cause the engine speed to
increase due to TCS operation.
C310D01JM-AATIndicators and WarningThe indicators should illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to ON or START but
should go out after approximately three
seconds.
If the indicators do not illuminate, or the
TCS or TCS-OFF indicator does not go out
after 3 seconds, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Should there be any unusual conditions in
the TCS System while driving, TCS-OFF
indicator illuminates as a warning.
If TCS-OFF indicator illuminates, pull your
car to a safe place and stop the engine.
Then, start the engine again to check if the
TCS-OFF indicator goes out.
If the indicator remains lit even after the
engine has been started, have your car
checked by an authorized Hyundai dealer.NOTE:When the TCS-OFF indicator illuminates,
traction control is automatically deacti-
vated.

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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CAUTION:
Driving with varying tire or wheel size
may cause the ESC system to malfunc-
tion. When replacing tires, make sure
they are the same size as your original
tires.
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ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEMC310A03JM-AAT(If installed)
C310A01JM-U
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) sys-
tem is designed to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering manuevers. ESC checks
where you are steering and where the
vehicle is actually going. ESC applies the
brakes at individual wheels and intervenes
in the engine management system to sta-
bilize the vehicle.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) sys-
tem is an electronic system designed to
help the driver maintain vehicle control
under adverse conditions. It is not a substi-
tute for safe driving practices. Factors in-
cluding speed, road conditions and driver
steering input can all affect whether ESC
will be effective in preventing a loss of
control. It is still your responsibility to drive
and corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.
WARNING:
Never drive too fast for the road condi-
tions or too quickly when cornering. Elec-
tronic stability control (ESC) will not pre-
vent accidents. Excessive speed in
turns, abrupt maneuvers and hydroplan-
ing on wet surfaces can still result in
serious accidents. Only a safe and at-
tentive driver can prevent accidents by
avoiding maneuvers that cause the ve-
hicle to lose traction. Even with ESC
installed, always follow all the normal
precautions for driving - including driv-
ing at safe speeds for the conditions.
C310B01JM-AATESC ON/OFF ModeWhen the ESC is operating, the ESC indi-
cator in the instrument cluster will blink.
If you turn the system off by pressing the
ESC switch, the ESC-OFF indicator will
come on and stay on. In the ESC-OFF
mode, the stability control will be deacti-
vated. Adjust your driving accordingly. To
turn the system back on, press the switch
again. The ESC-OFF indicator should go
off.NOTE:The ESC mode will automatically be
turned ON after the engine is turned off
and restarted.

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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C310D01JM-AATIndicators and WarningThe indicators should illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to ON or START but
should go out after three seconds.
If the indicators do not illuminate, or the
ESC or ESC-OFF indicator does not go out
after 3 seconds, have the vehicle checked
by an authorized dealer.
Should there be any unusual conditions in
the device while driving, ESC-OFF indica-
tor illuminates as a warning.
If ESC-OFF indicator illuminates, pull your
car to a safe place and stop the engine.
Then, start the engine again to check if the
ESC-OFF indicator goes out.
If the indicator remains lit even after the
engine has been started, have your car
checked by an authorized Hyundai dealer.
FULL-TIME 4WD OPERATIONC350A02JM-AAT(If installed)Engine power can be delivered to all
wheels. Full-time 4WD is useful when good
traction is required, such as, when driving
on slippery, wet or snow-covered roads
and when moving out of mud. Your vehicle
is not designed for challenging off-road
use. Full-time 4WD vehicles are designed
primarily to improve traction and perfor-
mance on paved roads and highways in
wet and/or slippery conditions. Occasional
off-road use such as established unpaved
roads and trails is considered normal use.
It is always important when traveling off-
highway that the driver carefully reduce
their speed to a level that does not exceed
the safe operating speed for those condi-
tions. In general, off-road conditions pro-
vide less traction and braking effective-
ness than on road conditions. These fac-
tors must be carefully considered when
driving off-road. Keeping the vehicle in
contact with the driving surface and under
control in these conditions is always the
driver's responsibility for the safety of him/
herself and his or her passengers.
!
WARNING:
This vehicle is designed primarily for on
road use. Driving the vehicle in challeng-
ing off-road conditions may result in
damage to the vehicle. Driving in condi-
tions that exceed the vehicle's intended
design or the driver's experience level
may result in severe injury or death.Driving 4WD Safely(1)As always, be sure to wear the seat belt.
(2)Do not drive in challenging off-road
conditions or areas that exceed the
vehicle's basic design intent or the
driver's experience level.
(3)Drive at lower speeds in strong cross-
winds. Because of your vehicle's higher
center of gravity, its stability will be
affected in crosswinds. Slower speeds
ensure better vehicle control.
(4)Check the brake condition after driving
in wet or muddy conditions. Press the
brake several times as you move slowly
until you feel normal braking forces
return.
(5)Do not drive the vehicle through water.
(i.e. streams, rivers, lakes, etc.)

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DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
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HJM1029
Roll tester(Speedometer)Temporary free rollero If the vehicle is towed with only two
wheels raised off the ground, the
4WD system could be damaged.
o In unavoidable cases, if the vehicle
is being towed with all four wheels
on the ground, it should only be
towed forward.
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
vehicle, limit towing to 10 mph and not for
more than 1 mile at ANY TIME.
WARNING:
Your vehicle is equipped with tires de-
signed to provide for safe ride and han-
dling capability.
Do not use a size and type of tire and
wheel that is different from the one that
is originally installed on your vehicle. It
can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could lead to han-
dling failure or rollover and serious in-
jury.
When replacing the tires, be sure to equip
all four tires with the tire and wheel of the
same size, type, tread, brand and load-
carrying capacity. If you nevertheless
decide to equip your vehicle with any
tire/wheel combination not recom-
mended by Hyundai for off-road driving,
you should not use these tires for high-
way driving.
!
(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 be-
tween your vehicle and the one ahead
of you.
(7)Since the driving torque is always ap-
plied to all 4 wheels, the performance of
the full-time 4WD vehicle is greatly af-
fected by the condition of the tires. Be
sure to equip it with four tires of the same
size and type.
o When replacement of any of the tires
or wheels is necessary, replace all
of them with tires or wheels of the
same size type.
o Rotate the tires and check the tire
pressure 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 all
four wheels raised off the ground.
o Roadside Assistance Program:
Off-roading is not covered. To re-
ceive service, the vehicle must be on
a publicly maintained road.