2012 Hyundai Sonata service

What to do in an emergency
16
6
TOWING
Towing service
If emergency towing is necessary, we
recommend having it done by an autho-
rised HYUNDAI dealer or a commercial
tow-truck service. Proper lifting and tow-
ing procedures are necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle. The use of wheeldollies or flatbed is recommended.
For trailer towing guidelines information, refer to “Trailer towing” in section 5.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (without dol-
lies) and the front wheels off the ground.
If any of the loaded wheels or suspen- sion components are damaged or the
vehicle is being towed with the front
wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly
under the front wheels.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used, the
front of the vehicle should always be lift-
ed, not the rear.
OMC045012
A
B
C dolly
HXD02
HXD03
CAUTION
Do not tow the vehicle with the
front wheels on the ground asthis may cause damage to thevehicle.
Do not tow with sling-type equip- ment. Use wheel lift or flatbedequipment.

What to do in an emergency
18
6
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by an authorised
HYUNDAI dealer or a commercial tow
truck service.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing hook
under the front/rear of the vehicle. Use
extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it
and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only
on hard-surfaced roads for a short dis-
tance and at low speeds. Also, the
wheels, axles, power train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
Do not use the tow hooks to pull a vehi-
cle out of mud, sand or other condi-
tions from which the vehicle cannot be
driven out under its own power.
Avoid towing a vehicle heavier than the vehicle doing the towing.
The drivers of both vehicles should communicate with each other frequent-
ly. Before emergency towing, check that
the hook is not broken or damaged.
Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the hook.
Do not jerk the hook. Apply steady and even force.
To avoid damaging the hook, do not pull from the side or at a vertical angle.
Always pull straight ahead.
WARNING
Use extreme caution when towing
the vehicle.
driving manoeuvres which would
place excessive stress on the
emergency towing hook and tow-
ing cable or chain. The hook and
towing cable or chain may break
and cause serious injury or dam-
age.
If the disabled vehicle is unable to be moved, do not forcibly con-
tinue the towing. Contact an
authorised HYUNDAI dealer or a
commercial tow truck service for
assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle dur- ing towing.CAUTION
Attach a towing strap to the tow
hook.
Using a portion of the vehicle other than the tow hooks for tow-ing may damage the body of yourvehicle.
Use only a cable or chain specifi- cally intended for use in towingvehicles. Securely fasten thecable or chain to the towing hook provided.

7
Engine compartment / 7-2
Maintenance services / 7-3
Owner maintenance / 7-4
Scheduled maintenance service / 7-6
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items / 7-13
Engine oil / 7-16
Engine coolant / 7-18
Brake/clutch fluid / 7-21
Power steering fluid / 7-22
Washer fluid / 7-23
Parking brake / 7-24
Air cleaner / 7-25
Climate control air filter / 7-27
Wiper blades / 7-29
Battery / 7-31
Tyres and wheels / 7-34
Fuses / 7-44
Light bulbs / 7-55
Appearance care / 7-62
Emission control system / 7-68
Maintenance

73
Maintenance
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
You should exercise the utmost care to
prevent damage to your vehicle and
injury to yourself whenever performing
any maintenance or inspection proce-
dures.
Should you have any doubts concerning
the inspection or servicing of your vehi-
cle, we strongly recommend that you
have an authorised HYUNDAI dealer
perform this work.
An authorised HYUNDAI dealer has fac-
tory-trained technicians and genuine
HYUNDAI parts to service your vehicle
properly. For expert advice and quality
service, see an authorised HYUNDAI
dealer.
Inadequate, incomplete or insufficient
servicing may result in operational prob-
lems with your vehicle that could lead to
vehicle damage, an accident, or person-
al injury. Owner’s responsibility
✽✽
NOTICE
Maintenance Service and Record
Retention are the owner's responsibility.
You should retain documents that show
proper maintenance has been performed
on your vehicle in accordance with the
scheduled maintenance service charts
shown on the following pages. You need
this information to establish your compli-
ance with the servicing and maintenance
requirements of your vehicle warranties.
Detailed warranty information is provided
in your Service Passport. Repairs and adjustments required as a
result of improper maintenance or a lack
of required maintenance are not covered.
We recommend you have your vehicle
maintained and repaired by an autho-
rised HYUNDAI dealer. An authorised
HYUNDAI dealer meets HYUNDAI’s high
service quality standards and receives
technical support from HYUNDAI in
order to provide you with a high level of
service satisfaction. Owner maintenance precautions
Improper or incomplete service may
result in problems. This section gives
instructions only for the maintenance
items that are easy to perform.
As explained earlier in this section, sev-
eral procedures can be done only by an
authorised HYUNDAI dealer with special
tools.
✽✽
NOTICE
Improper owner maintenance during
the warranty period may affect warran-
ty coverage. For details, read the sepa-
rate Service Passport provided with the
vehicle. If you're unsure about any serv-
icing or maintenance procedure, have it
done by an authorised HYUNDAI deal-
er.

Maintenance
6
7
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICE
At least once a year:
Clean body and door drain holes.
Lubricate door hinges and checks, and
bonnet hinges.
Lubricate door and bonnet locks and latches.
Lubricate door rubber weatherstrips.
Check the air conditioning system.
Check the power steering fluid level.
Inspect and lubricate automatic transaxle linkage and controls.
Clean battery and terminals.
Check the brake (and clutch) fluid level. Follow Normal Maintenance Schedule if
the vehicle is usually operated where
none of the following conditions apply. If
any of the following conditions apply, fol-
low Maintenance Under Severe Usage
Conditions.
Repeated short distance driving.
Driving in dusty conditions or sandy
areas.
Extensive use of brakes.
Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used.
Driving on rough or muddy roads.
Driving in mountainous areas.
Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
Driving for a prolonged period in cold temperatures and/or extremely humid
climates.
More than 50% driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 32°C(90°F).
If your vehicle is operated under the
above conditions, you should inspect, replace or refill more frequently than thefollowing Normal Maintenance Schedule.
After 96 months or 120,000 km (80,000miles) continue to follow the prescribedmaintenance intervals.

Maintenance
10
7
NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
R : Replace or change.* 8
: Manual transaxle fluid should be changed anytime they have been submerged in water.
Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first
Months1224364860728496
Km×1,000153045607590105120
Steering gear rack, linkage and bootsIIIIIIII
Driveshaft and bootsIIII
Tyre (pressure & tread wear) IIIIIIII
Front suspension ball jointsIIIIIIII
Bolt and nuts on chassis and bodyIIIIIIII
Air conditioner refrigerant (if equipped)IIIIIIII
Air conditioner compressor (if equipped)IIIIIIII
Climate control air filter (if equipped)RRRRRRRR
Manual transaxle fluid (if equipped) * 8II
Automatic transaxle fluid(if equipped) No check, No service required
Exhaust systemIIII
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE ITEM

711
Maintenance
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars mainly used under severe driving conditions.
Refer to the chart below for the appropriate maintenance intervals.
R : Replace I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace
Maintenance itemMaintenance operationMaintenance intervalsDriving condition
Engine oil and engine oil filterREvery 7,500 km or 6 months A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K
Air cleaner filterRReplace more frequently
depending on the conditionC, E
Spark plugs RReplace more frequently
depending on the conditionB, H
Steering gear rack, linkage and bootsIInspect more frequently
depending on the conditionC, D, E, F, G
Front suspension ball jointsIInspect more frequently
depending on the conditionC, D, E, F, G
Disc brakes and pads, calipers and rotorsIInspect more frequently
depending on the conditionC, D, E, G, H
Parking brakeIInspect more frequently
depending on the conditionC, D, G, H

731
Maintenance
For best battery service
Keep the battery securely mounted.
Keep the battery top clean and dry.
Keep the terminals and connectionsclean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or terminal grease.
Rinse any spilled electrolyte from the battery immediately with a solution of
water and baking soda.
If the vehicle is not going to be used for an extended time, disconnect the bat-
tery cables.
BATTERY
OYF079017
WARNING
- Battery
dangers
Always read the following
instructions carefully when
handling a battery.
Keep lit cigarettes and all other flames or sparks
away from the battery.
Hydrogen, a highly com- bustible gas, is always
present in battery cells and
may explode if ignited.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children because
batteries contain highly
corrosive SULFURIC ACID.
Do not allow battery acid to
contact your skin, eyes,
clothing or paint finish.
(Continued)(Continued)If any electrolyte gets intoyour eyes, flush your eyes
with clean water for at least
15 minutes and get immedi-ate medical attention.
If electrolyte gets on your
skin, thoroughly wash the
contacted area. If you feel a
pain or a burning sensa-
tion, get medical attention
immediately.
Wear eye protection whencharging or working near a
battery. Always provide
ventilation when working in
an enclosed space.
An inappropriately disposed
battery can be harmful to
the environment and human
health. Dispose the battery
according to your local
law(s) or regulation.
(Continued)
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