2015 Hyundai Santa Fe tow bar

Driving your vehicle
88 5
If you are considering towing with
your vehicle, you should first check
with your country's Department of
Motor Vehicles to determine their
legal requirements.
Since laws vary the requirements for
towing trailers, cars, or other types of
vehicles or apparatus may differ. We
recommend that you ask a
HYUNDAI authorised repairer.
✽NOTICE - For Europe
• The technically permissible maxi-
mum load on the rear axle(s) may
be exceeded by not more than 15
% and the technically permissible
maximum laden mass of the vehi-
cle may be exceeded by not more
than 10 % or 100 kg (220.4 lbs),
whichever value is lower. In this
case, do not exceed 62.1 mph (100
km/h) for vehicle of category M1
or 49.7 mph (80 km/h) for vehicle
of category N1.
(Continued)(Continued)
• When towing a trailer, the addi-
tional load imposed at the trailer
coupling device may cause the
rear tire maximum load ratings to
be exceeded, but not by more than
15%. In such a case, do not exceed
62.1 mph (100 km/h), and the rear
tire pressure should be at least 0.2
bar (20 kPa) above the tire pres-
sure(s) as recommended for nor-
mal use (i.e. without a trailer
attached).
TRAILER TOWING
CAUTION
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in
this section.
WARNING- Towing a
trailer
If you don't use the correct
equipment and/or drive improp-
erly, you can lose control when
you pull a trailer. For example, if
the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well - or
even at all. You and your pas-
sengers could be seriously or
fatally injured. Pull a trailer only
if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
WARNING- Weight
limits
Before towing, make sure the
total trailer weight, GCW (gross
combination weight), GVW
(gross vehicle weight), GAW
(gross axle weight ) and trailer
nose weight are all within the
limits.

589
Driving your vehicle
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To
identify what the vehicle trailering
capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in
“Weight of the trailer” that appears
later in this section.
Remember that trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in han-
dling, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering requires
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
This section contains many time-
tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Please read this
section carefully before you pull a
trailer.Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transaxle, wheel assem-
blies, and tyres are forced to work
harder against the load of the added
weight. The engine is required to
operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads. This addi-
tional burden generates extra heat.
The trailer also considerably adds
wind resistance, increasing the
pulling requirements.
✽NOTICE - Location of trailer
mounting
The mounting hole for towbars are
located on both sides of the under-
body behind the rear tyres.
ODMEDR2020

Driving your vehicle
90 5
Towbars
It's important to have the correct tow-
bar equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the
right towbar. Here are some rules to
follow:
• Do you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer towbar? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later
when you remove the towbar.
If you do not seal them, deadly car-
bon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can get into your vehicle,
as well as dirt and water.
• The bumpers on your vehicle are
not intended for towbars. Do not
attach rental towbars or other
bumper-type towbars to them. Use
only a frame-mounted towbar that
does not attach to the bumper.
• HYUNDAI trailer towbar accessary
is available at a HYUNDAI autho-
rised repairer.
Safety cables
You should always attach cables
between your vehicle and your trail-
er. Cross the safety cables under the
nose of the trailer so that the nose
will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the towbar.
Instructions about safety cables may
be provided by the towbar manufac-
turer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer's recom-
mendation for attaching safety
cables. Always leave just enough
slack so you can turn with your trail-
er. And, never allow safety cables to
drag on the ground.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a brak-
ing system, make sure it conforms to
your country’s regulations and that it
is properly installed and operating
correctly.
If your trailer weight exceeds the
maximum allowed weight without
trailer brakes, then the trailer will also
require its own brakes as well. Be
sure to read and follow the instruc-
tions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be
able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
• Do not tap into or modify your vehi-
cle's brake system.
WARNING- Trailer
brakes
Do not use a trailer with its own
brakes unless you are absolute-
ly certain that you have proper-
ly set up the brake system. This
is not a task for amateurs. Use
an experienced, competent
trailer shop for this work.

591
Driving your vehicle
Driving with a trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you must get
to know your trailer. Acquaint your-
self with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that
the vehicle you are driving is now a
good deal longer and not nearly so
responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer
towbar and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector(s), lights, tyres
and mirror adjustment. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start your vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets
you check your electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lights and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sud-
den turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when you’re towing a trail-
er. And, because of the increased
vehicle length, you’ll need to go
much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before you can return to your
lane. Due to the added load to the
engine when going uphill the vehicle
may also take longer to pass than it
would on flat ground.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, just move your
hand to the left. To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the
right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, kerbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects near the edge of the
road. Avoid jerky or sudden manoeu-
vres. Signal well in advance before
turning or lane changes.

Driving your vehicle
94 5
When you are ready to leave after
parking on a hill
1.With the manual transaxle in
Neutral or automatic transaxle in P
(Park), apply your brakes and hold
the brake pedal down whilst you:
• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.
2.Slowly remove your foot from the
brake pedal.
3.Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
of the chocks.
4.Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance when trailer tow-
ing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you regularly pull a trail-
er. Important items to pay particular
attention to include engine oil, auto-
matic transaxle fluid, axle lubricant
and cooling system fluid. Brake con-
dition is another important item to
frequently check. Each item is cov-
ered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If
you’re trailering, it is a good idea to
review these sections before you
start your trip.
Do not forget to also maintain your
trailer and towbar. Follow the mainte-
nance schedule that accompanied
your trailer and check it periodically.
Preferably, conduct the check at the
start of each day’s driving. Most
importantly, all towbar nuts and bolts
should be tight.
CAUTION
• Due to higher load during
trailer usage, overheating
might occur in hot days or
during uphill driving. If the
coolant gauge indicates over-
heating, switch off the air con-
ditioner and stop the vehicle
in a safe area to cool down the
engine.
• When towing check transaxle
fluid more frequently.
WARNING- Parking
brake
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the parking
brake is not firmly set.
If you have left the engine run-
ning, the vehicle can move sud-
denly. You or others could be
seriously or fatally injured.

595
Driving your vehicle
If you do decide to pull a trail-
er
Here are some important points if
you decide to pull a trailer:
• Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a towbar dealer about
sway control.
• Do not do any towing with your car
during its first 1,200 miles (2,000
km) in order to allow the engine to
properly break in. Failure to heed
this caution may result in serious
engine or transaxle damage.
• When towing a trailer, we recom-
mend that you consult a HYUNDAI
authorised repairer on additional
requirements such as a towing kit,
etc.
• Always drive your vehicle at a mod-
erate speed (less than 60 mph
(100 km/h)).
• On a long uphill grade, do not
exceed 45 mph (70 km/h) or the
posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower.
• The chart contains important con-
siderations that have to do with
weight:
M/T : Manual transaxle
A/T : Automatic transaxleEngine
ItemPetrol Engine (2.4L)Diesel Engine
(2.0L, 2.2L)
M/T A/T M/T A/T
Maximum trailer
weight
kg (Ibs.)
Without brake
System750
(1653)750
(1653)750
(1653)750
(1653)
With brake
System2500
(5512)2000
(4409)2500
(5512)2000
(4409)
Maximum permissible static
vertical load on the coupling
device
kg (Ibs.)100
(220)100
(220)100
(220)100
(220)
Recommended distance from
rear wheel centre to coupling
point
mm (inch)1,130
(44.5)