7-41
7
Maintenance
Compact spare tyre replace-
ment
(if equipped)
A compact spare tyre has a shorter
tread life than a regular size tyre.
Replace it when you can see the
tread wear indicator bars on the tyre.
The replacement compact spare tyre
should be the same size and design
tyre as the one provided with your
new vehicle and should be mounted
on the same compact spare tyre
wheel. The compact spare tyre is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
size wheel, and the compact spare
tyre wheel is not designed for mount-
ing a regular size tyre.
Wheel replacement
When replacing the metal wheels for
any reason, make sure the new
wheels are equivalent to the original
factory units in diameter, rim width
and offset.
Tyre traction
Tyre traction can be reduced if you
drive on worn tyres, tyres that are
improperly inflated or on slippery
road surfaces. Tyres should be
replaced when tread wear indicators
appear. To reduce the possibility of
losing control, slow down whenever
there is rain, snow or ice on the road. (Continued)
When replacing tyres (or
wheels), it is recommended to
replace the two front or two
rear tyres (or wheels) as a
pair. Replacing just one tyre
can seriously affect your vehi-
cle’s handling.
Tyres degrade over time, even
when they are not being used.
Regardless of the remaining
tread, HYUNDAI recommends
that tyres be replaced after six
(6) years of normal service.
Heat caused by hot climates or
frequent high loading condi-
tions can accelerate the aging
process. Failure to follow this
warning may cause sudden
tyre failure, which could lead
to a loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident.
The original tyre should be
repaired or replaced as soon as
possible to avoid failure of the
spare and loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident. The com-
pact spare tyre is for emergency
use only. Do not operate your
vehicle over 80 km/h (50 mph)
when using the compact spare
tyre.
WARNING
7-44
Maintenance
4. Tyre ply composition and
material
The number of layers or plies of rub-
ber-coated fabric in the tyre. Tyre
manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tyre, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
The letter "R" means radial ply con-
struction; the letter "D“ means diago-
nal or bias ply construction; and the
letter "B" means belted-bias ply con-
struction.
5. Maximum permissible infla-
tion pressure
This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should be put in
the tyre. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible inflation pressure. Refer
to the Tyre and Loading Information
label for recommended inflation
pressure.
6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kilograms and pounds that
can be carried by the tyre. When
replacing the tyres on the vehicle,
always use a tyre that has the same
load rating as the factory installed
tyre.
7. Uniform tyre quality grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tyre sidewall
between tread shoulder and maxi-
mum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tyre when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified govern-
ment test course. For example, a tyre
graded 150 would wear one-and-a-
half times (1½) as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tyre graded
100.
The relative performance of tyres
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
These grades are molded on the
sidewalls of passenger vehicle tyres.
The tyres available as standard or
optional equipment on your vehicle
may vary with respect to grade.
