2020 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

Maintenance8-34
WARNING
Tire failure may cause loss of vehicle
control resulting in an accident. To
reduce risk of SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH, take the following precautions:
• Inspect your tires monthly for proper
inflation as well as wear and damage.
• 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 center pillar.
Always use a tire pressure gauge to
measure tire pressure. Tires with
too much or too little pressure wear
unevenly causing poor handling.
• Check the pressure of the spare
every time you check the pressure of
the other tires on your vehicle.
• Replace tires that are worn, show
uneven wear, or are damaged.
Worn tires can cause loss of braking
effectiveness, steering control, or
traction.
• ALWAYS replace tires with the same
type, size, brand, construction and
tread pattern as each tire that was
originally supplied with this vehicle.
Using tires and wheels other than
the recommended sizes could cause
unusual handling characteristics,
poor vehicle control, or negatively
affect your vehicle’s Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) resulting in a serious
accident.
Tire Care
For proper maintenance, safety, and
maximum fuel economy, you must
always maintain recommended tire
inflation pressures and stay within the
load limits and weight distribution
recommended for your vehicle.
ODN8H019025LODN8H019025L
All specifications (sizes and pressures)
can be found on a label attached to the
driver’s side center pillar.
Recommended Cold Tire
Inflation Pressures
All tire pressures (including the spare)
should be checked when the tires are
cold. “Cold tires” means the vehicle has
not been driven for at least three hours
or has been driven for less than one mile
(1.6 km).
Warm tires normally exceed
recommended cold tire pressures by 4
to 6 psi (28 to 41 kPa). Do not release air
from warm tires to adjust the pressure
or the tires will be under-inflated. For
recommended inflation pressure, refer to
“Tire and Wheels” in chapter 2.
TIRES AND WHEELS

08
8-35
WARNING
Recommended pressures must be
maintained for the best ride, vehicle
handling, and minimum tire wear.
Over-inflation or under-inflation can
reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle
handling, and lead to sudden tire failure
that could result in loss of vehicle
control resulting in an accident.
Severe under-inflation can lead to
severe heat build-up, causing blowouts,
tread separation and other tire failures
that can result in the loss of vehicle
control resulting in an accident. This
risk is much higher on hot days and
when driving for long periods at high
speeds.
CAUTION
• Under-inflation results in excessive
wear, poor handling and reduced
fuel economy. Wheel deformation
is also possible. Keep your tire
pressures at the proper levels. If a
tire frequently needs refilling, have it
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.
• Over-inflation produces a harsh ride,
excessive wear at the center of the
tire tread, and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
Check Tire Inflation Pressure
Check your tires, including the spare tire,
once a month or more.
How to check
Use a good quality tire pressure gauge
to check tire pressure. You can not tell
if your tires are properly inflated simply
by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated when they are under-
inflated.
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve
stem. Press the tire gauge firmly onto the
valve to get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended pressure
on the tire label located on the driver’s
side center pillar or in this manual. No
further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended pressure. Make sure
to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. Without the valve cap, dirt or
moisture could get into the valve core
and cause air leakage. If a valve cap is
missing, install a new one as soon as
possible.
If you overfill the tire, release air by
pushing on the metal stem in the
center of the tire valve. Recheck the tire
pressure with the tire gauge. Be sure
to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. Without the valve cap, dirt or
moisture could get into the valve core
and cause air leakage. If a valve cap is
missing, install a new one as soon as
possible.
A cold tire means the vehicle has been
sitting for 3 hours and driven for less
than 1 mile (1.6 km) in that 3 hour period.
Allow the tire to cool before measuring
the inflation pressure. Always be sure
the tire is cold before inflating to the
recommended pressure.

Maintenance8-36
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, HYUNDAI
recommends that the tires be rotated
according to the maintenance schedule
or sooner if irregular wear develops.
During rotation, check the tires for
correct balance.
When rotating tires, check for uneven
wear and damage. Abnormal wear is
usually caused by incorrect tire pressure,
improper wheel alignment, out-of-
balance wheels, severe braking or severe
cornering. Look for bumps or bulges in
the tread or side of the tire. Replace the
tire if you find any of these conditions.
Replace the tire if fabric or cord is visible.
After rotation, be sure to bring the front
and rear tire pressures to specification
and check lug nut tightness (proper
torque is 79~94 lbf·ft [11~13 kgf·m]).
Without a spare tireWithout a spare tire
ODH073802ODH073802
Disc brake pads should be inspected for
wear whenever tires are rotated.
Information
Tires that are asymmetrical or directional
can only be installed on the wheel in
one direction. The outside and inside
of an asymmetrical tire is not easily
distinguishable. Pay careful attention to
the markings on the sidewalls of the tires,
noting the “outside” marking and also the
rotating direction before installing them
on the vehicle.
WARNING
• Do not use the compact spare tire for
tire rotation.
• Do not mix bias ply and radial ply
tires under any circumstances.
This may cause unusual handling
characteristics that may cause loss
of vehicle control resulting in an
accident.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to
give you the longest tire life and best
overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
NOTICE
Improper wheel weights can damage
your vehicle’s aluminum wheels. Use
only approved wheel weights.

08
8-37
Tire Replacement
Tread wear indicatorTread wear indicator
OLMB073027OLMB073027
If the tire is worn evenly, a tread wear
indicator will appear as a solid band
across the tread. This shows there is
less than 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left
on the tire. Replace the tire when this
happens.
Do not wait for the tread surface to
become level with the tread wear
indicators before replacing the tire.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY:
• Replace tires that are worn, show
uneven wear, or are damaged.
Worn tires can cause loss of braking
effectiveness, steering control, and
traction.
• Always replace tires with the same
size as each tire that was originally
supplied with this vehicle. Using
tires and wheels other than the
recommended sizes could cause
unusual handling characteristics,
poor vehicle control, or negatively
affect your vehicle’s Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) resulting in a serious
accident.
• Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used. Regardless
of the remaining tread, HYUNDAI
recommends that tires be replaced
after six (6) years of normal service.
• When replacing tires, it is
recommended to replace the two
front or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If
only replacing one pair of tires, it is
recommended to install the pair of
new tires on the rear axle.
• Heat caused by hot climates or
frequent high loading conditions can
accelerate the aging process. Failure
to follow this warning may cause
sudden tire failure, which could lead
to a loss of vehicle control resulting
in an accident.

Maintenance8-38
Compact spare tire replacement
A compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular size tire.
Replace it when you can see the tread
wear indicator bars on the tire. The
replacement compact spare tire should
be the same size and design tire as the
one provided with your new vehicle
and should be mounted on the same
compact spare tire wheel. The compact
spare tire is not designed to be mounted
on a regular size wheel, and the compact
spare tire wheel is not designed for
mounting a regular size tire.
WARNING
The original tire 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
compact spare tire is for emergency
use only. Do not operate your vehicle
over 50 mph (80 km/h) when using the
compact spare tire.
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.
Tire Traction
Tire traction can be reduced if you drive
on worn tires, tires that are improperly
inflated or on slippery road surfaces.
Tires should be replaced when the tread
depth is at least 2/32 inch (1.6 mm). To
reduce the possibility of losing control,
slow down whenever there is rain, snow
or ice on the road.
Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease tire
wear. If you find a tire is worn unevenly,
have your dealer check the wheel
alignment.
When you have new tires installed,
make sure they are balanced. This will
increase vehicle ride comfort and tire
life. Additionally, a tire should always
be rebalanced if it is removed from the
wheel.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
This information identifies and describes
the fundamental 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.

08
8-39
OLMB073028OLMB073028
1. Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
2. Tire size designation
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replacement
tires for your car. The following explains
what the letters and numbers in the tire
size designation mean.
Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as an
example only; your tire size designator
could vary depending on your vehicle.)
205/65R16 95H
205 - Tire width in millimeters.
65 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s section height as a percentage of its width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
16 - Rim diameter in inches.
95 - Load Index, a numerical code associated with the maximum load
the tire can carry.
H - Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section for
additional information. Wheel size designation
Wheels are also marked with important
inf

ormation that you need if you ever
have to replace one. The following
explains what the letters and numbers in
the wheel size designation mean.
Example wheel size designation:
6.5J X 16
6.5 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
16 - Rim diameter in inches.
Tire speed ratings
The chart below lists many of the
diff
erent speed ratings currently being
used for passenger vehicle tires. The
speed rating is part of the tire size
designation on the sidewall of the tire.
This symbol corresponds to that tire’s
designed maximum safe operating
speed.
Speed Rating
Symbol Maximum Speed
S 112 mph (180 km/h)
T
118 mph (190 km/h)
H 130 mph (210 km/h)
V 149 mph (240 km/h)
W 168 mph (270 km/h) Y 186 mph (300 km/h)

Maintenance8-40
3. Checking tire life (TIN : Tire Identification Number)
Any tires that are over six years old,
based on the manufacturing date,
(including the spare tire) should be
replaced by new tires. You can find the
manufacturing date on the tire sidewall
(possibly on the inside of the wheel),
displaying the DOT Code. The DOT Code
is a series of numbers on a tire consisting
of numbers and English letters. The
manufacturing date is designated by the
last four digits (characters) of the DOT
code.
DOT : XXXX XXXX OOOO
The front part of the DOT shows a plant
code number, tire size and tread pattern
and the last four numbers indicate week
and year manufactured.
For example:
DOT XXXX XXXX 1419 represents that the
tire was produced in the 14th week of
2019.
4. Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the
letter “D” means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter “B” means
belted-bias ply construction.
5. Maximum permissible inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should be put in
the tire. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible inflation pressure. Refer to
the Tire 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 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
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width.
For example:
TREAD WEAR 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A

08
8-41
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative
r
ating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one-and-a-half times (1½) as well
on the government course as a tire
graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
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 tires. The
tires available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary with
respect to grade.
Traction AA, A, B & C
The traction grades, from highest to
lo
west, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B & C
The temperature grades are A (the
highes
t), B and C representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. Grade C responds to a level
of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by
law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, over-inflation,
or excessive loading, either separately
or in combination, can cause heat build-
up and possible sudden tire failure.
This may cause loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident.