Driving Your Vehicle
6-42
For safe AWD operation
Before driving
• Make sure all passengers are wearing
seat belts.
• Sit upright and closer to the steering
wheel than usual. Adjust the steering
wheel to a position comfortable for
you to drive.
Driving on snow-covered or icy roads
• Start off slowly by applying the
accelerator pedal gently.
• Use snow tires or tire chains.
• Keep sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Apply engine braking during
deceleration by using the paddle
shifter (manual shift mode) and
manually selecting a lower gear.
• Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and sharp
turns to prevent skids.
Information
When using Snow Tires, mount them on
all four wheels.
When using tire chains, install them on the
rear tires. However, driving speed must
be below 20 mph (30 km/h) and minimize
the driving distance. High-speed or long-
term driving with tire chains installed may
malfunction or damage the AWD system.
For more details on Snow Tires and Tire
Chains, refer to "Winter Driving" section
later in this chapter.
Driving in sand or mud
• Maintain slow and constant speed.
• Use tire chains driving in mud if
necessary.
• Keep sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Reduce vehicle speed and always
check the road condition.
• Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and sharp
turns to prevent getting stuck.
NOTICE
When the vehicle is stuck in snow, sand
or mud, place a nonslip material under
the drive wheels to provide traction
OR slowly spin the wheels in forward
and reverse directions which causes
a rocking motion that may free the
vehicle.
However, avoid running the engine
continuously at high RPM, doing so may
damage the AWD system.
Driving up or down hills
• Driving uphill
- Before starting off, check if it is
possible to drive uphill.
-Drive as straight as possible.
• Driving downhill
-Do not change gear while driving
downhill. Select gear before driving
downhill.
-Drive slowly using engine braking
while driving downhill.
-Drive straight as possible.
WARNING
Exercise extreme caution driving up or
down steep hills. The vehicle may roll
over depending on the grade, terrain,
water and mud conditions.
Driving Your Vehicle
6-60
The severe weather conditions of winter quickly wear out tires and cause other
problems. To minimize winter driving problems, you should take the following
suggestions:
Snow or Icy Conditions
You need to keep sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you.
Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and
sharp turns are potentially very hazardous practices. During deceleration, use engine
braking to the fullest extent. Sudden brake applications on snowy or icy roads may
cause the vehicle to skid.
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install
tire chains on your tires.
Always carry emergency equipment. Some of the items you may want to carry include
tire chains, tow straps or chains, a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a shovel, jumper
cables, a window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.
Snow tires
WARNING
Snow tires should be equivalent in size and type to the vehicle’s standard tires.
Otherwise, the safety and handling of your vehicle may be adversely affected.
We recommend that you use snow tires when road temperature is below 45°F (7°C).
Refer to the below chart, and mount the recommended snow tire for your vehicle.
Standard tireRecommended snow tire
Tire size Wheel size Tire sizeWheel size
265/55R19 8.5J X 19265/55R19
8.5J X 19
265/50R20 8.5J X 20
265/40R22 9.5J X 22
265/50R20 8.5J X 20265/50R20
8.5J X 20
265/40R22 9.5J X 22
265/40R22 9.5J X 22265/50R20
8.5J X 20
265/40R22 9.5J X 22
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, make sure to use the same Inflation pressure
as the original tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your vehicle’s
handling in all weather conditions. The traction provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your vehicle’s original equipment tires. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommendations.
WINTER DRIVING
Driving Your Vehicle
6-62
Chain Installation
When installing tire chains, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions and mount
them as tightly possible. Drive slowly
(less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) with
chains installed. If you hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop and
tighten them. If they still make contact,
slow down until the noise stops. Remove
the tire chains as soon as you begin
driving on cleared roads.
When mounting snow chains, park the
vehicle on level ground away from traffic.
Turn on the vehicle Hazard Warning
Flasher and place a triangular emergency
warning device behind the vehicle (if
available). Always place the vehicle in P
(Park), apply the parking brake and turn
off the engine before installing snow
chains.
NOTICE
When using tire chains:
• Wrong size chains or improperly
installed chains can damage your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension,
body and wheels.
• Use SAE “S” class or wire chains.
• If you hear noise caused by chains
contacting the body, retighten the
chain to prevent contact with the
vehicle body.
• To prevent body damage, retighten
the chains after driving 0.3~0.6 miles
(0.5~1.0 km).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles
equipped with aluminum wheels. If
unavoidable, use a wire type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 0.47 in. (12 mm) thick to prevent damage to the chain’s connection.
Winter Precautions
Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high
quality ethylene glycol coolant in the
cooling system. It is the only type of
coolant that should be used because it
helps prevent corrosion in the cooling
system, lubricates the water pump and
prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or
replenish your coolant in accordance
with the maintenance schedule in
chapter 9. Before winter, have your
coolant tested to assure that its freezing
point is sufficient for the temperatures
anticipated during the winter.
Check battery and cables
Winter temperatures affect battery
performance. Inspect the battery and
cables, as specified in chapter 9. The
battery charging level can be checked by
an authorized retailer of Genesis Branded
products or in a service station.
Change to “winter weight” oil if
necessary
In some regions during winter, it is
recommended to use the “winter
weight” oil with lower viscosity. In
addition, replace the engine oil and filter
if it is close to the next maintenance
interval. Fresh engine oil ensures
optimum engine operation during the
winter months. For further information,
refer to chapter 2. When you are not sure
about a type of winter weight oil, consult
an authorized retailer of Genesis Branded
products.
06
6-63
Check spark plugs and ignition system
Inspect the spark plugs, as specified in
chapter 8. If necessary, replace them.
Also check all ignition wirings and
components for any cracks, wear-out,
and damage.
To prevent locks from freezing
To prevent the locks from being frozen,
spray approved de-icing fluid or glycerin
into key holes. When a lock opening is
already covered with ice, spray approved
de-icing fluid over the ice to remove it.
When an internal part of a lock freezes,
try to thaw it with a heated key. Carefully
use the heated key to avoid an injury.
Use approved window washer anti-
freeze solution in system
To prevent the window washer from
being frozen, add authorized window
washer anti-freeze solution, as specified
on the window washer container.
Window washer anti-freeze solution is
available from an authorized retailer of
Genesis Branded products, and most
vehicle accessory outlets. Do not use
engine coolant or other types of anti-
freeze solution, to prevent any damage
to the vehicle paint.Do not let your parking brake freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged position.
This is most likely to happen when there
is an accumulation of snow or ice around
or near the rear brakes or if the brakes
are wet. When there is the risk that your
parking brake may freeze, temporarily
apply it with the gear in P (Park). Also,
block the rear wheels in advance, so the
vehicle may not roll. Then, release the
parking brake.
Do not let ice and snow accumulate
underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice
can build up under the fenders and
interfere with the steering. When driving
in such conditions during the severe
winter, you should check underneath
the vehicle on a regular basis, to ensure
that the front wheels and the steering
components is unblocked.
Carry emergency equipment
In accordance with weather conditions,
you should carry appropriate emergency
equipment, while driving. Some of the
items you may want to carry include tire
chains, tow straps or chains, flashlight,
emergency flares, sand, shovel, jumper
cables, window scraper, gloves, ground
cloth, coveralls, blanket, etc.
Do not place objects or materials in the
engine compartment
Putting objects or materials in the engine
compartment may cause an engine
failure or combustion, because they may
block the engine cooling. Such damage
will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
Emergency Situations
8-10
Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light
Low Tire Pressure Position and
Tire Pressure Telltale
OJX1089031LOJX1089031L
When the tire pressure monitoring
system warning indicators are
illuminated and a warning message
displayed on the cluster LCD display,
one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. The Low Tire Pressure
Position Telltale will indicate which
tire is significantly underinflated by
illuminating the corresponding position
light.
If either telltale illuminates, immediately
reduce your speed, avoid hard cornering
and anticipate increased stopping
distances. You should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible. Inflate the
tires to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s placard or tire inflation
pressure label located on the driver’s
side center pillar outer panel. If you cannot reach a service station or
if the tire cannot hold the newly added
air, replace the low pressure tire with the
spare tire.
The Low Tire Pressure LCD position
indicator will remain on and the TPMS
Malfunction Indicator may blink for one
minute and then remain illuminated until
you have the low pressure tire repaired
and replaced on the vehicle.
CAUTION
In winter or cold weather, the Low Tire
Pressure Telltale may be illuminated if
the tire pressure was adjusted to the
recommended tire inflation pressure
in warm weather. It does not mean
your TPMS is malfunctioning because
the decreased temperature leads to a
proportional lowering of tire pressure.
When you drive your vehicle from a
warm area to a cold area or from a cold
area to a warm area, or the outside
temperature is greatly higher or lower,
you should check the tire inflation
pressure and adjust the tires to the
recommended tire inflation pressure.
WARNING
Low pressure damage
Significantly low tire pressure makes
the vehicle unstable and can contribute
to loss of vehicle control and increased
braking distances.
Continued driving on low pressure tires
can cause the tires to overheat and fail.