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10-52
Maintenance
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.
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 driven less than 1.6 km (one mile).
Recommended pressures must be
maintained for the best ride, top vehicle
handling, and minimum tire wear.
For recommended inflation pressure,
refer to “Tire and wheels” in chapter 2.
OAI3019023OAI3019023
All specifications (sizes and pressures)
can be found on a label attached to the
driver’s side center pillar.
WARNING
Tire underinflation
Severe underinflation (70 kPa (10 psi) or
more) can lead to severe heat build-up,
causing blowouts, tread separation and
other tire failures that can result in the
loss of vehicle control leading to severe
injury or death. This risk is much higher
on hot days and when driving for long
periods at high speeds.
NOTICE
• Underinflation also results in
excessive wear, poor handling
and reduced fuel economy. Wheel
deformation also is possible. Keep
your tire pressures at the proper
levels. If a tire frequently needs
refilling, we recommend that the
system be checked by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
• Overinflation produces a harsh ride,
excessive wear at the center of the
tire tread, and a greater possibility of
damage from road hazards.
NOTICE
• Warm tires normally exceed
recommended cold tire pressures
by 28 to 41 kPa (4 to 6 psi). Do not
release air from warm tires to adjust
the pressure or the tires will be
underinflated.
• Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps. 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.
TIRES AND WHEELS
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10-53
10
WARNING
Tire Inflation
Overinflation or underinflation can
reduce tire life, adversely affect
vehicle handling, and lead to sudden
tire failure. This could result in loss of
vehicle control and potential injury.
NOTICE
Tire pressure
Always observe the following:
• Check tire pressure when the tires
are cold. (After vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or
hasn’t been driven more than 1.6 km
(one mile) since startup.)
• Check the pressure of your spare tire
each time you check the pressure of
other tires.
• Never overload your vehicle. Be
careful not to overload a vehicle
luggage rack if your vehicle is
equipped with one.
• Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace
them.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Check your tires once a month or more.
Also, check the tire pressure of the spare
tire.
How to check
Use a good quality gage 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 even when they’re
underinflated.
Check the tire’s inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. - “Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than 1.6 km (1
mile).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve
stem. Press the tire gage firmly onto the
valve to get a pressure measurement. If
the cold tire inflation pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the tire
and loading information label, no further
adjustment is necessary. If the pressure
is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
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 gage. Be
sure to put the valve caps back on the
valve stems. They help prevent leaks by
keeping out dirt and moisture.
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10-54
Maintenance
WARNING
• Inspect your tires frequently for
proper inflation as well as wear and
damage. Always use a tire pressure
gauge.
• Tires with too much or too little
pressure wear unevenly causing poor
handling, loss of vehicle control,
and sudden tire failure leading to
accidents, injuries, and even death.
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.
• Worn tires can cause accidents.
Replace tires that are worn, show
uneven wear, or are damaged.
• Remember to check the pressure
of your spare tire. HYUNDAI
recommends that you check the
spare every time you check the
pressure of the other tires on your
vehicle.
Tire rotation
To equalize tread wear, it is
recommended that the tires be rotated
every 10,000 km (6,200 miles) 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 tire.
Replace the tire if you find either 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.
Refer to “Tire and wheels” in chapter 2.
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10-60
Maintenance
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 chapter
width.
For example:
TREAD wear 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating 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 side-
walls of passenger vehicle tires. The
tires available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary
with respect to grade.