2021 HYUNDAI SANTA FE check transmission fluid

06
6-87
Driving the vehicle after it has been
parked on a hill
1. With the gear in P (Park), apply your
brakes and hold the brake pedal down
while you:
• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.
2.
Slowly r

emove your foot from the
brake pedal.
3.
Drive slo

wly until the trailer is clear of
the chocks.
4.
St

op and have someone pick up and
store the chocks.
Maintenance when towing a
trailer
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you regularly pull a trailer.
Important items to pay particular
attention to include engine oil,
transmission fluid, axle lubricant and
cooling system fluid. Brake condition
is another important item to frequently
check. If you’re trailering, it’s a good
idea to review these items before
you start your trip. Don’t forget to
also maintain your trailer and hitch.
Follow the maintenance schedule that
accompanied your trailer and check it
periodically. Preferably, conduct the
check at the start of each day’s driving.
Most importantly, all hitch nuts and bolts
should be tight.
NOTICE
To prevent vehicle damage:
• Due to higher load during trailer
usage, overheating might occur on
hot days or during uphill driving.
If the coolant gauge indicates
over-heating, switch off the air
conditioner and stop the vehicle in a
safe area to cool down the engine.
• Do not switch off the engine while
the coolant gauge indicates over-
heating.
(Keep the engine idle to cool down
the engine)
• When towing check transmission
fluid more frequently.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with
an air conditioner, you should install
a condenser fan to improve engine
performance when towing a trailer.

Maintenance
9-6
Owner maintenance schedule
When you stop for fuel:
• Check the engine oil level.
• Check the coolant level in the engine
coolant reservoir or the water-cooled
intercooler coolant reservoir.
• Check the windshield washer fluid
level.
• Check for low or under-inflated tires.
WARNING
Be careful when checking your coolant
level when the engine is hot. This may
result in coolant being blown out of the
opening and cause serious burns and
other injuries.
While operating your vehicle:
• Note any changes in the sound of the
exhaust or any smell of exhaust fumes
in the vehicle.
• Check for vibrations in the steering
wheel. Notice if there is any increased
steering effort or looseness in the
steering wheel, or change in its
straight-ahead position.
• Notice if your vehicle constantly turns
slightly or “pulls” to one side when
traveling on smooth, level road.
• When stopping, listen and check for
unusual sounds, pulling to one side,
increased brake pedal travel or “hard-
to-push” brake pedal.
• If any slipping or changes in the
operation of your transmission occurs,
check the transmission fluid level.
• Check the automatic transmission P
(Park) function.
• Check the parking brake.
• Check for fluid leaks under your
vehicle (water dripping from the air
conditioning system during or after
use is normal).
At least monthly:
• Check coolant level in the engine
coolant reservoir.
• Check the operation of all exterior
lights, including the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flashers.
• Check the inflation pressures of all
tires including the spare for tires that
are worn, show uneven wear, or are
damaged.
• Check for loose wheel lug nuts.
At least twice a year: (i.e., every
Spring and Autumn)
• Check radiator, heater and air
conditioning hoses for leaks or
damage.
• Check windshield washer spray and
wiper operation. Clean wiper blades
with a clean cloth dampened with
washer fluid.
• Check headlamp alignment.
• Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields
and clamps.
• Check the seat belts for wear and
function.
At least once a year:
• Clean body and door drain holes.
• Lubricate door hinges and hood
hinges.
• Lubricate door and hood locks and
latches.
• Lubricate door rubber weather strips.
• Check the air conditioning system.
• Inspect and lubricate automatic
transmission linkage and controls.
• Clean the battery and terminals.
• Check the brake fluid level.

09
9-11
Normal maintenance schedule
MAINTENANCE INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE
ITEM Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156
Miles×1,000 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104
Km×1,000 13 26 39 52 65 78 91 104 117 130 143 156 169
Cooling system Inspect coolant level for leak every day
At first, inspect 40,000 miles (60,000 km) or 48 months.
After that, inspect every 20,000 miles (30,000 km) or 24 months
Engine coolant TGDI
At first, replace at 80,000 miles (130,000 km) or 10 years.
After that, replace every 24,000 miles (39,000 km) or 24 months
EXCEPT TGDI At first, replace at 120,000 miles (200,000 km) or 120 months.
After that, replace every 30,000 miles (50,000 km) or 24 months
Battery condition I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Brake lines, hoses and connections I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Brake pedal IIIIII
Parking brake (if equipped) IIIIII
Brake fluid TGDI
Inspect every 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 12 months,
Replace every 48,000 miles (80,000 km) or 48 months
EXCEPT TGDI Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months,
Replace every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 monthsI : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
R : Replace or change.Normal maintenance schedule
MAINTENANCE
INTERVALS
MAINTENANCE
ITEM Number of months or driving distance, whichever comes first
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156
Miles×1,000 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104
Km×1,000 13 26 39 52 65 78 91 104 117 130 143 156 169
Disc brakes and pads I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Steering gear rack, linkage and
boots TGDI
I I I I I I I I I I I I I
EXCEPT TGDI III
Driveshaft and boots IIII I I I I I
Tire (pressure & tread wear) I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Suspension mounting bolts I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Air conditioner refrigerant I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Air conditioner compressor I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Climate control air filter I R I R I R I R I R I R I
Automatic transmission fluid No check, No service required
Dual clutch transmission fluid Inspect every 40,000 mile(60,000 km) or 48 months
Exhaust pipe and muffler I I I I I I I I I I I I I
Front (AWD) / rear differential oil *
1
I IIIII
Transfer case oil (AWD) No check, No service required
Propeller shaft I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
R : Replace or change.*1 : Front/rear differential oil should be changed anytime, front/rear differential have been submerged in water.

09
9-13
Maintenance itemMaintenance
operation Maintenance
intervals Driving
condition
Parking brake (if equipped) IInspect more
frequently depending on the condition C, D, G, H
Drive shafts and boots T-GDI
IEvery 3,000 miles or
6 months C, D, E, F,
G, H, I
EXCEPT
T-GDI IEvery 3,750 miles or
6 months
Climate control air filter
(for evaporator and blower unit) RReplace more
frequently depending on the condition C, E
Automatic transmission fluid RReplace every 60,000
miles (96,000 km) A, C, E, F, G,
H, I, K
Dual clutch transmission fluid RReplace every 62,000
miles (100,000 km) A, C, D, E, F,
G, H, I, J
Front differential oil (AWD) / Rear
differential oil RReplace every 72,000
miles (120,000 km) C, D, E, G,
H, I, J
Transfer case oil (AWD) -No check,
No service required -
Propeller shaft IInspect more
frequently depending on the condition C, D, E, F,
G, H, I, J
Severe driving conditions
A. Repeatedly driving short distance of less than 5 miles (8 km) in normal temperature
or less than 10 miles (16 km ) in freezing temperature
B.
Extensiv

e engine idling or low speed driving for long distances
C.
Driving on rough, dus

ty, muddy, unpaved, graveled or saltspread roads
D.
Driving in areas using salt or o

ther corrosive materials or in very cold weather
E.
Driving in the condition of in

flowing sand or dust into engine
F.
Driving in heavy tr

affic area
G.
Driving on uphill, downhill, or moun

tain roads
H.
To

wing a trailer (if equipped)
I.
Driving for pa

trol car, taxi, commercial car or vehicle towing
J.
Driving ov

er 106 mph (170 km/h)
K.
Fr

equently driving in stop-and-go conditions
L.
Engine oil usage which is no

t recommended (mineral, semi-synthetic, lower grade
spec, etc.)

09
9-15
Air cleaner filter
We recommend that the air cleaner filter
be replaced by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.
Spark plugs
Make sure to install new spark plugs of
the correct heat range.
Cooling system
Check cooling system components, such
as radiator, coolant reservoir, hoses and
connections for leakage and damage.
Replace any damaged parts.
Engine coolant
The coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.
Engine coolant/water-cooled
intercooler coolant
The coolant should be changed at the
intervals specified in the maintenance
schedule.
Automatic transmission fluid
Automatic transmission fluid should
not be checked under normal usage
conditions.
We recommend that the automatic
transmission fluid be changed by an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer according to
the maintenance schedule.
Information
Automatic transmission fluid color is red
when new.
As the vehicle is driven, the automatic
transmission fluid will begin to look
darker.
This is a normal condition. It does not
need to be replaced based on the color
change.
NOTICE
The use of a non-specified fluid could
result in transmission malfunction and
failure.
Use only specified automatic
transmission fluid. (Refer to
“Recommended Lubricants and
Capacities” section in chapter 2.)
Dual clutch transmission fluid (if
equipped)
Inspect the dual clutch transmission fluid
according to the maintenance schedule.
Brake hoses and lines
Visually check for proper installation,
chafing, cracks, deterioration and any
leakage. Replace any deteriorated or
damaged parts immediately.
Brake fluid
Check the brake fluid level in the brake
fluid reservoir. The level should be
between the MIN and the MAX marks
on the side of the reservoir. Use only
hydraulic brake fluid conforming to DOT
4 specification.
Parking brake
Inspect the parking brake system
including the parking brake lever and
cables.