2021 HYUNDAI SONATA inflation pressure

Maintenance
8-6
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 brake lights, 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 a 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.
• Lubricate door checker.
• Check the air conditioning system.
• Inspect and lubricate automatic
transmission linkage and controls.
• Clean the battery and terminals.
• Check the brake fluid level.

Maintenance
8-34
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.
ODN8H019025L
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.

Maintenance
8-36
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.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 tire
ODH073802
Disc brake pads should be inspected
for wear whenever tires are rotated.

08
8-41
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 1420 represents that
the tire was produced in the 14th
week of 2020.
4.

Tir
e 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.

M
aximum 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.
M
aximum 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.
U

niform 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

Maintenance
8-44
Load ratings
The maximum load that a tire is rated
to carry for a given inflation pressure.
Load Index
An assigned number ranging from 1
to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
The maximum air pressure to which
a cold tire may be inflated. The
maximum air pressure is molded
onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight
The sum of curb weight; accessory
weight; vehicle capacity weight; and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight
The number of occupants a vehicle
is designed to seat multiplied by 150
pounds (68 kg).
Occupant Distribution
Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
An asymmetrical tire has a particular
side that faces outward when
mounted on a vehicle. The outward
facing sidewall bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same moldings on
the inner facing sidewall.Passenger (P-Metric) tire
A tire used on passenger cars
and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Ply
A layer of rubber-coated parallel
cords.
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber,
chemicals, fabric and steel or other
materials, that, when mounted on
an automotive wheel provides the
traction and contains the gas or fluid
that sustains the load.
Pneumatic options weight
The combined weight of installed
regular production options weighing
over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they replace,
not previously considered in
curb weight or accessory weight,
including heavy duty breaks, ride
levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
Recommended Inflation Pressure
Vehicle manufacturer’s
recommended tire inflation pressure
as shown on the tire placard.
Radial Ply Tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Rim
A metal support for a tire and upon
which the tire beads are seated.

08
8-45
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the
tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed
at which a tire can operate.
Traction
The friction between the tire and
the road surface. The amount of grip
provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars”, that show across the
tread of a tire when only 1/16 inch of
tread remains.
UTQGS
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards is a tire information
system that provides consumers
with ratings for a tire’s traction,
temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire
manufacturers using government
testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
The number of designated seating
positions multiplied by 150 lbs. (68
kg) plus the rated cargo and luggage
load.Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire
Load on an individual tire due to curb
and accessory weight plus maximum
occupant and cargo weight.
Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal
occupant weight and dividing by 2.
Vehicle Placard
A label permanently attached
to a vehicle showing the
original equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure.

Maintenance
8-46
All Season Tires
HYUNDAI specifies all season
tires on some models to provide
good performance for use all year
round, including snowy and icy
road conditions. All season tires
are identified by ALL SEASON and/
or M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire
sidewall. Snow tires have better
snow traction than all season tires
and may be more appropriate in
some areas.
Summer Tires
HYUNDAI specifies summer tires on
some models to provide superior
performance on dry roads. Summer
tire performance is substantially
reduced in snow and ice. Summer
tires do not have the tire traction
rating M+S (Mud and Snow) on
the tire side wall. If you plan to
operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, HYUNDAI recommends
the use of snow tires or all season
tires on all four wheels.
Snow Tires
If you equip your car with snow
tires, they should be the same size
and have the same load capacity as
the original tires. Snow tires should
be installed on all four wheels;
otherwise, poor handling may result.
Snow tires should carry 4 psi (28 kPa)
more air pressure than the pressure
recommended for the standard
tires on the tire label on the driver’s
side of the center pillar, or up to the
maximum pressure shown on the tire
sidewall, whichever is less. Do not
drive faster than 75 mph (120 km/h)
when your vehicle is equipped with
snow tires.
Radial-Ply Tires
Radial-ply tires provide improved
tread life, road hazard resistance
and smoother high speed ride. The
radial-ply tires used on this vehicle
are of belted construction, and are
selected to complement the ride
and handling characteristics of your
vehicle.
Radial-ply tires have the same load
carrying capacity, as bias-ply or
bias belted tires of the same size,
and use the same recommended
inflation pressure. Mixing of radial-
ply tires with bias-ply or bias belted
tires is not recommended. Any
combinations of radial-ply and bias-
ply or bias belted tires when used
on the same vehicle will seriously
deteriorate vehicle handling. The
best rule to follow is: Identical pairs
of radial-ply tires should always be
used as a set for the front tires and a
set for the rear tires.
Longer wearing tires can be more
susceptible to irregular tread wear.
It is very important to follow the tire
rotation interval in this chapter to
achieve the tread life potential of
these tires. Cuts and punctures in
radial-ply tires are repairable only in
the tread area, because of sidewall
flexing. Consult your tire dealer for
radial-ply tire repairs.
WARNING
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.