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WARNING
If you carry items inside your
vehicle (for example, suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else),
they are moving as fast as the
vehicle. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, the
items will keep going and can cause
an injury if they strike the driver or a
passenger.
[ Put items in the cargo area of
your vehicle. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
[ Do not stack items, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle above the tops
of the seats.
[ Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
[ When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it.
Driving Your Vehicle
6-68
If you are considering to tow with your
vehicle, you should first your country’s
legal requirements. As laws vary the
requirements for towing trailers, cars, or
other types of vehicles or apparatus may
differ. Ask an authorized HYUNDAI dealer
for further details before towing.
Remember that trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling,
durability, and electric energy economy.
Successful, safe trailering requires
correct equipment, and it has to be used
properly. Damage to your vehicle caused
by improper trailer towing is not covered
by your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
This section contains many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for
your safety and that of your passengers.
Please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
WARNING
Take the following precautions:
[ If you don’t use the correct
equipment and/or drive improperly,
you can lose control of the vehicle
when you are pulling a trailer. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the braking performance may be
reduced. You and your passengers
could be seriously or fatally injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section.
[ Before towing, make sure the
total trailer weight, GCW (Gross
Combination Weight), GVW (Gross
Vehicle Weight), GAW (Gross Axle
Weight) and trailer tongue load are
all within the limits.
If You Decide to Pull a Trailer
Here are some important points if you
decide to pull a trailer:
[ Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a trailer hitch dealer about
sway control.
[ Do not do any towing with your
vehicle during its first 1,200 miles
(2,000 km) in order to allow the
vehicle to properly break in. Failure to
heed this caution may result in serious
motor damage.
[ When towing a trailer, consult an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer for
further information on additional
requirements such as towing kit etc.
[ Always drive your vehicle at a
moderate speed (less than 60 mph
(100 km/h)) or posted towing speed
limit.
[ On a long uphill grade, do not exceed
45 mph (70 km/h) or the posted
towing speed limit, whichever is
lower.
[ Carefully observe the weight and load
limits provided in the following pages.
TRAILER TOWING
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Trailer weight
Tongue Load Total Trailer Weight
OOSH069129L
What is the maximum safe weight of a
trailer? It should never weigh more than
the maximum trailer weight with trailer
brakes. But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your
trailer. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature and
how often your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. The ideal trailer
weight can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Tongue load
Gross Axle Weight Gross Vehicle Weight
OOSH069130L
The tongue load is an important weight
to measure because it affects the
total Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of
your vehicle. The trailer tongue should
weigh a maximum of 10% of the total
loaded trailer weight, within the limits
of the maximum trailer tongue load
permissible.
After you’ve loaded your trailer,
weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to correct them simply by moving some
items around in the trailer.
WARNING
Take the following precautions:
[ Never load a trailer with more weight
in the rear than in the front. The front
should be loaded with approximately
60% of the total trailer load; the rear
should be loaded with approximately
40% of the total trailer load.
[ Never exceed the maximum weight
limits of the trailer or trailer towing
equipment. Improper loading can
result in damage to your vehicle and/
or personal injury. Check weights
and loading at a commercial scale or
highway patrol office equipped with
scales.
Driving Your Vehicle
6-72
Safety chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer.
Instructions about safety chains may
be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains. Always leave just
enough slack so you can turn with your
trailer. And, never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to
your country’s regulations and that
it is properly installed and operating
correctly.
If your trailer weighs more than the
maximum trailer weight without trailer
brakes loaded, then it needs its own
brakes and they must be adequate. Be
sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able
to install, adjust and maintain them
properly. Be sure not to modify your
vehicle’s brake system.
WARNING
Do not use a trailer with its own brakes
unless you are absolutely certain that
you have properly set up the brake
system. This is not a task for amateurs.
Use an experienced, competent trailer
shop for this work.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you must get to
know your trailer. Acquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the
added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector(s), lights, tires and brakes.
During your trip, occasionally check
to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and trailer brakes are still
working.
Information
When the ambient temperature is lower
than 32°F (0°C) and the remaining high
voltage battery is low, the power of the
vehicle with a trailer can be dropped,
causing a trouble in acceleration or drop
of the speed when driving hills.
When driving with a trailer, be sure to
charge the high voltage battery more than
50% if the ambient temperature is lower
than 32°F (0°C).
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Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,
because of the increased vehicle length,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, move your hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide
you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn signals
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
connected, the trailer lights will also flash
to alert other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your
signals when, in fact, they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
You must also check the lights every time
you disconnect and then reconnect the
wires.
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
directly to your vehicle’s lighting
system. Use an approved trailer wiring
harness. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the vehicle electrical
system and/or personal injury. Consult
an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for
assistance.