
Maintenance
9-22
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 size, type, 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 electric energy economy, you
must always maintain recommended
tire inflation pressures and stay within
the load limits and weight distribution
recommended for your vehicle.
OJK010021
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 driven less than one mile (1.6 km).
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 under-inflated. For
recommended inflation pressure, refer to
“Tire and Wheels” section in chapter 2.
tires and wheels

09
9-23
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
electric energy 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 and loading information label, 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
9-24
Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, HYUNDAI
recommends that the tires be rotated
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) 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 wheel lug nut tightness
(proper torque is 11~13kgf·m (79~94
lbf·ft).
OHI078078
Disc brake pads should be inspected for
wear whenever tires are rotated.
Information
The outside and inside of the
unsymmetrical tire is distinguishable.
When installing an unsymmetrical tire, be
sure to install the side marked “outside” face the outside. If the side marked “inside” is installed on the outside, it will have a negative effect on vehicle performance.
WARNING
• Do not use the compact spare tire for
tire rotation.
• 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.

Maintenance
9-28
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 section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 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
sidewalls of passenger vehicle tires. The
tires available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary with
respect to grade.
Traction - AA, A, B & C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.

09
9-29
Temperature - A, B & C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B and C representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, over-inflation,
or excessive loading, either separately
or in combination, can cause heat build-
up and possible sudden tire failure.
This may cause loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on the tire. Air
pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory weight
This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories
are automatic transmission, power
seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect ratio
The relationship of a tire’s height to its width. Belt
A rubber coated layer of cords that
is located between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from steel
or other reinforcing materials. Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires
wrapped by steel cords that hold the
tire onto the rim.

Maintenance
9-30
Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Cold tire pressure
The amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire
has built up heat from driving.
Curb weight
This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional
equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT markings
A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor
vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production
plant, brand and date of production.
GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
Front Axle.
GAWR RR
Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
Rear axle.
Intended outboard sidewall
The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT) tire
A tire designated by its manufacturer
as primarily intended for use on
lightweight trucks or multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
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.

09
9-31
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.
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.

Maintenance
9-32
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.