2023 HYUNDAI TUCSON HYBRID Owners Manual

Driving Your Vehicle6-58
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
engine to properly break in. Failure to
heed this caution may result in serious
engine or transmission damage.

[ When towing a trailer, consult an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer for
further information on additional
requirements such as a 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 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.

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6-59
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.
Information
With increasing altitude the engine
performance decreases. From 3,280 feet
above sea level and for every 3,280 feet
thereafter 10% of vehicle/trailer weight
(trailer weighter + gross vehicle weight)
must be deducted.

Driving Your Vehicle6-60
Reference weight and distance when towing a trailer
ltem
Maximum trailer weight lbs. (k
g)With brake system
2,000 (907)
Without brake system 1,653 (750)
Maximum permissible static vertical load on the coupling
device lbs. (kg)220 (100)
Recommended distance from rear wheel center to coupling
point Inch (mm)43 (1,092)

06
6-61
Trailer Towing Equipment
Hitches
ONX4E060024
Information
The mounting hole for hitches are located
on both sides of the underbody behind the
rear tires.
It’s important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few
reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:

[Do you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal
them, carbon monoxide (CO) from
your exhaust can get into your vehicle,
as well as dirt and water.

[ The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches. Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches to them. Use only a frame-
mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
[
Any part of the rear number plate or
lighting devices of the vehicle must
not be obscured by the mechanical
coupling device.
If the rear number plate and/or
lighting devices can be obscured
partially by any part of the mechanical
coupling device, mechanical coupling
devices that can not be easily
removed or repositioned without use
of any tools, except an easily operated
(for example, an effort not exceeding
20Nm) release key which is supplied
by the manufacturer of the coupling
device, are not permitted for use.
Please note that the mechanical
coupling device that is fitted and
not in use must always be removed
or repositioned if the rear number
plate and/or rear lighting devices
are obscured by any part of the
mechanical coupling device.

[ A HYUNDAI trailer hitch accessory is
available at an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.

Driving Your Vehicle6-62
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.
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.

06
6-63
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.
Driving on hills
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get overheated and may
not operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70
km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine
and transmission overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than the
maximum trailer weight without trailer
brakes and you have a automatic
transmission, you should drive in D
(Drive) when towing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat
build-up and extend the life of your
transmission.

Driving Your Vehicle6-64
NOTICE
To prevent engine and/or transmission
overheating:

[ When towing a trailer on steep
grades (in excess of 6%) pay close
attention to the engine coolant
temperature gauge to ensure the
engine does not overheat. If the
needle of the coolant temperature
gauge moves towards “H” (HOT),
pull over and stop as soon as it is
safe to do so, and allow the engine
to idle until it cools down. You may
proceed once the engine has cooled
sufficiently.

[ If you tow a trailer with the maximum
gross vehicle weight and maximum
trailer weight, it can cause the
engine or transmission to overheat.
When driving in such conditions,
allow the engine to idle until it cools
down. You may proceed once the
engine or transmission has cooled
sufficiently.

[ When towing a trailer, your vehicle
speed may be much slower than the
general flow of traffic, especially
when climbing an uphill grade. Use
the right hand lane when towing a
trailer on an uphill grade. Choose
your vehicle speed according to the
maximum posted speed limit for
vehicles with trailers, the steepness
of the grade, and your trailer weight.
Parking on hills
Generally, if you have a trailer attached
to your vehicle, you should not park your
vehicle on a hill.
However, if you ever have to park your
trailer on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.
Turn the steering wheel in the
direction of the curb (right if headed
down hill, left if headed up hill).
2. Shift the gear to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake and shut off the vehicle.
4. Place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels on the down hill side of the
wheels.
5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift to neutral, release the parking brake
and slowly release the brakes until the
trailer chocks absorb the load.
6. Reapply the brakes and parking brakes.
7. Shift the gear to P (Park) when the vehicle is parked on a uphill grade and
in R (Reverse) on a downhill.
8. Shut off the vehicle and release the vehicle brakes but leave the parking
brake set.
WARNING
To prevent serious or fatal injury:

[Do not get out of the vehicle without
the parking brake firmly set. If you
have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You and
others could be seriously or fatally
injured.

[ Do not apply the accelerator pedal to
hold the vehicle on an uphill.

06
6-65
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 remove your foot from the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop 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.