Hyundai Elantra 2009 is one of the most popular cars in the market. With its latest features and modern design, this car offers comfort and reliable performance for its users. For those who are looking for an economical and dependable car, Hyundai Elantra 2009 may be the right choice. However, like any other car, there are some things to consider when driving it. In this article, we will discuss some tips and advice on how to drive the Hyundai Elantra 2009 safely and efficiently.
⚠ WARNING – ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS!
Engine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the windows immediately.
• Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death by asphyxiation.
• Be sure the exhaust system does not leak.
The exhaust system should be checked whenever the vehicle is raised to change the oil or for any other purpose. If you hear a change in the sound of the exhaust or if you drive over something that strikes the underneath side of the car, have the exhaust system checked as soon as possible by an authorized Hyundai dealer.
• Do not run the engine in an enclosed area.
Letting the engine idle in your garage, even with the garage door open, is a hazardous practice. Never run the engine in your garage any longer than it takes to start the engine and back the car out.
• Avoid idling the engine for prolonged periods with people inside the car.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the car, be sure to do so only in an open area with the air intake set at “Fresh” and fan operating at one of the higher speeds so fresh air is drawn into the interior.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open because you are carrying objects that make this necessary:
- Close all windows.
- Open side vents.
- Set the air intake control at “Fresh”, the air flow control at “Floor” or “Face” and the fan at one of the higher speeds.
To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, be sure the ventilation air intakes located just in front of the windshield are kept clear of snow, ice, leaves or other obstructions.
⚠ PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile components and parts, including components found in the interior furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
BEFORE DRIVING
Before entering vehicle
- Be sure that all windows, outside mirror(s), and outside lights are clean.
- Check the condition of the tires.
- Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
- Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up
Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid should be checked on a regular basis, with the exact interval depending on the fluid. Further details are provided in Section 7, “Maintenance”.
Before starting
- Close and lock all doors.
- Position the seat so that all controls are easily reached.
- Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
- Be sure that all lights work.
- Check all gauges.
- Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
- Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out. For safe operation, be sure you are familiar with your vehicle and its equipment.
⚠ WARNING
All passengers must be properly belted whenever the vehicle is moving. Refer to “Seat belts” in section
3 for more information on their proper use.
⚠ WARNING
Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before putting a car into “Drive” or “Reverse.
⚠ WARNING – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Drinking and driving is dangerous. Drunk driving is the number one contributor to the highway death toll each year. Even a small amount of alcohol will affect your reflexes, perceptions and judgement. Driving while under the influence of drugs is as dangerous or more dangerous than driving drunk. You are much more likely to have a serious accident if you drink or take drugs and drive. If you are drinking or taking drugs, don’t drive. Do not ride with a driver who has been drinking or taking drugs. Choose a designated driver or call a cab.
KEY POSITIONS
Illuminated ignition switch
Whenever a front door is opened, the ignition switch will be illuminated for your convenience, provided the ignition switch is not in the ON position. The light will go off immediately when the ignition switch is turned on or go off after about 30 seconds when the door is closed.
Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect against theft. The ignition key can be removed only in the LOCK position. When turning the ignition switch to the LOCK position, push the key inward at the ACC position and turn the key toward the LOCK position
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and electrical accessories are operative.
✽ NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced turning the ignition switch to the ACC position, turn the key while turning the steering wheel right and left to release the tension.
ON
The warning lights can be checked before the engine is started. This is the normal running position after the engine is started. Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the engine is not running to prevent battery
discharge.
START
Turn the ignition key to the START position to start the engine. The engine will crank until you release the key; then it returns to the ON position. The brake warning lamp can be checked in this position.
⚠ WARNING – Ignition key
- Never turn the ignition switch to LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is moving. This would result in loss of directional control and braking function, which could cause an accident.
- The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the parking brake. Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is engaged in P (Park) for the automatic transaxle and set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement may occur if these precautions are not taken.
- Never reach for the ignition switch, or any other controls through the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion. The presence of your hand or arm in this area could cause a loss of vehicle control, an accident and serious bodily injury or death.
- Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they may move while driving, interfere with the driver and lead to an accident.
STARTING THE ENGINE
⚠WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes when operating your vehicle. Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski boots ,etc.) may interfere with your ability to use the brake and accelerator pedal, and the clutch (if equipped).
Starting the gasoline engine
- Make sure the parking brake is applied.
- Manual Transaxle – Depress the clutch pedal fully and shift the transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch
pedal and brake pedal depressed while turning the ignition switch to the start position. Automatic Transaxle Place the transaxle shift lever in P (Park). Depress the brake pedal fully. You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral) position. - Turn the ignition switch to START and old it there until the engine starts (a maximum of 10 seconds), then release the key.
- In extremely cold weather (below 0°F / -18°C) or after the vehicle has not been operated for several days, let the engine warm up without depressing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, it should be started without depressing the accelerator.
⚠ CAUTION
If the engine stalls while you are in motion, do not attempt to move the shift lever to the P (Park) position. If traffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shift lever in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is still moving and turn the ignition switch to the START position in an attempt to restart the engine.
⚠ CAUTION
Do not engage the starter for more than 10 seconds. If the engine stalls or fails to start, wait 5 to 10 seconds before re-engaging the starter. Improper use of the starter may damage it.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Manual transaxle operation
The manual transaxle has 5 forward gears. This shift pattern is imprinted on the shift knob. The transaxle is fully synchronized in all forward gears so shifting to either a higher or a lower gear is easily accomplished. Press the clutch pedal down fully while shifting, then release it slowly. The gearshift lever must be returned to the neutral position before shifting into R (Reverse).
The ring located immediately below the shift knob must be pulled upward while moving the shift lever to the
R position. Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before shifting into R (Reverse). Never operate the engine with the tachometer (rpm) in the red zone.
⚠ CAUTION
- When downshifting from fifth gear to fourth gear, caution should be taken not to inadvertently press the gear shift lever sideways in such a manner that second gear is engaged. Such a drastic downshift may cause the engine speed to increase to the point that the tachometer will enter the red-zone. Such overrevving of the engine may possibly cause engine damage.
- Do not downshift more than 2 gears or downshift the gear when the engine is running at high speed (5,000 RPM or higher). Such a downshifting may damage the engine.
- To shift into reverse, rest the lever in neutral for at least 3 seconds after your car is completely stopped. Then move the lever into the reverse position.
- During cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transaxle lubricant has warmed up. This is normal and not harmful to the transaxle.
- If you’ve come to a complete stop and it’s hard to shift into 1st or R (Reverse), put the shift lever in N (Neutral) position and release the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down, and then shift into 1st or R (Reverse) gear position.
⚠ CAUTION
- To avoid premature clutch wear and damage, do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Also, don’t use the clutch to hold the vehicle stopped on an uphill grade, while waiting for a traffic light, etc.
- Do not use the shift lever as a hand rest during driving, as this can result in premature wear of the transaxle shift forks.
⚠ WARNING
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Then make
sure the transaxle is shifted into 1st gear when the vehicle is parked on a level or uphill grade, and shifted into R (Reverse) on a downhill grade. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the order identified.
Using the clutch
The clutch should be pressed all the way to the floor before shifting, then released slowly. The clutch pedal should always be fully released while driving. Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. This can cause unnecessary wear. Do not partially engage the clutch to hold the car on an incline. This causes unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or parking brake to hold the car on an incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal rapidly and repeatedly.
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traffic or while driving up steep hills, downshift before the engine starts to labor. Downshifting reduces the chance of stalling and gives better acceleration when you again need to increase your speed. When the vehicle is traveling down steep hills, downshifting helps maintain safe speed and prolongs brake life.
Good driving practices
- Never take the car out of gear and coast down a hill. This is extremely hazardous. Always leave the car in gear.
- Don’t “ride” the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction. Instead, when you are driving down a long hill, slow down and shift to a lower gear. When you do this, engine braking will help slow the car.
- Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. This will help avoid over-revving the engine, which can cause damage.
- Slow down when you encounter cross winds. This gives you much better control of your car.
- Be sure the car is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into reverse. The transaxle can be damaged if you do not. To shift into reverse, depress the clutch, move the shift lever to neutral, wait three seconds, then shift to the reverse position.
- Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially careful when braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an abrupt change in vehicle speed can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle to go out of control.
⚠ WARNING
- Always buckle-up! In a collision, an unbelted occupant is significantly more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
- Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
- Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
- The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
- Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver oversteers to reenter the roadway.
- In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.
- Never exceed posted speed limits.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Automatic transaxle operation
The highly efficient automatic transaxle has 4 forward speeds and one reverse speed. The individual speeds are selected automatically, depending on the position of the shift lever. All normal forward driving is done with the shift lever in the D (Drive) position. To move the shift lever from the P (Park) position, the brake pedal must be depressed with the ignition switch ON.
✽ NOTICE
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if the battery has been disconnected, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and the shifting sequence will adjust after shifts are cycled a few times by the TCM (Transaxle Control Module).
For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.
⚠ WARNING – Automatic transaxle
- Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before putting a car into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
- Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park) position; then set the parking brake fully and shut the engine off. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed in the order identified.
⚠ CAUTION
- To avoid damage to your transaxle, do not accelerate the engine in R (Reverse) or any forward gear position with the brakes on.
- When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationary with engine power. Use the service brake or the parking brake.
- Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R (Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.
Transaxle ranges
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster indicate the shift lever position when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park). This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from rotating.
⚠ WARNING
- Shifting into P Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the drive wheels to lock which will cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
- Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake. Always make sure the shift lever is latched in the P (Park) position and set the parking brake fully.
- Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park) position. Set the parking brake fully, shut the engine off and take the key with you. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if you do not follow these precautions in the order specified.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
⚠ CAUTION
The transaxle may be damaged if you shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.
⚠ CAUTION
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transaxle if you shift into R while the vehicle is in motion, except as explained in “Rocking the Vehicle”, in this manual.
N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not locked. The vehicle will roll freely even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or service brakes are applied.
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving position. The transaxle will automatically shift through a 4 gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power. For extra power when passing another vehicle or climbing grades, depress the accelerator fully, at which time the transaxle will automatically downshift to the next lower gear.
✽ NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).
3 (Third gear)
Use for towing a trailer during hill climbing or to use engine braking downhill. “3” automatically shifts between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. This means that no shiftup to 4th gear is performed. However, the shift-up to 4th gear is done when the car speed exceeds a certain value to prevent the engine from over-revving. Manually move the selector to “D” when returning to normal driving condition.
2 (Second gear)
Use for driving on a slippery road, hill climbing or engine braking downhill. “2” automatically shifts between first and second gears. This means that no shift-up to 3rd gear is performed. However, the shift-up to third gear is done when the car speed exceeds a certain value to prevent the engine from over-revving. Manually move the selector to “D” returning to normal driving condition.
L (Low gear)
Use for driving up a very steep grade or for engine braking when descending steep hills. When downshifting to “L”, the transaxle will temporarily remain in second gear until the vehicle has slowed enough for low gear to engage. Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) in low gear. “L” shifts to 1st gear only. However, shift up to 2nd is performed when the car exceeds a certain speed and, as speed increases, the transaxle will shift up to 3rd gear to prevent over-revving the engine.
✽ NOTICE
- For smooth and safe operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from “N” (Neutral) position or “P”(Park) position to a forward or “R” (Reverse) gear.
- Fully depress the brake pedal in order to move the shift lever from the “P” (Park) position to any of the other positions.
- It is always possible to shift from “R”, “N”, “D”, “3”, “2”, “L” position to “P” position. The vehicle must be fully stopped to avoid transaxle damage.
⚠ CAUTION
- Shift into “R” and “P” position only when the vehicle has completely stopped.
- Do not accelerate the engine in reverse or any of the forward positions with the brakes applied.
- Always apply the footbrake when shifting from “P” or “N”, to “R”, “D”,”3″, “2” or “L” position.
- Check the automatic transaxle fluid level regularly, and add fluid as necessary. See the maintenance schedule for the proper fluid recommendation.
Shift lock system
For your safety, the automatic transaxle has a shift lock system which prevents shifting the transaxle out of P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed. To shift the transaxle out of P (Park):
- Depress and hold the brake pedal.
- Start the engine or turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
- Move the shift lever.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly depressed and released with the shift lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering noise near the shift lever may be heard. This is a normal condition.
⚠ WARNING
Always fully depress the brake pedal before and while shifting out of the P (Park) position into another position to avoid inadvertent motion of the vehicle which could injure persons in or around the car.
Shift-lock override
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position with the brake pedal depressed, continue depressing the brake, then do the following:
- Carefully remove the cap (1) covering the shift-lock override access hole.
- Insert a screwdriver (or key) into the access hole and press down on the screwdriver (or key).
- Move the shift lever.
- Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealer immediately
Ignition key interlock system
The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) position. If the ignition switch is in any other position, the key cannot be removed.
Good driving practices
- Never move the gear selector lever from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
- Never move the gear selector lever into “P” when the vehicle is in motion.
- Be sure the car is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into R (Reverse).
- Never take the car out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be extremely hazardous. Always leave the car in gear when moving.
- Do not “ride” the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction. Instead, when you are driving down a long hill, slow down and shift to a lower gear. When you do this, engine braking will help slow the car
- Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not be engaged.
- Always use the parking brake. Do not depend on placing the transaxle in P (Park) to keep the car from moving.
- Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially careful when braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an abrupt change in vehicle speed can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and the vehicle to go out of control.
- Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly depressing and releasing the accelerator pedal.
⚠ WARNING
- Always buckle-up! In a collision, an unbelted occupant is significantly more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
- Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
- Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
- The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
- Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver oversteers to reenter the roadway.
- In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pullingback into the travel lanes.
- Never exceed posted speed limits.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage. In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine or some other reason, you can still stop your vehicle by applying greater force to the brake pedal than you normally would. The stopping distance, however, will be longer.
When the engine is not running, the reserve brake power is partially depleted each time the brake pedal is applied. Do not pump the brake pedal when the power assist has been interrupted. Pump the brake pedal only when necessary to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.
In the event of brake failure
If service brakes fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion, you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. The stopping distance, however, will be much greater than normal.
⚠ WARNING – Parking brake
Applying the parking brake while the vehicle is moving at normal speeds can cause a sudden loss of control of the vehicle. If you must use the parking brake to stop the vehicle, use great caution in applying the brake.
⚠ WARNING – Brakes
- Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will create abnormal high brake temperatures, excessive brake lining and pad wear, and increased stopping distances.
- When descending a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear and avoid continuous application of the brakes. Continuous brake application will cause the brakes to overheat and could result in a temporary loss of braking performance.
- Wet brakes may result in the vehicle not slowing down at the usual rate and/or pulling to one side when the brakes are applied. Applying the brakes lightly will indicate whether they have been affected in this way. Always test your brakes in this fashion after driving through deep water. To dry the brakes, apply them lightly while maintaining a safe forward speed until brake performance returns to normal.
Disc brakes wear indicator
Your vehicle has disc brakes. When your brake pads are worn and new pads are required, you will hear a highpitched warning sound from your front brakes or rear brakes (if equipped). You may hear this sound come and go or it may occur whenever you depress the brake pedal.
Please remember that some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when you first apply (or lightly apply) the brakes. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your brakes.
⚠ CAUTION
- To avoid costly brake repairs, do not continue to drive with worn brake pads.
- Always replace brake pads as complete front or rear axle sets.
WARNING – Brake wear
This brake wear warning sound means your vehicle needs service. If you ignore this audible warning, you will eventually lose braking performance, which could lead to a serious accident.
Rear drum brakes (if equipped)
Your rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators. Therefore, have the rear brake linings inspected if you hear a rear brake rubbing noise. Also have your rear brakes inspected each time you change or rotate your tires and when you have the front brakes replaced.