Hyundai Tucson: Winter Driving / Snow or Icy Conditions. Tire chains

You need to keep sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and sharp turns are very hazardous practices. When decelerating, use engine braking to the fullest extent. Sudden brake applications on snowy or icy roads may cause the vehicle to skid.

To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install tire chains on your tires.

Always carry emergency equipment. You may want to carry tire chains, tow straps or chains, a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.

Snow tires

WARNING

Snow tires should be equivalent in size and type to the vehicle’s standard tires. Otherwise, the safety and handling of your vehicle may be adversely affected.

Use snow tires when the road temperature is below 45 °F (7 °C). If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, be sure to use the same inflation pressure as the original tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your vehicle’s handling in all weather conditions. The traction provided by snow tires on dry roads may not be as high as your vehicle’s original equipment tires. Check with the tire dealer for maximum speed recommendations.

Tire chains

Since the sidewalls of radial tires are thinner than other types of tires, they may be damaged by mounting some types of tire chains on them. Therefore, the use of snow tires is recommended instead of tire chains. If tire chains must be used, use genuine HYUNDAI Parts and install the tire chains after reviewing the instructions provided with the tire chains. Damage to your vehicle caused by improper tire chain use is not covered by your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.

When using tire chains, attach them to the front wheels.

WARNING

The use of tire chains may adversely affect vehicle handling:

• Drive less than 20 mph (30 km/h) or the chain manufacturer’s recommended speed limit, whichever is lower.
• Drive carefully and avoid bumps, holes, sharp turns, and other road hazards, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.
• Avoid sharp turns or locked wheel braking.
• Install tire chains only in pairs and on the front tires. Installing tire chains on the tires provides a greater driving force, but does not prevent side skids.

Information

Do not install studded tires without first checking local and municipal regulations for possible restrictions against their use.

Chain installation

When installing tire chains, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and mount them as tightly possible. Drive slowly (less than 20 mph (30 km/h) or the chain manufacturer’s recommended speed limit) with chains installed. If you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and tighten them. If they still make contact, slow down until the noise stops. Remove the tire chains as soon as you begin driving on cleared roads.

When mounting snow chains, park the vehicle on level ground away from traffic. Turn on the vehicle's Hazard Warning Flasher and place a triangular emergency warning device behind the vehicle (if available). Always place the vehicle in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn off the engine before installing snow chains.

NOTICE

When using tire chains:

• Wrong size chains or improperly installed chains may damage your vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels.
• Use SAE “S” class or wire chains.
• If you hear noise caused by chains contacting the body, retighten the chains to prevent contact with the vehicle body.
• To prevent body damage, retighten the chains after driving 0.3-0.6 miles (0.5-1.0 km).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels. If unavoidable, use a wire type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 0.47 inches (12 mm) thick to prevent damage to the chain’s connection.