Hyundai Tucson: Driving Your Vehicle / Special Driving Conditions

Hazardous Driving Conditions

When hazardous driving conditions are encountered such as water, snow, ice, mud, and sand:

• Drive cautiously and allow for longer braking distances.
• Avoid abrupt braking or steering.
• If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand, use the second gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid unnecessary wheel spin.
• Put sand, rock salt, tire chains, or other non-slip materials under the wheels to provide additional traction, if stuck in ice, snow, or mud.

WARNING

Downshifting with an automatic transmission while driving on slippery surfaces may cause an accident. The sudden change in tire speed may cause the tires to skid. Be careful when downshifting on slippery surfaces.

Rocking the Vehicle

If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn the steering wheel right and left to clear the area around your front wheels. Then, shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear.

Try to avoid spinning the wheels, and do not race the engine.

To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal while the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that may free the vehicle.

WARNING

Always turn off the ESC system before rocking the vehicle. If the vehicle is stuck and excessive wheel spin occurs, the temperature in the tires may increase very quickly. If the tires become damaged, a tire blow out or tire explosion may occur - you and others may be injured. Do not attempt this procedure if people or objects are near the vehicle.

If you attempt to free the vehicle, the vehicle may overheat quickly, possibly causing an engine compartment fire or other damage. Try to avoid spinning the wheels as much as possible to prevent overheating of the tires or the engine. DO NOT allow the vehicle to spin the wheels above 35 mph (56 km/h).

If you are still stuck after rocking the vehicle a few times, have the vehicle pulled out by a tow vehicle to avoid engine overheating, possible damage to the transmission, and tire damage. Refer to the “Towing” section in Chapter 8.

Smooth Cornering

Avoid braking or gear changing in corners, especially when roads are wet. Ideally, cornering should be taken under gentle acceleration.

Driving at Night

Night driving presents more hazards than driving in the daylight. Here are some important tips to remember:

• Slow down and keep more distance between you and other vehicles, because it may be more difficult to see at night, especially in areas where there are no street lights.
• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare from other drivers’ headlights.
• Keep your headlights clean and properly aimed. Dirty or improperly aimed headlights can make it much more difficult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the headlights of oncoming vehicles. You may be temporarily blinded, and it takes several seconds for your eyes to readjust to the darkness.

Driving in the Rain

Rain and wet roads can make driving dangerous. When driving in the rain or on slick pavement:

• Slow down and allow extra following distance. A heavy rainfall makes it harder to see and increases the distance needed to stop your vehicle.
• Turn OFF your Cruise Control. (if equipped)
• Replace your windshield wiper blades when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield.
• Make sure your tires have enough tread. If your tires do not have enough tread, making a quick stop on wet pavement may cause a skid and possibly lead to a collision. Refer to the “Tire Tread” section in Chapter 9.
• Turn on your headlights to make it easier for others to see you. Using your headlights when using your windshield wipers is required in some jurisdictions.
• Driving too fast through large puddles may affect your brakes. If you must go through puddles, try to drive through them slowly.
• If you believe your brakes are wet, apply them several times while the vehicle is moving slowly.

Hydroplaning

If the road is wet enough and you are driving fast enough, your vehicle may have little or no contact with the road surface and actually ride on the water. The best advice is SLOW DOWN when the road is wet.

The risk of hydroplaning increases as the depth of tire tread decreases, refer to the “Tire Tread” section in chapter 9.

Driving In Flooded Areas

Avoid driving through flooded areas unless you are sure the water is not deeper than the bottom of the wheel hub. If you are not sure, turn around and find a different route.

Drive through any water slowly. Allow adequate stopping distance because the brake performance can be reduced.

After driving through water, dry the brakes by gently applying them several times while the vehicle is moving slowly.

Highway Driving

Tires

Adjust the tire inflation pressure, as specified. Under-inflation may overheat or damage the tires.

Do not install worn-out or damaged tires, which may reduce traction or fail.

Information

Never over-inflate your tires above the maximum inflation pressure, as specified on your tires.

Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil

Driving at higher speeds on the highway consumes more fuel and is less efficient than driving at a slower, more moderate speed. Maintain a moderate speed to conserve fuel when driving on the highway.

Check both the engine coolant level and the engine oil before driving.

Drive belt

A loose or damaged drive belt may overheat the engine.