Hyundai 2008 Santa Fe User Manual

Page 233

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2

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI

22

o If a tire goes flat while you are driving,

apply the brakes gently and keep the
car pointed straight ahead while you
slow down. When you are moving slowly
enough for it to be safe to do so, pull off
the road and stop in a safe place.

o If your car is equipped with an automatic

transaxle, don't let your car creep for-
ward. To avoid creeping forward, keep
your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
the car is stopped.

o Use caution when parking on a hill.

Firmly engage the parking brake and
place the gear selector lever in "P" (au-
tomatic transaxle) or in first or reverse
gear (manual transaxle). If your car is
facing downhill, turn the front wheels
into the curb to help keep the car from
rolling. If your car is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the curb to
help keep the car from rolling. If there is
no curb or if it is required by other
conditions to keep the car from rolling,
block the wheels.

o After being parked, check to be sure the

parking brake is not engaged and that
the parking brake indicator light is out
before driving away.

o Driving through water may get the

brakes wet. They can also get wet when
the car is washed. Wet brakes can be
dangerous! Your car will not stop as
quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet brakes
may cause the car to pull to one side. To
dry the brakes, apply the brakes lightly
while driving slowly until the braking
action returns to normal, taking care to
keep the car under control at all times.
If the braking action does not return to
normal, stop as soon as it is safe to do
so and call your Hyundai dealer for
assistance.

o Don't coast down hills with the car out of

gear. This is extremely hazardous. Keep
the car in gear at all times, use the
brakes to slow down, then shift to a
lower gear so that engine braking will
help you maintain a safe speed.

o Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting

your foot on the brake pedal while driv-
ing can be dangerous because it can
result in the brakes overheating and
losing their effectiveness. It also in-
creases the wear of the brake compo-
nents.

o Under some conditions your parking

brake can freeze in the engaged posi-
tion. This is most likely to happen when
there is an accumulation of snow or ice
around or near the rear brakes or if the
brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only
temporarily while you put the gear se-
lector lever in "P" (automatic) or in first
or reverse gear (manual transaxle) and
block the rear wheels so the car cannot
roll. Then release the parking brake.

o Do not hold the vehicle on the upgrade

with the accelerator pedal. This can
cause the transaxle to overheat. Al-
ways use the brake pedal or parking
brake.

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