Driving your vehicle -> Trailer towing for Your Hyundai I10 4 Door First Generation (2007-2012)

Driving your vehicle  
TRAILER TOWING  
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CAUTION  
If you are considering towing with with  
your car, you should first check with your  
country’s Department of Motor Vehicles  
to determine their legal requirements.  
WARNING - Weight limits  
Pulling a trailer improperly can  
damage your vehicle and result in  
costly repairs not covered by your  
warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,  
follow the advice in this section.  
Before towing, make sure the total  
trailer weight, gross combination  
weight, gross vehicle weight, gross  
axle weight and trailer tongue load  
are all within the limits.  
Since laws vary the requirements for tow-  
ing trailers, cars, or other types of vehi-  
cles or apparatus may differ. Ask an  
authorized HYUNDAI dealer for further  
details before towing.  
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify  
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for  
your vehicle, you should read the infor-  
mation in “Weight of the trailer” that  
appears later in this section.  
NOTICE - For Europe  
• The technically permissible maximum  
load on the rear axle(s) may be  
exceeded by not more than 15 % and  
the technically permissible maximum  
laden mass of the vehicle may be  
exceeded by not more than 10 % or  
100 kg (220.4 lbs), whichever value is  
lower. In this case, do not exceed 100  
km/h (62.1 mph) for vehicle of catego-  
ry M1 or 80 km/h (49.7 mph) for vehi-  
cle of category N1.  
• When a vehicle of category M1 is tow-  
ing a trailer, the additional load  
imposed at the trailer coupling device  
may cause the tire maximum load rat-  
ings to be exceeded, but not by more  
than 15 %. In this case, do not exceed  
100 km/h (62.1 mph) and increase the  
tire inflation pressure by at least 0.2  
bar.  
WARNING - Towing a trail-  
er  
If you don't use the correct equip-  
ment and drive improperly, you can  
lose control when you pull a trailer.  
For example, if the trailer is too  
heavy, the brakes may not work  
well - or even at all. You and your  
passengers could be seriously or  
fatally injured. Pull a trailer only if  
you have followed all the steps in  
this section.  
Remember that trailering is different than  
just driving your vehicle by itself.  
Trailering means changes in handling,  
durability, and fuel economy. Successful,  
safe trailering requires correct equip-  
ment, and it has to be used properly.  
This section contains many time-tested,  
important trailering tips and safety rules.  
Many of these are important for your  
safety and that of your passengers.  
Please read this section carefully before  
you pull a trailer.  
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Driving your vehicle  
Load-pulling components such as the  
engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, and  
tires are forced to work harder against  
the load of the added weight. The engine  
is required to operate at relatively higher  
speeds and under greater loads. This  
additional burden generates extra heat.  
The trailer also considerably adds wind  
resistance, increasing the pulling require-  
ments.  
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Driving your vehicle  
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Hitches  
Safety chains  
Trailer brakes  
It's important to have the correct hitch  
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks  
going by, and rough roads are a few rea-  
sons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here  
are some rules to follow:  
You should always attach chains  
between your vehicle and your trailer.  
Cross the safety chains under the tongue  
of the trailer so that the tongue will not  
drop to the road if it becomes separated  
from the hitch.  
If your trailer is equipped with a braking  
system, make sure it conforms to your  
country’s regulations and that it is prop-  
erly installed and operating correctly.  
If your trailer weighs more than the max-  
imum 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.  
• 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.  
Instructions about safety chains may be  
provided by the hitch manufacturer or by  
the trailer manufacturer. Follow the man-  
ufacturer’s recommendation for attaching  
safety chains. Always leave just enough  
slack so you can turn with your trailer.  
And, never allow safety chains drag on  
the ground.  
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon  
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can  
get into your vehicle, as well as dirt and  
water.  
• Don’t tap into your vehicle's brake sys-  
tem.  
• 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.  
WARNING - Trailer brakes  
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 experi-  
enced, competent trailer shop for  
this work.  
• HYUNDAI trailer hitch accessory is  
available at an authorized HYUNDAI  
dealer.  
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Driving your vehicle  
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Following distance  
Making turns  
Driving with a trailer  
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehi-  
cle ahead as you would when driving  
your vehicle without a trailer. This can  
help you avoid situations that require  
heavy braking and sudden 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.  
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 a good deal longer and not  
nearly so responsive as your vehicle is  
by itself.  
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Passing  
Turn signals when towing a trailer  
You’ll 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.  
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.  
Before you start, check the trailer hitch  
and platform, safety chains, electrical  
connector(s), lights, tires and mirror  
adjustment. If the trailer has electric  
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-  
ing and then apply the trailer brake con-  
troller by hand to be sure the brakes are  
working. This lets you check your electri-  
cal connection at the same time.  
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Backing up  
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 trail-  
er bulbs are still working. You must also  
check the lights every time you discon-  
nect and then reconnect the wires.  
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel  
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer  
to the left, just 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.  
During your trip, check occasionally to be  
sure that the load is secure, and that the  
lights and trailer brakes are still working.  
Do not connect a trailer lighting system  
directly to your vehicle’s lighting system.  
Use only an approved trailer wiring har-  
ness.  
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Driving your vehicle  
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An authorized HYUNDAI dealer can  
assist you in installing the wiring harness.  
CAUTION  
Parking on hills  
• 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 over-  
heat. If the needle of the coolant  
temperature gauge moves across  
the dial towards “H (or 130°C /  
260°F)” (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 suffi-  
ciently.  
Generally, you should not park your vehi-  
cle with a trailer attached on a hill. People  
can be seriously or fatally injured, and  
both your vehicle and trailer can be dam-  
aged if they begin a downhill trajectory.  
WARNING  
Failure to use an approved trailer  
wiring harness could result in dam-  
age to the vehicle electrical system  
and/or personal injury.  
WARNING - Parking on a  
hill  
Parking your vehicle on a hill with a  
trailer attached could cause seri-  
ous injury or death because the  
trailer could break loose.  
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Driving on grades  
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 hot and no longer  
operate efficiently.  
You must decide driving speed  
depending on trailer weight and  
uphill grade to reduce the possi-  
bility of engine and transaxle  
overheating.  
However, if you ever have to park your  
trailer on a hill, here’s how to do it:  
1. Apply your brakes, but don’t shift into  
gear.  
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 transaxle overheating.  
2. Have someone place chocks under  
the trailer wheels.  
If your trailer weighs more than the max-  
imum trailer weight without trailer brakes  
and you have an automatic transaxle,  
you should drive in D (Drive) when tow-  
ing a trailer.  
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,  
release the brakes until the chocks  
absorb the load.  
4. Reapply the brakes. Apply your park-  
ing brake, and then shift to  
R
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) when  
towing a trailer will minimize heat build up  
and extend the life of your transaxle.  
(Reverse) for a manual transaxle or P  
(Park) for an automatic transaxle.  
5. Release the brakes.  
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Driving your vehicle  
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CAUTION  
Maintenance when trailer towing  
Your vehicle will need service more often  
WARNING - Parking brake  
• Due to higher load during trailer  
usage, overheating might occur  
in hot days or during uphill driv-  
ing. If the coolant gauge indicates  
over-heating, switch off the A/C  
and stop the vehicle in a safe area  
to cool down the engine.  
It can be dangerous to get out of  
your vehicle if the parking brake is  
not firmly set.  
when you regularly pull  
a
trailer.  
Important items to pay particular atten-  
tion to include engine oil, automatic  
transaxle fluid, axle lubricant and cooling  
system fluid. Brake condition is another  
important item to frequently check. Each  
item is covered in this manual, and the  
Index will help you find them quickly. If  
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review  
these sections before you start your trip.  
If you have left the engine running,  
the vehicle can move suddenly.You  
or others could be seriously or  
fatally injured.  
• When towing check the transaxle  
fluid more frequently.  
When you are ready to leave after park-  
ing on a hill  
1. With the manual transaxle in Neutral  
or automatic transaxle in P (Park),  
apply your brakes and hold the brake  
pedal down while you:  
• If your vehicle is not equipped  
with air conditioner, you should  
install a condenser fan to improve  
engine performance when towing  
a trailer.  
Don’t forget to also maintain your trailer  
and hitch. Follow the maintenance  
schedule that accompanied your trailer  
and check it periodically. Preferably, con-  
duct the check at the start of each day’s  
driving. Most importantly, all hitch nuts  
and bolts should be tight.  
• 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.  
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Driving your vehicle  
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Gasoline Engine  
1.1L  
Engine  
If you do decide to pull a trailer  
1.0L  
M/T  
1.2L  
Here are some important points if you  
decide to pull a trailer:  
Item  
M/T  
A/T  
M/T  
A/T  
• Consider using a sway control.You can  
ask a hitch dealer about sway control.  
400  
(881)  
400  
(881)  
400  
(881)  
450  
(992)  
450  
(992)  
Without brake  
System  
Maximum  
trailer weight  
• Do not do any towing with your car dur-  
ing its first 2,000 km (1,200 miles) in  
order to allow the engine to properly  
break in. Failure to heed this caution  
may result in serious engine or  
transaxle damage.  
700  
(1543)  
700  
(1543)  
700  
(1543)  
800  
(1763)  
700  
(1543)  
With brake  
System  
kg (Ibs.)  
Maximum permissible static  
vertical load on the coupling  
device  
30  
30  
30  
• When towing a trailer, be sure to con-  
sult an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for  
further information on additional  
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.  
(70)  
(70)  
(70)  
kg (Ibs.)  
Recommended distance from  
rear wheel center to coupling  
point  
• Always drive your vehicle at a moder-  
ate speed (less than 100 km/h / 60  
mph).  
605  
(23.8)  
mm (Inch)  
• On a long uphill grade, do not exceed  
70 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing  
speed limit, whichever is lower.  
M/T : Manual transaxle  
A/T : Automatic transaxle  
• The chart contains important consider-  
ations that have to do with weight:  
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Driving your vehicle  
The trailer tongue should weigh a maxi-  
mum 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 trail-  
er 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.  
Tongue Load  
Total Trailer Weight  
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Gross Axle Weight Gross Vehicle Weight  
WARNING - Trailer  
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• 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.  
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Weight of the trailer  
Weight of the trailer tongue  
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It  
should never weigh more than the maxi-  
mum trailer weight with trailer brakes. But  
even that can be too heavy.  
The tongue load of any trailer is an  
important weight to measure because it  
affects the total gross vehicle weight  
(GVW) of your vehicle. This weight  
includes the curb weight of the vehicle,  
any cargo you may carry in it, and the  
people who will be riding in the vehicle.  
And if you will tow a trailer, you must add  
the tongue load to the GVW because  
your vehicle will also be carrying that  
weight.  
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 equip-  
ment that you have on your vehicle.  
• Never exceed the maximum  
weight limits of the trailer or trail-  
er 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.  
• An improperly loaded trailer can  
cause loss of vehicle control.  
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