Driving with a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before driving on public roads, you should become familiar with your trailer. Get to know the handling and braking feel with the additional trailer weight. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now longer and does not respond as closely as your vehicle alone.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, electrical connector(s), lights, tires and brakes.

During the trip, check from time to time to make sure the cargo is securely fastened and that the trailer lights and brakes are still working.

Range

Keep at least twice the distance from the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help avoid situations requiring sudden braking and sharp turns.

PASSING

You will need more passing distance ahead when towing a trailer. And, due to the increased vehicle length, you need to go much farther past the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, 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, ask someone to guide you.

Making Turns

When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than usual. Do so in a way that your trailer does not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid sharp or abrupt maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

Turn Signals

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has a different flashing turn signal and additional wiring. The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. When properly connected, the trailer lights will also flash to warn other drivers that you are about to turn, change lanes or stop.

When towing a trailer, the green arrows on the instrument panel will flash even if the trailer lamps burn out. Therefore, you may think drivers behind you see your signals when in fact they do not. It is important to check from time to time to make sure the trailer lamps are still working. You should also check the lights every time you disconnect and then reconnect the wiring.

WARNING

Do not connect the trailer lighting system directly to your vehicle's lighting system. Use approved trailer wiring harness. Failure to do so may result in damage to the vehicle's electrical system and/or injury. Consult an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.

Driving on Hills

Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before beginning to descend a long or steep downgrade. If you do not downshift, you may have to use your brakes so much that they overheat and may not work effectively.

On a long uphill grade, downshift and reduce speed to approximately 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.

If your trailer weighs more than the maximum trailer weight without trailer brakes and you have an automatic transmission, you should drive in D (Drive) when towing a trailer.

Operating the vehicle in D (Drive) when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your transmission.

NOTICE

To prevent the engine and/or transmission from overheating:

• When towing a trailer on steep grades (over 6%), pay close attention to the engine coolant temperature gauge to make sure the engine is not overheating. If the coolant temperature gauge pointer moves toward the "H" (HOT) position, slow down and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, and let the engine idle until it cools down. You may continue after the engine has cooled sufficiently.
  • If you are towing a trailer with a gross vehicle weight and maximum trailer weight, the engine or transmission may overheat. When driving under these conditions, let the engine idle until it cools down. You may continue after the engine or transmission has cooled sufficiently.
• When towing a trailer, your vehicle speed may be significantly lower than the general traffic flow, especially when climbing a hill. Use the right lane when towing a trailer uphill. Select your vehicle speed according to the maximum speed limit allowed for vehicles with trailers, the grade steepness and the weight of your trailer.

Parking on Hills

As a general rule, if you have a trailer attached to your vehicle, you should not park your vehicle on a hill.

However, if you ever have to park your trailer on a hill, follow these steps:

1. Drive the vehicle into a parking space. Turn the steering wheel toward the curb (right if facing downhill, left if facing uphill).

2. Shift the transmission to P (Park).

3. Apply the parking brake and turn off the vehicle.

4. Place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels on the downhill side.

5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift to neutral, release the parking brake, and slowly release the brakes while the trailer shock absorbers take the load.

6. Reapply the brake pedal and the parking brake.

7. Shift the transmission to P (Park) when the vehicle is on an uphill grade, and to R (Reverse) when on a downhill grade.

8. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal, but keep the parking brake applied.

WARNING

To avoid serious or fatal injury:

• Do not leave the vehicle until the parking brake is firmly applied. If you leave the engine running, the vehicle may move suddenly. You or others may be seriously or fatally injured.
• Do not depress the accelerator pedal to hold the vehicle on a hill.

Driving the Vehicle After Parking on a Hill

1. With the transmission in P (Park), apply the brakes and keep the brake pedal depressed until you:

• Start the engine;
• Engage a gear; and
• Release the parking brake.

2. Slowly release the brake pedal.

3. Move slowly until the trailer brakes engage.

4. Stop and ask someone to pick up and store the wheel chocks.