Hyundai Accent (HC): If You Have a Flat Tire / Changing Tires

WARNING

A vehicle can slip or roll off of a jack causing serious injury or death to you or those nearby. Take the following safety precautions:

• Never place any portion of your body under a vehicle that is supported by a jack. Your Hyundai Accent must be supported only at the correct jacking points and must never be relied on as a “stand.”
• NEVER attempt to change a tire in the lane of traffic. ALWAYS move the vehicle completely off the road on level, firm ground away from traffic before trying to change a tire. If you cannot find a level, firm place off the road, call a towing service for assistance.
• Be sure to use the jack provided with the vehicle. Using an incorrect jack can cause the Hyundai Accent to shift or fall.
• ALWAYS place the jack on the designated jacking positions on the vehicle and NEVER on the bumpers or any other part of the vehicle for jacking support.
• Do not start or run the engine while the vehicle is on the jack.
• Do not allow anyone to remain in the vehicle while it is on the jack.
• Keep children away from the road and the vehicle.

Follow these steps to change your Hyundai Accent vehicle's tire:

1. Park on a level, firm surface. If possible, position the Hyundai Accent so you have safe working space away from traffic.

2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) or into R (Reverse) if equipped with a manual transmission, apply the parking brake, and place the ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF position.

3. Press the hazard warning flasher button.

4. Remove the wheel lug nut wrench, jack, jack handle, and spare tire from the vehicle.

5. Block both the front and rear of the tire diagonally opposite of the tire you are changing. This helps prevent the Hyundai Accent from rolling while lifted.

6. Loosen the wheel lug nuts counterclockwise one turn each in the order shown above, but do not remove any lug nuts until the tire has been raised off of the ground.

7. Place the jack at the designated jacking position under the frame closest to the tire you are changing. The jacking positions are plates welded to the frame with two notches. Never jack at any other position or part of the vehicle. Doing so may damage the side seal molding or other parts of the Hyundai Accent.

8. Insert the jack handle into the jack and turn it clockwise, raising the vehicle until the tire clears the ground. Make sure the Hyundai Accent is stable on the jack before removing the wheel.

9. Loosen the lug nuts with the wheel lug nut wrench and remove them with your fingers. Remove the wheel from the studs and lay it flat on the ground out of the way. Remove any dirt or debris from the studs, mounting surfaces, and wheel to help the wheel seat properly.

10. Install the spare tire onto the studs of the hub.

11. Tighten the lug nuts with your fingers onto the studs with the smaller end of the lug nuts closest to the wheel.

12. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

13. Use the wheel lug nut wrench to tighten the lug nuts in the order shown. Double-check each lug nut until they are tight. After changing tires, have an authorized HYUNDAI dealer tighten the lug nuts to their proper torque as soon as possible. The wheel lug nut should be tightened to 79~94 lbf·ft (11~13 kgf·m). For Hyundai Accent reliability, correct torque is critical to prevent vibration and to keep the wheel securely seated.

If you have a tire gage, check the tire pressure (see "Tires and Wheels" in chapter 8 for tire pressure instructions.). If the pressure is lower or higher than recommended, drive slowly to the nearest service station and adjust it to the recommended pressure. Always reinstall the valve cap after checking or adjusting tire pressure. If the cap is not replaced, air may leak from the tire. If you lose a valve cap, buy another and install it as soon as possible. After changing tires, secure the flat tire and return the jack and tools to their proper storage locations so they do not move around in the Hyundai Accent.

NOTICE

• Check the tire pressure as soon as possible after installing a spare tire. Adjust it to the recommended pressure.
• Check and tighten the wheel lug nuts after driving over 31 mile (50 km) if tires are replaced. Recheck the tire wheel lug nuts after driving over 621 mile (1,000km).

CAUTION

Your vehicle has metric threads on the studs and lug nuts. Make certain during tire changing that the same nuts that were removed are reinstalled. If you have to replace your lug nuts make sure they have metric threads to avoid damaging the studs and ensure the wheel is properly secured to the hub. Consult an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.

If any of the equipment such as the jack, lug nuts, studs, or other equipment is damaged or in poor condition, do not attempt to change the tire and call for assistance. Safety comes first, especially when working roadside with your Hyundai Accent.

Use of compact spare tires

Compact spare tires are designed for emergency use only. Drive carefully on the compact spare tire and always follow the safety precautions. The Hyundai Accent handling and braking feel may change with a compact spare installed.

WARNING

To prevent compact spare tire failure and loss of control possibly resulting in an accident:

• Use the compact spare tire only in an emergency.
• NEVER operate your vehicle over 50 mph (80 km/h).
• Do not exceed the vehicle's maximum load rating or the load carrying capacity shown on the sidewall of the compact spare tire.
• Do not use the compact spare tire continuously. Repair or replace the original tire as soon as possible to avoid failure of the compact spare tire.

When driving with the compact spare tire mounted to your vehicle:

• Check the tire pressure after installing the compact spare tire. The compact spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi (420 kPa). Confirm pressure before longer trips in your Hyundai Accent.
• Do not take this vehicle through an automatic car wash while the compact spare tire is installed.
• Do not use the compact spare tire on any other vehicle because this tire has been designed especially for your vehicle.
• The compact spare tire's tread life is shorter than a regular tire. Inspect your compact spare tire regularly and replace worn compact spare tires with the same size and design, mounted on the same wheel.
• Do not use more than one compact spare tire at a time.

NOTICE

When the original tire and wheel are repaired and reinstalled on the vehicle, the lug nut torque must be set correctly. The correct lug nut tightening torque is 79~94 lbf·ft (11~13 kgf·m).

CAUTION

To prevent damaging the compact spare tire and your vehicle:

• Drive slowly enough for the road conditions to avoid all hazards, such as a potholes or debris.
• Avoid driving over obstacles. The compact spare tire diameter is smaller than the diameter of a conventional tire and reduces the ground clearance approximately 1 inch (25 mm).
• Do not use tire chains on the compact spare tire. Because of the smaller size, a tire chain will not fit properly.
• Do not use the compact spare tire on any other wheels, nor should standard tires, snow tires, wheel covers or trim rings be used with the compact spare wheel.
• Do not suddenly accelerate or decelerate 0 ~ 25 mph (0 ~ 40 km/h) in any driving mode. It may cause leakage of transfer oil.