🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Hyundai

Model:

Tiburon

Year:

2003

Market Segment:

Compact Sports Coupe

Vin Code:

Standard Hyundai VIN structure

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

The 2003 Hyundai Tiburon was positioned as an affordable, stylish, and sporty compact coupe, targeting younger buyers and those seeking a more visually aggressive vehicle without the premium price tag of European or Japanese sports cars.

Competitors:

Key competitors included the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Dodge Neon SRT-4, Ford Focus SVT, and potentially lower trims of the Honda Civic Si and Toyota Celica. The Tiburon often distinguished itself with its distinctive styling and value proposition.

Styling:

Distinctive, aggressive styling with sharp lines and a low-slung profile.

Performance Options:

Available with two engine options, offering a choice between fuel efficiency and more spirited performance.

Value:

Offered a compelling package of style and performance at a competitive price point.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Owner's manual content for the 2003 Hyundai Tiburon

Secondary Coverage:

Features, driving, emergency procedures, corrosion prevention, maintenance, emission control, consumer information, specifications, index

Estimated Page Count:

150-250 (typical for this era and vehicle type, exact count not provided)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation, lubrication, cooling, fuel system basics, exhaust system overview

Chassis:

Braking system, steering system, suspension system, wheels and tires

Electrical:

Lighting systems, instrumentation, warning indicators, basic electrical system operation, fuses and relays overview

Comfort And Convenience:

Climate control, audio system, power accessories, seats, interior features

Safety Systems:

Airbags, seat belts, child seat anchorages, passive safety features

Operation:

Starting the engine, shifting gears, parking, driving techniques

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance checks, fluid level checks, tire pressure checks, filter replacement guidance

Troubleshooting:

Understanding warning lights, basic troubleshooting for common drivability issues

Emergency:

Jumping a dead battery, changing a flat tire, locating spare tire and tools, towing information, what to do in case of an accident

Care And Appearance:

Exterior washing and waxing, interior cleaning, corrosion prevention advice

Depth:

Owner-level information for operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting. Does not cover in-depth diagnostic procedures or component-level repair.

📊 Manual Specifications

Format:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable if OCR was performed on the original document

Printability:

All pages are printable

Binding:

Not applicable (digital download)

Paper Type:

Not applicable (digital download)

Operating Systems:

All Versions of Windows & Mac & Linux

Software:

Adobe PDF Reader

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Type 1:

Inline-4 Cylinder

Displacement 1:

2.0 Liters (1975 cc)

Engine Code 1:

G4GC (Beta II)

Horsepower 1:

138 hp @ 6000 RPM

Torque 1:

133 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM

Engine Type 2:

V6 Cylinder

Displacement 2:

2.7 Liters (2656 cc)

Engine Code 2:

G6BA (Delta)

Horsepower 2:

173 hp @ 6000 RPM

Torque 2:

181 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM

Fuel Delivery:

Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI)

Recommended Fuel:

87 Octane Unleaded Gasoline

Emissions Compliance:

California/Federal emissions standards, governed by EPA and CARB regulations

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type 1:

5-speed Manual

Transmission Type 2:

4-speed Automatic with Overdrive

Overdrive:

Available on automatic transmission

Manual Clutch:

Hydraulically actuated clutch system

📐 Dimensions

Length:

171.7 inches (4360 mm)

Width:

68.3 inches (1735 mm)

Height:

52.4 inches (1330 mm)

Wheelbase:

100.4 inches (2550 mm)

Front Track:

58.7 inches (1490 mm)

Rear Track:

58.3 inches (1480 mm)

Curb Weight Min:

2866 lbs (1299 kg) (2.0L Manual)

Curb Weight Max:

3120 lbs (1415 kg) (2.7L Automatic)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

Approx. 3858 lbs (1750 kg)

Trunk Volume:

Approx. 7.4 cubic feet

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Rollover Rating 2003:

Not specifically rated, but typical for coupes of this era.

Brakes:

Front ventilated discs, Rear solid discs (standard); Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) available/standard on higher trims

Traction Control:

Not commonly available on this model year.

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags

Seat Belts:

3-point height-adjustable front seat belts with pre-tensioners; Rear 3-point seat belts

Child Anchors:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for rear seats

Crumple Zones:

Designed with front and rear crumple zones for energy absorption

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Factory-installed AM/FM/CD player. Optional premium audio system with amplifier and subwoofer on higher trims.

Navigation:

No factory navigation system offered for this model year.

Cruise Control:

Standard on most trims

Stability Control:

Not commonly available on this model year.

Aux Input:

Not standard; aftermarket solutions may be available.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first (for synthetic oil); 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 3 months (for conventional oil) - refer to manual for specific details.

Air Filter Replacement:

Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km), replace as needed, typically every 15,000-30,000 miles (24,000-48,000 km)

Coolant Replacement:

Initial replacement at 60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (50,000 km) or 2 years

Timing Belt Replacement:

75,000 miles (120,000 km) for 2.0L engine; 2.7L V6 uses a timing chain.

Engine Oil Spec:

API SM or higher, SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 (check manual for specific viscosity recommendations based on temperature)

Coolant Type:

Hyundai Long Life Coolant (or equivalent ethylene glycol-based antifreeze) - typically a green or yellow type

Brake Fluid:

DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid

Transmission Fluid Auto:

Hyundai Genuine Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF-SP III or equivalent)

Transmission Fluid Manual:

API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 gear oil

Common Complaints V6:

Timing belt failure on 2.0L models can cause severe engine damage if not replaced on schedule. Some reports of premature clutch wear in manual transmissions.

Common Complaints Electrical:

Intermittent issues with power windows, door locks, and instrument cluster illumination can occur.

Common Complaints Suspension:

Wear in front suspension components like ball joints and bushings can lead to knocking noises.

📚 Vehicle History

Heritage:

Hyundai, established in 1967, has evolved from a general industrial company to a major global automaker known for offering value-oriented vehicles with improving quality and design.

Tiburon Generation 2:

The 2003 Tiburon represents the second generation (RD2), which received a significant facelift for the 2003 model year, featuring updated styling, improved interiors, and the introduction of the more powerful 2.7L V6 engine.

Manufacturing Location:

Ulsan, South Korea

Production Years Second Gen:

1996–2001 (original RD), 2001–2008 (facelifted RD2)

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Recalls:

Owners should consult the NHTSA website or Hyundai for any applicable safety recalls for the 2003 Tiburon model. Common recalls may involve airbag issues or fuel system components.

Consumer Reports Historical:

Historically, the Tiburon received mixed reviews, often praised for its styling and affordability but criticized for ride quality and interior material quality compared to some competitors.