Hyundai Sonata Owners Manual
Warnings and indicatorsFeatures of your vehicle / Instrument cluster / Warnings and indicators
All warning lights are checked by turning the ignition switch ON (do not start the engine). Any light that does not illuminate should be checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
After starting the engine, check to make sure that all warning lights are off. If any are still on, this indicates a situation that needs attention. When releasing the parking brake, the brake system warning light should go off. The fuel warning light will stay on if the fuel level is low.
ECO indicator
ECO ON/OFF mode (if equipped) The ECO indicator light helps that you to drive economically.
It is displayed if you drive fuel efficiently to help you improve fuel efficiency.
- The ECO indicator (green) will turn on when you are driving fuel efficiently in the ECO ON mode. If you don't want the indicator displayed, you can turn the ECO ON mode to OFF mode by pressing the TRIP button. As per ECO ON/OFF Mode operation, refer to the previous page. (if equipped)
- The fuel-efficiency can be changed by the driver's driving habits and road conditions.
- The ECO indicator does not funtion in P (Park), and N (Neutral), R (Reverse).
- When the instant fuel consumption mode is displayed on the LCD screen, the ECO indicator turns off (if equipped).
WARNING
Don't keep watching the indicator while driving. It will distract you while driving and cause an accident that results in severe personal injury.
Active ECO system (if equipped)
When the active ECO is operating the ECO indicator is green.
For more detailed information, refer to “Active ECO” in chapter 5.
Air bag warning light
This warning light will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds each time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
This light also comes on when the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is not
working properly. If the SRS air bag warning light
does not come on, or continuously
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light
This light illuminates if the ignition switch is turned ON and goes off in approximately 3 seconds if the system is operating normally.
If the ABS warning light remains on, comes on while driving, or does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, this indicates that there may be a malfunction with the ABS.
If this occurs, have your vehicle checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible. The normal braking system will still be operational, but without the assistance of the anti-lock brake system.
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system warning light
If these two warning lights illuminate at the same time while driving, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the ABS and EBD system.
In this case, your ABS and regular brake system may not work normally. Have the vehicle checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the both ABS and brake warning lights are on and stay on, your vehicle’s brake system will not work normally during sudden braking. In this case, avoid high speed driving and abrupt braking. Have your vehicle checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
✽ NOTICE
If the ABS warning light or EBD warning light is on and stays on, the speedometer or odometer/tripmeter may not work. In this case, have your vehicle checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
Seat belt warning
The driver's seat belt warning light and chime will activate to the following table when the ignition switch is in "ON" position.
*1 Warning pattern repeats 11 times with interval 24 seconds. If the driver's
seat belt is buckled, the light will stop within 6 seconds and chime will stop immediately.
*2 The light will stop within 6 seconds and chime will stop immediately.
Turn signal indicator
The blinking arrows on the instrument panel show the direction indicated by the turn signals. If the arrow comes on but does not blink, blinks more rapidly than normal, or does not illuminate at all, a malfunction in the turn signal system is indicated. Your dealer should be consulted for repairs.
High beam indicator
This indicator illuminates when the headlights are on and in the high beam position or when the turn signal lever is pulled into the Flash-to-Pass position.
Tail light indicator
This indicator illuminates when the tail lights are on.
Engine oil pressure warning light
This warning light indicates the engine oil pressure is low.
If the warning light illuminates while driving:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and stop.
2. With the engine off, check the engine oil level. If the level is low, add oil
as required.
If the warning light remains on after adding oil or if oil is not available, call an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
CAUTION
If the engine is not stopped immediately after the engine oil pressure warning light is illuminated, severe damage could result.
CAUTION
If the oil pressure warning light stays on while the engine is running, serious engine damage may result. The oil pressure warning light comes on whenever there is insufficient oil pressure. In normal operation, it should come on when the ignition switch is turned on, then go out when the engine is started. If the oil pressure warning light stays on while the engine is running, there is a serious malfunction. If this happens, stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so, turn off the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the engine oil to the proper level and start the engine again. If the light stays on with the engine running, turn the engine off immediately. In any instance where the oil light stays on when the engine is running, the engine should be checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer before the car is driven again.
Parking brake & brake fluid warning light
Parking brake warning
This light is illuminated when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in the START or ON position. The warning light should go off when the parking brake is released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the warning light remains on, it may indicate that the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.
If the warning light remains on:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add fluid as required. Then check all brake components for fluid leaks.
3. Do not drive the vehicle if leaks are found, the warning light remains on or the brakes do not operate properly. Have the vehicle towed to any authorized HYUNDAI dealer for a brake system inspection and necessary repairs. Your vehicle is equipped with a dualdiagonal braking system. This means you still have braking on two wheels even if one of the brake circuits is damaged or malfunctions. With only one of the circuits working, more than normal pedal travel and greater pedal pressure are required to stop the car. Also, the car will not stop in as short a distance with only a portion of the brake system working. If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to a lower gear for additional engine braking and stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so.
To check bulb operation, check whether the parking brake and brake fluid warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle with a warning light on is dangerous. If the brake warning light remains on, have the brakes checked and repaired immediately by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Low brake vacuum pressure warning
(2.0 TGDI engine only, if equipped) If the warning light remains on, it may indicate that the brake vacuum pump has any problem. Therefore you should avoid high speed driving or sudden stop, and you should depress the brake pedal deeper and harder than usual in braking. Make sure to have the brake system checked and repaired by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING
- Continuous braking while driving on steep or long downhill may cause to descend the vacuum level in brake booster for a time and turn on the warning light. In this case, shift down the transmission. If the warning light illuminate continuously, stop the vehicle in the safe location and wait until the warning light goes off.
- Driving the vehicle with a warning light on is dangerous. If the brake warning light remains on, have the brakes checked and repaired immediately by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Low tire pressure telltale
The low tire pressure telltale illuminates when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated.
The low tire pressure telltale will illuminate after it blinks for approximately one minute when there is a problem with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
If this occurs, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
For details, refer to the TPMS on chapter 6.
WARNING - Low tire pressure
Significantly low tire pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances. Continued driving on tires with low pressure will cause the tires to overheat and fail.
WARNING - Safe stopping
- The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and sudden tire damage caused by external factors.
- If you feel any vehicle instability, immediately take your foot off the accelerator, apply the brakes gradually and with light force, and slowly move to a safe position off the road.
Automatic Transaxle shift indicator
The indicator displays which automatic transaxle shift position is selected.
Manual transaxle shift indicator (if equipped)
This indicator informs you which gear is desired while driving to save fuel.
For example
: Indicates that shifting up to
: Indicates that shifting down
✽ NOTICE
When the system is not working properly, up & down arrow indicator and Gear are not displayed.
Charging system warning light
This warning light indicates a malfunction of either the generator or electrical charging system.
If the warning light comes on while the vehicle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the generator drive belt for looseness or breakage.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a problem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an authorized HYUNDAI dealer correct the problem as soon as
possible.
Front fog light indicator
This light comes on when the front fog lights are ON.
Trunk lid open warning light
This warning light illuminates when the trunk lid is not closed securely with the ignition in any position.
Door open position indicator
This indicator illuminates when a door is not closed securely. The indicator displays which door is opened.
Immobilizer indicator
Without smart key system
This light illuminates when the immobilizer key is inserted and turned to the ON position to start the engine.
At this time, you can start the engine.The light goes out after the engine is running. If this light blinks when the ignition switch is in the ON position before starting the engine, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
With smart key system (if equipped)
If any of the following occurs in a vehicle equipped with the smart key, the immobilizer indicator illuminates, blinks or the light goes off.
- When the smart key is in the vehicle, if the engine start/stop button is turned to the ON position, the indicator will illuminate until the engine is started. However, when the smart key is not in the vehicle, if the engine start/stop button is depressed, the indicator will blink for a few minutes to indicate that you will not be able to start the engine.
- When the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and the indicator turns off after 2 seconds, the system may need repair. Have the vehicle checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
- When the battery is weak, if the engine start/stop button is depressed, the indicator will blink and you will not be able to start the engine. However, you may still be able to start the engine by inserting the smart key in the smart key holder. If smart key system related parts need repair, the indicator blinks.
Low fuel level warning light
This warning light indicates the fuel tank is nearly empty. When it comes on, you should add fuel as soon as possible. Driving with the fuel level warning light on or with the fuel level below “E” can cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter.
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) (check engine light)
This indicator light is part of the Engine Control System which monitors various emission control system components. If this light illuminates while driving, it indicates that a potential malfunction has been detected somewhere in the emission control system.
This light will also illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, and will go out in a few seconds after the engine is started. If it illuminates while driving, or does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, take your vehicle to your nearest authorized HYUNDAI dealer and have the system checked.
Generally, your vehicle will continue to be drivable, but have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer promptly.
CAUTION
- Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator Light illuminated may cause damage to the emission control systems which could effect drivability and/or fuel economy.
- If the Malfunction Indicator Light illuminates, potential catalytic converter damage is possible. This could result in loss of engine power. Have the Engine Control System inspected as soon as possible by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Engine coolant temperature warning light
The warning light illuminates if the temperature of the engine coolant is above 257±4.5°F (125±2.5°C).
Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. If your vehicle overheats, refer to “Overheating” in section 6.
ESC indicator (Electronic Stability Control)
The ESC indicator will illuminate when the ignition switch is turned ON, but should go off after approximately 3 seconds. When the ESC is on, it monitors the driving conditions under normal driving conditions, the ESC light will remain off. When a slippery or low traction condition is encountered, the ESC will operate, and the ESC indicator will blink to indicate the ESC is operating.
The ESC indicator stays on when the ESC may have a malfunction. Take your car to an authorized HYUNDAI dealer and have the system checked.
ESC OFF indicator
The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate when the ignition switch is turned ON, but should go off after approximately 3 seconds. To switch to ESC OFF mode, press the ESC OFF button. The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate indicating the ESC is deactivated.
Cruise indicator
CRUISE indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the cruise control system is enabled.
The cruise indicator light in the instrument cluster is illuminated when the cruise control ON-OFF button on the steering wheel is pushed.
The indicator light turns off when the cruise control ON-OFF button is pushed again. For more information about the use of cruise control, refer to “Cruise control system or Smart cruise control system” in section 5.
Cruise SET indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the cruise function switch (SET- or RES+) is ON. The cruise SET indicator light in the instrument cluster is illuminated when the cruise control switch (SET- or RES+) is pushed. The cruise SET indicator light does not illuminate when the cruise control switch (CANCEL) is pushed or the system is disengaged.
Electronic power steering (EPS) system warning light
This indicator light comes on after the ignition key is turned to the ON position and then it will go out.
This light also comes on when the EPS needs repairs. If it comes on while driving, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Key reminder warning chime
Without smart key
If the driver’s door is opened while the ignition key is left in the ignition switch (ACC or LOCK position), the key reminder warning chime will sound. This helps prevent you from locking your keys in the vehicle. The chime sounds until the key is removed from the ignition switch or the driver’s door is closed.
With smart key
If the driver’s door is opened while the smart key is in the vehicle with the engine start/stop button in ACC or the smart key is in the smart key holder with the engine start/stop button in OFF, the key reminder warning chime will sound. The chime sounds until the smart key is removed from the smart key holder or the driver’s door is closed.
