2008 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
51
1. Tachometer
2. Low Tire Pressure Telltale
3. TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Malfunction Telltale
4. Door Ajar Warning Light
5. Seat Belt Warning Light (Driver's side)
6. High Beam Indicator Light
7. Turn Signal Indicator Lights
8. Speedometer
9. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Lights
(If Installed)
10. Front Fog Light Indicator Light
11. ABS Service Reminder Indicator (SRI) (If Installed)
12. Coolant Temperature Gauge13. Fuel Gauge
14. Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid Level Warning Light
15. Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
16. Charging System Warning Light
17. Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light
18. Check Engine - Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
19. SRS (Airbag) Warning Light
20. Automatic Transaxle Position Indicator Light (If Installed)
21. Odometer/ Trip Odometer/ Trip Computer (If Installed)
22. CRUISE Indicator Light
23. Cruise SET Indicator Light
24. Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
25. Low Fuel Warning Light

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI52
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTSB260B01JM-AAT
SRS (Airbag) Warning Light
The SRS warning light comes on for about 6
seconds after the key is turned to the "ON"
position or after the engine is started, after which
it will go out.
This light also comes on when the SRS is not
working properly. If the AIRBAG warning light
does not come on, or continuously remains on
after operating for about 6 seconds when you
turned the ignition key to the "ON" position or
started the engine, or if it comes on while driving,
have the SRS inspected by an authorized
Hyundai dealer.B260D01A-AAT
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
The blinking green 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.
The driver's seat belt warning light and chime will
activate to the following table when the ignition
switch is in "ON" position.B265E01TG-AAT
Seat Belt Warning Light and
Chime (Driver's Side)
*1) Warning pattern repeats 11 times with inter-
val 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.
Conditions Warning Pattern
Seat BeltVehicle SpeedLight-Blink Chime-SoundUnbuckled
Buckled
Buckled
→ →→ →
→ Unbuckled
UnbuckledAbove 6mph
(10 km/h)
↓
Below 3mph
(5 km/h)6 seconds
6 seconds
6 seconds *1)
↓Stop *2)
6 secondsNone
The front passenger's seat belt warning light will
activate to the following table when the ignition
switch is in "ON" position.
Seat Belt Warning Light (Front
Passenger's Side)
*1) The seat belt warning light will go off if the
vehicle speed decreases below 3 mph (5
km/h). And if the vehicle speed increases
above 3 mph (5 km/h), the warning light will
blink again.
Conditions Warning Pattern
Seat BeltVehicle SpeedLight-BlinkUnbuckled
Buckled6 seconds
Continuously
6 seconds
Continuously *1)
None
UnbuckledAbove 6mph
(10 km/h)
Buckled
→ →→ →
→
UnbuckledAbove 6mph
(10 km/h)
Below 6mph
(10 km/h)

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
53
B260F01A-AAT
High Beam Indicator Light
The high beam indicator light comes on when-
ever the headlights are switched to the high
beam or flash position.
B260G01A-AAT
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
CAUTION:
If the low 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 malfunc-
tion.
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
a Hyundai dealer before the car is driven again.
!
B260A01Y-GAT
Front Fog Light Indicator Light
(If Installed)
This fog indicator light comes on when the
ignition key is turned to the "ON" position and the
front fog light switch is on.NOTE:o You can find the front passenger's seat
belt warning light on the center fascia
panel.
o Although the front passenger seat is not
occupied, the seat belt warning light will
blink for 6 seconds.
o The seat belt warning light can blink
when luggage is placed on the front
passenger seat.
!
B260H02A-AAT
Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid
Level Warning Light
WARNING:
If you suspect brake trouble, have your
brakes checked by a Hyundai dealer as
soon as possible. Driving your car with a
problem in either the brake electrical sys-
tem or brake hydraulic system is danger-
ous, and could result in a serious injury or
death.Warning Light OperationThe parking brake/brake fluid level warning light
should come on when the parking brake is
applied and the ignition switch is turned to "ON"
or "START". After the engine is started, the light
should go out when the parking brake is re-
leased.
If the parking brake is not applied, the warning
light should come on when the ignition switch is
turned to "ON" or "START", then go out when
the engine starts. If the light comes on at any
other time, you should slow the vehicle and bring
it to a complete stop in a safe location off the
roadway.

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI54
B260L02HP-GAT
Door Ajar Warning Light and
Chime
The door ajar warning light warns you that a door
is not completely closed and the chime warns
you that the key is in the ignition switch.NOTE :The warning chime only sounds whenever
the key is in the ignition switch and the
driver's side front door is open simulta-
neously. The chime sounds until the key is
removed from the ignition switch or the
driver's side front door is closed.
B260M01A-AAT
Low Fuel Level Warning Light
The low fuel level warning light comes on when
the fuel tank is approaching 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.B260N02A-AAT
Check Engine - Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)
This light illuminates when there is a malfunction
of an exhaust gas related component, and the
system is not functioning properly so that the
exhaust gas regulation values are not satisfied.
This light will also illuminate when the ignition key
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 key is turned to the "ON" position,
take your car to your nearest authorized Hyundai
dealer and have the system checked.
The brake fluid level warning light indicates that
the brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder
is low and hydraulic brake fluid conforming to
DOT 3 or DOT 4 specifications should be
added. After adding fluid, if no other trouble is
found, the car should be immediately and care-
fully driven to a Hyundai dealer for inspection.
If further trouble is experienced, the vehicle
should not be driven at all but taken to a dealer
by a professional towing service.
Your Hyundai is equipped with dual-diagonal
braking systems. This means you still have
braking on two wheels even if one of the dual
systems should fail. With only one of the dual
systems 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 half 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.
B260J01NF-AAT
Charging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light should come
on when the ignition is turned on, then go out
when the engine is running. If the light stays on
while the engine is running, there is a malfunc-
tion in the electrical charging system. If the light
comes on while you are driving, have the sys-
tem checked by your Hyundai dealer as soon
as possible.
B260K01S-AAT
Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
This light remains on unless the trunk lid is
completely closed and latched.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
55
!
B260P02Y-GAT
ABS Service Reminder
Indicator (SRI) (If Installed)
When the key is turned to the "ON" position, the
Anti-Lock Brake System indicator will come on
and then go off in a few seconds. If the ABS SRI
remains on, comes on while driving, or does not
come on when the key is turned to the "ON"
position, this indicates that there may be a
problem with the ABS.
If this occurs, have your vehicle checked by
your Hyundai dealer as soon as possible. The
normal braking system will still be operational,
but without the assistance of the anti-lock brake
system.
WARNING:
If both the ABS SRI and Parking Brake/
Brake fluid level warning lights remain "ON"
or come on while driving, there may be a
problem with E.B.D. (Electronic Brake Force
Distribution).
If this occurs, avoid sudden stops and have
your vehicle checked by your Hyundai dealer
as soon as possible.
B265C01NF-AAT
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Indicator Lights
(If Installed)
The electronic stability control indicators change
operation according to the ignition switch posi-
tion and whether the system is in operation or
not.
They will illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to the "ON" position, but should go out
after three seconds. If the ESC or ESC-OFF
indicator stays on, take your car to your autho-
rized Hyundai dealer and have the system
checked. See section 2 for more information
about the ESC.B260Q02NF-GAT
CRUISE Indicator Light
The cruise indicator light in the instrument clus-
ter is illuminated when the cruise control ON/
OFF button on the steering wheel is pulled.
The indicator light turns off when the cruise
control ON/OFF button is pushed again. Infor-
mation about the use of cruise control begins on
page 1-93.
B260R01NF-GAT
Cruise SET Indicator Light
The Cruise SET indicator light in the instrument
cluster is illuminated when the cruise control
"COAST/SET" or "RES/ACCEL" switch is
pushed. The Cruise SET indicator light does not
illuminate when the cruise control "CANCEL"
switch is pushed or the system is disengaged.
To disengage the cruise control system, refer
to "To cancel the cruise speed" on page 1-94.B260S01NF-GAT
Low Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Warning Light
The low windshield washer fluid warning light
comes on when the washer fluid reservoir is
approaching empty. When it comes on, add
washer fluid at your earliest opportunity.B270A01O-AATBRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING SOUNDThe front and rear disc brake pads have wear
indicators that should make a high-pitched
squealing or scraping noise when new pads are
needed. The sound may come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle is moving. It
may also be heard when the brake pedal is
pushed down firmly. Excessive rotor damage
will result if the worn pads are not replaced. See
your Hyundai dealer immediately.

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI56
INSTRUMENT CLUSTERB280A01NF-AATFUEL GAUGEThe needle on the gauge indicates the approxi-
mate fuel level in the fuel tank. The fuel capacity
is given in section 9.NOTE:The " " symbol means, the fuel filler
lid is located on the left side of the vehicle.
B280A01NF
!
!
WARNING:
Significantly low tire pressure makes the
vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss
of vehicle control and increased braking
distances.
Continued driving on low pressure tires will
cause the tires to overheat and fail.B260W02JM-GAT
Low tire pressure telltale
The low tire pressure telltale comes on for 3
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the
"ON" position.
If the warning light does not come on, or continu-
ously remains on after coming on for about 3
seconds when you turned the ignition key to the
"ON" position, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is not working properly. If this occurs,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized
Hyundai dealer as soon as possible.
This warning light will also illuminate if one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
You should stop and check your tires as soon
as possible. If the warning light illuminates while
driving, reduce vehicle speed immediately and
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard braking and over-
correcting at the steering wheel. Inflate the tires
to the proper pressure as indicated on the
vehicle’s tire information placard.
B265W02JM-GAT
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing System) malfunction indi-
cator
TPMS malfunction indicator comes on for 3
seconds after the ignition key is turned to the
"ON" position. If the warning light does not come
on, or continuously remains on after coming on
for about 3 seconds when you turned the ignition
key to the "ON" position, the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System is not working properly. If
this occurs, have your vehicle checked by an
authorized Hyundai dealer as soon as possible.
The warning light also comes on and stays on
when there is a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System.
If this happens, the system may not monitor the
tire pressure. Have the system checked by an
authorized Hyundai dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING:
o The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and
sudden tire damage caused by external
factors.
o If you feel any vehicle instability, imme-
diately take your foot off the accelerator
and slowly move to a safe position off
the road.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
57
B330A03A-AATTACHOMETERThe tachometer registers the speed of your
engine in revolutions per minute (rpm).
CAUTION:
The engine should not be raced to such a
speed that the needle enters the red zone
on the tachometer face. This can cause
severe engine damage and may void your
warranty coverage.
!
!
B290A03A-AATENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
WARNING:Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. The engine coolant is under
pressure and could erupt and cause severe
burns. Wait until the engine is cool before
adding coolant to the reservoir.The normal range is approximately in the middle
between "H" and "C". If it moves across the dial
to "H" (HOT), pull over and stop as soon as
possible and turn off the engine. Then open the
hood and, after the engine has cooled, check the
coolant level (See "If the engine overheats" on
the page 3-4.) and the water pump drive belt. If you
suspect cooling system trouble, have your cool-
ing system checked by a Hyundai dealer as soon
as possible.
B290A01NF
B330A01NFRed
Zone

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI58
B300A02A-AATSPEEDOMETERYour Hyundai's speedometer is calibrated in
miles per hour and kilometers per hour.
B300A01NF-AB300A02NF-A
2.4L
3.3L
B310B01NF-AATODOMETER/TRIP ODOMETER
1. OdometerThe odometer records the total distance trav-
eled in miles. You will also find the odometer
useful to determine when periodic maintenance
should be performed.NOTE:Federal law forbids alteration of the odom-
eter of any vehicle with the intent to change
the mileage registered on the odometer.
The alteration may void your warranty cov-
erage.Pushing in the TRIP switch behind the left side
of the steering wheel when the ignition switch is
turned "ON" will display two trip odometers in
miles.
B310B01NF-A
B400B01NF-A
With Automatic Transaxle
With Manual Transaxle
2. Trip Odometer
(Without Trip Computer)