2009 Hyundai Elantra light

53
Driving your vehicle
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outside mir-ror(s), and outside lights are clean.
Check the condition of the tyres.
Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up.
Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid
should be checked on a regular basis,
with the exact interval depending on the
fluid. Further details are provided in
Section 7, “Maintenance”.
Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all controls are easily reached.
Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors. Be sure that all lights work.
Check all gauges.
Check the operation of warning lights
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
Release the hand brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are famil-
iar with your vehicle and its equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING
All passengers must be properly
belted whenever the vehicle is mov-
ing. Refer to “Seat belts” in section
3 for more information on their
proper use.
WARNING
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before putting a
car into “Drive” or “Reverse”.
WARNING - Driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs
Drinking and driving is dangerous.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.Driving while under the influence of
drugs is as dangerous or more dan-
gerous than driving drunk.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink or
take drugs and drive.
If you are drinking or taking drugs,
don’t drive. Do not ride with a driv-er who has been drinking or taking
drugs. Choose a designated driveror call a cab.
WARNING
When you intend to park or stop the
vehicle with the engine on, be care-ful not to depress the accelerator
pedal for a long period of time. It
may overheat the engine or exhaust
system and cause fire.

Driving your vehicle
4
5
Illuminated ignition switch
Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will be illuminated for your
convenience, provided the ignition switch
is not in the ON position. The light will go
off immediately when the ignition switch
is turned on or go off after about 10 sec-onds when the door is closed. Ignition switch position
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key towardthe LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.
✽✽
NOTICE
If difficulty is experienced turning the
ignition switch to the ACC position, turnthe key while turning the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension.
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is the
normal running position after the engine
is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON if the engine is not running to prevent batterydischarge.
START
Turn the ignition key to the START posi-
tion to start the engine. The engine will
crank until you release the key; then it
returns to the ON position. The brake
warning lamp can be checked in thisposition.
KEY POSITIONS
OUN036001OUN036002

57
Driving your vehicle
To shift into reverse, rest the lever inneutral for at least 3 seconds after your
car is completely stopped. Then move
the lever into the reverse position.
During cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the transaxle lubricant has
warmed up. This is normal and not
harmful to the transaxle.
If you've come to a complete stop and it's hard to shift into 1st or R(Reverse),
put the shift lever in N(Neutral) position
and release the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down, and then shift
into 1st or R(Reverse) gear position.CAUTION
When downshifting from fifth
gear to fourth gear, cautionshould be taken not to inadver-tently press the gear shift lever
sideways in such a manner thatsecond gear is engaged. Such a drastic downshift may cause theengine speed to increase to the
point that the tachometer will enter the red-zone. Such over-revving of the engine may possi- bly cause engine damage.
Do not downshift more than 2 gears or downshift the gear whenthe engine is running at high speed (5,000 RPM or higher).
Doing so may damage the engine.
CAUTION
To avoid premature clutch wear and damage, do not drive withyour foot resting on the clutch
pedal. Also, don’t use the clutchto hold the vehicle stopped on an uphill grade, while waiting for atraffic light, etc.
Do not use the shift lever as a handrest during driving, as thiscan result in premature wear of the transaxle shift forks.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always set the hand brake fully and
shut the engine off. Then make sure
the transaxle is shifted into 1st gear
when the vehicle is parked on a
level or uphill grade, and shifted
into R (Reverse) on a downhill
grade. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if
these precautions are not followed
in the order identified.

Driving your vehicle
10
5
Automatic transaxle operation
The highly efficient automatic transaxle
has 4 forward gears and one reverse
gear. The individual gears are selected
automatically, depending on the position
of the shift lever.
All normal forward driving is done with
the shift lever in the D (Drive) position.
To move the shift lever from the P (Park)
position, the brake pedal must bedepressed.
✽✽
NOTICE
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, if the battery has been disconnected, may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normalcondition, and the shifting sequence will
adjust after shifts are cycled a few times
by the TCM (Transaxle ControlModule).
For smooth operation, depress the brake pedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to a forward or reverse gear.
Transaxle ranges
The indicator lights in the instrument
cluster indicate the shift lever position
when the ignition switch is in the ONposition.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transaxle and prevents the frontwheels from rotating.
WARNING - Automatic
transaxle
Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for peo-
ple, especially children, beforeputting a car into D (Drive) or R
(Reverse).
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position; then
set the hand brake fully and shut
the engine off. Unexpected and
sudden vehicle movement canoccur if these precautions are not
followed in the order identified.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your
transaxle, do not accelerate theengine in R (Reverse) or any for- ward gear position with the
brakes on.
When stopped on an upgrade, do not hold the vehicle stationarywith engine power. Use the serv-ice brake or the hand brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R(Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.

511
Driving your vehicle
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not locked.
The vehicle will roll freely even on the
slightest incline unless the hand brake or
service brakes are applied. D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 4-gear sequence, providing the
best fuel economy and power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the
transaxle will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
✽✽
NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the hand brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
and set the hand brake fully.
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position. Set the
hand brake fully, shut the engine
off and take the key with you.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement can occur if you do
not follow these precautions in
the order specified.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
CAUTION
The transaxle may be damaged if
you shift into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stopbefore shifting into or out of R
(Reverse); you may damage thetransaxle if you shift into R while the vehicle is in motion, except asexplained in “Rocking the Vehicle”,
in this manual.

515
Driving your vehicle
Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
usage.
In the event that the power-assisted
brakes lose power because of a stalled
engine or some other reason, you can
still stop your vehicle by applying greater
force to the brake pedal than you nor-
mally would. The stopping distance, how-
ever, will be longer.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially depleted
each time the brake pedal is applied. Do
not pump the brake pedal when the
power assist has been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when neces-
sary to maintain steering control on slip-
pery surfaces.In the event of brake failure
If service brakes fail to operate while the
vehicle is in motion, you can make an
emergency stop with the hand brake. The
stopping distance, however, will be much
greater than normal.
BRAKE SYSTEM (Continued)
When descending a long or steep
hill, shift to a lower gear and
avoid continuous application of
the brakes. Continuous brakeapplication will cause the brakes
to overheat and could result in a
temporary loss of braking per-
formance.
Wet brakes may result the vehicle not to slow down at the usual rateand pull it to one side when the
brakes are applied. Applying the
brakes lightly will indicate
whether they have been affected
in this way. Always test yourbrakes in this fashion after driv-
ing through deep water. To dry
the brakes, apply them lightly
while maintaining a safe forward
speed until brake performancereturns to normal.
WARNING - Hand brake
Applying the hand brake while the
vehicle is moving at normal speeds
can cause a sudden loss of control
of the vehicle. If you must use the
hand brake to stop the vehicle, use
great caution in applying the brake.
WARNING - Brakes
Do not drive with your foot rest- ing on the brake pedal. This will create abnormal high brake tem-
peratures, excessive brake lining
and pad wear, and increasedstopping distances.
(Continued)

Driving your vehicle
16
5
Disc brakes wear indicator
Your vehicle has disc brakes.
When your brake pads are worn and new
pads are required, you will hear a high-
pitched warning sound from your front or
rear brakes. You may hear this sound
come and go or it may occur whenever
you depress the brake pedal.
Please remember that some driving con-
ditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when you first apply (or lightly
apply) the brakes. This is normal and
does not indicate a problem with your
brakes.
Hand brake
Applying the hand brake
To engage the hand brake, first apply the
foot brake and then without pressing the
release button, pull the hand brake lever
up as far as possible. In addition it is rec-
ommended that when parking the vehicle
on a gradient, the shift lever should be
positioned in the appropriate low gear on
manual transaxle vehicles or in the P
(Park) position on automatic transaxle
vehicles.
WARNING- Brake wear
This brake wear warning sound
means your vehicle needs service.
If you ignore this audible warning,
you will eventually lose braking
performance, which could lead to aserious accident.
CAUTION
Always replace brake pads as com- plete front or rear axle sets.
CAUTION
To avoid costly brake repairs, do
not continue to drive with wornbrake pads.
OHD056005R
CAUTION
Driving with the hand brake applied will cause excessive brake pad and
brake rotor wear.

517
Driving your vehicle
Releasing the hand brake
To release the hand brake, first apply the
foot brake and pull the hand brake lever
slightly. Secondly, depress the release
button and lower the hand brake lever
while holding the button.Check the brake warning light by turning
the ignition switch ON (do not start the
engine). This light will be illuminated
when the hand brake is applied with the
ignition switch in the START or ON posi-tion.
Before driving, be sure the hand brake is
fully released and the brake warning light
is off.
If the brake warning light remains on
after the hand brake is released, there
may be a malfunction in the brake sys-
tem. Immediate attention is necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the vehi-
cle immediately. If that is not possible,
use extreme caution while operating the
vehicle and only continue to drive the
vehicle until you can reach a safe loca-
tion or repair shop.
WARNING
To prevent unintentional move- ment when stopped and leaving
the vehicle, do not use the
gearshift lever in place of the
hand brake. Set the hand brake
AND make sure the gearshift
lever is securely positioned in 1st
(First) gear or R (Reverse) for
manual transaxle equipped vehi-
cles and in P (Park) for automatic
transaxle equipped vehicles.
Never allow a person who is unfa- miliar with the vehicle or children
to touch the hand brake. If thehand brake is released uninten-
tionally, serious injury may occur.
All vehicles should always have the hand brake fully engaged
when parking to avoid inadver-
tent movement of the car whichcan injure occupants or pedestri-ans.
OHD056006RW-75