2009 Hyundai Sonata Owner's Manual

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI36
!
!
WARNING:
Always use seat belts and child restraints
– every trip, every time, everyone!
Airbags inflate with considerable force
and in the blink of an eye. Seat belts help
keep occupants in proper position to
obtain maximum benefit from the airbag.
Even with advanced airbags, improperly
belted and unbelted occupants can be
severely injured when the airbag inflates.
Always follow the precautions about seat
belts, airbags and occupant safety
contained in this manual.
To reduce the chance of serious or fatal
injuries and receive the maximum safety
benefit from your restraint system:
o Never place a child in any child or
booster seat in the front seat (see
child restraints 1-26).
o ABC – Always Buckle Children in the
back seat. It is the safest place for
children of any age to ride.
o Front and side impact airbags can
injure occupants improperly
positioned in the front seats.
o Move your seat as far back as
practical from the front airbags, while
still maintaining control of the vehicle.
o Never sit or lean unnecessarily close
to the front or side airbags.
!
WARNING:
o Modification to the seat structure can
adversely affect the seat track position
sensor and cause the airbag to deploy
at a different level than should be pro-
vided.
o Do not place any objects underneath
the front seats as they could damage
the seat track position sensor or
interfere with the occupant
classification system.
o Do not place any objects that may cause
magnetic fields near the front seat.
These may cause a malfunction of the
seat track position sensor.NOTE:o Be sure to read information about the
SRS on the labels provided on the back-
side of the sun visor.
o Advanced airbags are combined with
pre-tensioner seat belts to help provide
enhanced occupant protection in frontal
crashes. Front airbags are not intended
to deploy in collisions in which sufficient
protection can be provided by the pre-
tensioner seat belt.
o If you are considering modification of
your vehicle due to a disability, please
contact the Hyundai Customer Assis-
tance Center at 1-800-633-5151.o Never lean against the door or center
console – always sit in an upright posi-
tion.
o Do not allow an adult passenger to ride
in the front seat when the “Passenger
Airbag OFF” indicator is illuminated,
because the airbag will not deploy in the
event of a moderate or severe frontal
crash.
o Never place objects over or near any
airbag module (front or side impact
airbags), because these objects can
injure passengers in a crash.
o Never place covers, blankets or after-
market seat warmers on the passenger
seat as these may interfere with the
occupant classification system.
o Do not tamper or disconnect SRS wiring
or other components. Injuries could
result from inadvertent deployment or
failure of the airbag to deploy in a crash.
o If the SRS airbag warning light (see pg
1-50) remains illuminated while the
vehicle is being driven, have an
authorized Hyundai dealer inspect the
airbag system as soon as possible.
o Airbags can only be used once – have
an authorized Hyundai dealer replace
the airbag immediately after
deployment.
WARNING:

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
37
!
WARNING:
o Move your seat as far back as
practical from the front airbags, while
still maintaining control of the vehicle.
You and your passengers should
never sit or lean unnecessarily close
to the airbags. Improperly positioned
drivers and passengers can be
severely injured by inflating airbags.
o No objects should be placed over or
near the airbag modules on the steer-
ing wheel, instrument panel, and the
front passenger's panel above the
glove box, because any such object
could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
crash severe enough to cause the
airbags to deploy.
o If the airbags deploy, they must be
replaced by an authorized Hyundai
dealer. Deployed airbags WILL NOT
inflate again and will provide no
protection in subsequent collisions.
o Do not tamper with or disconnect SRS
wiring or other components of the
SRS system. Doing so could result in
injury, due to accidental deployment
of the airbags or by rendering the SRS
inoperative.
!
WARNING:
o The SRS is designed to deploy the
front airbags only when an impact is
sufficiently severe and when the
impact angle is less than 30° from the
forward longitudinal axis of the
vehicle. The front airbags will not
deploy in side, rear or rollover im-
pacts. Additionally, the airbags will
only deploy once. Seat belts must be
worn at all times.
o Front airbags are not intended to de-
ploy in side-impact, rear-impact or
rollover crashes. In addition, front
airbags will not deploy in frontal
crashes below the deployment
threshold.
!
WARNING:
o Even though your vehicle is equipped
with the occupant classification sys-
tem, do not install a child restraint
system in the front passenger seat
position. A child restraint system
must never be placed in the front seat.
The infant or child could be severely
injured or killed by an airbag deploy-
ment in case of an accident.
o Children younger than 13 years must
always be properly restrained in the
rear seat. Never allow children to ride
in the front passenger seat. If a child
over 13 must be seated in the front
seat, he or she must be properly belted
and the seat should be moved as far
back as possible.
o For maximum safety protection in all
types of crashes, all occupants in-
cluding the driver should always wear
their seat belts whether or not an
airbag is also provided at their seating
position to minimize the risk of severe
injury or death in the event of a crash.
Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close
to the airbag while the vehicle is in
motion.
B240A02NF
Rear impact
Side Impact
Rollover

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI38
12. Side Impact Airbag Module
13. Curtain Airbag Module
The SRSCM continually monitors all
elements while the ignition is "ON" to
determine if a frontal or near-frontal impact
is severe enough to require airbag
deployment or pre-tensioner seat belt
deployment.
The SRS airbag warning light on the in-
strument panel will illuminate for about 6
seconds after the ignition key is turned to
the "ON" position or after the engine is
started, after which the airbag warning
light should go out.
!
WARNING:
o Sitting improperly or out of position
can result in serious or fatal injury in
a crash. All occupants should sit
upright with the seat back in an upright
position, centered on the seat cushion
with their seat belt on, legs comfortably
extended and their feet on the floor
until the vehicle is parked and the
ignition key is removed.
o The SRS airbag system must deploy
very rapidly to provide protection in a
crash. If an occupant is out of position
because of not wearing a seat belt, the
airbag may forcefully contact the oc-
cupant causing serious or fatal
injuries.
B240B03NF-AATSRS Components and FunctionsThe SRS consists of the following compo-
nents:
1. Front Impact Sensor
2. "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" Indicator
(Front passenger's seat only)
3. SRS air bag warning light
4. Knee Bolster
5. Passenger's Airbag Module
6. Driver's Airbag Module
7. SRS Control Module (SRSCM)
8. Occupant Classification System
(Front passenger's seat only)
9. Driver's Seat Track Position Sensor
10. Side Impact Sensor
11. Retractor Pre-tensioner Assemblies
B240B01NF-B
B240B01L

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
39
B240B02L
Upon deployment, tear seams molded
directly into the pad covers will separate
under pressure from the expansion of the
airbags. Further opening of the covers
then allows full inflation of the airbags.A fully inflated airbag, in combination with
a properly worn seat belt, slows the driver's
forward motion, reducing the risk of head
and chest injury.
After complete inflation, the airbag
immediately starts deflating, enabling the
driver to maintain forward visibility and the
ability to steer or operate other controls.
B240B03L
The airbag modules are located both in the
center of the steering wheel and in the front
passenger's panel above the glove box.
When the SRSCM detects a sufficiently
severe impact to the front of the vehicle, it
will automatically deploy the front airbags.
CAUTION:
o Do not install or place any accesso-
ries (drink holder, cassette holder,
sticker, etc.) on the front passenger's
panel above the glove box in a vehicle
with a passenger's airbag. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the
passenger's airbag inflates.
o When installing a container of liquid
air freshener inside the vehicle, do
not place it near the instrument cluster
nor on the instrument panel surface.
If there is any leakage from the air
freshener onto these areas
(instrument cluster, instrument panel
or air ventilator), it may damage these
!
ONF038014
Passenger's Front Airbag

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI40
B990A02NF-AATOCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYS-
TEMYour vehicle is equipped with an occupant
classification system in the front
passenger's seat.
The occupant classification system is
designed to detect the presence of a
properly-seated front passenger and
determine if the passenger's front air bag
should be enabled (may inflate) or not. The
driver's front air bag is not affected or
controlled by the occupant classification
system.
If the front passenger seat is occupied by
a person that the system determines to be
of adult size, and he/she sits properly (sitting
upright with the seatback in an upright
ONF038024N
!Passenger's Front Airbag
B240B05L
!Always wash all exposed skin areas
thoroughly with lukewarm water and
a mild soap after an accident in which
the airbags were deployed.
o The SRS can function only when the
ignition key is in the "ON" position. If
the SRS airbag warning light does not
illuminate, or continuously remains
on after illuminating for about 6
seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the "ON" position, or after
the engine is started, comes on while
driving, the SRS is not working
properly. If this occurs, have your
vehicle immediately inspected by
your Hyundai dealer.
o Before you replace a fuse or discon-
nect a battery terminal, turn the igni-
tion key to the "LOCK" position and
remove the ignition key. Never remove
or replace the airbag related fuse(s)
when the ignition key is in the "ON"
position. Failure to heed this warning
will cause the SRS airbag warning
light to illuminate. parts. If the liquid from the air fresh-
ener does leak onto these areas, wash
them with water immediately.
WARNING:
o If an airbag deploys, there may be a
loud noise followed by a fine dust
released in the vehicle. These
conditions are normal and are not
hazardous - the airbags are packed in
this fine powder. The dust generated
during airbag deployment may cause
skin or eye irritation as well as
aggravate asthma for some persons.
WARNING:

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
41
!
position, centered on the seat cushion with
their seat belt on, legs comfortably extended
and their feet on the floor), the
"PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator
will be turned off and the front passenger's
air bag will be able to inflate, if necessary,
in frontal crashes.
You will find the "PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF" indicator on the center facia panel.
This system detects the conditions 1~4 in
the following table and activates or
deactivates the front passenger air bag
based on these conditions.
Condition and operation in the front pas-
senger occupant classification system*1) The system judges a person of adult
size as an adult. When a smaller adult
sits in the front passenger seat, the
system may recognize him/her as a
child depending on his/her physique
and posture.
*2) Do not allow children to ride in the front
passenger seat. When a larger child
who has outgrown a child restraint
system sits in the front passenger seat,
the system may recognize him/her as
an adult depending on his/her phy-
sique or posture.
*3) Never install a child restraint system on
the front passenger seat.
WARNING:
Riding in an improper position or placing
weight on the front passenger's seat
when it is unoccupied by a passenger
adversely affects the occupant
classification system (OCS).
o Never place feet on the front
passenger seatback.
OVQ036014N
o Never put a heavy load in the front
passenger seat or seatback pocket.
OVQ036013N
Front
passenger
airbag
Activated
Deactivated
Deactivated
Activated Condition
detected by
the occupant
classification
system
1. Adult*
1
2. Child*
2 or
child restraint
system*3
3. Unoccupied
4. There is a
malfunction
in the
systemSRS
warning
light
Off
Off
Off
On
"Passenger
air bag off"
indicator light
Off
On
On
Off

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI42
When an adult is seated in the front
passenger seat, if the "PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF" indicator is on, turn the ignition
key to "LOCK" and ask the passenger to sit
properly (sitting upright with the seat back
in an upright position, centered on the seat
cushion with their seat belt on, legs
comfortably extended and their feet on the
floor). Restart the engine and have the
person remain in that position. This will
allow the system to detect the person and to
enable the passenger air bag.
o Never excessively recline the front
passenger seatback.
1KMN3665
1KMN3662
o Never place feet on the dashboard.
o Never sit with hips shifted towards
the front of the seat.
1KMN3663
1KMN3664
o Never lean on the center console.
o Never sit on one side of the front
passenger seat.
Proper position
B990A01O

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
43
!
!
NOTE:The "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF"
indicator illuminates for about 4 seconds
after the ignition key is turned to the
"ON" position or after the engine is
started. If the front passenger seat is
occupied, the occupant classification
sensor will then classify the front
passenger after several more seconds.
!
WARNING:
If the occupant classification system is
not working properly, the SRS air bag
warning light on the instrument panel will
illuminate because the passenger's front
air bag is connected with the occupant
classification system. If there is a mal-
function of the occupant classification
system, the "PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF" indicator will not illuminate and the
passenger's front air bag will inflate in
frontal impact crashes even if there is no
occupant in the front passenger's seat.
If the SRS air bag warning light does not
illuminate when the ignition key is turned
to the "ON" position, remains illumi-
nated after approximately 6 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to the
"ON" position, or if it illuminates while
the vehicle is being driven, have an au-
thorized Hyundai dealer inspect the oc-
cupant classification system and the
SRS air bag system as soon as possible. If the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indica-
tor is still on, ask the passenger to move to
the rear seat.
WARNING:
Do not allow an adult passenger to ride
in the front seat when the “PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF” indicator is illuminated,
because the airbag will not deploy in the
event of a crash. If the "PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF" indicator remains
illuminated after the passenger reposi-
tions themselves properly and the car is
restarted, Hyundai recommends that
passenger move to the rear seat
because the passenger's front airbag
will not deploy.
The “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF”
indicator will not change according to
the occupants posture after the vehicle
has been running for 30 seconds. Front
seat passengers must stay properly
seated to avoid serious injury from a
deploying airbag. For more information
see page 1-42.
WARNING:
Do not put a heavy load in the front
passenger seatback pocket or on the
front passenger seat. Do not hang onto
the front passenger seat. Do not hang
any items such as seatback table on the
front passenger seatback. Do not place
feet on the front passenger seatback.
Do not place any items under the front
passenger seat. Any of these could
interfere with proper sensor operation.