2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid overheating

Safety features of your vehicle
10 3
Seatback pocket
The seatback pocket is provided on the
back of the front passenger’s and driver’s
seatbacks.
CAUTION
When cleaning the seats, do not
use an organic solvent such as
thinner, benzene, alcohol and
gasoline. Doing so may damage
the surface of the heater or seats.
To prevent overheating the seat
warmer, do not place blankets,
cushions or seat covers on the
seats while the seat warmer is in
operation.
Do not place heavy or sharp
objects on seats equipped with
seat warmers. Damage to the seat
warming components could occur.WARNING- Seat warmer
burns
Passengers should use extreme
caution when using seat warmers
due to the possibility of excess
heating or burns. The occupants
must be able to feel if the seat is
becoming too warm and to turn the
seat warmer off. In particular, the
driver must exercise extreme care
for the following types of passen-
gers:
1. Infants, children, elderly or dis-
abled persons, or hospital outpa-
tients
2. Persons with sensitive skin or
those that burn easily
3. Fatigued individuals
4. Intoxicated individuals
5. Individuals taking medication
that can cause drowsiness or
sleepiness (sleeping pills, cold
tablets, etc.)
WARNING- Seatback
pockets
Do not put heavy or sharp objects
in the seatback pockets. In an acci-
dent they could come loose from
the pocket and injure vehicle occu-
pants.
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313
Safety features of your vehicle
Armrest
The armrest is located in the center of
the rear seat. Pull the armrest down and
you will find the cup holders.
WARNING- Seat warmer
burns
Passengers should use extreme
caution when using seat warmers
due to the possibility of excess
heating or burns. In particular, the
driver must exercise extreme care
for the following types of passen-
gers:
1. Infants, children, elderly or hand-
icapped persons, or hospital out-
patients
2. Persons with sensitive skin or
those that burn easily
3. Fatigued individuals
4. Intoxicated individuals
5. Individuals taking medication
that can cause drowsiness or
sleepiness (sleeping pills, cold
tablets, etc.)
CAUTION
When cleaning the seats, do not
use an organic solvent such as
thinner, benzene, alcohol or gaso-
line. Doing so may damage the
surface of the heater or seats.
To prevent overheating the seat
warmer, do not place blankets,
cushions or seat covers on the
seats while the seat warmer is in
operation.
Do not place heavy or sharp
objects on seats equipped with
seat warmers. Damage to the seat
warming components could occur.
OYF039019N

Features of your vehicle
42 4
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the speed of
the vehicle.
The speedometer is calibrated in miles
per hour and/or kilometers per hour.
Engine temperature gauge
This gauge shows the temperature of the
engine coolant when the engine start/stop
button is ON.
Do not continue driving with an overheat-
ed engine. If your vehicle overheats, refer
to “If the engine overheats” in section 6.
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot. The engine
coolant is under pressure and
could cause severe burns. Wait
until the engine is cool before
adding coolant to the reservoir.
OYFH041047NOYFH041043N
CAUTION
If the gauge moves beyond the nor-
mal range area toward the “H” posi-
tion, it indicates overheating that
may damage the engine.

459
Features of your vehicle
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.
Engine coolant
temperature warning light
(if equipped)
The warning light illuminates if the tem-
perature of the engine coolant is above
257±4.5°F (125±2.5°C).
Do not continue driving with an overheat-
ed engine. If your vehicle overheats, refer
to “Overheating” in section 6.
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 indi-
cates that a potential malfunction has
been detected somewhere in the emis-
sion control system.
This light will also illuminate when the
engine start/stop button is turned to the
ON position, and will go out in a few sec-
onds after the engine is started. If it illu-
minates while driving, or does not illumi-
nate when the engine start/stop button is
turned to the ON position, take your vehi-
cle 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 illumi-
nated 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 pos-
sible by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.

489
Features of your vehicle
✽ ✽
NOTICE
• While using the air conditioning sys-
tem, monitor the engine temperature
gauge closely while driving up hills or
in heavy traffic when outside temper-
atures are high. Air conditioning sys-
tem operation may cause engine over-
heating. Continue to use the blower
fan but turn the air conditioning sys-
tem off if the engine temperature
gauge indicates engine overheating.
• Opening the windows in humid
weather while air conditioning oper-
ates may create water droplets inside
the vehicle. Since excessive water
droplets may cause damage to electri-
cal equipment, air conditioning
should only be used with the windows
closed.
Air conditioning system operation tips
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows for a short time to let the hot
air inside the vehicle escape.
To help reduce moisture inside of the
windows on rainy or humid days,
decrease the humidity inside the vehi-
cle by operating the air conditioning
system.
During air conditioning system opera-
tion, you may occasionally notice a
slight change in engine speed as the
air conditioning compressor cycles.
This is a normal system operation
characteristic.
Use the air conditioning system every
month only for a few minutes to ensure
maximum system performance.
When using the air conditioning sys-
tem, you may notice clear water drip-
ping (or even puddling) on the ground
under the passenger side of the vehi-
cle. This is a normal system operation
characteristic. Operating the air conditioning system
in the recirculated air position provides
maximum cooling, however, continual
operation in this mode may cause the
air inside the vehicle to become stale.
During cooling operation, you may
occasionally notice a misty air flow
because of rapid cooling and humid air
intake. This is a normal system opera-
tion characteristic.
If you operate air conditioner exces-
sively, the difference between the tem-
perature of the outside air and that of
the windshield could cause the outer
surface of the windshield to fog up,
causing loss of visibility. In this case,
set the mode selection knob or button
to the position and fan speed con-
trol to the lower speed.

Features of your vehicle
100 4
✽
✽
NOTICE
• While using the air conditioning sys-
tem, monitor the engine temperature
gauge closely while driving up hills or
in heavy traffic when outside temper-
atures are high. Air conditioning sys-
tem operation may cause engine over-
heating. Continue to use the blower
fan but turn the air conditioning sys-
tem off if the engine temperature
gauge indicates engine overheating.
• Opening the windows in humid
weather while air conditioning oper-
ates may create water droplets inside
the vehicle. Since excessive water
droplets may cause damage to electri-
cal equipment, air conditioning
should only be used with the windows
closed.
Air conditioning system operation tips
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows for a short time to let the hot
air inside the vehicle escape.
To help reduce moisture inside of the
windows on rainy or humid days,
decrease the humidity inside the vehi-
cle by operating the air conditioning
system.
During air conditioning system opera-
tion, you may occasionally notice a
slight change in engine speed as the
air conditioning compressor cycles.
This is a normal system operation
characteristic.
Use the air conditioning system every
month only for a few minutes to ensure
maximum system performance.
When using the air conditioning sys-
tem, you may notice clear water drip-
ping (or even puddling) on the ground
under the passenger side of the vehi-
cle. This is a normal system operation
characteristic. Operating the air conditioning system
in the recirculated air position provides
maximum cooling, however, continual
operation in this mode may cause the
air inside the vehicle to become stale.
During cooling operation, you may
occasionally notice a misty air flow
because of rapid cooling and humid air
intake. This is a normal system opera-
tion characteristic.
If you operate air conditioner exces-
sively, the difference between the tem-
perature of the outside air and that of
the windshield could cause the outer
surface of the windshield to fog up,
causing loss of visibility. In this case,
set the mode selection knob or button
to the position and fan speed con-
trol to the lower speed.

523
Driving your vehicle
Good braking practices
Check to be sure the parking brake is
not engaged and that the parking brake
indicator light is out before driving away. Driving through water may get the
brakes wet. They can also get wet when
the car is washed. Wet brakes can be
dangerous! Your car will not stop as
quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet brakes
may cause the car to pull to one side.
To dry the brakes, apply the brakes light-
ly until the braking action returns to nor-
mal, taking care to keep the car under
control at all times. If the braking action
does not return to normal, stop as soon
as it is safe to do so and call an author-
ized HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.
Don't coast down hills with the car out of
gear. This is extremely hazardous. Keep
the car in gear at all times, use the
brakes to slow down, then shift to a
lower gear so that engine braking will
help you maintain a safe speed.
Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting
your foot on the brake pedal while driv-
ing can be dangerous because it can
result in the brakes overheating and los-
ing their effectiveness. It also increases
the wear of the brake components.
If a tire goes flat while you are driving,
apply the brakes gently and keep the car
pointed straight ahead while you slow
down. When you are moving slowly
enough for it to be safe to do so, pull off
the road and stop in a safe place. If your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic transaxle, don't let your vehicle
creep forward. To avoid creeping for-
ward, keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped.
Use caution when parking on a hill.
Firmly engage the parking brake and
place the shift lever in P position. If your
vehicle is facing downhill, turn the front
wheels into the curb to help keep the
vehicle from rolling. If your vehicle is fac-
ing uphill, turn the front wheels away
from the curb to help keep the vehicle
from rolling. If there is no curb or if it is
required by other conditions to keep the
vehicle from rolling, block the wheels.
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged posi-
tion. This is most likely to happen when
there is an accumulation of snow or ice
around or near the rear brakes or if the
brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only
temporarily while you put the gear
selector lever in P positionand block
the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot
roll. Then release the parking brake.
Do not hold the vehicle on the upgrade
with the accelerator pedal. This can
cause the transaxle to overheat. Always
use the brake pedal or parking brake.
WARNING
Whenever you leave or park your
vehicle, always firmly set the
parking brake as far as possible
and fully engage the vehicle's
transaxle into the P (Park) posi-
tion. If the parking brake is not
fully engaged, the vehicle may
move inadvertently and injure
yourself and others.
All vehicles should always have
the parking brake fully engaged
when parking to avoid inadver-
tent movement of the vehicle
which can injure occupants or
pedestrians.
CAUTION
Do not depress the brake pedal con-
tinuously without READY status. The
battery may be discharged.

Driving your vehicle
30 5
Hazardous driving conditions
When hazardous driving conditions are
encountered such as water, snow, ice,
mud, sand, or similar hazards, follow
these suggestions:
Drive cautiously and allow extra dis-
tance for braking.
Avoid sudden in braking or steering. If stalled in snow, mud, or sand, use
second gear. Accelerate slowly to
avoid spinning the drive wheels.
Use sand, rock salt, tire chains, or
other non-slip material under the drive
wheels to provide traction when stalled
in ice, snow, or mud.
Rocking the vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear
the area around your front wheels. Then,
shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and any forward gear. Do not race the
engine, and the wheels as little as possi-
ble. If you are still stuck after a few tries,
have the vehicle pulled out by a tow vehi-
cle to avoid engine overheating and pos-
sible damage to the transaxle.
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
1JBB3302
WARNING - ABS
Do not pump the brake pedal on a
vehicle equipped with ABS.
WARNING - Downshifting
Downshifting with an automatic
transaxle, while driving on slippery
surfaces can cause an accident.
The sudden change in tire speed
could cause the tires to skid. Be
careful when downshifting on slip-
pery surfaces.
CAUTION
Prolonged rocking may cause
engine over-heating, transaxle dam-
age or failure, and tire damage.