
Features of your vehicle
42
4
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 while engine is run-ning. 
The parking brake warning chime will 
sound to remind you that the parking
brake is applied when you are driving 
above 6 mph (10 km/h). Always release 
the parking brake before you drive. 
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 author- 
ized HYUNDAI dealer for a brake sys-
tem inspection and necessary repairs.
Your vehicle is equipped with a dual- 
diagonal 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 switchis in the ON position.
Seat belt warning 
As a reminder to the driver, the seat belt 
warning light will blink for approximately
6 seconds each time you turn the ignition
switch ON, regardless of belt fastening. 
For details, refer to the seat belt on chap- ter 3.
Turn signal indicator
The blinking green arrows on the instru- 
ment 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 consult- 
ed for repairs. 
This indicator also blinks when the haz- 
ard warning switch is turned on.
WARNING 
Driving the vehicle with a warning 
light on is dangerous. If the brake
warning light remains on, have the 
brakes checked and repaired imme- 
diately by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.   

443
Features of your vehicle
Light on indicator 
The indicator illuminates when the tail lights or headlights are ON.
High beam indicator 
This indicator illuminates when the head- lights are on and in the high beam posi-
tion or when the turn signal lever is pulled
into the Flash-to-Pass position.
Front fog light indicator (if equipped)
The indicator illuminates when the front 
fog lights are ON.
Engine oil pressure 
warning light
This warning light indicates the engine oil 
pressure is low. 
If the warning light illuminates while driv- ing: 
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 oil pressure warning light stays on while the engine is run-ning, serious engine damage may
result. The oil pressure warninglight comes on whenever there isinsufficient oil pressure. In normaloperation, it should come on when
the ignition switch is turned on,then go out when the engine isstarted. If the oil pressure warning
light stays on while the engine isrunning, there is a serious malfunc-tion.
If this happens, stop the car assoon as it is safe to do so, turn off the engine and check the oil level. Ifthe oil level is low, fill the engine oil
to the proper level and start theengine again. If the light stays onwith the engine running, turn theengine off immediately. In any
instance where the oil light stays onwhen the engine is running, theengine should be checked by anauthorized HYUNDAI dealer before
the car is driven again.
CAUTION
If the engine is not stopped imme-diately after the engine oil pressurewarning light is illuminated, severedamage could result.  
![HYUNDAI TUCSON 2011  Owners Manual Features of your vehicle
96
4
Using RADIO, SETUP, VOLUME 
and AUDIO CONTROL 
1. AM Selection Button 
Pressing the [AM] button selects the AM 
band. AM Mode is displayed on the LCD.
2. FM Selection But HYUNDAI TUCSON 2011  Owners Manual Features of your vehicle
96
4
Using RADIO, SETUP, VOLUME 
and AUDIO CONTROL 
1. AM Selection Button 
Pressing the [AM] button selects the AM 
band. AM Mode is displayed on the LCD.
2. FM Selection But](/manual-img/35/56206/w960_56206-176.png)
Features of your vehicle
96
4
Using RADIO, SETUP, VOLUME 
and AUDIO CONTROL 
1. AM Selection Button 
Pressing the [AM] button selects the AM 
band. AM Mode is displayed on the LCD.
2. FM Selection Button Turns to FM mode and toggles FM1 and 
FM2 when the button is pressed each 
time.
3. Automatic Station Seek Button
 When the [SEEK ] is pressed, it will
automatically tune to the next lower station.
 When the [SEEK ] is pressed, it will automatically tune to the next higher station.
4. Power ON/OFF Button & Volume Control Knob
 Turns the audio system on/off whenthe ignition switch is on ACC or ON.
 If the knob is turned clockwise/counter- clockwise, the volume will increase 
/decrease.
5. Preset Selection Button
 Press [1]~[6] buttons less than 0.8 sec-ond to play the station saved in each 
button.
 Press [1]~[6] b utton more than 0.8 sec-
ond or longer to save the current station 
to the respective button with a beep.
6. SCAN Button
 When the button is pressed, it auto- matically scans the radio stations 
upwards.
 The SCAN feature steps through each station, starting from the initial station,
for ten seconds.
 Press the [SCAN] button again to stop the scan feature and to listen to the currently selected channel.
7. DISP Button
Turn the LCD Display & Backlight on/off 
when [DISP] button press.
8. SETUP Button
Press this Button to enter SETUP mode, 
If no action is taken for 8 seconds, it will 
return to previous mode. 
In “SETUP” mode, rotate the TUNE knob 
to move the cursor between items, and
push the TUNE knob to select. 
 Select whether long file names are 
scrolled continuously (“ON”) or just once(“OFF”). 
 
Select this item to turn the SDVC(Speed 
Dependent Volume Control) feature ON
or OFF. If it is turned ON, volume level is adjusted automatically according to the 
vehicle speed. 
 
This function creates virtual sound 
effects and allows adjustments to the 
BASS level. HIGH 
➟MID ➟LOW ➟OFF
Select default display of XM mode. 
“Category/Channel name” or “Artist/Song 
Title” can be selected.  

57
Driving your vehicle
Manual transaxle operation
The manual transaxle has 5 (or 6*) for- 
ward gears. 
This shift pattern is imprinted on the shift 
knob. The transaxle is fully synchronized
in all forward gears so shifting to either a
higher or a lower gear is easily accom- plished. 
Press the clutch pedal down fully while 
shifting, then release it slowly. 
If your vehicle is equipped with an igni- 
tion lock switch, the engine will not start
when starting the engine without
depressing the clutch pedal. (if equipped) 
The gearshift lever must be returned to 
the neutral position before shifting into R
(Reverse). 
The ring (1) located immediately below 
the shift knob must be pulled upward
while moving the shift lever to the R posi-
tion. (if equipped)
Make sure the vehicle is completelystopped before shifting into R (Reverse).
Never operate the engine with thetachometer (rpm) in the red zone.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
OLM059009/OLM059009L
CAUTION
 When downshifting from fifth gear to fourth gear, cautionshould be taken not to inadver-
tently press the gear shift leversideways in such a manner that second gear is engaged. Such adrastic downshift may cause the
engine speed to increase to thepoint that the tachometer willenter 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 when
the engine is running at high speed (5,000 RPM or higher).Such a downshifting may damage
the engine.
The shift lever can be moved without pulling 
the ring (1).
The ring (1) must be pulled up while moving
the shift lever.
■■ 6 speed
■
■ 5 speed    

Driving your vehicle
8
5
 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) posi-
tion and release the clutch. Press the 
clutch pedal back down, and then shift 
into 1st or R (Reverse) gear position.Using the clutch
The clutch should be pressed all the way 
to the floor before shifting, then released
slowly. The clutch pedal should always be 
fully released while driving. Do not rest 
your foot on the clutch pedal while driv-
ing. This can cause unnecessary wear.
Do not partially engage the clutch to hold 
the vehicle on an incline. This causes 
unnecessary wear. Use the foot brake or
parking brake to hold the vehicle on an 
incline. Do not operate the clutch pedal 
rapidly and repeatedly. 
This vehicle is equipped with a Hill-start 
Assist Control(HAC) that will hold the 
vehicle in place for about 2 seconds 
when the brake is released on a sleep
enough uphill grade (about 8° incline). 
Practice releasing the brake and apply- 
ing the throttle with your right foot while
releasing the clutch with your left foot, so
you learn how the HAC works.
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.
 When operating the clutch pedal, press the clutch pedal down fully.
If you don't press the clutch pedalfully, the clutch may be damagedor noise may occur.
WARNING
Before leaving the driver’s seat, 
always set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off. Then makesure 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.
WARNING
The HAC is activated only for about 
2 seconds, so when the vehicle is
starting off always depress theaccelerator pedal.    

59
Driving your vehicle
Downshifting
When you must slow down in heavy traf- 
fic or while driving up steep hills, down-
shift before the engine starts to labor. 
Downshifting reduces the chance of 
stalling and gives better acceleration
when you again need to increase your
speed. When the vehicle is traveling 
down steep hills, downshifting helps 
maintain safe speed and prolongs brake
life. 
This vehicle is geared for improved fuel 
economy and may need to be driven in a
lower gear when driving up hills or into
high winds. Using top gear is best for fuel 
economy, but you should use the best 
gear for the road conditions.
Good driving practices
 Never take the vehicle out of gear andcoast down a hill. This is extremely 
hazardous. Always leave the vehicle in 
gear.
 Don't "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunction. 
Instead, when you are driving down a 
long hill, slow down and shift to a lower
gear. When you do this, engine braking 
will help slow down the vehicle.
 Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. This will help avoid over-revving 
the engine, which can cause damage.
 Slow down when you encounter cross winds. This gives you much better con-
trol of your vehicle.
 Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into
reverse. The transaxle can be dam-
aged if you do not. To shift into reverse, 
depress the clutch, move the shift lever 
to neutral, then shift to the reverseposition.
 Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface, 
an abrupt change in vehicle speed can 
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.WARNING
 Always buckle-up!  In a collision, an unbelted occupant is signifi- 
cantly more likely to be seriously
injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
 Avoid high speeds when corner- ing or turning.
 Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp 
lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
 The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of
your vehicle at highway speeds.
 Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the
roadway and the driver over-
steers to reenter the roadway.
 In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply.
Instead, slow down before pulling
back into the travel lanes.
 Never exceed posted speed lim- its.   

Driving your vehicle
20
5
 You must consciously take the effort to
learn how to corner in a AWD vehicle. 
Do not rely on your experience in con-
ventional 2WD vehicles in choosing
safe cornering speed in AWD mode. 
For starters, you must drive more slow- 
ly in AWD.
 Drive carefully off-road because your vehicle may be damaged by rocks or
roots of trees. Become familiar with the
off-road conditions where you are
going to drive before you begin driving.
 Always hold the steering wheel firmlywhen you are driving off-road.
 Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.  If you need to drive in the water, stop
your vehicle, set your transfer to the
AWD LOCK mode and drive at lessthan 5 mph (8 km/h).
WARNING - Steering wheel
Do not grab the inside of the steer- 
ing wheel when you are driving off- 
road. You may hurt your arm by a
sudden steering maneuver or fromsteering wheel rebound due to 
impact with objects on the ground. 
You could lose control of the steer-ing wheel.
WARNING- Wind danger
If you are driving in heavy wind, the 
vehicle's higher center of gravity
decreases your steering control 
capacity and requires you to drive 
more slowly.
WARNING- Driving 
through water
Drive slowly. If you are driving too 
fast in water, the water can get into
the engine compartment and wet 
the ignition system, causing your 
vehicle to suddenly stop. If this
happens and your vehicle is in a 
tilted position, your vehicle may roll 
over. Excessive water in the engine can 
cause irreversible engine damage, 
which is not covered under warran- 
ty.
OLM059022L
WARNING - AW D
Reduce speed when you turn cor- 
ners. The center of gravity of AWD 
vehicles is higher than that of con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when 
you turn corners too fast.       

527
Driving your vehicle
If the parking brake does not release or 
does not release all the way, have the 
system checked by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.Check the brake warning light by turning
the ignition switch ON (do not start the 
engine). This light will be illuminated when 
the parking brake is applied with the igni-
tion switch in the START or ON position. 
Before driving, be sure the parking brake 
is fully released and the brake warning
light is off. 
If the brake warning light remains on after 
the parking brake is released while the 
engine is running, there may be a mal-
function in the brake system. 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.Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
W-75
WARNING
 To prevent unintentional move- ment when stopped and leaving 
the vehicle, do not use the shift
lever in place of the parking
brake. Set the parking brake AND 
make sure the shift lever is 
securely positioned in P (Park).
 Never allow anyone who is unfa- miliar with the vehicle to touch
the parking brake. If the parking
brake is released unintentionally,
serious injury may occur.
 All vehicles should always have the parking brake fully engaged
when parking to avoid inadver- 
tent movement of the vehicle 
which can injure occupants orpedestrians.
WARNING
ABS (or ESC) will not prevent acci- 
dents due to improper or danger- 
ous driving maneuvers. Even 
though vehicle control is improved
during emergency braking, always
maintain a safe distance between 
you and objects ahead. Vehicle 
speeds should always be reduced
during extreme road conditions. 
The braking distance for vehicles 
equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (or Electronic Stability
Control System) may be longer 
than for those without it in the fol- 
lowing road conditions. 
During these conditions the vehicle should be driven at reduced speeds: 
 Rough, gravel or snow-covered roads.
 With tire chains installed.
(Continued)