2012 Hyundai Sonata service

F4FOREWORD
Thank you for choosing Hyundai. We are pleased to welcome you to the growing number of discerning people who drive Hyundai.
The advanced engineering and high-quality construction of each Hyundai we build is something of which we're very proud.
Your Owner's Manual will introduce you to the features and operation of your new Hyundai. It is suggested that you read it care-
fully because the information it contains can contribute greatly to the satisfaction you receive from your new car.
The manufacturer also recommends that all service and maintenance on your car be performed by an authorised Hyundai deal-
er. Hyundai dealers are prepared to provide high-quality service, maintenance and any other assistance that may be required. HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Note : If for any reason in the future you should sell your Hyundai, please leave this manual in the vehicle for the new owner's use.
Copyright 2011 Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieva l
system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Hyundai Motor Company.
CAUTION
Severe engine and transaxle damage may result from the use of poor quality fuels and lubricants that do not meet Hyundai specifications. You must always use high quality fuels and lubricants that meet the specifications listed on
Page 8-4 in the Vehicle Specifications section of the Owner's Manual.

Safety features of your vehicle
26
3
WARNING
All occupants of the vehicle must wear their seat belts at all times.
Seat belts and child restraintsreduce the risk of serious or fatal
injuries for all occupants in the
event of a collision or sudden stop.
Without a seat belt, occupants
could be shifted too close to a
deploying air bag, strike the interior
structure or be thrown from the
vehicle. Properly worn seat belts
greatly reduce these hazards.
Always follow the precautions
about seat belts, air bags and occu-
pant seat contained in this manual.
WARNING
Every person in your vehicle needs
to be properly restrained at all
times, including infants and chil-
dren. Never hold a child in yourarms or lap when riding in a vehi-
cle. The violent forces created dur-
ing a crash will tear the child from
your arms and throw the child
against the interior. Always use a
child restraint appropriate for your
child's height and weight.
Seat belt precautionsInfant or small child
You should be aware of the specific
requirements in your country. Child
and/or infant seats must be properly
placed and installed in the rear seat. For
more information about the use of these
restraints, refer to “Child restraint sys-
tem” in this section.(Continued)
Improper handling of the pre-ten- sioner seat belt assemblies, and failure to heed the warnings not
to strike, modify, inspect, replace,
service or repair the pre-tension-
er seat belt assemblies may lead
to improper operation or inadver-
tent activation and serious injury.
Always wear the seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehi-
cle.
If the vehicle or pre-tensioner seat belt must be discarded, con-
tact an authorised HYUNDAI deal-
er.

Safety features of your vehicle
54
3
SRS Care
The SRS is virtually maintenance-free
and so there are no parts you can safely
service by yourself. If the SRS air bag
warning light does not illuminate
when you turn the ignition ON, or if it con-
tinuously remains on, have your vehicle
immediately inspected by an authorised
HYUNDAI dealer.
Any work on the SRS system, such as
removing, installing, repairing, or any
work on the steering wheel, the frontpassenger's panel, front seats and roof
rails must be performed by an authorised
HYUNDAI dealer. Improper handling of
the SRS system may result in serious
personal injury.
WARNING
Modification to SRS components or wiring, including the addition
of any kind of badges to the pad
covers or modifications to the
body structure, can adversely
affect SRS performance and lead
to possible injury.
For cleaning the air bag pad cov- ers, use only a soft, dry cloth or
one which has been moistened
with plain water. Solvents or
cleaners could adversely affect
the air bag covers and proper
deployment of the system.

No objects should be placed over
or near the air bag modules on the
steering 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 air bags to inflate.
(Continued)
(Continued)
If the air bags inflate, they must be replaced by an authorised
HYUNDAI dealer.
Do not tamper with or disconnect SRS wiring, or other components
of the SRS system. Doing so
could result in injury, due to acci-
dental inflation of the air bags or
by rendering the SRS inopera-
tive.
If components of the air bag sys- tem must be discarded, or if the
vehicle must be scrapped, certain
safety precautions must be
observed. An authorised
HYUNDAI dealer knows these
precautions and can give you the
necessary information. Failure to
follow these precautions and pro-cedures could increase the risk
of personal injury.
If your car was flooded and has soaked carpeting or water on the
flooring, you shouldn't try to start
the engine; have the car towed to
an authorised HYUNDAI dealer.

Features of your vehicle
4
4
Immobiliser system (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an electronic engine immobiliser system to
reduce the risk of unauthorised vehicle
use.
Your immobiliser system is comprised of
a small transponder in the ignition key
and electronic devices inside the vehicle.
With the immobiliser system, whenever
you insert your ignition key into the igni-
tion switch and turn it to ON, it checks
and determines and verifies if the ignition
key is valid or not.
If the key is determined to be valid, the
engine will start.
If the key is determined to be invalid, the
engine will not start.To activate the immobiliser system:
Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
The immobiliser system activates auto-
matically. Without a valid ignition key for
your vehicle, the engine will not start.
To deactivate the immobiliser sys-
tem:
Insert the ignition key into the key cylin-
der and turn it to the ON position.
✽✽ NOTICE
When starting the engine, do not use the
key with other immobiliser keys around.
Otherwise the engine may not start or
may stop soon after it starts. Keep each
key separate in order to avoid a starting
malfunction. ✽
✽
NOTICE
If you need additional keys or lose your
keys, consult an authorised HYUNDAI
dealer.
WARNING
In order to prevent theft of your
vehicle, do not leave spare keys
anywhere in your vehicle.
CAUTION
The transponder in your ignition key is an important part of the immobiliser system. It is designedto give years of trouble-free service,
however you should avoid expo-sure to moisture, static electricityand rough handling. Immobiliser system malfunction could occur.
CAUTION
Do not put metal accessories nearthe ignition switch.
The engine may not start as themetal accessories may interrupt thetransponder signal from transmit-ting normally.

45
Features of your vehicle
CAUTION
Do not change, alter or adjust theimmobiliser system because it
could cause the immobiliser sys-tem to malfunction and should onlybe serviced by an authorised HYUNDAI dealer.
Malfunctions caused by improperalterations, adjustments or modifi- cations to the immobiliser systemare not covered by your vehicle
manufacturer warranty.

415
Features of your vehicle
Disarmed stage
The system will be disarmed when the
doors are unlocked with the transmitter
(or smart key).
After depressing the unlock button, the
hazard warning lights will blink twice to
indicate that the system is disarmed.
After depressing the unlock button, if any
door (or trunk) is not opened within 30
seconds, the system will be rearmed.
✽✽NOTICE
 Avoid trying to start the engine whilst the alarm is activated. The vehicle
starter motor is disabled during the
theft-alarm stage.
If the system is not disarmed with the
transmitter, insert the key into the
ignition switch, turn the ignition
switch to the ON position and wait for
30 seconds. Then the system will be
disarmed. (except China)
 If you lose your keys, consult your
authorised HYUNDAI dealer.
CAUTION
Do not change, alter or adjust the
theft-alarm system because it could
cause the theft-alarm system tomalfunction and should only beserviced by an authorised HYUNDAI dealer.
Malfunctions caused by improperalterations, adjustments or modifi-cations to the theft-alarm systemare not covered by your vehicle
manufacturer warranty.

489
Features of your vehicle
✽✽NOTICE
 Replace the filter according to the Maintenance Schedule.
If the vehicle is being driven in severe
conditions such as dusty or rough
roads, more frequent air conditioner
filter inspections and changes are
required.
 When the air flow rate suddenly
decreases, the system should be
checked at an authorised HYUNDAI
dealer.Checking the amount of air con-
ditioner refrigerant and compres-sor lubricant
When the amount of refrigerant is low,
the performance of the air conditioning is
reduced. Overfilling also has a negativeimpact on the air conditioning system.
Therefore, if abnormal operation is
found, have the system inspected by an
authorised HYUNDAI dealer.
✽✽ NOTICE
It is important that the correct type and
amount of oil and refrigerant is used.
Otherwise, damage to the compressor
and abnormal system operation may
occur.
WARNING
The air conditioning system should
be serviced by an authorised
HYUNDAI dealer. Improper service
may cause serious injury to the
person performing the service.

517
Driving your vehicle
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.N (Neutral)
The wheels and transaxle are not
engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied.
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transaxle will automatically shift
through a 6-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 lower gear.
✽✽
NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into D (Drive).
CAUTION
The transaxle may be damaged if you shift into P (Park) whilst 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 (Reverse) whilst the vehicle is in
motion, except as explained in“Rocking the vehicle” in this sec- tion.