2012 Hyundai Sonata check engine light

463
Features of your vehicle
Low brake vacuum pressure warning
(2.0 TGDI engine only, if equipped)
If the warning light remains on, it may
indicate that the brake vacuum pump has
any problem. Therefore you should avoid
high speed driving or sudden stop, and
you should depress the brake pedal
deeper and harder than usual in braking.
Make sure to have the brake system
checked and repaired by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
Low tire pressure telltale The low tire pressure telltale illuminates
when one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated.
The low tire pressure telltale will illumi-
nate after it blinks for approximately one
minute when there is a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
If this occurs, have the system checked
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as
soon as possible.
For details, refer to the TPMS on chapter
6.
WARNING
- Low tire pres- sure
Significantly low tire pressure
makes the vehicle unstable and can
contribute to loss of vehicle control
and increased braking distances.
Continued driving on tires with low
pressure will cause the tires to
overheat and fail.
WARNING
- Safe stopping
 The TPMS cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
 If you feel any vehicle instability, immediately take your foot off the
accelerator, apply the brakes
gradually and with light force,
and slowly move to a safe posi-
tion off the road.
WARNING
 Continuous braking while drivingon steep or long downhill may
cause to descend the vacuum
level in brake booster for a time
and turn on the warning light. In
this case, shift down the trans-
mission. If the warning light illu-
minate continuously, stop the
vehicle in the safe location and
wait until the warning light goes
off.
 Driving the vehicle with a warn- ing light on is dangerous. If the
brake warning light remains on,
have the brakes checked and
repaired immediately by an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Features of your vehicle64
4Automatic Transaxle shift
indicatorThe indicator displays which automatic
transaxle shift position is selected.Manual transaxle shift indicator (if equipped)This indicator informs you which gear is
desired while driving to save fuel.
For example
: Indicates that shifting up to the 3rdgear is desired (currently the shift
lever is in the 2nd gear).
: Indicates that shifting down to the 3rd gear is desired (currently the
shift lever is in the 4th gear).✽ ✽ NOTICEWhen the system is not working proper-
ly, up & down arrow indicator and Gear
are not displayed.
Charging system warning
lightThis warning light indicates a malfunction
of either the generator or electrical
charging system.
If the warning light comes on while the
vehicle is in motion:
1. Drive to the nearest safe location.
2. With the engine off, check the genera- tor drive belt for looseness or break-
age.
3. If the belt is adjusted properly, a prob- lem exists somewhere in the electrical
charging system. Have an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer correct the problem
as soon as possible.Front fog light indicator (if equipped) This light comes on when the front fog
lights are ON.
Trunk lid open warninglightThis warning light illuminates when the
trunk lid is not closed securely with the
ignition in any position.Door open position indica-
tor This indicator illuminates when a door is
not closed securely.
The indicator displays which door is
opened.

465
Features of your vehicle
Immobilizer indicator Without smart key system
This light illuminates when the immobiliz-
er key is inserted and turned to the ON
position to start the engine.
At this time, you can start the engine. The
light goes out after the engine is running.
If this light blinks when the ignition switch
is in the ON position before starting the
engine, have the system checked by an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
With smart key system (if equipped)
If any of the following occurs in a vehicle
equipped with the smart key, the immobi-
lizer indicator illuminates, blinks or the
light goes off.
 When the smart key is in the vehicle, ifthe engine start/stop button is turned
to the ON position, the indicator will
illuminate until the engine is started.
However, when the smart key is not in
the vehicle, if the engine start/stop but-
ton is depressed, the indicator will blink
for a few minutes to indicate that you
will not be able to start the engine.  When the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position and the indicator turns
off after 2 seconds, the system may
need repair. Have the vehicle checked
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
 When the battery is weak, if the engine start/stop button is depressed, the indi-
cator will blink and you will not be able
to start the engine. However, you may
still be able to start the engine by
inserting the smart key in the smart
key holder. If smart key system related
parts need repair, the indicator blinks.
Low fuel level warning lightThis 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.
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
ignition switch is turned to the ON posi-
tion, and will go out in a few seconds
after the engine is started. If it illuminates
while driving, or does not illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, take your vehicle to your near-
est 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.

Features of your vehicle66
4Engine 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.
ESC indicator (ElectronicStability Control) The ESC indicator will illuminate when
the ignition switch is turned ON, but
should go off after approximately 3 sec-
onds. When the ESC is on, it monitors
the driving conditions under normal driv-
ing conditions, the ESC light will remain
off. When a slippery or low traction con-
dition is encountered, the ESC will oper-
ate, and the ESC indicator will blink to
indicate the ESC is operating.
The ESC indicator stays on when the
ESC may have a malfunction. Take your
car to an authorized HYUNDAI dealer
and have the system checked.ESC OFF indicator The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned ON,
but should go off after approximately 3
seconds. To switch to ESC OFF mode,
press the ESC OFF button. The ESC
OFF indicator will illuminate indicating
the ESC is deactivated.
Cruise indicator (if equipped)CRUISE indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the
cruise control system is enabled.
The cruise indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster is illuminated when the
cruise control ON-OFF button on the
steering wheel is pushed.
The indicator light turns off when the
cruise control ON-OFF button is pushed
again. For more information about the
use of cruise control, refer to “Cruise
control system or Smart cruise control
system” in section 5.
CAUTION
 Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator Light illumi-nated may cause damage to the emission control systems whichcould effect drivability and/or fueleconomy.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light illuminates, potential catalyticconverter damage is possible.This could result in loss of engine power. Have the Engine ControlSystem inspected as soon as pos-sible by an authorized HYUNDAIdealer.
CRUISE

Features of your vehicle70
4Press start button againIf there is a problem with the engine
start/stop button system, the warning illu-
minates for 10 seconds to indicate that
you could start the engine by pressing
the engine start/stop button while press-
ing the brake pedal.
If the warning illuminates each time you
push the engine start/stop button, take
your vehicle to an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer and have the system checked.
Shift to "P" or "N" to start engineIf you try to start the engine with the shift
lever not in P(Park) or N(Neutral), the
warning illuminates for 10 seconds on
the LCD screen.
You can also start the engine with the
shift lever in N(Neutral), but for your safe-
ty start the engine with the shift lever in
P(Park).
Low tire pressureWhen one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly underinflated, the warning light
comes on.
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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 tires.
 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 sec-
tion 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 parking 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
Driving while distracted can result in
a loss of vehicle control, that may
lead to an accident, severe personal
injury, and death. The driver's pri-
mary responsibility is in the safe and
legal operation of a vehicle, and use
of any handheld devices, other
equipment, or vehicle systems which
take the driver's eyes, attention and
focus away from the safe operation
of a vehicle or which are not permis-
sible by law should never be used
during operation of the vehicle.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSI-
TION 65 WARNING
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found
in the interior furnishings in a vehi-
cle, contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, cer-
tain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component
wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
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.

Driving your vehicle45
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 30 sec-
onds when the door is closed.
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WARNING
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before putting a
car into D (Drive) or R (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 judgment. Driving
while under the influence of drugs
is as dangerous or more dangerous
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 driver
or call a cab.
KEY
WARNING
 When you intend to park or stop
the vehicle with the engine on, be
careful not to depress the accel-
erator pedal for a long period of
time. It may overheat the engine
or exhaust system and cause fire.
 When you make a sudden stop or turn the steering wheel rapidly,
loose objects may drop on the
floor and it could interfere with
the operation of the foot pedals,
possibly causing an accident.
Keep all things in the vehicle
safely stored.
 If you do not focus on driving, it may cause an accident. Be care-
ful when operating what may dis-
turb driving such as audio or
heater. It is the responsibility of
the driver to always drive safely.

55
Driving your vehicle
Ignition switch positionLOCKWithout the immobilizer
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 toward
the LOCK position.
With the immobilizer
The ignition key can be removed only in
the LOCK position.
ACC (Accessory)Without the immobilizer
The steering wheel is unlocked and elec-
trical accessories are operative.✽ ✽NOTICEIf difficulty is experienced in turning the
ignition switch to the ACC position, turn
the key while turning the steering wheel
right and left to release the tension.With the immobilizerThe electrical accessories are opera-
tive.ONThe 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 battery discharge. START
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position 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 this
position.
WARNING -
Ignition
switch
 Never turn the ignition switch to
LOCK or ACC while the vehicle is
moving. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
accident.
 The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the parking
brake. Before leaving the driver’s
seat, always make sure the shift
lever is engaged in P (Park) set the
parking brake fully and shut the
engine off. Unexpected and sud-
den vehicle movement may occur
if these precautions are not taken.
(Continued)
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