2012 Hyundai Sonata brake

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.
OYF049069N
OYF049070N
OYF049073N

5
Before driving / 5-3
Key / 5-4
Engine start/stop button / 5-7
Manual transaxle /5-11
Automatic transaxle / 5-14
Brake system / 5-21
Cruise control system / 5-31
Active ECO system / 5-35
Economical operation / 5-36
Special driving conditions / 5-38
Winter driving / 5-42
Vehicle load limit / 5-46
Vehicle weight / 5-51
Trailer towing / 5-52
Driving your vehicle

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.

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)
OYF059016

Driving your vehicle65
Starting the engine1. Make sure the parking brake isapplied.
2. Manual Transaxle - Depress the
clutch pedal fully and shift the
transaxle into Neutral. Keep the clutch
pedal and brake pedal depressed
while turning the ignition switch to the
start position.
Automatic Transaxle - Place the
transaxle shift lever in P (Park).
Depress the brake pedal fully.
You can also start the engine when the shift lever is in the N (Neutral)position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START and
hold it there until the engine starts (a
maximum of 10 seconds), then
release the key. 4. In extremely cold weather (below
0°F / -18°C) or after the vehicle has
not been operated for several days, let
the engine warm up without depress-
ing the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, itshould be started without depressingthe accelerator.
(Continued)
 Never reach for the ignition switch, or any other controls through the
steering wheel while the vehicle is
in motion. The presence of your
hand or arm in this area could
cause a loss of vehicle control, an
accident and serious bodily injury
or death.
 Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an acci-
dent.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski
boots,etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake, accelerator
pedal, and clutch (if equipped).
CAUTION
If the engine stalls while the vehicle
is in motion, do not attempt to move the shift lever to the P (Park) posi-tion. If traffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shift leverin the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is still moving and turn theignition switch to the START posi- tion in an attempt to restart theengine.
CAUTION
Do not engage the starter for more than 10 seconds. If the engine stallsor fails to start, wait 5 to 10 secondsbefore re-engaging the starter. Improper use of the starter maydamage it.

57
Driving your vehicle
Illuminated engine start/stop but-
tonWhenever the front door is opened, the
engine start/stop button will illuminate for
your convenience. The light will go off
after about 30 seconds when the door is
closed.
Engine start/stop button positionOFFTo turn off the engine, press the engine
start/stop button with the engine
start/stop button in the ON position and
the shift lever in P(Park). When you press
the engine start/stop button without the
shift lever in P(Park), the engine
start/stop button does not turn to the
OFF position, but turns to the ACC posi-
tion.
✽ ✽NOTICEWhen you turn off the engine, the vehi-
cle should be stopped.
ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON (IF EQUIPPED)
OYF059001
WARNING
In an emergency situation while the
vehicle is moving, you can turn off
the engine and turn the engine
start/stop button to the ACC posi-
tion by pressing the engine
start/stop button for more than 2
seconds or 3 times successively
within 3 seconds. If the vehicle is
moving, you can restart the engine
without pressing the brake pedal
by pressing the engine start/stop
button with the shift lever in the
N(Neutral).

Driving your vehicle85ACC(Accessory)Press the engine start/stop button while it
is in the OFF position without depressing
the brake pedal.
The electrical accessories are operative.
If you leave the engine start/stop button
in the ACC position for more than 1 hour,
the battery power will turn off automati-
cally to prevent the battery from dis-
charging.ONPress the engine start/stop button while it
button is in the ACC position without
depressing the brake pedal.
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. Do not leave
the ON position if the engine is not run-
ning to prevent battery discharge.STARTTo start the engine, press the brake
pedal and press the engine start/stop
button with the shift lever in the P(Park)
or the N(Neutral) position.
For your safety, start the engine with the
shift lever in the P(Park) position.
✽ ✽NOTICE• If you press the engine start/stop but-
ton without depressing the brake
pedal, the engine does not start and
the engine start/stop button changes
as follows :
OFF → →
ACC →
→
ON →
→
OFF
• If you leave the engine start/stop but- ton in the ACC or the ON position for
a long time, the battery will be dis-
charged.
WARNING
 Never press the engine start/stop
button while the vehicle is in
motion. This would result in loss
of directional control and braking
function, which could cause an
accident.
 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.
 Never reach for the engine start/stop button, or any other
controls through the steering
wheel while the vehicle is in
motion. The presence of your
hand or arm in this area could
cause a loss of vehicle control,
an accident and serious bodily
injury or death.
 Do not place any movable objects around the driver’s seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.

59
Driving your vehicle
Starting the engine1. Carry the smart key or leave it insidethe vehicle.
2. Make sure the parking brake is firmly applied.
3. Place the shift lever in the P(Park) position.
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Press the engine start/stop button.
6. In extremely cold weather (below - 18°C / 0°F) or after the vehicle has not
been operated for several days, let the
engine warm up without depressing
the accelerator.
Whether the engine is cold or warm, itshould be started without depressing
the accelerator. 
Even if the smart key is in the vehicle,
if it is far away from you, the engine
may not start.
 When the engine start/stop button is in
the ACC or ON position, if any door is
open, the system checks for the smart
key. If the smart key is not in the vehi-
cle, the warning, "Key is not in vehicle"
will come on, and if all doors are
closed, the chime will also sound for
about 5 seconds. The indicator will turn
off while the vehicle is moving. Keep
the smart key in the vehicle when
using the ACC position or if the vehicle
engine is on.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes
when operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski
boots, etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and acceler-
ator pedal.
WARNING
The engine will start only when the
smart key is in the vehicle. Never
allow children or any person who is
unfamiliar with the vehicle to touch
the engine start/stop button or
related parts.
CAUTION
If the engine stalls while you are in
motion, do not attempt to move theshift lever to the P (Park) position. Iftraffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shift lever in theN(Neutral) position while the vehi-cle is still moving and press theengine start/stop button in an attempt to restart the engine.