2012 Hyundai Sonata ECO mode

Driving your vehicle10
5✽
✽
NOTICE• If the battery is weak or the smart key
does not work correctly, you can start
the engine by inserting the smart key
into the smart key holder. To eject the
smart key from the smart key holder,
press the smart key inward past the
detent and then pull the key outward.
• When the stop lamp fuse is blown, you can't start the engine normally.
Replace the fuse with a new one. If you
are not able to replace the fuse, you
can start the engine by pressing the
engine start/stop button for 10 seconds
with the engine start/stop button in the
ACC mode. Always depress the brake
pedal before starting the engine.
OYF059002N
CAUTION
 Do not press the engine
start/stop button for more than 5seconds except when the stop lamp fuse is disconnected.
 When you eject the smart key from the smart key holder, pressthe smart key inward and pull it out. If you pull out the smart keyforcibly without first pushing the smart key, the smart key holdermay be damaged and couldn’t operate normally.

Driving your vehicle18
5With the shift lever in the D position
The paddle shifter can operate when the
vehicle speed is more than 10km/h.
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once to
shift up or down one gear and the system
changes from automatic mode to manual
mode.
If the vehicle speed is lower than 10km/h,
if you depress the accelerator pedal for
more than 7 seconds or if you shift the
shift lever from D to sport mode and shift
it from sport mode to D again, the system
will change from manual mode to auto-
matic mode.
With the shift lever in the sport mode
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once to
shift up or down one gear.✽ ✽
NOTICEIf you pull the [+] and [-] paddle shifters
at the same time, you can't shift the gear.
Shift lock system For your safety, the automatic transaxle
has a shift lock system which prevents
shifting the transaxle from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) into R (Reverse) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transaxle from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) into R (Reverse):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or turn the ignition
switch to the ON position.
3. Move the shift lever.
If the brake pedal is repeatedly
depressed and released with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position, a chattering
noise near the shift lever may be heard.
This is a normal condition. Shift-lock override
If the shift lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position into R
(Reverse) position with the brake pedal
depressed, continue depressing the
brake, then do the following:
1. Carefully remove the cap (1) covering
the shift-lock access hole.
2. Insert a key (or screwdriver) into the access hole and press down on the
key (or screwdriver).
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer immedi-
ately.
OYF059011N
WARNING
Always fully depress the brake
pedal before and while shifting out
of the P (Park) position into anoth-
er position to avoid inadvertent
motion of the vehicle which could
injure persons in or around the car.

535
Driving your vehicle
Active ECO operation Active ECO helps improve fuel efficiency
by controlling the engine and transaxle.
But fuel-efficiency can be changed by the
driver's driving habits and road condi-
tions.
 When the Active ECO button ispressed the ECO indicator (green) will
illuminate to show that the Active ECO
is operating.
 When the Active ECO is activated, it does not turn off even though the
engine is restarted again. To turn off
the system, press the active ECO but-
ton again.
 If Active ECO is turned off, it will return to the normal mode.
Limitation of Active ECO
operation:If the following conditions occur while
Active ECO is operating, the system
operation is limited even though there is
no change in the ECO indicator.
 When the coolant temperature is low:The system will be limited until engine
performance becomes normal.
 When driving up a hill: The system will be limited to gain powerwhen driving uphill because the engine
torque is restricted.
 When using sports mode: The system will be limited according tothe shift location.
 When the accelerator pedal is deeply pressed for a few seconds:
The system will be limited, judging that the driver wants to speed up.
ACTIVE ECO SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
OYF051035

Driving your vehicle36
5Your vehicle's fuel economy depends
mainly on your style of driving, where you
drive and when you drive.
Each of these factors affects how many
miles (kilometers) you can get from a gal-
lon (liter) of fuel. To operate your vehicle
as economically as possible, use the fol-
lowing driving suggestions to help save
money in both fuel and repairs:
 Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moder-
ate rate. Don't make "jack-rabbit" starts
or full-throttle shifts and maintain a
steady cruising speed. Don't race
between stoplights. Try to adjust your
speed to that of the other traffic so you
don't have to change speeds unneces-
sarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever
possible. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from other vehicles so you can
avoid unnecessary braking. This also
reduces brake wear.
 Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you drive, the more fuel your car uses.
Driving at a moderate speed, especial-
ly on the highway, is one of the most
effective ways to reduce fuel consump-
tion.  Don't "ride" the brake pedal. This can
increase fuel consumption and also
increase wear on these components.
In addition, driving with your foot rest-
ing on the brake pedal may cause the
brakes to overheat, which reduces
their effectiveness and may lead to
more serious consequences.
 Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated to the recommended pressure.
Incorrect inflation, either too much or
too little, results in unnecessary tire
wear. Check the tire pressures at least
once a month.
 Be sure that the wheels are aligned correctly. Improper alignment can
result from hitting curbs or driving too
fast over irregular surfaces. Poor align-
ment causes faster tire wear and may
also result in other problems as well as
greater fuel consumption.  Keep your car in good condition. For
better fuel economy and reduced
maintenance costs, maintain your car
in accordance with the maintenance
schedule in section 7. If you drive your
car in severe conditions, more frequent
maintenance is required (see section 7
for details).
 Keep your car clean. For maximum service, your vehicle should be kept
clean and free of corrosive materials. It
is especially important that mud, dirt,
ice, etc. not be allowed to accumulate
on the underside of the car. This extra
weight can result in increased fuel con-
sumption and also contribute to corro-
sion.
 Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary weight in your car. Weight reduces fuel
economy.
 Don't let the engine idle longer than necessary. If you are waiting (and not
in traffic), turn off your engine and
restart only when you're ready to go.ECONOMICAL OPERATION

747
Maintenance
Cold Tire Pressure: The amount of
air pressure in a tire, measured in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo-
pascals (kPa) before a tire has built
up heat from driving.
Curb Weight: This means the weight
of a motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, but without passengers and
cargo.
DOT Markings: A code molded into
the sidewall of a tire signifying that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor
vehicle safety standards. The DOT
code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric des-
ignator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the Front Axle.
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the Rear axle.Intended Outboard Sidewall
: The
side of an asymmetrical tire, that
must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for
air pressure.
Load Index: An assigned number
ranging from 1 to 279 that corre-
sponds to the load carrying capacity
of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure : The
maximum air pressure to which a
cold tire may be inflated. The maxi-
mum air pressure is molded onto the
sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating : The load
rating for a tire at the maximum per-
missible inflation pressure for that
tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight :
The sum of curb weight; accessory
weight; vehicle capacity weight; and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight: The
number of occupants a vehicle is
designed to seat multiplied by 150
pounds (68 kg). Occupant Distribution
: Designated
seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall: The side
of a asymmetrical tire that has a par-
ticular side that faces outward when
mounted on a vehicle. The outward
facing sidewall bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same moldings on
the inner facing sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire : A tire
used on passenger cars and some
light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended Inflation Pressure :
Vehicle manufacturer's recommend-
ed tire inflation pressure and shown
on the tire placard.
Radial Ply Tire : A pneumatic tire in
which the ply cords that extend to the
beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim: A metal support for a tire and
upon which the tire beads are seat-
ed.
Sidewall: The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.

Maintenance48
7Speed Rating: An alphanumeric
code assigned to a tire indicating the
maximum speed at which a tire can
operate.
Traction: The friction between the
tire and the road surface. The
amount of grip provided.
Tread: The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators: Narrow
bands, sometimes called "wear
bars," that show across the tread of a
tire when only 2/32 inch of tread
remains.
UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards, a tire information
system that provides consumers with
ratings for a tire's traction, tempera-
ture and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing proce-
dures. The ratings are molded into
the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicle Capacity Weight : The num-
ber of designated seating positions
multiplied by 150 lbs. (68 kg) plus the
rated cargo and luggage load. Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire: Load on an individual tire due to
curb and accessory weight plus
maximum occupant and cargo
weight.
Vehicle Normal Load on the Tire
:
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal occu-
pant weight and dviding by 2.
Vehicle Placard: A label permanent-
ly attached to a vehicle showing the
original equipment tire size and rec-
ommended inflation pressure.
All season tires
HYUNDAI specifies all season tires
on some models to provide good
performance for use all year round,
including snowy and icy road condi-
tions. All season tires are identified
by ALL SEASON and/or M+S (Mud
and Snow) on the tire sidewall. Snow
tires have better snow traction than
all season tires and may be more
appropriate in some areas. Summer tires
HYUNDAI specifies summer tires on
some models to provide superior
performance on dry roads. Summer
tire performance is substantially
reduced in snow and ice. Summer
tires do not have the tire traction rat-
ing M+S (Mud and Snow) on the tire
side wall. if you plan to operate your
vehicle in snowy or icy conditions.
HYUNDAI recommends the use of
snow tires or all season tires on all
four wheels.
Snow tires
If you equip your car with snow tires,
they should be the same size and
have the same load capacity as the
original tires. Snow tires should be
installed on all four wheels; other-
wise, poor handling may result.
Snow tires should carry 4 psi (28
kPa) more air pressure than the
pressure recommended for the stan-
dard tires on the tire label on the dri-
ver's side of the center pillar, or up to
the maximum pressure shown on the
tire sidewall, whichever is less.

Index2I
Active ECO system ··················\
··················\
··················\
·5-35
Air bags··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
··3-37Air bag warning label··················\
··················\
············3-63
Air bag warning light ··················\
··················\
············3-40
Curtain air bag··················\
··················\
··················\
·····3-54
Driver's and passenger's front air bag ··················\
·····3-49
Occupant classification system ··················\
···············3-44
Side impact air bag··················\
··················\
················3-53
SRS components and functions ··················\
··············3-40
Air cleaner ··················\
··················\
··················\
···············7-29
Alarm system ··················\
··················\
··················\
···········4-14
Antenna (glass) ··················\
··················\
··················\
······4-112
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ··················\
··················\
··5-24
Appearance care··················\
··················\
··················\
·······7-67 Exterior care ··················\
··················\
··················\
········7-67
Interior care ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········7-71
Armrest ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
··3-13
Audio system ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········4-112 Glass antenna··················\
··················\
··················\
·····4-112
Steering wheel audio control··················\
·················4-112
Automatic climate control system ··················\
···············4-93 Air conditioning ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-98
Automatic heating and air conditioning··················\
··4-94
Manual heating and air conditioning ··················\
······4-95 Automatic transaxle ··················\
··················\
··················\
·5-14
Ignition key interlock system ··················\
··················\
5-19
Paddle shifter··················\
··················\
··················\
·······5-17
Shift lock system ··················\
··················\
··················\
·5-18
Sports mode··················\
··················\
··················\
·········5-17
Battery··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
····7-34
Battery saver function··················\
··················\
················4-72
Before driving ··················\
··················\
··················\
············5-3
Binding arbitration ··················\
··················\
··················\
·····8-9
Bottle holders, see cup holders ··················\
··················\
4-107
Brake system··················\
··················\
··················\
············5-21 Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ··················\
················5-24
Electronic stability control (ESC) ··················\
···········5-26
Parking brake ··················\
··················\
··················\
······5-22
Power brakes ··················\
··················\
··················\
·······5-21
Brakes/clutch fluid ··················\
··················\
··················\
···7-26
Bulb replacement ··················\
··················\
··················\
·····7-59
Bulb wattage ··················\
··················\
··················\
··············8-2
Button start/stop, see engine start/stop button·················5-7A
B

I9
Index
Sports mode ··················\
··················\
··················\
·············5-17
Starting difficulties, see engine will not start ··················\
6-3
Starting the engine··················\
··················\
················5-6, 5-9\
Steering wheel···············\
··················\
··················\
·············4-39Horn··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···4-40
Electric power steering··················\
··················\
··········4-39
Tilt steering ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········4-39
Steering wheel audio control ··················\
··················\
···4-111
Storage compartment ··················\
··················\
···············4-105 Center console storage ··················\
··················\
········4-105
Glove box ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········4-105
Multi box ··················\
··················\
··················\
···········4-106
Sunglass holder ··················\
··················\
··················\
·4-106
Sunglass holder ··················\
··················\
··················\
······4-106
Sunroof··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···4-32
Sunvisor ··················\
··················\
··················\
·················4-10\
7
Tachometer··················\
··················\
··················\
···············4-51
Tether anchor system ··················\
··················\
·················3-33\
Theft-alarm system ··················\
··················\
··················\
··4-14
Tilt steering ··················\
··················\
··················\
··············4-39
Tire specification and pressure label ··················\
·············8-7
Tire chains··················\
··················\
··················\
················5-43
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) ··················\
·····6-7 Tires and wheels ··················\
··················\
·················7-37\
, 8-3
Checking tire inflation pressure ··················\
··············7-38
Compact spare tire replacement ··················\
··············7-42
Recommended cold tire inflation pressures ··············7-37
Tire care··················\
··················\
··················\
···············7-37
Tire maintenance ··················\
··················\
··················\
·7-42
Tire replacement ··················\
··················\
··················\
··7-41
Tire rotation ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········7-39
Tire sidewall labeling ··················\
··················\
············7-43
Tire traction ··················\
··················\
··················\
·········7-42
Wheel alignment and tire balance ··················\
···········7-40
Wheel replacement ··················\
··················\
················7-42
Towing ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
···6-20
Trailer towing ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········5-52
Transaxle Automatic transaxle ··················\
··················\
··············5-14
Manual transaxle ··················\
··················\
··················\
·5-11
Trip computer ··················\
··················\
··················\
··········4-53
Trunk ··················\
··················\
··················\
··················\
······4-22
Vehicle break-in process ··················\
··················\
··············1-5
Vehicle certification label··················\
··················\
···5-49, 8-6
Vehicle data collection and event data recorders (EDR) ··················\
··················\
··················\
····1-6
Vehicle identification number (VIN) ··················\
·············8-6
Vehicle load limit ··················\
··················\
··················\
·····5-46 Certification label ··················\
··················\
··················\
5-49T
V