2012 Hyundai Sonata warning light

Features of your vehicle62
4
Parking brake & brake fluid
warning lightParking 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.
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 switch
is in the ON position.
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.
CAUTION
If the oil pressure warning light
stays on while the engine is run- ning, serious engine damage mayresult. The oil pressure warninglight comes on whenever there is insufficient oil pressure. In normaloperation, it should come on whenthe ignition switch is turned on,then go out when the engine is started. If the oil pressure warninglight 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 offthe 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 an authorized HYUNDAI dealer beforethe car is driven again.

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

467
Features of your vehicle
Cruise SET indicator
The indicator light illuminates when the
cruise function switch (SET- or RES+) is ON.
The cruise SET indicator light in the
instrument cluster is illuminated when
the cruise control switch (SET- or RES+)
is pushed. The cruise SET indicator light
does not illuminate when the cruise con-
trol switch (CANCEL) is pushed or the
system is disengaged.Electronic power steering(EPS) system warninglight This indicator light comes on after the
ignition key is turned to the ON position
and then it will go out.
This light also comes on when the EPS
needs repairs. If it comes on while driv-
ing, have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Key reminder warning chime Without smart key
If the driver’s door is opened while the
ignition key is left in the ignition switch
(ACC or LOCK position), the key
reminder warning chime will sound. This
helps prevent you from locking your keys
in the vehicle. The chime sounds until the
key is removed from the ignition switch or
the driver’s door is closed.
With smart key
If the driver’s door is opened while the
smart key is in the vehicle with the
engine start/stop button in ACC or the
smart key is in the smart key holder with
the engine start/stop button in OFF, the
key reminder warning chime will sound.
The chime sounds until the smart key is
removed from the smart key holder or the
driver’s door is closed.
Warning on the LCD screen
(if equipped)Key is not in vehicleIf the smart key is not in the vehicle and
if any door is opened or closed with the
engine start/stop button in ACC, ON, or
START, the warning illuminates on the
LCD screen. The chime also sounds for 5
seconds when the smart key is not in the
vehicle and any door is closed.
Turn the ignition switch off or get hold of
the smart key.
EPS
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SET

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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471
Features of your vehicle
Low washer fluidThis warning light indicates the washer
fluid reservoir is near empty. Refill the
washer fluid as soon as possible.The rearview camera will activate when
the back-up light is ON with the ignition
switch ON and the shift lever in the R
position.
This system is a supplemental system
that shows behind the vehicle through
the monitor while backing-up.
✽ ✽NOTICEThe rearview camera may not operate
normally, in extremely high or low
temperatures (operating temperature :
-13°F~149°F (-20°C~65°C)).
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REAR VIEW CAMERA (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING
 This system is a supplementary
function only. It is the responsi-
bility of the driver to always
check the inside/outside rearview
mirror and the area behind the
vehicle before and while backing
up.
 Always keep the camera lens clean. If the lens is covered with
foreign matter, the camera may
not operate normally.
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