2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Owner's Manual

5-33
Driving your vehicle
5
Using ABS
To obtain the maximum benefit from
your ABS in an emergency situation,
do not attempt to modulate your
brake pressure and do not try to
pump your brakes. Depress your
brake pedal as hard as possible.
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the
wheels, you may hear sounds from
the brakes, or feel a corresponding
sensation in the brake pedal. This is
normal and it means your ABS is
active.
ABS does not reduce the time or dis-
tance it takes to stop the vehicle.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from sudden changes in
direction, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed for the road and weather con-
ditions.ABS cannot prevent a loss of stabili-
ty. Always steer moderately when
braking hard. Severe or sharp steer-
ing wheel movement can still cause
your vehicle to veer into oncoming
traffic or off the road.
On loose or uneven road surfaces,
operation of the anti-lock brake sys-
tem may result in a longer stopping
distance than for vehicles equipped
with a conventional brake system.
The ABS warning light ( ) will stay
on for several seconds after the
Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON
position. During that time, the ABS
will go through self-diagnosis and the
light will go off if everything is nor-
mal. If the light stays on, you may
have a problem with your ABS.
Contact an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
If the ABS warning light ( ) is
on and stays on, you may have a
problem with the ABS. Your
power brakes will work normally.
To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death, contact your
HYUNDAI dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
WARNING

5-34
Driving your vehicle
When you drive on a road having
poor traction, such as an icy road,
and apply your brakes continu-
ously, the ABS will be active con-
tinuously and the ABS warning
light ( ) may illuminate. Pull
your car over to a safe place and
turn the engine off.
Restart the engine. If the ABS
warning light is off, then your ABS
system is normal.
Otherwise, you may have a prob-
lem with your ABS system.
Contact an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
Information
When you jump start your vehicle
because of a drained battery, the ABS
warning light ( ) may turn on at the
same time. This happens because of
the low battery voltage. It does not
mean your ABS is malfunctioning.
Have the battery recharged before
driving the vehicle.
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system helps to stabilize the
vehicle during cornering maneuvers.
ESC checks where you are steering
and where the vehicle is actually
going. ESC applies braking pressure
to any one of the vehicle’s brakes
and intervenes in the engine man-
agement system to assist the driver
with keeping the vehicle on the
intended path. It is not a substitute
for safe driving practices. Always
adjust your speed and driving to the
road conditions.
i
NOTICE
OLF054448
Never drive too fast for the road
conditions or too quickly when
cornering. The ESC system will
not prevent accidents.
Excessive speed in turns, abrupt
maneuvers, and hydroplaning
on wet surfaces can result in
severe accidents.
WARNING

5-35
Driving your vehicle
5
ESC operation
ESC ON condition
When the Engine Start/Stop button
is in the ON position, the ESC and
the ESC OFF indicator lights illumi-
nate for approximately three seconds
and goes off, then the ESC is turned
on.
When operating
When the Engine Start/Stop
button is in the ON position,
the ESC and the ESC OFF
indicator lights illuminate for
approximately three sec-
onds. After both lights go
off, the ESC is enabled.

conditions which may lock the
wheels, you may hear sounds from
the brakes, or feel a corresponding
sensation in the brake pedal. This is
normal and it means your ESC is
active.

engine may not respond to the
accelerator as it does under routine
conditions.

when the ESC activates, the Cruise
Control automatically disengages.
The Cruise Control can be reen-
gaged when the road conditions
allow.See "Cruise Control System"
later in this chapter.
driving on a slippery road, the
engine rpm (revolutions per minute)
may not increase even if you press
the accelerator pedal deeply. This is
to maintain the stability and traction
of the vehicle and does not indicate
a problem.

5-36
Driving your vehicle
ESC OFF condition
To cancel ESC operation :

Press the ESC OFF button briefly.
The ESC OFF indicator light and
message will illuminate. In this state,
the traction control function of ESC
(engine management) is disabled,
but the brake control function of ESC
(braking management) still operates.
Press the ESC OFF button continu-
ously for more than 3 seconds. The
ESC OFF indicator light and mes-
sage illuminates and a warning
chime sounds. In this state, both the
traction control function of ESC
(engine management) and the brake
control function of ESC (braking
management) are disabled.
If the Engine Start/Stop button is
placed to the OFF position when
ESC is off, ESC remains off. Upon
restarting the engine, the ESC will
automatically turn on again.
Indicator lights
When the Engine Start/Stop button
is pressed to the ON position, the
ESC indicator light illuminates, then
goes off if the ESC system is operat-
ing normally.
The ESC indicator light blinks when-
ever the ESC is operating.
If ESC indicator light stays on, your
vehicle may have a malfunction with
the ESC system. When this warning
light illuminates, have the vehicle
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
OLF054101N
OLF054100N
■ESC indicator light (blinks)
■ ESC OFF indicator light (comes on)

5-37
Driving your vehicle
5
The ESC OFF indicator light comes
on when the ESC is turned off with
the button.
Driving with wheels and tires with
different sizes may cause the ESC
system to malfunction. Before
replacing tires, make sure all four
tires and wheels are the same
size. Never drive the vehicle with
different sized tires and wheels
installed.ESC OFF usage
When Driving
The ESC OFF mode should only be
used briefly to help free the vehicle if
stuck in snow or mud by temporarily
stopping operation of the ESC to
maintain wheel torque.
To turn ESC off while driving, press
the ESC OFF button while driving on
a flat road surface.To prevent damage to the trans-
mission:
Do not allow wheel(s) of one
axle to spin excessively while
the ESC, ABS, and parking brake
warning ( , red color) lights
are displayed. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Reduce engine power
and do not spin the wheel(s)
excessively while these lights
are displayed.
When operating the vehicle on a
dynamometer, make sure the
ESC is turned off (ESC OFF light
illuminated).
Information
Turning the ESC off does not affect
ABS or standard brake system opera-
tion.
i
NOTICE
NOTICE
When the ESC is blinking, this
indicates the ESC is active:
Drive slowly and NEVER
attempt to accelerate. NEVER
turn the ESC off while the ESC
indicator light is blinking or you
may lose control of the vehicle
resulting in an accident.
WARNING

5-38
Driving your vehicle
Vehicle Stability Management
(VSM)
The Vehicle Stability Management
(VSM) is a function of the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system. It
helps ensure the vehicle stays stable
when accelerating or braking sud-
denly on wet, slippery and rough
roads where traction over the four
tires can suddenly become uneven.
VSM operation
VSM ON condition
The VSM operates when:
The Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) is on.
Vehicle speed is approximately
above 9 mph (15 km/h) on curve
roads.
Vehicle speed is approximately
above 12 mph (20 km/h) when the
vehicle is braking on rough roads.
When operating
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may activate the
ESC, you may hear sounds from the
brakes, or feel a corresponding sen-
sation in the brake pedal. This is nor-
mal and it means your VSM is active.
Information
The VSM does not operate when:
• Driving on bank road such as gradi-
ent or incline
• Driving rearward.
• ESC OFF indicator light is on.
• EPS (Electric Power Steering) warn-
ing light ( ) is on.
i
Take the following precautions
when using the Vehicle Stability
Management (VSM):
ALWAYS check the speed and
the distance to the vehicle
ahead. The VSM is not a sub-
stitute for safe driving prac-
tices.
Never drive too fast for the
road conditions. The VSM sys-
tem will not prevent acci-
dents. Excessive speed in bad
weather, slippery and uneven
roads can result in severe
accidents.
WARNING

5-39
Driving your vehicle
5
VSM OFF condition
To cancel VSM operation, press the
ESC OFF button. ESC OFF indicator
light ( ) will illuminate.
To turn on VSM, press the ESC OFF
button again. The ESC OFF indicator
light will go out.
Driving with wheels and tires with
different sizes may cause the ESC
system to malfunction. Before
replacing tires, make sure all four
tires and wheels are the same
size. Never drive the vehicle with
different sized tires and wheels
installed.
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
The Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
helps prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting a vehicle
from a stop on a hill. The system
operates the brakes automatically for
approximately 2 seconds and releas-
es the brake after 2 seconds or when
the accelerator pedal is depressed. The HAC does not operate when
the shift lever is in P (Park) or N
(Neutral)
The HAC activates even though
the ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) is off but does not acti-
vate when the ESC has malfunc-
tioned.
NOTICE
NOTICE
If ESC indicator light ( ) or
EPS warning light ( ) stays
on, your vehicle may have a mal-
function with the VSM system.
When the warning light illumi-
nates have the vehicle checked
by an authorized HYUNDAI deal-
er as soon as possible.
WARNING
Always be ready to depress the
accelerator pedal when starting
off on a incline. The HAC activates
only for approximately 2 seconds.
WARNING

5-40
Driving your vehicle
Good braking practices Wet brakes can be dangerous! The
brakes may get wet if the vehicle is
driven through standing water or if it
is washed. Your vehicle will not stop
as quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet
brakes may cause the vehicle to pull
to one side.
To dry the brakes, apply the brakes
lightly until the braking action returns
to normal, taking care to keep the
vehicle under control at all times. If
the braking action does not return to
normal, stop as soon as it is safe to
do so and call an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.
DO NOT drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light, but
constant pedal pressure can result in
the brakes overheating, brake wear,
and possibly even brake failure.If a tire goes flat while you are driv-
ing, apply the brakes gently and
keep the vehicle pointed straight
ahead while you slow down. When
you are moving slowly enough for it
to be safe to do so, pull off the road
and stop in a safe location.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped to
prevent the vehicle from rolling for-
ward. Whenever leaving the vehicle or
parking, always come to a com-
plete stop and continue to
depress the brake pedal. Move
the shift lever into the P (Park)
position, then apply the parking
brake, and place the Engine
Start/Stop button in the OFF
position.
Vehicles parked with the park-
ing brake not applied or not
fully engaged may roll inadver-
tently and may cause injury to
the driver and others. ALWAYS
apply the parking brake before
exiting the vehicle.
WARNING