2020 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID automatic transmission

While Driving
6-12
D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. The
transmission will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence, providing
the best fuel economy and power.
To start the vehicle forward, push the D
(Drive) button by depressing the brake
pedal with the engine ON. Then depress
the accelerator pedal smoothly.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or driving uphill, depress the
accelerator fully. The transmission will
automatically downshift to the next
lower gear (or gears, as appropriate).
When the vehicle is stopped in D (Drive)
position, if you open the driver's door
with the seat belt unfastened, the gear is
shifted to P (Park) position automatically.
However when the vehicle moves in D
(Drive) position, if you open the driver's
door with the seat belt unfastened, the
gear may not shift to P (Park) position
automatically to protect the automatic
transmission.
Shift-lock system
For your safety, the automatic
transmission has a shift-lock system
which prevents shifting the gear from
P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse)
or D (Drive) unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift the gear from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the
R (Reverse) or D (Drive) button.
Stay in N (Neutral) position when
engine is Off
ODN8069006
ODN8069008
If you want to keep the N (Neutral)
position after the engine is OFF, do the
following.
1. Deactivate the AUTO HOLD and
release the parking brake when the
ignition switch or the engine is ON.
2. Push the N (neutral) button while
depressing the brake pedal. If the
message ("Press and hold OK button
to stay in Neutral when vehicle is
OFF") appears on the cluster LCD
display, press and hold the OK button
on the steering wheel for more than 1
second.

While Driving
6-34
CUSTOM mode
In CUSTOM mode, the driver can select separate modes
and combine them on the
infotainment system screen.
-Engine/Transmission: ECO/SPORT
-Steering wheel: SPORT
For more details, refer to the separately
supplied manual with your vehicle.
• When CUSTOM mode is selected
by using the DRIVE MODE button,
the CUSTOM mode indicator will
illuminate.
ECO mode
When the Drive Mode is set
to ECO mode, the engine and
transmission control logic are
changed to maximize fuel
efficiency.
• When the ECO mode is selected by
using the DRIVE MODE button, the
ECO indicator will illuminate.
• Whenever the engine is restarted, the
drive mode remains in ECO mode.
Information
Fuel efficiency depends on the driver’s
driving habit and road condition.
When ECO mode is activated:
• The acceleration response may be
slightly reduced as the accelerator
pedal is depressed moderately.
• The air conditioner performance may
be limited.
• The shift pattern of the automatic
transmission may change.
• The engine noise may get louder.
The above situations are normal
conditions when ECO mode is activated
to improve fuel efficiency.
Limitation of ECO mode operation:
If the following conditions occur while
ECO mode is operating, the system
operation is limited even though there is
no change in 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
power when driving uphill because
engine torque is restricted.
• When the accelerator pedal is deeply
depressed for a few seconds:
The system will be limited, judging
that the driver wants to speed up.

06
6-35
SPORT mode
SPORT mode manages
the driving dynamics by
automatically adjusting the
steering effort, the engine
and transmission control
logic for enhanced driver
performance.
• When SPORT mode is selected by
using the DRIVE MODE button, the
SPORT indicator will illuminate.
• Whenever the engine is restarted, the
Drive Mode will revert back to ECO
mode. If SPORT mode is desired, re-
select SPORT mode from the DRIVE
MODE button.
• When SPORT mode is activated:
-The engine rpm will tend to remain
raised over a certain length of time
even after releasing the accelerator
-Upshifts are delayed when
accelerating
Information
In SPORT mode, the fuel efficiency may
decrease.
SMART mode
SMART mode selects the proper driving mode among
ECO and SPORT by judging
the driver’s driving habits
(i.e. Economic or Aggressive
(Sportive)) from the brake
pedal depression or the
steering wheel operation.
• Toggle the DRIVE MODE button to
select SMART mode. When SMART
mode is selected, the indicator
illuminates on the instrument cluster.
• SMART mode automatically controls
the vehicle driving, such as gear
shifting patterns and engine torque,
in accordance with the driver’s driving
habits.
Information
• When you mildly drive the vehicle
in SMART mode, the driving mode
changes to ECO mode to improve fuel
efficiency. However, the actual fuel
efficiency may differ in accordance
with your driving situations (i.e.
upward/downward slope, vehicle
deceleration/acceleration).
• When you dynamically drive the
vehicle in SMART mode by abruptly
decelerating or sharply turning the
driving mode changes to SPORT mode.
However, it may adversely affect fuel
economy.

While Driving
6-36
Various driving situations, which you may
encounter in SMART mode
• The driving mode automatically
changes to ECO mode after a
certain period of time, when you
gently depress the accelerator pedal
(Your driving is categorized to be
economic.).
• The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT, when
you abruptly accelerate the vehicle
or repetitively operate the steering
wheel (Your driving is categorized
to be sporty.). In this mode, your
vehicle drives in a lower gear for
abrupt accelerating/decelerating
and increases the engine brake
performance.
• You may still sense the engine
braking performance, even when
you release the accelerator pedal in
SMART SPORT mode. It is because
your vehicle remains in lower gear
over a certain period of time for next
acceleration. Thus, it is a normal
driving situation, not indicating any
malfunction.
• The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT mode only
in harsh driving situations. In most
of the normal driving situations, the
driving mode sets to be in SMART
ECO mode. Limitation of SMART mode
The SMART mode may be limited in
following situations. (The OFF indicator
illuminates in those situations.)
•
The cruise control is activated :
The cruise control system may
deactivate the SMART mode when
the vehicle is controlled by the set
speed of Smart Cruise Control system.
(SMART mode is not deactivated
just by activating the cruise control
system.)
• The transmission oil temperature is
either extremely low or extremely
high :
The SMART mode can be active in
most of the normal driving situations.
However, an extremely high/ low
transmission oil temperature may
temporarily deactivate the SMART
mode, because the transmission
condition is out of normal operation
condition.

While Driving
6-132
Hazardous Driving Conditions
When hazardous driving elements
are encountered such as water, snow,
ice, mud and sand, take the below
suggestions:
• Drive cautiously and keep a longer
braking distance.
• Avoid abrupt braking or steering.
• When your vehicle is stuck in
snow, mud, or sand, use second
gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid
unnecessary wheel spin.
• Put sand, rock salt, tire chains or other
non-slip materials under the wheels to
provide additional traction while the
vehicle becomes stuck in ice, snow,
or mud.
WARNING
Downshifting with an automatic
transmission while driving on slippery
surfaces can cause an accident. The
sudden change in tire speed could
cause the tires to skid. Be careful when
downshifting on slippery surfaces.
Rocking the Vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear
the area around your front wheels. Then,
shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and a forward gear.
Try to avoid spinning the wheels, and do
not race the engine.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator pedal
while shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal while the transmission
is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that may free the vehicle.
WARNING
If the vehicle is stuck and excessive
wheel spin occurs, the temperature
of the tires can increase very quickly.
If the tires become damaged, a tire
blow out or tire explosion can occur.
This condition is dangerous - you and
others may be injured. Do not attempt
this procedure if people or objects are
anywhere near the vehicle.
If you attempt to free the vehicle, the
vehicle can overheat quickly, possibly
causing an engine compartment fire
or other damage. Try to avoid spinning
the wheels as much as possible to
prevent overheating of either the tires
or the engine. DO NOT allow the vehicle
to spin the wheels above 35 mph (56
km/h).
Information
The ESC system must be turned OFF
before rocking the vehicle.
NOTICE
If you are still stuck after rocking the
vehicle a few times, have the vehicle
pulled out by a tow vehicle to avoid
engine overheating, possible damage to
the transmission, and tire damage. See
"Towing" in chapter 7.
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

07
7-19
Jack Label
OHYK065011
The actual Jack label in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
For more detailed specifications, refer to the label attached to the jack.
1. Model Name
2. Maximum allowable load
3. When using the jack, set your parking brake.
4. When using the jack, stop the engine.
5. Do not get under a vehicle that is supported by a jack.
6. The designated locations under the frame
7. When supporting the vehicle, the base plate of jack must be vertical under the
lifting point.
8. Shift into Reverse gear on vehicles with manual transmission or move the shift lever
to the P position on vehicles with automatic transmission.
9. The jack should be used on firm level ground.
10. Jack manufacture
11. Production date
12. Representative company and address

Emergency situations
7-26
Towing Service
ODN8H079010L[A] : Dollies
If emergency towing is necessary,
we recommend having it done by
an authorized HYUNDAI dealer or a
commercial tow-truck service.
Proper lifting and towing procedures
are necessary to prevent damage to
the vehicle. The use of wheel dollies or
flatbed is recommended.
It is acceptable to tow the vehicle with
the rear wheels on the ground (without
dollies) and the front wheels off the
ground.
If any of the loaded wheels or suspension
components are damaged or the vehicle
is being towed with the front wheels on
the ground, use a towing dolly under the
front wheels.
When being towed by a commercial tow
truck and wheel dollies are not used,
the front of the vehicle should always be
lifted, not the rear.
CAUTION
ODN8H079012
• Do not tow the vehicle with the front
wheels on the ground as this may
cause damage to the vehicle.
ODN8H079011
• Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. Use wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
When towing your vehicle in an
emergency without wheel dollies:
1. Release EPB before turning off the
engine.
2. Press the Engine Start/Stop button to
the OFF position.
3. Shift the gear to N (Neutral).
For more details, refer to “Automatic
Transmission” section in chapter 6.
CAUTION
Failure to shift the gear to N (Neutral)
may cause internal damage to the
transmission.
TOWING

07
7-29
16 feet
ODN8H079018
• Use a towing cable or chain less than
16 feet (5 m) long. Attach a white or
red cloth (about 12 inches (30 cm)
wide) in the middle of the cable or
chain for easy visibility.
• Drive carefully so the towing cable or
chain remains tight during towing.
• Before towing, check the automatic
transmission for fluid leaks under your
vehicle. If the automatic transmission
fluid is leaking, flatbed equipment or a
towing dolly must be used.
NOTICE
Accelerate or decelerate the vehicle
in a slow and gradual manner while
maintaining tension on the tow rope
or chain to start or drive the vehicle,
otherwise tow hooks and the vehicle
may be damaged.
NOTICE
To avoid damage to your vehicle and
vehicle components when towing:
• Always pull straight ahead when
using the towing hooks. Do not pull
from the side or at a vertical angle.
• Do not use the towing hooks to pull
a vehicle out of mud, sand or other
conditions from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power.
• Limit the vehicle speed to 10 mph
(15 km/h) and drive less than 1
mile (1.5 km) when towing to avoid
serious damage to the automatic
transmission.