2020 HYUNDAI SONATA LIMITED display

06
6-5
Before Entering the Vehicle
• Be sure all windows, outside mirror(s),
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed.
• Remove frost, snow, or ice.
• Visually check the tires for uneven
wear and damage.
• Check under the vehicle for any sign
of leaks.
• Be sure there are no obstacles behind
you if you intend to back up.
Before Starting
• Make sure the hood, the trunk, and
the doors are securely closed and
locked.
• Adjust the position of the seat and
steering wheel.
• Adjust the inside and side view
mirrors.
• Verify all the lights work.
• Fasten your seatbelt. Check that
all passengers have fastened their
seatbelts.
• Check the gauges and indicators
in the instrument panel and the
messages on the instrument display
when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
• Check that any items you are carrying
are stored properly or fastened down
securely.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH, take the following precautions:
• ALWAYS wear your seat belt. All
passengers must be properly belted
whenever the vehicle is moving.
For more information, refer to "Seat
Belts" in chapter 3.
• Always drive defensively. Assume
other drivers or pedestrians may be
careless and make mistakes.
• Stay focused on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
accidents.
• Leave plenty of space between you
and the vehicle in front of you.
WARNING
NEVER drink alcohol or take drugs and
drive.
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and
driving is dangerous and may result in
an accident and SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH.
Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgment. Just
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions and
emergencies and your reaction time
gets worse with each additional drink.
Driving while under the influence
of drugs is as dangerous or more
dangerous than driving under the
influence of alcohol.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink or take
drugs and drive. If you are drinking or
taking drugs, don't drive. Do not ride
with a driver who has been drinking
or taking drugs. Choose a designated
driver or call a taxi.
Before Driving

6-14
Transmission ranges
The indicator in the instrument cluster
displays the gear position when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death:
• ALWAYS check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for people,
especially children, before shifting a
vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
• Before leaving the driver’s seat,
always make sure the gear is in
the P (Park) position, then set
the parking brake, and place the
ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF
position. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur if these
precautions are not followed.
• If equipped, do not use the engine
brake (shifting from a high gear to
lower gear using the paddle shifters)
rapidly on slippery roads.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park).
To shift from P (Park), you must depress
firmly on the brake pedal and make sure
your foot is off the accelerator pedal.
The gear must be in P (Park) before
turning the engine off.
WARNING
• Shifting into P (Park) while the
vehicle is in motion may cause you to
lose control of the vehicle.
• After the vehicle has stopped, always
make sure the gear is in P (Park),
apply the parking brake, and turn
the engine off.
• Do not use the P (Park) position in
place of the parking brake.
R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward.
NOTICE
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you
may damage the transmission if you
shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
in motion.
When the vehicle is stopped in
R (Reverse) 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 R (Reverse) position, if you open
the driver's door with the seat belt
unfastened, the gear may be not shifted
to P (Park) position automatically for
protecting the automatic transmission.
N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not
engaged.
Use N (Neutral) if you need to restart a
stalled engine, or if it is necessary to stop
with the engine ON. Shift into P (Park)
if you need to leave your vehicle for any
reason.
Always depress the brake pedal when
you are shifting from N (Neutral) to
another gear.
WARNING
Do not shift into gear unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal. Shifting into
gear when the engine is running at high
speed can cause the vehicle to move
very rapidly. You could lose control of
the vehicle and hit people or objects.
While Driving

06
6-15
D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. The
transmission will automatically shift
through a 8-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.
Depr
ess and hold the brake pedal.
2.

S
tart the engine or place the ignition
switch in the ON position.
3.

Depr
ess the brake pedal and push the
R (Reverse) or D (Drive) button.
Stay in N (Neutral) position when
engine is Off
ODN8069006
ODN8069008If you want to keep the N (Neutral)
position after the engine is OFF, do the
following.
1.

Deactiv
ate the AUTO HOLD and
release the parking brake when the
ignition switch is ON.
2.

S
tart the engine. 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.
3.

When the message ("V
ehicle will
stay in (N). Change gear to cancel")
appears on the cluster LCD display,
turn off the engine.
In this situation, if you unfasten the
driver's seat belt and open the driver's
door within 3 minutes, the gear stays in
the N (Neutral) position and the ignition
switch is turned off.

06
6-17
LCD Display Message
Shifting conditions not met
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when engine RPM is too
high, or when driving speed is too fast to
shift the gear.
We recommend you decrease the engine
speed or slow down before shifting the
gear.
Press brake pedal to change gear
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the brake pedal is not
depressed while shifting the gear.
We recommend you to depress the brake
pedal and then shift the gear.
Shift to P after stopping
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the gear is shifted to P
(Park) while the vehicle is moving.
Stop the vehicle before shifting to P
(Park).
PARK engaged
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the gear is shifted to P
(Park) while the vehicle is moving.
Stop the vehicle before shifting to P
(Park).
Press and hold OK button to stay in
Neutral when vehicle is Off
The warning message appears on
the LCD display, when pushing the N
(Neutral) button. If you want to stay N
(Neutral) after turning off the engine,
press and hold the “OK” button on the
steering wheel more than 1 second.
Vehicle will stay in (N). Change gear
to cancel
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when depressing the "OK"
button on the steering wheel after the
message ("Press and hold OK button
to stay in Neutral when vehicle is Off")
appears on the cluster LCD display. The
gear stays in N(Neutral) position after
turning off the engine.
NEUTRAL engaged
The message appears on the LCD
display, when the N (Neutral) position is
engaged.
Gear already selected
The message appears on the LCD
display, when pushing the current shift
button again.
Shift button held down
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the shift button is
pressed continuously or the shift button
does not properly operate. Clean the
surroundings of gear shift button.
If this message appears again, have
the vehicle inspected by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
Shifter system malfunction
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the transmission
or the shift button does not properly
operate in the P (Park) position.
In this case, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Check shift controls
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when there is a malfunction
with transmission shift button.
In this case, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

6-26
In these cases, the parking brake
warning light comes on, the AUTO
HOLD indicator changes from green
to white, and a warning sound and a
message will appear to inform you that
EPB has been automatically engaged.
Before driving off again, press foot
brake pedal, check the surrounding
area near your vehicle and release
parking brake manually with the EPB
switch.
• While operating Auto Hold, you may
hear mechanical noise. However, it is
normal operating noise.
NOTICE
If the AUTO HOLD indicator changes
to yellow, the Auto Hold is not working
properly. Contact an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING
• Depress the accelerator pedal slowly
when you start the vehicle.
• For your safety, cancel the Auto Hold
when you drive downhill, back up the
vehicle or park the vehicle.
NOTICE
If there is a malfunction with the
driver's door or engine hood open
detection system, the Auto Hold may
not work properly.
Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Warning messages
OTM058187L
Parking brake automatically engaged
When the EPB is applied from Auto Hold,
a warning will sound and a message will
appear.
OIK057079N
AUTO HOLD turning Off!
Press brake pedal
When the conversion from Auto Hold to
EPB is not working properly a warning
will sound and a message will appear.
When this message is displayed, the Auto
Hold and EPB may not operate. For your
safety, depress the brake pedal.
While Driving

06
6-27
OIK057080L
Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO
HOLD
If you did not apply the brake pedal when
you release the Auto Hold by pressing
the [AUTO HOLD] switch, a warning will
sound and a message will appear.
OTM058159L
AUTO HOLD conditions not met. Close
door and hood.
When you press the [AUTO HOLD]
switch, if the driver's door and engine
hood are not closed, a warning will
sound and a message will appear on the
cluster LCD display.
Press the [AUTO HOLD] switch after
closing the driver's door and hood.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
WARNING
An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) or
an Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system will not prevent accidents
due to improper or dangerous driving
maneuvers. Even though vehicle
control is improved during emergency
braking, always maintain a safe
distance between you and objects
ahead of you. Vehicle speeds should
always be reduced during extreme
road conditions. The braking distance
for cars equipped with ABS or ESC
may be longer than for those without
these systems in the following road
conditions.
Drive your vehicle at reduced speeds
during the following conditions:
• Rough, gravel or snow-covered
roads.
• On roads where the road surface is
pitted or has different surface height.
• Tire chains are installed on your
vehicle.
The safety features of an ABS or ESC
equipped vehicle should not be tested
by high speed driving or cornering. This
could endanger the safety of yourself or
others.
ABS is an electronic braking system that
helps prevent a braking skid. ABS allows
the driver to steer and brake at the same
time.

06
6-31
ESC OFF usage
When Driving
The ESC OFF mode should only be used
briefly to help free the vehicle if stuck in
snow 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.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the transmission:
• Do not allow wheel(s) of one axle to
spin excessively while the ESC, ABS,
and parking brake warning 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 operation.
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 suddenly on wet, slippery and
rough roads where traction over the four
tires can suddenly become uneven.
WARNING
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 substitute for safe
driving practices.
• Never drive too fast for the road
conditions. The VSM system will not
prevent accidents. Excessive speed
in bad weather, slippery and uneven
roads can result in severe accidents.
VSM operation
VSM ON condition
The VSM operates when:
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
on.
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 sensation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and it means
your VSM is active.
NOTICE
The VSM does not operate when:
• Driving on a banked road such as
gradient or incline.
• Driving rearward.
• ESC OFF indicator light is on.
• EPS (Electric Power Steering)
warning light (
) is on or blinks.

6-34
When the system is deactivated:
ODN8069019
The ISG OFF button indicator illuminates.
If the message "Auto Stop is Off.
OIK057173N
Start vehicle manually", appears on the
LCD display with a beep sound, restart
the vehicle manually by depressing the
brake pedal with the vehicle shifted
to P (Park) or N (Neutral). For your
safety, restart the vehicle in the P (Park)
position.
Auto start
To restart the engine in the auto stop
mode
Release the brake pedal.
- When Auto Hold is activated, if you release the brake pedal, the engine will
be in the auto stop state. However, if
you depress the accelerator pedal, the
engine will start again.
The auto stop indicator () goes OFF on
the instrument cluster, when the engine
is restarted.
The engine is automatically restarted in
the following situations.
• The brake vacuum pressure is low
• The engine has stopped for about 5
minutes
• The air conditioning is ON with the fan
speed set to the highest position
• The front defroster is ON
• The battery is weak
• The cooling and heating performance
of the climate control system is
unsatisfactory
• The vehicle is shifted to P (Park) when
Auto Hold is activated
• The door is opened or the seatbelt
is unfastened when Auto Hold is
activated
• The EPB switch is pressed when Auto
Hold is activated
The auto stop indicator (
) blinks in
green for 5 seconds on the instrument
cluster.
While Driving