Page 305 of 632

06
6-33
 WARNING
Never drive too fast for the road 
conditions when cornering. ESC will not 
prevent accidents.
Excessive speed in turns, abrupt 
maneuvers, and hydroplaning on wet 
surfaces can result in severe accidents.
ESC operation
ESC ON condition
When the Engine Start/Stop button is 
in the ON position, ESC and the ESC 
OFF indicator lights illuminate for 
approximately three seconds. After both 
lights go off, ESC is enabled.
When operating
When ESC is in operation, the 
ESC indicator light blinks:
• 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 ESC is active.
• When ESC activates, the engine may 
not respond to the accelerator as it 
does under routine conditions.
• If Cruise Control was in use when ESC 
activates, Cruise Control automatically 
disengages. Cruise Control can be 
reengaged when the road conditions 
allow. See “Cruise Control System” 
section in chapter 7 (if equipped).
• When moving out of the mud or 
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.
ESC OFF condition
To cancel ESC operation:
• State 1
Press the ESC OFF button briefly. The 
ESC OFF indicator light and/or message 
'Traction Control disabled' 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.
• State 2
Press and hold the ESC OFF button 
continuously for more than 3 seconds. 
The ESC OFF indicator light and/or 
message 'Traction & Stability Control 
disabled' 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 pressed 
to the OFF position when ESC is off, ESC 
remains off. Upon restarting the vehicle, 
ESC will automatically turn on again.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 306 of 632

Driving Your Vehicle
6-34
Indicator lights
■ ESC indicator light (blinks)
■ ESC OFF indicator light (comes on)
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 operating normally.
The ESC indicator light blinks whenever 
ESC is operating.
If the 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 retailer of Genesis Branded 
products as soon as possible.
The ESC OFF indicator light comes on 
when ESC is turned off.
 WARNING
When ESC is blinking, this indicates ESC 
is active:
Drive slowly and NEVER attempt to 
accelerate. NEVER turn ESC off while 
the ESC indicator light is blinking or you 
may lose control of the vehicle resulting 
in an accident.
NOTICE
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 wheels and 
tires 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 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 
ESC is turned off (ESC OFF light 
illuminated).
 Information
Turning ESC off does not affect ABS or 
standard brake system operation.    
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 307 of 632

06
6-35
Vehicle Stability Management 
(VSM)
Vehicle Stability Management is a 
function of the Electronic Stability 
Control (ESC) system. It helps the vehicle 
stay 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 Vehicle Stability Management:
• ALWAYS check the speed and the 
distance to the vehicle ahead. VSM 
is not a substitute for safe driving 
practices.
• Never drive too fast for the road 
conditions. VSM will not prevent 
accidents. Excessive speed in bad 
weather, on slippery and uneven 
roads can result in severe accidents.
VSM operation
VSM ON condition
VSM operates when:
• 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 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.
 Information
VSM does not operate when:
• Driving on a banked road such as 
gradient or incline.
• Driving in reverse.
• The ESC OFF indicator light is on.
• The EPS (Electric power steering) 
warning light () is on or blinks.
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.
 WARNING
If the ESC () indicator light or EPS 
() warning light stays illuminated 
or blinks, your vehicle may have a 
malfunction with the VSM system. 
When the warning light illuminates, 
have the vehicle checked by an 
authorized retailer of Genesis Branded 
products as soon as possible.
NOTICE
Driving with wheels and tires with 
different sizes may cause the VSM 
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.     
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 308 of 632
Driving Your Vehicle
6-36
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
Hill-Start Assist Control 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 5 
seconds and releases the brake after 5 
seconds or when the accelerator pedal is 
depressed.
 WARNING
Always be ready to depress the 
accelerator pedal when starting off 
an incline. Hill-Start Assist Control 
activates only for approximately 5 
seconds.
 Information
• Hill-Start Assist Control does not 
operate when the gear is shifted to P 
(Park) or N (Neutral).
• Hill-Start Assist Control activates even 
when the ESC (Electronic Stability 
Control) is off. However, it does not 
activate, when ESC does not operate 
normally.
Downhill Brake Control (DBC)  
(if equipped)
		 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 309 of 632

06
6-37
System operation
ModeIndicator Description
Standby
Green light on
Press the Downhill Brake Control button when vehicle 
speed is under 37 mph (60 km/h). Downhill Brake 
Control will turn on and enter the standby mode. The 
system does not turn on if vehicle speed is over 37 mph 
(60 km/h). 
Activated
Green light blink
In the standby mode, Downhill Brake Control will 
activate under the following conditions:
• The hill is steep enough.
• The brake pedal or accelerator pedal is not depressed.
• Vehicle speed is within 2–18 mph (4–30 km/h) range 
(within 2–8 mph (4–8 km/h) when reversing).
Within the activation speed range 2-18 mph (4-30 km/h), 
the driver can control the vehicle speed by depressing 
the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.
Deactivated
Green light off
Downhill Brake Control will turn off under the following 
conditions:
• The Downhill Brake Control button is pressed again.
• Vehicle speed is over 37 mph (60 km/h). 
Green light on
Downhill Brake Control will be deactivated but maintain 
the standby mode under the following conditions:
• The hill is not steep enough.
• Vehicle speed is between 18-37 mph (30-60 km/h).
System 
malfunction
Yellow light on
The yellow warning light illuminates when the system 
may have malfunctioned or may not work properly 
during activation. If this occurs, Downhill Brake Control 
is deactivated. Have the system inspected by an 
authorized retailer of Genesis Branded products as soon 
as possible.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 310 of 632
Driving Your Vehicle
6-38
OJX1069039LOJX1069039L
Downhill Brake Control disabled. Control 
vehicle speed
When Downhill Brake Control is not 
working properly this warning message 
will appear on the cluster LCD display 
and you will hear a warning sound. If 
this occurs, control vehicle speed by 
depressing the brake pedal.
 WARNING
Always turn off Downhill Brake Control 
on normal roads. The system might 
activate inadvertently from the standby 
mode when driving through speed 
bumps or making sharp curves.
 Information
• Downhill Brake Control may not 
deactivate on steep inclines even though 
the brake pedal or accelerator pedal is 
depressed.
• Downhill Brake Control may not 
always maintain vehicle speed at a 
certain speed.
• Downhill Brake Control does not 
operate when:
 -The gear is in P (Park).
 -ESC is activated.
• Noise or vibration may occur from the 
brakes when Downhill Brake Control is 
activated.
• The rear stop light comes on when 
Downhill Brake Control is activated.    
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 311 of 632

06
6-39
Good Braking Practices
 WARNING
Whenever leaving the vehicle or 
parking, always come to a complete 
stop and continue to depress the brake 
pedal. Shift the gear to the P (Park) 
position, then apply the parking brake, 
and press the Engine Start/Stop button 
to the OFF position.
Vehicles parked with the parking brake 
not applied or not fully engaged may 
roll inadvertently and may cause injury 
to the driver and others. ALWAYS apply 
the parking brake before exiting the 
vehicle.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. If the braking action does not 
return to normal, stop as soon as it is safe 
to do so and we recommend that you call 
an authorized retailer of Genesis Branded 
products 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 driving, 
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 forward.   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 312 of 632

Driving Your Vehicle
6-40
All Wheel Drive (AWD) delivers engine 
power to front and rear wheels for 
maximum traction. AWD is useful when 
extra traction is required, such as when 
driving on, muddy, wet, or snow-covered 
roads.
 WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY 
or DEATH:
• Do not drive in conditions that 
exceed the vehicles intended 
design such as challenging off-road 
conditions.
• Avoid high speeds when cornering or 
turning.
• Do not make quick steering wheel 
movements, such as sharp lane 
changes or fast, sharp turns.
• The risk of a rollover is greatly 
increased if you lose control of your 
vehicle at highway speeds.
• Loss of control often occurs if two or 
more wheels drop off the roadway 
and the driver over steers to reenter 
the roadway.
• In the event your vehicle leaves 
the roadway, do not steer sharply. 
Instead, slow down before pulling 
back into the travel lanes.
NOTICE
• Do not drive in water if the level 
is higher than the bottom of the 
vehicle.
• Check your brake condition once 
you are out of mud or water. Depress 
the brake pedal several times as you 
move slowly until you feel normal 
braking return.
• Shorten your scheduled 
maintenance interval if you drive in 
off-road conditions such as sand, 
mud or water (see "Maintenance 
Under Severe Usage Conditions" 
section in chapter 9).
• Always wash your vehicle thoroughly 
after off road use, especially the 
bottom of the vehicle.
• Be sure to equip all four tires with the 
correct size and type.
• Make sure that a full time AWD 
vehicle is towed by a flat bed tow 
truck.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (IF EQUIPPED)