2021 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Owners Manual

6-14
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.
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. D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. The
transmission will automatically shift,
providing the best fuel economy and
power. For extra power when passing
another vehicle or driving uphill depress
the accelerator pedal further until you
feel the transmission downshift to a
lower gear.
The DRIVE MODE switch, located on the
shift lever console, allows the driver to
switch from NORMAL mode to ECO or
SPORT mode (if equipped).
For more information, refer to "Drive
Mode Integrated Control System" later
in this chapter.
While Driving

06
6-15
OCN7060007
DS mode (Drive Sporty)
• To shift into Ds mode, move the shift
lever from D (Drive) to the center of
the manual shift mode. The engine
and transmission control logic is
automatically optimized for sporty
driving.
• In Ds mode, if you move the shift
lever to + (up) or (down), the gear
will change to manual shift mode.
If the shift lever is moved back into
D (Drive), it will change to D (Drive).
The vehicle will perform according to
the mode selected from drive mode
(NORMAL, SPORT, SMART).
OCN7060008
Manual shift mode
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in
motion, manual shift mode is selected by
pushing the shift lever from the D (Drive)
position into the manual gate. To return
to D (Drive) range operation, push the
shift lever back into the main gate.
In manual shift mode, moving the shift
lever backwards and forwards will allow
you to select the desired range of gears
for the current driving conditions.
+ (Up) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
- (Down) : Pull the lever backwards once to shift down one gear.

6-16
Information
• Only the six forward gears can be
selected. To reverse or park the vehicle,
move the shift lever to the R (Reverse)
or P (Park) position as required.
• Downshifts are made automatically
when the vehicle slows down. When the
vehicle stops, 1st gear is automatically
selected.
• When the engine rpm approaches the
red zone the transmission will upshift
automatically.
• If the driver presses the lever to + (Up)
or - (Down) position, the transmission
may not make the requested gear
change if the next gear is outside of the
allowable engine rpm range. The driver
must execute upshifts in accordance
with road conditions, taking care to
keep the engine rpms below the red
zone.
• When driving on a slippery road, push
the shift lever forward into the + (Up)
position. This causes the transmission
to shift into the 2nd gear which is better
for smooth driving on a slippery road.
Push the shift lever to the - (Down) side
to shift back to the 1st gear.
• When driving in manual shift mode,
slow down before shifting to a lower
gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may
not be engaged if the engine rpms are
outside of the allowable range.
Shift-lock system
For your safety, the Intelligent variable
transmission has a shift-lock system
which prevents shifting the transmission
from P (Park) into R (Reverse) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
To shift the transmission from P (Park)
into R (Reverse):
1.
Depress and hold the br

ake pedal.
2.
Start the engine or place the ignition
s

witch in the ON position.
3.
Mo

ve the shift lever.
While Driving

06
6-17
Shift-lock release
If the shift lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position into R (Reverse)
position with the brake pedal depressed,
continue depressing the brake, and then
do the following:
OCN7060110
1. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK/
OFF position.
2.
Apply the parking brak

e.
3.
Care

fully remove the shift lever boots.
4.
Mo

ve the shift lever while holding
the release button (1) with a tool (e.g.
flathead screw-driver).
If you need to use the shift-lock release,
we recommend that the system be
inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Be careful not to damage the trim
beside of the shift lever while removing
the shift lever boots.
Ignition key interlock system
(if equipped)
The ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position.
Parking
Always come to a complete stop and
continue to depress the brake pedal.
Move the shift lever into the P (Park)
position, apply the parking brake, and
place the ignition switch in the LOCK/
OFF position. Take the Key with you
when exiting the vehicle.
WARNING
• When you stay in the vehicle with
the engine running, be careful not
to depress the accelerator pedal for
a long period of time. The engine or
exhaust system may overheat and
start a fire.
• The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep away from
the exhaust system components.
• Do not stop or park over flammable
materials, such as dry grass, paper
or leaves. They may ignite and cause
a fire.

6-18
Good driving practices
• Never move the shift lever from P
(Park) or N (Neutral) to any other
position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
• Never move the shift lever into P
(Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
• Be sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before you attempt to shift
into R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
• Do not move the shift lever to N
(Neutral) when driving. Doing so
may result in an accident because
of a loss of engine braking and the
transmission could be damaged.
• When driving uphill or downhill,
always shift to D (Drive) for driving
forward or shift to R (Reverse) for
driving backwards, and check the
gear position indicated on the cluster
before driving. Driving in the opposite
direction of the selected gear, can
lead to a dangerous situation by
shutting off the engine and affecting
the braking performance.
• Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light, but
consistent pedal pressure can result
in the brakes overheating, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.
• Do not hold the vehicle on an incline
with the accelerator pedal. This can
cause the transmission to overheat.
Always use the brake pedal or parking
brake.
• Always apply the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle. Do not depend on
placing the transmission in P (Park) to
keep the vehicle from moving. •
Exercise extreme caution when
driving on a slippery surface. Be
especially careful when braking,
accelerating or shifting gears. On a
slippery surface, an abrupt change
in vehicle speed can cause the drive
wheels to lose traction and may cause
loss of vehicle control resulting in an
accident.
• Optimum vehicle performance and
economy is obtained by smoothly
depressing and releasing the
accelerator.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY
or DEATH:
• ALWAYS wear your seat belt. In a
collision, an unbelted occupant
is significantly more likely to be
seriously injured or killed than a
properly belted occupant.
• 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 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.
• HYUNDAI recommends you follow all
posted speed limits.
While Driving

06
6-19
Brake SyStem
Power Brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through normal
usage.
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. You can still
stop your vehicle by applying greater
force to the brake pedal than typical.
The stopping distance, however, will be
longer than with power brakes.
When the engine is not running, the
reserve brake power is partially depleted
each time the brake pedal is applied.
Do not pump the brake pedal when the
power assist has been interrupted.
Only pump the brakes on slippery
surfaces if the power assist has been
interrupted to maintain steering control.
Do not pump the brakes on slippery
surfaces if the brakes are operating
normally.
WARNING
Take the following precautions:
• Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. This will create
abnormal high brake temperatures,
excessive brake lining and pad wear,
and increased stopping distances.
• When descending down a long or
steep hill, move the gear shift button
to Manual Shift Mode and manually
downshift to a lower gear in order
to control your speed without using
the brake pedal excessively. Applying
the brakes continuously will cause
the brakes to overheat and could
result in a temporary loss of braking
performance.
• Wet brakes may impair the vehicle's
ability to safely slow down; the
vehicle may also pull to one side
when the brakes are applied.
Applying the brakes lightly will
indicate whether they have been
affected in this way. Always test your
brakes in this fashion after driving
through deep water. To dry the
brakes, lightly tap the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes while maintaining
a safe forward speed until brake
performance returns to normal.
Avoid driving at high speeds until the
brakes function correctly.
Disc Brakes Wear Indicator
When your brake pads are worn and new
pads are required, you will hear a high
pitched warning sound from your front
or rear brakes. You may hear this sound
come and go or it may occur whenever
you depress the brake pedal.
Note that some driving conditions or
climates may cause a brake squeal
when you first apply (or lightly apply)
the brakes. This is normal and does not
indicate a problem with your brakes.
NOTICE
To avoid costly brake repairs, do not
continue to drive with worn brake pads.
Information
Always replace brake pads as complete
front or rear axle sets.

6-20
Parking brake (if equipped)
Applying the parking brake
OCN7080008
Always set the parking brake before
leaving the vehicle, to apply:
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
Pull up the parking brake lever as far as
possible.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY
or DEATH, do not operate the parking
brake while the vehicle is moving
except in an emergency situation. It
could damage the brake system and
lead to an accident.
Releasing the parking brake
OCN7060010
To release:
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
While pressing the release button (1),
slightly pull up on the parking brake lever
then lower the parking brake lever (2).
While Driving

06
6-21
WARNING
• Whenever leaving the vehicle or
parking, always come to a complete
stop and continue to depress the
brake pedal. Move the shift lever into
P position, then apply the parking
brake, and place the ignition switch
in the LOCK/OFF position.
• Vehicles with the parking brake not
fully engaged are at risk for moving
inadvertently and causing injury to
yourself or others.
• NEVER allow anyone who is
unfamiliar with the vehicle to touch
the parking brake. If the parking
brake is released unintentionally,
serious injury may occur.
• Only release the parking brake when
you are seated inside the vehicle
with your foot firmly on the brake
pedal.
NOTICE
• Do not apply the accelerator pedal
while the parking brake is engaged.
If you depress the accelerator pedal
with the parking brake engaged, a
warning will sound. Damage to the
parking brake may occur.
• Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the braking system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake parts. Make sure the parking
brake is released and the Brake
Warning Light is off before driving.
Check the Parking Brake
Warning Light by placing
the ignition switch to the
ON position (do not start the
engine).
This light will be illuminated when the
parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the START or ON position.
Before driving, be sure the parking brake
is released and the Brake Warning Light
is OFF.
If the Parking Brake Warning Light
remains on after the parking brake is
released while the engine is running,
there may be a malfunction in the
brake system. Immediate attention is
necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle
immediately. If that is not possible,
use extreme caution while operating
the vehicle and only continue to drive
the vehicle until you can reach a safe
location.