2021 HYUNDAI KONA engine

5-34
Driving your 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.
ESC operation
ESC ON condition
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the ESC and the ESC OFF
indicator lights illuminate for approxi-
mately three seconds. After both
lights go off, the ESC is enabled.
When operating
When the ESC is in opera-
tion, 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 the ESC activates, the
engine may not respond to the
accelerator as it does under rou-
tine conditions.
If the Cruise Control was in use
when the ESC activates, the
Cruise Control automatically disen-
gages. The Cruise Control can be
reengaged when the road condi-
tions allow. See "Cruise Control
System" later in this chapter. (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 sta-
bility and traction of the vehicle and
does not indicate a problem.
OOS058012N
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 OFF condition
To cancel ESC operation :
State 1
Press the ESC OFF button briefly.
The ESC OFF indicator light and
message "Traction Control disabled"
will illuminate. In this state, the trac-
tion
control function of ESC (engine man-
agement) is disabled, but the brake
control function of ESC (braking
management) still operates.

Press and hold the ESC OFF button
continuously for more than 3 sec-
onds. The ESC OFF indicator light
and message "Traction and 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 (brak-
ing management) are disabled.
If the ignition switch is placed to the
LOCK/OFF position when ESC is off,
ESC remains off. Upon restarting the
engine, the ESC will automatically turn
on again.
Indicator lights
When the ignition switch is placed to
the ON position, the ESC indicator
light illuminates, then goes off if the
ESC system is operating 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 your vehicle
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
The ESC OFF indicator light comes
on when the ESC is turned off.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.NOTICE
■ESC indicator light (blinks)
■ ESC OFF indicator light (comes on)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

5-36
Driving your vehicle
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 lights are displayed.
The repairs would not be cov-
ered by the vehicle warranty.
Reduce engine power and do
not spin the wheel(s) excessive-
ly while these lights are dis-
played.
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 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.
i
NOTICE
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

5-40
Driving your vehicle
The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system
delivers engine torque to both the
front and rear wheels for extra trac-
tion. AWD is useful when maximum
traction is required on slippery,
muddy, wet, or snow-covered roads.
Occasional off-road use such as
established unpaved roads and trails
are OK. It is always important that
the driver carefully reduces the
speed to a level that does not exceed
the safe operating speed for those
conditions. 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 slow-
ly until you feel normal braking
return.
Shorten your scheduled mainte-
nance interval if you drive in off-
road conditions such as sand,
mud or water (see "Maintenance
Under Severe Usage Conditions"
in chapter 7).
Always wash your vehicle thor-
oughly after off road use, espe-
cially the bottom of the vehicle.
Be sure to equip the vehicle with
four tires of the same size and
type.
Make sure that a full time AWD
vehicle is towed by a flat bed
tow truck.
NOTICE
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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 cor-
nering or turning.
Do not make quick steering
wheel movements, such as
sharp lane changes or fast,
sharp turns.
The risk of a rollover is great-
ly increased if you lose con-
trol 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.
WARNING
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5-41
Driving your vehicle
5
AWD operation
If AWD warning light ( ) stays on the instrument cluster, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the
AWD system. When the AWD warning light ( ) illuminates have your vehicle checked by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
In the AWD LOCK mode, the system is deactivated when vehi-
cle speed is over 20 mph (30 km/h) and the mode is shifted to
AWD AUTO mode. If the vehicle speed is reduced back down
to 20 mph (30 km/h) the system shifts back into AWD LOCK
mode.
Use this mode when driving up or down steep inclines, driving
off-road, driving on sandy and muddy roads, etc. to maximize
traction AWD AUTO
(AWD LOCK is
deactivated)
(not illuminated)
Transfer mode Selection button Indicator light Description
In the AWD AUTO mode, under normal operating conditions,
the vehicle operates similar to conventional 2WD vehicles. If the
system determines there is a need for four wheel drive, the
engine's driving power is distributed to all four wheels automat-
ically.
Use this mode when driving on normal roads.
AWD LOCK
(illuminated)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) mode selection

5-42
Driving your vehicle
When the AWD LOCK mode is
deactivated, a sensation may be
felt as the driving power is deliv-
ered entirely to the front wheels.
For safe AWD operation
Before driving
Make sure all passengers are
wearing seat belts.
Sit upright and closer to the steer-
ing wheel than usual. Adjust the
steering wheel to a position com-
fortable for you to drive.
Driving on snow-covered or icy
roads
Start off slowly by applying the
accelerator pedal gently.
Use snow tires or tire chains.
Keep sufficient distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you.
Apply engine braking during decel-
eration by switching the gear shift
lever to Manual Shift Mode and
manually selecting a lower gear.
Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and
sharp turns to prevent skids.
Driving in sand or mud
Maintain slow and constant speed.
Use tire chains driving in mud if
necessary.
Keep sufficient distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you.
Reduce vehicle speed and always
check the road condition.
Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and
sharp turns to prevent getting
stuck.
NOTICE
When driving on normal roads,
deactivate the AWD LOCK mode
by pushing the AWD LOCK but-
ton (AWD LOCK indicator light
goes off). Driving on normal
roads with the AWD LOCK
mode, especially, when corner-
ing may cause mechanical
noise or vibration. The noise
and vibration will disappear
when the AWD LOCK mode is
deactivated. Prolong driving
with the noise and vibration
may damage some parts of the
power train.
CAUTION
When the vehicle is stuck in
snow, sand or mud, place a non-
slip material under the drive
wheels to provide traction OR
Slowly spin the wheels in for-
ward and reverse directions
which causes a rocking motion
that may free the vehicle.
However, avoid running the
engine continuously at high
rpm, doing so may damage the
AWD system.
CAUTION

5-43
Driving your vehicle
5
Driving up or down hills
Driving uphill
- Before starting off, check if it is
possible to drive uphill.
- Drive as straight as possible.
Driving downhill
- Do not change gear while driving
downhill. Select gear before driv-
ing downhill.
- Drive slowly using engine braking
while driving downhill.
- Drive straight as possible.
Driving through water
Try to avoid driving in deep stand-
ing water. It may stall your engine
and clog your exhaust system.
If you need to drive in water, stop
your vehicle, set the vehicle in
AWD LOCK mode and drive under
5 mph (8 km/h).
Do not change gear while driving in
water.
OLMB053017
OLMB053018
Exercise extreme caution when
driving up or down steep hills.
The vehicle may flip over
depending on the grade, the ter-
rain, and the trail conditions.
WARNING
Do not drive across the contour
of steep hills. A slight change in
the wheel angle can destabilize
the vehicle, or a stable vehicle
may lose stability if the vehicle
stops its forward motion. Your
vehicle may roll over and lead to
a serious injury or death.
WARNING
Always drive slowly in water. If
you drive too fast, water may
get into the engine compart-
ment and wet the ignition sys-
tem causing your vehicle to
suddenly stop.
CAUTION

5-44
Driving your vehicle
Additional driving conditions
Become familiar with the off-road
conditions before driving.
Always pay attention when driving
off-road and avoid dangerous
areas.
Drive slowly when driving in heavy
wind.
Reduce vehicle speed when cor-
nering. The center of gravity of
AWD vehicles is higher than con-
ventional 2WD vehicles, making
them more likely to roll over when
you rapidly turn corners. Always hold the steering wheel
firmly when you are driving off-
road.
Emergency precautions
Tires
Do not use a tire and wheel package
with a different size and type from
the one originally installed on your
vehicle. It can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which
could lead to steering failure or
rollover causing serious injury.
When replacing the tires, be sure to
equip all four tires with the tire and
wheel of the same size, type, tread,
brand and load-carrying capacity. If
you equip your vehicle with any
tire/wheel combination not recom-
mended by HYUNDAI for off-road
driving, you should not use these
tires for highway driving.
OOS057075L
Do not grab the inside of the
steering wheel when you are
driving off-road. You may hurt
your arm by a sudden steering
maneuver or from steering wheel
rebound due to an impact with
objects on the ground. You could
lose control of the steering wheel
which may lead to serious injury
or death.
WARNING
Never start or run the engine
while a full-time AWD vehicle is
raised on a jack. The vehicle can
slip or roll off of a jack causing
serious injury or death to you or
those nearby.
WARNING