
2. Vehicle  Information, Consumer In formation and 
Reporting Safety Defects
Exterior overview (I) ........................................................................\
................... 2-2
Ext erior overview (II)
 ........................................................................\
.................. 2
-3
Interior overview 
 ........................................................................\
...................... 2-
4
Instrument panel overview (I)
 ........................................................................\
.. 2-5
Ins
trument panel overview (II)
 ........................................................................\
. 2-6
E
ngine compartment
 ........................................................................\
................. 2
-7
Dimensions
 ........................................................................\
................................ 2-
8
Engine
 ........................................................................\
........................................ 2-
8
Bulb wattage
 ........................................................................\
............................. 2-
9
Tires and wheels
 ........................................................................\
...................... 2
-10
Air conditioning system
 ........................................................................\
............ 2
-11
Volume and weight
 ........................................................................\
................... 2
-11
Recommended lubricants and capacities
 ..................................................... 2
-12
Recommended SAE viscosity number ......................................................................2-1 4
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ..............................................................2-1 5
Vehicle certification label
 ........................................................................\
........ 2
-15
Tire specification and pressure label
 .............................................................. 2
-15
Engine number
 ........................................................................\
......................... 2
-16
Refrigerant label
 ........................................................................\
...................... 2
-16
Consumer Information
 ........................................................................\
............ 2
-17
Reporting Safety Defects
 ........................................................................\
........ 2-1
8
Vehicle Information, Consumer Information and Reporting Safety Defects 
2  

2-2
Vehicle Information, Consumer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
ExTERIOR OVERVIEW (I)
Front view
The actual shape may differ from the illustration.
OTM010001
1. Hood ......................................................5-67
2.
 Headlamp ..................................... 5-82, 9-52
3.
 Tires and wheels ................................... 9-
32
4.
 Side view mirr
or
 .................................... 5-555.
 Sunroo
f ..................................................
5-62
6.
 Fr
 ont windshield wiper blades
 ..5-95, 9-
26
7.
 Window
s
 ...............................................5-58
8.
 Fr
ont ultrasonic sensors
 ........................7
-111   

Vehicle Information, Consumer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
2-10
Items Tire sizeWheel 
size Inflation pressure  
kPa (psi) Wheel bolt 
torque  lbf·ft  
(kgf·m, N·m)
Normal load Maximum load
Front RearFront Rear
Full size tire
235/60 R18 7.5J x 18
240(35)79~94
(11~13, 107~127)235/55 R19 7.5J x 19
255/45 R20 8.5J x 20
Compact 
spare tireT135/90 D17 4.0B x 17420(60)
NOTICE
•	 It is permissible to add 3 psi to the standard tire pressure specification if colder 
temperatures are expected soon.
Tires typically lose 1psi (7kPa) for every 12°F temperature drop. If extreme 
temperature variations are expected, recheck your tire pressure as necessary to 
keep them properly inflated.
•	 Tire inflation pressures will vary with changes in elevation. If driving in areas of 
higher or lower elevation, be sure to check and adjust for proper tire inflation.
 CAUTION
•	When replacing tires, use the same size originally supplied with the vehicle.
Using tires of a different size can damage the related parts or not work properly.
•	 When replacing tires, ALWAYS use the same size, type, construction and tread 
pattern supplied with the vehicle for all tires.
TIRES AND WHEELS    

02
2-15
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION 
nUmbER (VIn)
Frame number
OTMA088011
The vehicle identification number (VIN) 
is the number used in registering your 
vehicle and in all legal matters pertaining 
to its ownership, etc.
The number is punched on the floor 
under the passenger seat. To check the 
number, open the cover.
VIN label (if equipped)
OTM010023L
The VIN is also on a plate attached to 
the top of the left side dashboard. The 
number on the plate can easily be seen 
through the windshield from outside.
VEHICLE CERTIFICATION 
LABEL
OTM010022
The vehicle certification label attached 
on the driver’s (or front passenger’s) 
side center pillar gives the vehicle 
identification number (VIN).
TIRE SPECIFICATION AND 
PRESSURE LABEL
OTM010024L
The tires supplied on your new 
vehicle are chosen to provide the best 
performance for normal driving.
The tire label located on the driver’s 
side center pillar gives the tire pressures 
recommended for your vehicle.   
![HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2021  Owners Manual 04
4-15
AUTO HOLD indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:
•	[White] When you activate Auto Hold 
by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch.
•	 [Green] When you stop the vehicle 
completely by dep HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2021  Owners Manual 04
4-15
AUTO HOLD indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:
•	[White] When you activate Auto Hold 
by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch.
•	 [Green] When you stop the vehicle 
completely by dep](/manual-img/35/41163/w960_41163-112.png)
04
4-15
AUTO HOLD indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:
•	[White] When you activate Auto Hold 
by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch.
•	 [Green] When you stop the vehicle 
completely by depressing the brake 
pedal with Auto Hold activated.
•	 [Yellow] Whenever there is a 
malfunction with the Auto Hold 
function.
If this occurs, we recommend that 
you have the vehicle inspected by an 
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
For more details, refer to “Electronic 
Parking Brake (EPB)” section in chapter 
6.
Low tire pressure warning 
light
This warning light illuminates:
•	 When you set the ignition switch or 
the Engine Start/Stop button to the 
ON position.
 - The low tir
e pressure warning light 
illuminates for approximately 3 
seconds and then goes off.
•	 When one or more of your tires are 
significantly underinflated. (The 
location of the underinflated tires are 
displayed on the LCD display.)
For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure 
Monitoring System (TPMS)” section in 
chapter 8.
This warning light remains ON after 
blinking for approximately 60 seconds, or 
repeatedly blinks ON and OFF in 3 second 
intervals:
When there is a malfunction with the 
TPMS.
If this occurs, we recommend that 
you have the vehicle inspected by an 
authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as 
possible.
For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure 
Monitoring System (TPMS)” section in 
chapter 8.
 WARNING
Safe Stopping
•	 The TPMS cannot alert you to severe 
and sudden tire damage caused by 
external factors.
•	 If you notice any vehicle instability, 
immediately take your foot off the 
accelerator pedal, apply the brakes 
gradually with light force, and slowly 
move to a safe position off the road.   

Driving your vehicle
6-4
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 liftgate, 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 seat belt. Check that all 
passengers have fastened their seat 
belts.
•	 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” section 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 or take drugs and drive.
Drinking 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    

06
6-25
 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 shift button 
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.
•	 Do not use aggressive engine braking 
(shifting from a higher gear to a 
lower gear) on slippery roads. This 
could cause the tires to slip and may 
result in an accident.
NOTICE
•	Always come to a complete stop 
before shifting into D (Drive) or R 
(Reverse).
•	 Do not put the shift lever/button in N 
(Neutral) while driving.
 WARNING
Due to transmission failure, you may 
not continue to drive and the position 
indicator and the position indicator (D, 
P) on the instrument cluster will blink. 
We recommend that you contact an 
authorized HYUNDAI dealer and have 
the system checked. 
DCT warning messages
This warning message is displayed when 
vehicle is driven slowly on a grade and 
the vehicle detects that the brake pedal 
is not applied. 
OOSH069010L
Steep grade! Press brake pedal
Driving up hills or on steep grades:
•	To hold the vehicle on an incline use 
the foot brake or the parking brake. 
•	 When in stop-and-go traffic on an 
incline, allow a gap to form ahead 
of you before moving the vehicle 
forward. Then hold the vehicle on the 
incline with the foot brake.
•	 If the vehicle is held or creeping 
forward on an incline by applying 
the accelerator pedal, the clutch and 
transmission may overheat which 
can result in damage. At this time, a 
warning message will appear on the 
LCD display.
•	 If the LCD warning is active, the foot 
brake must be applied.
•	 Ignoring the warnings can lead to 
damage to the transmission.   

Driving your vehicle
6-46
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 we recommend that the 
vehicle be checked by an authorized 
HYUNDAI dealer 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.