2023 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ tires

06
6-43
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 your vehicle checked by an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer 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.
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
Trailer stability assist is operated as a
vehicle stability control system. The
Trailer stability assist system stabilizes
the vehicle and trailer when the trailer
sways or oscillates. Use caution when
towing a trailer in high winds, which
could cause your trailer to sway
excessively. Also, reduce your highway
speed while towing a trailer, especially
when driving a downhill grade. The
weight of the trailer behind your vehicle
while driving on a downhill grade could
cause the trailer to sway excessively.
Factors that may contribute to excessive
trailer sway include:
- Higher vehicle speeds
- Strong crosswinds
- Improper or uneven loading of the
trailer
- Sudden movements of the steering
wheel in your vehicle
- Uneven or broken road conditions
The trailer stability assist system analyzes
the vehicle and trailer condition while
driving. If the system detects excessive
sway from the trailer, the front brakes
may be applied automatically to help
stabilize the vehicle. In some cases the
brakes may be applied on all wheels and
the engine power may be reduced in
order to minimize the sway condition.

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6-51
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The All Wheel Drive (AWD) System
delivers engine power to both the front
and rear wheels for maximum traction.
AWD is useful when extra traction is
required on roads such 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.
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" in
chapter 7).
• Always wash your vehicle thoroughly
after off road use, especially 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.

06
6-53
WARNING
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 the vehicle
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
NOTICE
• Maintain AWD Auto mode when
driving on roads in normal
conditions.
• When driving under normal road
conditions (especially when
cornering) in AWD Lock mode, a
driver may find minor mechanical
vibration or noise, which is extremely
normal phenomenon, not a
malfunction. When AWD Lock mode
is released, such noise or vibration
will be immediately gone.
CAUTION
When driving on normal roads,
deactivate the AWD LOCK mode by
pushing the AWD LOCK button (AWD
LOCK indicator light goes off). Driving
on normal roads with the AWD LOCK
mode, especially, when cornering
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.
NOTICE
When the AWD LOCK mode is
deactivated, a sensation may be felt as
the driving power is delivered 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 steering
wheel than usual. Adjust the steering
wheel to a position comfortable 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.
• Use engine braking during
deceleration.
• 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.
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 forward
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.

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• Always hold the steering wheel firmly
when you are driving off-road.
WARNING
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.
Emergency Precautions
Tires
Do not use tire and wheel with 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 recommended by HYUNDAI for off-
road driving, you should not use these
tires for highway driving.
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.
Towing
AWD vehicles must be towed with
a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment with all the wheels off
the ground. For more details, refer to
"Towing" in chapter 8.
Dynamometer testing
A full-time AWD vehicle must be
tested on a special four wheel chassis
dynamometer.

06
6-57
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
Hazardous Driving Conditions
When hazardous driving elements
are encountered such as water, snow,
ice, mud and sand, take the following
precautions:
• Drive cautiously and maintain a longer
braking distance.
• Avoid abrupt braking or steering.
• When your vehicle is stuck in
snow, mud, or sand, use second
gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid
unnecessary wheel spin.
• Put sand, rock salt, tire chains or other
non-slip materials under the wheels to
provide additional traction while the
vehicle becomes stuck in ice, snow,
or mud.
WARNING
Downshifting with an automatic
transmission while driving on slippery
surfaces can cause an accident. The
sudden change in tire speed could
cause the tires to skid. Be careful when
downshifting on slippery surfaces.
Rocking the Vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn
the steering wheel right and left to clear
the area around your front wheels. Then,
shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and a forward gear.
Try to avoid spinning the wheels, and do
not race the engine.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator pedal
while shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal while the transmission
is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that may free the vehicle.
WARNING
If the vehicle is stuck and excessive
wheel spin occurs, the temperature
in the tires can increase very quickly.
If the tires become damaged, a tire
blow out or tire explosion can occur.
This condition is dangerous - you and
others may be injured. Do not attempt
this procedure if people or objects are
anywhere near the vehicle.
If you attempt to free the vehicle, the
vehicle can overheat quickly, possibly
causing an engine compartment fire
or other damage. Try to avoid spinning
the wheels as much as possible to
prevent overheating of either the tires
or the engine. DO NOT allow the vehicle
to spin the wheels above 35 mph (56
km/h).
Information
The ESC system must be turned OFF
before rocking the vehicle.

Driving Your Vehicle
6-58
NOTICE
If you are still stuck after rocking the
vehicle a few times, have the vehicle
pulled out by a tow vehicle to avoid
engine overheating, possible damage to
the transmission, and tire damage. See
“Towing” section in chapter 8.
Smooth Cornering
Avoid braking or gear changing in
corners, especially when roads are wet.
Ideally, corners should always be taken
under gentle acceleration.
Driving at Night
Night driving presents more hazards than
driving in the daylight. Here are some
important tips to remember:
• Slow down and keep more distance
between you and other vehicles, as it
may be more difficult to see at night,
especially in areas where there may
not be any street lights.
• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare
from other drivers’ headlamps.
• Keep your headlamps clean and
properly aimed. Dirty or improperly
aimed headlamps will make it much
more difficult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the
headlamps of oncoming vehicles. You
could be temporarily blinded, and it
will take several seconds for your eyes
to readjust to the darkness.
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can make driving
dangerous. Here are a few things to
consider when driving in the rain or on
slick pavement:
• Slow down and allow extra following
distance. A heavy rainfall makes
it harder to see and increases the
distance needed to stop your vehicle.
• Turn OFF your Cruise Control. (if
equipped)
• Replace your windshield wiper blades
when they show signs of streaking or
missing areas on the windshield.
• Be sure your tires have enough tread.
If your tires do not have enough tread,
making a quick stop on wet pavement
can cause a skid and possibly lead to
an accident. See “Tire Tread” section
in chapter 9.
• Turn on your headlamps to make it
easier for others to see you.
• Driving too fast through large puddles
can affect your brakes. If you must go
through puddles, try to drive through
them slowly.
• If you believe your brakes may be wet,
apply them lightly while driving until
normal braking operation returns.
Hydroplaning
If the road is wet enough and you are
going fast enough, your vehicle may
have little or no contact with the road
surface and actually ride on the water.
The best advice is SLOW DOWN when
the road is wet.
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the depth of tire tread decreases, refer
to “Tire Tread” section in chapter 9.

06
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Driving in Flooded Areas
Avoid driving through flooded areas
unless you are sure the water is no
higher than the bottom of the wheel hub.
Drive through any water slowly. Allow
adequate stopping distance because
brake performance may be reduced.
After driving through water, dry the
brakes by gently applying them several
times while the vehicle is moving slowly.
Highway Driving
Tires
Adjust the tire inflation, as specified.
Under-inflation may overheat or damage
the tires.
Do not install worn-out or damaged tires,
which may reduce traction or fail the
braking operation.
Information
Never over-inflate your tires above the
maximum inflation pressure, as specified
on your tires.
Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil
Driving at higher speeds on the highway
consumes more fuel and is less efficient
than driving at a slower, more moderate
speed. Maintain a moderate speed in
order to conserve fuel when driving on
the highway.
Be sure to check both the engine coolant
level and the engine oil before driving.
Drive belt
A loose or damaged drive belt may
overheat the engine.
Reducing the Risk of a Rollover
Your multi-purpose passenger vehicle is
defined as a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
SUV’s have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track to make them
capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. The specific
design characteristics give them a higher
center of gravity than ordinary vehicles
making them more likely to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. Due to this
risk, driver and passengers are strongly
recommended to buckle their seat belts.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
There are steps that a driver can make
to reduce the risk of a rollover. If at all
possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers, do not load your vehicle
with heavy cargo on the roof, and never
modify your vehicle in any way.
WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles. To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than
you would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that you would raise the center
of gravity.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
WARNING
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. Make sure
all passengers are wearing their seat
belts.

Driving Your Vehicle
6-60
WINTER DRIVING
The severe weather conditions of winter
quickly wear out tires and cause other
problems. To minimize winter driving
problems, you should take the following
suggestions:
Snow or Icy Conditions
You need to keep sufficient distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you.
Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid
acceleration, sudden brake applications,
and sharp turns are potentially
very hazardous practices. During
deceleration, use engine braking to the
fullest extent. Sudden brake applications
on snowy or icy roads may cause the
vehicle to skid.
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it
may be necessary to use snow tires or to
install tire chains on your tires.
Always carry emergency equipment.
Some of the items you may want to carry
include tire chains, tow straps or chains,
a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a
shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper,
gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket,
etc.
Snow tires
WARNING
Snow tires should be equivalent in size
and type to the vehicle’s standard tires.
Otherwise, the safety and handling of
your vehicle may be adversely affected.
Use snow tires when road temperature
is below 45°F (7°C). Refer to the below
chart, and mount the recommended
snow tire for your vehicle.
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle,
make sure to use the same Inflation
pressure as the original tires. Mount
snow tires on all four wheels to balance
your vehicle’s handling in all weather
conditions. The traction provided by
snow tires on dry roads may not be as
high as your vehicle’s original equipment
tires. Check with the tire dealer for
maximum speed recommendations.