2023 HYUNDAI SANTA CRUZ all wheel drive

Driving Your Vehicle
6-38
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
WARNING
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) or
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system will not prevent accidents
due to improper or dangerous driving
maneuvers. Even though vehicle
control is improved during emergency
braking, always maintain a safe
distance between you and objects
ahead of you. Vehicle speeds should
always be reduced during extreme
road conditions. The braking distance
for vehicles equipped with ABS or ESC
may be longer than for those without
these systems in the following road
conditions.
Drive your vehicle at reduced speeds
during the following conditions:
• Rough, gravel or snow-covered
roads.
• On roads where the road surface is
pitted or has different surface height.
• Tire chains are installed on your
vehicle.
The safety features of ABS or ESC
equipped vehicle should not be tested
by high speed driving or cornering. This
could endanger the safety of yourself or
others.
ABS is an electronic braking system that
helps prevent a braking skid. ABS allows
the driver to steer and brake at the same
time.
Using ABS
To obtain the maximum benefit from
your ABS in an emergency situation,
do not attempt to modulate your brake
pressure and do not try to pump your
brakes. Depress your brake pedal as hard
as possible.
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 ABS is active.
ABS does not reduce the time or distance
it takes to stop the vehicle.
Always maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you.
ABS will not prevent a skid that results
from sudden changes in direction, such
as trying to take a corner too fast or
making a sudden lane change. Always
drive at a safe speed for the road and
weather conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of stability.
Always steer moderately when braking
hard. Severe or sharp steering wheel
movement can still cause your vehicle to
veer into oncoming traffic or off the road.
On loose or uneven road surfaces,
operation of the anti-lock brake system
may result in a longer stopping distance
than for vehicles equipped with a
conventional brake system.
The ABS (
) warning light will stay on
for several seconds after the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
During that time, ABS will go through
self-diagnosis and the light will go off if
everything is normal. If the light stays on,
you may have a problem with your ABS.
Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer
as soon as possible.

06
6-41
Indicator lights

v
ESC indicator light (blinks)

v
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.

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.

06
6-49
SPORT mode
SPORT mode provides sporty
but firm riding.
In SPORT mode, the fuel
efficiency may decrease.
• When SPORT mode is selected, the
SPORT indicator will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
• Whenever the engine is restarted,
the drive mode will revert back to
NORMAL mode. If SPORT mode is
desired, re-select SPORT mode.
• When SPORT mode is activated:
- The engine RPM will tend to remain
raised over a certain length of time
even after releasing the accelerator
- Upshifts are delayed when
accelerating
SMART mode
SMART mode selects the
proper driving mode among,
NORMAL and SPORT by judging
the driver's driving habits (For
example, mild or dynamic) from
the brake pedal depression or
the steering wheel operation.
• Press the DRIVE MODE button to
activate SMART mode. When SMART
mode is activated, the indicator
illuminates on the instrument cluster.
• The vehicle starts in SMART mode,
when the engine was turned OFF in
SMART mode.
• SMART mode automatically controls
gear shifting patterns, engine torque,
in accordance with the driver's driving
habits.
SNOW mode
SNOW mode offers special
traction tuning for snow
optimizing available traction in
adverse conditions. Snow mode
adjusts left and right wheel slip
control, engine torque and shift
patterns according to available
traction levels.
Information
• When your vehicle drive mode
is selected to SMART mode, the
driving mode varies according to
your acceleration pedal input. When
your vehicle is in SMART mode and
your driving style is such that your
acceleration pedal input is gradual,
the drive mode will maximize fuel
efficiency. Note, however, the actual
fuel efficiency may vary according
to certain driving conditions (uphill/
downhill grade) and vehicle speed.
• When your vehicle is in SMART
mode and your driving style is more
aggressive such that your acceleration
pedal input is more abrupt, the drive
mode will change to reflect a more
SPORT driving characteristic. Note
that while you are driving this way, fuel
economy may be adversely affected.

Driving Your Vehicle
6-50
Various driving situations, which you may
encounter in SMART mode
• The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT, when you
abruptly accelerate the vehicle or
repetitively operate the steering
wheel (Your driving is categorized
to be sporty.). In this mode, your
vehicle drives in a lower gear for
abrupt accelerating/decelerating
and increases the engine brake
performance.
• You may still sense the engine
braking performance, even when
you release the accelerator pedal in
SMART SPORT mode. It is because
your vehicle remains in lower gear
over a certain period of time for next
acceleration. Thus, it is a normal
driving situation, not indicating any
malfunction.
• The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT mode only
in harsh driving situations. In most
of the normal driving situations, the
driving mode sets to be in SMART
NORMAL mode.
Limitation of SMART mode
The SMART mode may be limited in
following situations. (The OFF indicator
illuminates in those situations.)
• The driver manually moves the shift
lever : It deactivates SMART mode.
The vehicle drives, as the driver
manually moves the shift lever.
• The vehicle is driven using the paddle
shifter (manual shift mode) : SMART
mode is deactivated determining that
the driver wants to drive the vehicle
manually
• Cruise Control or Smart Cruise Control
is activated : Cruise Control or Smart
Cruise Control may deactivate the
SMART mode. When a higher system
is set by Cruise Control or Smart
Cruise Control, it starts to control
vehicle speed and deactivates
SMART mode. (SMART mode is not
deactivated just by activing Cruise
Control or Smart Cruise Control.)
• The transmission oil temperature is either
extremely low or extremely high : The
SMART mode can be active in most of
the normal driving situations. However,
an extremely high/ low transmission oil
temperature may temporarily deactivate
the SMART mode, because the
transmission condition is out of normal
operation condition.

06
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.

Driving Your Vehicle
6-52
AWD Operation
Four Wheel Drive (AWD) mode selection
Transfer
modeSelection
buttonIndicator light Description
AWD AUTO
(AWD
LOCK is
deactivated)
(not
illuminated)• AWD Auto is used when driving on
roads in normal conditions, roads in
urban areas, and on highways.
• All wheels provide traction when the
vehicle travels at a constant speed.
But the AWD computer will vary front
and rear wheel traction depending
on road driving conditions, which will
be automatically controlled by the
computing system.
•
When the cluster's AWD Auto display
mode is selected, the cluster displays
the status of how four wheels’ traction
forces are distributed.
AWD LOCK
(illuminated)• The main goal of AWD Lock mode is to
allow a driver to maximize the vehicle’s
traction under extreme driving
conditions such as unpaved off-road,
sandy roads, and muddy roads.
• AWD Lock mode is in operation only
when a vehicle travels at 37 mph (60
km/h) or less. When traveling at 37
mph (60 km/h) or faster, the mode will
switch to AWD Auto.
• When AWD Lock mode illuminates, the
cluster does not display the front/rear
wheel traction force distribution status.
• Press the AWD Lock mode switch
again to switch back to AWD Auto.

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.