2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID Owners Manual

Driving Your Vehicle6-48
Various driving situations, which you may
encounter in SMART mode

[ The driving mode aut
omatically
changes to ECO mode after a certain
period of time, when you gently
depress the accelerator pedal (Your
driving is categorized to be mild.).

[ The driving mode automatically
changes from SMART ECO mode to
SMART SPORT mode after a certain
period of time, when you sharply or
repetitively depress the accelerator
pedal.

[ The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART SPORT mode with
the same driving patterns, when the
vehicle starts to drive on an upward
slope of a certain angle. The driving
mode automatically returns to SMART
ECO mode, when the vehicle enters a
leveled road.

[ 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 brake
performance, even when you release
the accelerator pedal in SMART
SPORT mode. It is because your
vehicle remains to be in a 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 either in
SMART ECO mode. Active Snow Mode (ASM) (if equipment)
When the vehicle recognizes frequent
wheel slips on lo
w friction roads, Active
Snow Mode improves driving stability by
minimizing these wheel slips.
Operating conditions
ASM is activated when all of the
following conditions are met:

[ Low outside ambient temperature

[ Frequent Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) activation due to wheel slip
When operating
The vehicle's acceleration response is
reduced, which is similar to depressing
the accelerator pedal slowly.
Non-operating conditions
ASM is deactivated when one of the
following conditions or more are met:

[ Increase of outside ambient
temperature

[ The accelerator pedal is hardly
depressed

[ Driving in high speed (for example,
highway driving)

06
6-49
Limitation of SMART mode
The SMART mode may be limited in
f
ollowing situations. (The OFF indicator
illuminates in those situations.)

[ 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.

[ Smart Cruise Control is activated :
Smart Cruise Control may deactivate
SMART mode when the vehicle is
controlled by the set speed of Smart
Cruise Control. (SMART mode is not
deactivated just by turning on 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.

Driving Your Vehicle6-50
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.
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.
63(&,$/'5,9,1*&21',7,216

06
6-51
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.

Driving Your Vehicle6-52
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.

06
6-53
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.
You 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.

Driving Your Vehicle6-54
Tire chains
„Type A
OTM080044L
„Type B
OTM080043L
Since the sidewalls of radial tires are
thinner than other types of tires, they
may be damaged by mounting some
types of tire chains on them. Therefore,
the use of snow tires is recommended
instead of tire chains. If tire chains must
be used, use genuine HYUNDAI parts if
available and install the tire chain after
reviewing the instructions provided with
the tire chains. Damage to your vehicle
caused by improper tire chain use is not
covered by your vehicle manufacturer’s
warranty.
Fabric-type chains must be used on
vehicles equipped with 19”/20” tires.
When using tire chains, attach them to
the drive wheels as follows.
AWD : All Wheel Drive
If a full set of chains is not available for
an AWD vehicle, chains may be installed
on the front wheels only.
WARNING
The use of tire chains may adversely
affect vehicle handling:

[ Drive less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
or the chain manufacturer’s
recommended speed limit,
whichever is lower.

[ Drive carefully and avoid bumps,
holes, sharp turns, and other road
hazards, which may cause the
vehicle to bounce.

[ Avoid sharp turns or locked wheel
braking.
Information

[Install tire chains only in pairs and on
the front tires. It should be noted that
installing tire chains on the tires will
provide a greater driving force, but will
not prevent side skids.

[ Do not install studded tires without
first checking local and municipal
regulations for possible restrictions
against their use.

06
6-55
Chain Installation
When installing tire chains, follow the
manuf
acturer’s instructions and mount
them as tightly possible. Drive slowly
(less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) with
chains installed. If you hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop and
tighten them. If they still make contact,
slow down until the noise stops. Remove
the tire chains as soon as you begin
driving on cleared roads.
When mounting snow chains, park the
vehicle on level ground away from traffic.
Turn on the vehicle Hazard Warning
Flasher and place a triangular emergency
warning device behind the vehicle (if
available). Always place the vehicle in P
(Park), apply the parking brake and turn
off the engine before installing snow
chains.
NOTICE
When using tire chains:

[ Wrong size chains or improperly
installed chains can damage your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension,
body and wheels.

[ Use SAE “S” class or wire chains.

[ If you hear noise caused by chains
contacting the body, retighten the
chain to prevent contact with the
vehicle body.

[ To prevent body damage, retighten
the chains after driving 0.3~0.6 miles
(0.5~1.0 km).

[ Do not use tire chains on vehicles
equipped with aluminum wheels. If
unavoidable, use a wire type chain.

[ Use wire chains less than 0.47 in.
(12 mm) thick or fabric-type chain
to prevent damage to the chain’s
connection.

[ Fabric-type chains must be used on
vehicles equipped with 19/20” tires.
Winter Precautions
Use high quality ethylene glycol coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high
quality ethylene glycol coolant in the
cooling system. It is the only type of
coolant that should be used because it
helps prevent corrosion in the cooling
system, lubricates the water pump and
prevents freezing. Be sure to replace or
replenish your coolant in accordance
with the maintenance schedule in
chapter 9. Before winter, have your
coolant tested to assure that its freezing
point is sufficient for the temperatures
anticipated during the winter.
Check battery and cables
Winter temperatures affect battery
performance. Inspect the battery and
cables, as specified in chapter 9. The
battery charging level can be checked
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer or in a
service station.
Change to “winter weight” oil if
necessary
In some regions during winter, it is
recommended to use the “winter
weight” oil with lower viscosity In
addition, replace the engine oil and filter
if it is close to the next maintenance
interval. Fresh engine oil ensures
optimum engine operation during the
winter months. For further information,
refer to chapter 2. When you are not sure
about a type of winter weight oil, you
consult an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.