2023 HYUNDAI SONATA Owners Manual

While Driving
6-34
Parking brake warning light
Check the parking brake
warning light by placing the
ignition switch to the ON
position (do not start the
engine).
This light will be illuminated when the
parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the START or ON position.
If the parking brake warning light
remains on after the parking brake
is released while engine is running,
there may be a malfunction in the
brake system. Immediate attention is
necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle
immediately. If that is not possible,
use extreme caution while operating
the vehicle and only continue to drive
the vehicle until you can reach a safe
location.
Emergency braking
If there is a problem with the brake
pedal while driving, emergency braking
is possible by pulling up and holding
the EPB switch. Braking is possible only
while you are holding the EPB switch.
However, braking distance will be longer than normal.
WARNING
Do not operate the parking brake while
the vehicle is moving except in an
emergency situation. It could damage
the brake system and lead to a severe
accident.
Information
During emergency braking, the parking brake warning light will illuminate to indicate that the system is operating.
NOTICE
If you continuously notice a noise or burning smell when the EPB is used
for emergency braking, have system
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer.
When the EPB (Electronic Parking Brake)
does not release
If the EPB does not release normally,
contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer
by loading the vehicle on a flatbed tow
truck and have the system checked.
Auto Hold
The Auto Hold maintains the vehicle in a
standstill even though the brake pedal is
not depressed after the driver brings the
vehicle to a complete stop by depressing
the brake pedal.
To apply :
ODN8069015
1. With the driver's door and engine hood closed, depress the brake
pedal and then press the [AUTO
HOLD] switch. The white AUTO HOLD
indicator will come on and the system
will be in the standby position. „
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06
6-35
ODN8069016
2. When you stop the vehicle completely by depressing the brake
pedal, the Auto Hold maintains the
brake pressure to hold the vehicle
stationary. The indicator changes from
white to green.
3. The vehicle will remain stationary even if you release the brake pedal.
4. If EPB is applied, Auto Hold will be
released.
To release : • If you press the accelerator pedal
with the gear in D (Drive), R (Reverse)
or Manual shift mode, the Auto Hold
will be released automatically and the
vehicle will start to move. The AUTO
HOLD indicator changes from green
to white.
• If the vehicle is restarted using the
cruise control toggle switch (RES+
or SET-) while Auto Hold and cruise
control is operating, the Auto Hold will
be released regardless of accelerator
pedal operation. The AUTO HOLD
indicator changes from green to
white.
WARNING
When the AUTO HOLD is automatically
released by depressing the accelerator
pedal, always take a look around your
vehicle.
Slowly depress the accelerator pedal
for a smooth start. To cancel :
ODN8069017
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the [AUTO HOLD] switch.
The AUTO HOLD indicator will turn off.
Information
• The Auto Hold does not operate when:
- The driver's door is opened
- The engine hood is opened
- The gear is in P (Park)
- The EPB is applied
• For your safety, the Auto Hold automatically switches to EPB when:
- The driver's door is opened with the
gear in D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
- The trunk is opened with the gear in R (Reverse)
- The engine hood is opened with the
gear in D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
- The vehicle stops for more than 10 minutes
- The vehicle stands on a steep slope
- The vehicle moves several times „
•CLUSTER

While Driving
6-36
In these cases, the parking brake
warning light comes on, the AUTO
HOLD indicator changes from green to white, and a warning sound and a
message will appear to inform you that EPB has been automatically engaged.
Before driving off again, press foot
brake pedal, check the surrounding
area near your vehicle and release parking brake manually with the EPB switch.
• While operating Auto Hold, you may
hear mechanical noise. However, it is normal operating noise.
NOTICE
If the AUTO HOLD indicator changes
to yellow, the Auto Hold is not working
properly. Contact an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING
• Depress the accelerator pedal slowly
when you start the vehicle.
• For your safety, cancel the Auto Hold
when you drive downhill, back up the
vehicle or park the vehicle.
NOTICE
If there is a malfunction with the
driver's door or engine hood open
detection system, the Auto Hold may
not work properly.
Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. Warning messages
OTM058187L
Parking brake automatically engaged
When the EPB is applied from Auto Hold,
a warning will sound and a message will
appear.
OIK057079N
AUTO HOLD turning Off!
Press brake pedal
When the conversion from Auto Hold to
EPB is not working properly a warning
will sound and a message will appear.
When this message is displayed, the Auto
Hold and EPB may not operate. For your
safety, depress the brake pedal.

06
6-37
OIK057080L
Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD
If you did not apply the brake pedal when
you release the Auto Hold by pressing
the [AUTO HOLD] switch, a warning will
sound and a message will appear.
OTM058159L
AUTO HOLD conditions not met. Close
door and hood.
When you press the [AUTO HOLD]
switch, if the driver's door and engine
hood are not closed, a warning will sound and a message will appear on the
cluster LCD display.
Press the [AUTO HOLD] switch after
closing the driver's door and hood.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
WARNING
An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) or
an 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 cars 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.
The safety features of an 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.

While Driving
6-38
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, the 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.
WARNING
If the ABS warning light (
) is on and
stays on, you may have a problem with
the ABS. Your power brakes will work
normally. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death, contact your HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION
When you drive on a road having poor
traction, such as an icy road, and apply
your brakes continuously, the ABS will
be active continuously and the ABS
warning light (
) may illuminate. Pull
your car over to a safe place and turn
the engine off.
Restart the engine. If the ABS warning
light is off, then your ABS system is normal.
Otherwise, you may have a problem
with your ABS system. Contact an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
Information
When you jump start your vehicle because
of a drained battery, the ABS warning light (
) may turn on at the same
time. This happens because of the low
battery voltage. It does not mean your ABS is malfunctioning. Have the battery
recharged before driving the vehicle.

06
6-39
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ODN8069018
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 management 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.
WARNING
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. ESC operation
ESC ON condition
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the ESC and the ESC
OFF indicator lights illuminate for
approximately three seconds. After both
lights go off, the ESC is enabled.
When operating
When the ESC is in operation,
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 routine conditions.
• If the Cruise Control was in use when
the ESC activates, the Cruise Control
automatically disengages. The Cruise
Control can be reengaged when the
road conditions 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 stability and traction of
the vehicle and does not indicate a
problem.

While Driving
6-40
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 traction
control function of ESC (engine
management) is disabled, but the
brake control function of ESC (braking
management) still operates. • State 2
Press and hold the ESC OFF button
continuously for more than 3 seconds.
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
(braking 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
■ ESC indicator light (blinks)
■ ESC OFF indicator light (comes on)
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 whenever
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.
WARNING
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.
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.

06
6-41
ESC OFF usage
When Driving
The ESC OFF mode should only be used
briefly to help free the vehicle if stuck in
snow 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.
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 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 suddenly on wet, slippery and
rough roads where traction over the four
tires can suddenly become uneven.
WARNING
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 substitute for safe
driving practices.
• Never drive too fast for the road
conditions. The VSM system will not
prevent accidents. Excessive speed
in bad weather, slippery and uneven
roads can result in severe accidents.
VSM operation
VSM ON condition
The VSM operates when:
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is on.
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 sensation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and it means
your VSM is active.
NOTICE
The VSM does not operate when: • Driving on a banked road such as
gradient or incline.
• Driving rearward.
• ESC OFF indicator light is on.
• EPS (Electric Power Steering)
warning light (
) is on or blinks.