2023 HYUNDAI TUCSON HYBRID automatic transmission

Driving Your Vehicle6-12
D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. The
transmission will automatically shift
through a 6-gear sequence, providing
the best fuel economy and power.
To start the vehicle forward, push the D
(Drive) button by depressing the brake
pedal with the engine ON. Then depress
the accelerator pedal smoothly.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or driving uphill, depress the
accelerator. The transmission will
automatically downshift to the next
lower gear (or gears, as appropriate).
When the vehicle is stopped in D (Drive)
position, if you open the driver’s door
with the seat belt unfastened, the gear is
shifted to P (Park) position automatically.
However when the vehicle moves in D
(Drive) position, if you open the driver’s
door with the seat belt unfastened,
the gear may be not shifted to P (Park)
position automatically for protecting the
automatic transmission.
The DRIVE MODE switch, located on the
shift button console, allows the driver to
switch from NORMAL mode to SPORT or
ECO mode. (if equipped)
For more details, refer to “Drive Mode
Integrated Control System” later in this
chapter.
Shift-lock system
For your safety, the automatic
transmission has a shift-lock system
which prevents shifting the transmission
from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to R
(Reverse) or D (Drive) unless the brake
pedal is depressed.
To shift the transmission from P (Park)
into R (Reverse):
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine or place the ignition switch in the ON position.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the R(Reverse) button.
To stay in N (Neutral) position when
vehicle is Off
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If you want to keep the N (Neutral)
position after the vehicle is OFF, do the
following.
1. Release the parking brake when the engine is running or the Engine Start/
Stop button is ON position. If Auto
Hold is activated, please turn off Auto
Hold.
2. Push the N (neutral) button while depressing the brake pedal.
3. When you take your foot off the brake pedal, the message ‘Press and hold
OK button to stay in Neutral when
vehicle is Off’ (or 'Hold OK button to
stay in neutral gear position when
vehicle is Off') will appear on the
cluster LCD display.
4. Press and hold the OK button on the steering wheel for more than 1
second.

06
6-15
Shifter system malfunction! Service
immediately
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when the transmission
or the shift button does not properly
operate in the P (Park) position.
In this case, immediately have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
Check shift controls
The warning message appears on the
LCD display, when there is a malfunction
with transmission shift button.
In this case, immediately have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
Paddle Shifter
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The paddle shifter is available when the
shift button is in the D (Drive) position.With the shift button in the D position
The paddle shift will operate in all speed
ar

eas.
Pull the [+] or [-] paddle shifter once
to shift up or down one gear and the
system changes from automatic mode to
manual mode.
In the manual shift mode, pull the [+]
or [-] paddle shifter once to shift up or
down one gear.
To change back to automatic shift mode
from manual shift mode, do one of the
followings : - Pull the [+] paddle shifter for more than one second
- Press the D button.
The manual shift mode also changes
back to automatic shift mode in one of
following situations - When the accelerator pedal is gently depressed for more than 6 seconds
while driving
- When the vehicle speed is less than 1mph
Information
If the [+] and [-] paddle shifters are pulled
at the same time, gear shift may not occur.
Good Driving Practices

[ Never move the shift button from
P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other
position with the accelerator pedal
depressed.

[ Never move the shift button into P
(Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
Be sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before you attempt to shift
into R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

[ Do not move the shift button to N
(Neutral) when driving. Doing so
may result in an accident because
of a loss of engine braking and the
transmission could be damaged.

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
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. 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.

[ Cruise Control and Smart Cruise
Control is activated : Cruise Control
and Smart Cruise Control may
deactivate SMART mode when
the vehicle is controlled by the set
speed of Cruise Control and Smart
Cruise Control. (SMART mode is not
deactivated just by turning on Cruise
Control and 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
6-49
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).
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06
6-63
Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, move your hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide
you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn signals
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
connected, the trailer lights will also flash
to alert other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your
signals when, in fact, they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
You must also check the lights every time
you disconnect and then reconnect the
wires.
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer lighting system
directly to your vehicle’s lighting
system. Use an approved trailer wiring
harness. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the vehicle electrical
system and/or personal injury. Consult
an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for
assistance.
Driving on hills
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get overheated and may
not operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70
km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine
and transmission overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than the
maximum trailer weight without trailer
brakes and you have a automatic
transmission, you should drive in D
(Drive) when towing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat
build-up and extend the life of your
transmission.

07
7-155
2. Remotely moving forward/backward
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(1) Press and hold one of the Forward () or Backward () button on
the smart key. Remote Smart
Parking Assist will automatically
control the steering wheel, vehicle
speed and gearshift. The vehicle
will move in the direction of the
button pressed.
(2) While Remote Operation function is operating, if the you do not
hold down the Forward (
) or
Backward () button, the vehicle
will stop and system control will
pause. The function will start
operating again when the button is
pressed and held again.
(3) When the vehicle reaches the target location, release the smart
key Forward or Backward button.
(4) When the driver gets in the vehicle with the smart key, a message
will appear informing the driver
Remote Operation function is
complete on the infotainment
system screen and the engine will
remain on.
In addition, when the Remote Start
(
) button is pressed on the smart
key from outside the vehicle, a
message will appear informing the
driver Remote Operation function
is complete and the engine will
turn off. • Check that all smart keys are
outside the vehicle when using
Remote Operation function.
• Remote Operation function will operate only when the smart key is
within 13 ft. (4 m) from the vehicle. If
there is no vehicle movement even
when the Forward or Backward
button is pressed on the smart key,
check the distance to the vehicle
and press the button again.
• The detecting range of the smart key may vary depending on the
surroundings that are affected by
radio waves such as transmission
tower, broadcast station, etc.
• When remotely moving forward using method (1), it is recognized
as an exit situation, and the
vehicle moves 13 ft. (4 m) to
check for pedestrians, animals or
objects around the vehicle. After
confirmation, the steering wheel
is controlled according to the
condition ahead.
• When remotely moving forward using method (2), it is recognized
as a parking situation, and will
immediately control the steering
wheel according to the condition
ahead to assist with entering the
parking space and aligning the
vehicle. However, performance
may reduce depending on the
pedestrians, animals, shape of
objects, location, etc. around the
vehicle.
• For moving remotely backward, both method (1) and (2) aligns the
steering wheel first, and then will
only move the vehicle straight.
• When remotely moving forward or backward is completed, the vehicle
will automatically shift to P (Park)
and engage EPB (Electronic Parking
Brake).

Emergency Situations8-28
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[ Use a towing cable or chain less than
16 feet (5 m) long. Attach a white or
red cloth (about 12 inches (30 cm)
wide) in the middle of the cable or
chain for easy visibility.

[ Drive carefully so the towing cable or
chain remains tight during towing.

[ Before towing, check the automatic
transmission for fluid leaks under your
vehicle. If the automatic transmission
fluid is leaking, flatbed equipment or a
towing dolly must be used.
NOTICE
Accelerate or decelerate the vehicle
in a slow and gradual manner while
maintaining tension on the tow rope
or chain to start or drive the vehicle,
otherwise tow hooks and the vehicle
may be damaged.
NOTICE
To avoid damage to your vehicle and
vehicle components when towing:

[Always pull straight ahead when
using the towing hooks. Do not pull
from the side or at a vertical angle.

[ Do not use the towing hooks to pull
a vehicle out of mud, sand or other
conditions from which the vehicle
cannot be driven out under its own
power.

[ Limit the vehicle speed to 10 mph
(15 km/h) and drive less than 1
mile (1.5 km) when towing to avoid
serious damage to the automatic
transmission.

Maintenance9-6
While operating your vehicle:
• Note any changes in the sound of the exhaust or any smell of exhaust fumes
in the vehicle.
• Check for vibrations in the steering wheel. Notice if there is any increased
steering effort or looseness in the
steering wheel, or change in its
straight-ahead position.
• Notice if your vehicle constantly turns slightly or “pulls” to one side when
traveling on smooth, level road.
• When stopping, listen and check for unusual sounds, pulling to one side,
increased brake pedal travel or “hard-
to-push” brake pedal.
• If any slipping or changes in the operation of your transmission occurs,
check the transmission fluid level.
• Check the automatic transmission P (Park) function.
• Check the parking brake.
• Check for fluid leaks under your vehicle (water dripping from the air
conditioning system during or after
use is normal).
At least monthly:
• Check coolant level in the engine coolant reservoir.
• Check the operation of all exterior lights, including the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flashers.
• Check the inflation pressures of all tires including the spare for tires that
are worn, show uneven wear, or are
damaged.
• Check for loose wheel lug nuts.
At least twice a year:
• Check radiator, heater and air conditioning hoses for leaks or
damage.
• Check windshield washer spray and wiper operation. Clean wiper blades
with a clean cloth dampened with
washer fluid.
• Check headlight alignment.
• Check muffler, exhaust pipes, shields and clamps.
• Check the seat belts for wear and function.
At least once a year:
• Clean body and door drain holes.
• Lubricate door hinges and hood hinges.
• Lubricate door and hood locks and latches.
• Lubricate door rubber weather strips.
• Check the air conditioning system.
• Inspect and lubricate automatic transmission linkage and controls.
• Clean the battery and terminals. (For plug-in hybrid vehicle)
• Check the brake fluid level.