HYUNDAI SONATA 2023 Owners Manual

While Driving
6-4
WARNING
Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is toxic. Breathing CO can cause unconsciousness and
death.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide which cannot be seen or smelled.
Do not inhale engine exhaust.
If at any time you smell engine exhaust inside the vehicle, open the windows
immediately. Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and death by asphyxiation.
Be sure the exhaust system does not leak.
The exhaust system should be checked whenever the vehicle is raised to change the
oil or for any other purpose. If you hear a change in the sound of the exhaust or if you
drive over something that strikes the underneath side of the vehicle, have the exhaust
system checked as soon as possible by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Do not run the engine in an enclosed area.
Letting the engine idle in your garage, even with the garage door open, is a hazardous
practice. Run the engine only long enough to start the engine and to move the vehicle
out of the garage.
Avoid idling the engine for prolonged periods with people inside the vehicle.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the
vehicle, be sure to do so only in an open area with the air intake set at "Fresh" and fan
control set to high so fresh air is drawn into the interior.
Keep the air intakes clear.
To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, keep the ventilation air intakes
located in front of the windshield clear of snow, ice, leaves, or other obstructions.
If you must drive with the trunk open:
Close all windows.
Open instrument panel air vents.
Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at "Floor" or "Face", and the fan
control set to high.

06
6-5
Before Entering the Vehicle
• Be sure all windows, outside mirror(s),
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed.
• Remove frost, snow, or ice.
• Visually check the tires for uneven
wear and damage.
• Check under the vehicle for any sign
of leaks.
• Be sure there are no obstacles behind
you if you intend to back up.
Before Starting
• Make sure the hood, the trunk, and
the doors are securely closed and
locked.
• Adjust the position of the seat and
steering wheel.
• Adjust the inside and side view
mirrors.
• Verify all the lights work.
• Fasten your seatbelt. Check that
all passengers have fastened their
seatbelts.
• Check the gauges and indicators
in the instrument panel and the
messages on the instrument display
when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
• Check that any items you are carrying
are stored properly or fastened down
securely.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH, take the following precautions: • ALWAYS wear your seat belt. All
passengers must be properly belted
whenever the vehicle is moving.
For more information, refer to "Seat
Belts" in chapter 3.
• Always drive defensively. Assume
other drivers or pedestrians may be
careless and make mistakes.
• Stay focused on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
accidents.
• Leave plenty of space between you
and the vehicle in front of you.
WARNING
NEVER drink alcohol or take drugs and
drive.
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and
driving is dangerous and may result in
an accident and SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH. Drunk driving is the number one
contributor to the highway death
toll each year. Even a small amount
of alcohol will affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgment. Just
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions and
emergencies and your reaction time
gets worse with each additional drink.
Driving while under the influence
of drugs is as dangerous or more
dangerous than driving under the
influence of alcohol.
You are much more likely to have a
serious accident if you drink or take
drugs and drive. If you are drinking or
taking drugs, don't drive. Do not ride
with a driver who has been drinking
or taking drugs. Choose a designated
driver or call a taxi.
Before Driving

While Driving
6-6
Key Ignition Switch (if equipped)
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH, take the following precautions: • NEVER allow children or any person
who is unfamiliar with the vehicle to
touch the ignition switch or related
parts. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur.
• NEVER reach through the steering
wheel for the ignition switch, or any
other control, while the vehicle is in
motion. The presence of your hand
or arm in this area may cause a loss
of vehicle control resulting in an
accident.
OAE056172L
Whenever the front door is opened, the
ignition switch will illuminate, provided
the ignition switch is not in the ON
position. The light will go off immediately
when the ignition switch is turned on or
go off after about 30 seconds when the door is closed. (if equipped)
WARNING
NEVER turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK or ACC position while the vehicle
is in motion except in an emergency.
This will result in the engine turning
off and loss of power assist for the
steering and brake systems. This may
lead to loss of directional control and
braking function, which could cause an
accident.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
make sure the shift button is in P (Park)
position, apply the parking brake,
and turn ignition switch to the LOCK position.
Unexpected vehicle movement may
occur if these precautions are not
followed.
ignition Switch
LOCK ACC
ON
START

06
6 -7
Key ignition switch positions
Switch
Position Action Notice
LOCKTo turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, put the key in at
the ACC position and turn the key
towards the LOCK position.
The ignition key can be removed in
the LOCK position.
(The shift button must be in the P
(Park) position)
ACC Electrical accessories are usable.
The steering wheel unlocks.
ON This is the normal key position when
the engine has started.
All features and accessories are usable.
The warning lights can be checked
when you turn the ignition switch
from ACC to ON. Do not leave the ignition switch in the ON position when the engine is
not running in order to prevent the
battery from discharging.
START To start the engine, turn the ignition
switch to the START position. The
switch returns to the ON position
when you let go of the key. The engine will crank until you
release the key.

While Driving
6-8
Starting the engine
WARNING
Always wear appropriate shoes when
operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes, such as high heels,
ski boots, sandals, flip-flops, etc., may
interfere with your ability to use the
brake and accelerator pedals.
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Make sure the gear is in P (Park).
3. Depress the brake pedal.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the START
position. Hold the key (maximum of
10 seconds) until the engine starts and
release it.
Information
• It is best to maintain a moderate engine speed until the vehicle engine comes
up to normal operating temperature.
Avoid harsh or abrupt acceleration or deceleration while the engine is still cold.
• Whether the engine is cold or warm,
always start the vehicle with your foot
on the brake pedal. Do not depress the
accelerator while starting the vehicle.
Do not rev the engine while warming it up.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle: • Do not hold the ignition key in the
START position for more than 10
seconds. Wait 5 to 10 seconds before trying again.
• Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
Turning off the engine
1. Stop the vehicle and depress the brake pedal fully.
2. Shift the gear to P (Park).
3. Turn the ignition switch to the off position and apply the parking brake.

06
6-9
Engine Start/Stop Button (if equipped)
ODN8069001
Whenever the front door is opened, the
Engine Start/Stop button will illuminate
and will go off 30 seconds after the door is closed.
WARNING
To reduce risk of serious injury or death,
NEVER allow children or any person
who is unfamiliar with the vehicle to
touch the Engine Start/Stop button or
related parts. Unexpected and sudden
vehicle movement can occur.
WARNING
To turn the engine off in an emergency:
Press and hold the Engine Start/Stop
button for more than two seconds OR
rapidly press and release the Engine
Start/Stop button three times (within
three seconds).
If the vehicle is still moving, you can
restart the engine without depressing
the brake pedal by pressing the Engine
Start/Stop button with the shift button
in the N (Neutral) position.
WARNING
• NEVER press the Engine Start/Stop
button while the vehicle is in motion
except in an emergency. This will
result in the engine turning off and
loss of power assist for the steering
and brake systems.
This may lead to loss of directional
control and braking function, which
could cause an accident.
• Before leaving the driver's seat,
always make sure the shift button
is in the P (Park) position, set the
parking brake, press the Engine
Start/Stop button to the OFF
position, and take the Smart Key with
you. Unexpected vehicle movement
may occur if these precautions are
not followed.
• NEVER reach through the steering
wheel for the Engine Start/Stop
button or any other control while the
vehicle is in motion. The presence
of your hand or arm in this area
may cause a loss of vehicle control
resulting in an accident.

While Driving
6-10
Engine Stop/Start button positions
Button
Position Action Notice
OFFTo turn off the engine, press the
Engine Start/Stop button with shift
button in P (Park).
When you press the Engine Start/
Stop button without the shift
button in P (Park), the Engine Start/
Stop button does not turn to the
OFF position, but turns to the ACC position.
ACC Press the Engine Start/Stop button
when the button is in the OFF
position without depressing the
brake pedal.
Electrical accessories are usable. If you leave the Engine Start/Stop
button in the ACC position for more
than one hour, the battery power will
turn off automatically to prevent the
battery from discharging.
ON Press the Engine Start/Stop button
while it is in the ACC position
without depressing the brake pedal.
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. Do not leave the Engine Start/Stop
button in the ON position when the
engine is not running to prevent the
battery from discharging.
START To start the engine, depress the
brake pedal and press the Engine
Start/Stop button with the shift
button in the P (Park) or in the N
(Neutral) position.
For your safety, start the engine
with the shift button in the P (Park) position. If you press the Engine Start/Stop
button without depressing the brake
pedal, the engine does not start
and the Engine Start/Stop button
changes as follows:
OFF → ACC → ON → OFF or ACC
However, the engine may start if you
depress the brake pedal within 0.5
second after pressing the Engine
Start/Stop button from the OFF position.

06
6-11
Starting the engine
WARNING
• Always wear appropriate shoes when
operating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes, such as high heels,
ski boots, sandals, flip-flops, etc.,
may interfere with your ability to use
the brake and accelerator pedals.
• Do not start the vehicle with the
accelerator pedal depressed. The
vehicle can move and lead to an
accident.
• Wait until the engine rpm is normal.
The vehicle may suddenly move if
the brake pedal is released when the rpm is high.
Information
• The engine will start by pressing the Engine Start/Stop button, only when the smart key is in the vehicle.
• Even if the smart key is in the vehicle,
if it is far away from the driver, the engine may not start.
• When the Engine Start/Stop button
is in the ACC or ON position, if any
door is open, the system checks for the
smart key. If the smart key is not in the vehicle, the “
” indicator will blink
and the warning "Key not in vehicle"
will come on and if all doors are closed,
the chime will also sound for about 5 seconds. Keep the smart key in the
vehicle when using the ACC position or if the vehicle engine is ON.
1. Always carry the smart key with you.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Make sure the gear is in P (Park).
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Press the Engine Start/Stop button.
Information
• Do not wait for the engine to warm up
while the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at moderate engine
speeds. (Aggressive accelerating and decelerating should be avoided.)
• Always start the vehicle with your foot
on the brake pedal. Do not depress the
accelerator while starting the vehicle.
Do not rev the engine while warming it up.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle: • If the engine stalls while you are in
motion, do not attempt to move the
shift button to the P (Park) position.
If traffic and road conditions permit,
you may put the shift button in the N
(Neutral) position while the vehicle
is still moving and press the Engine
Start/Stop button in an attempt to
restart the engine.
• Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.

While Driving
6-12
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle:
When the stop lamp switch fuse is
blown, you can't start the engine
normally. Replace the fuse with a new
one. If you are not able to replace
the fuse, you can start the engine by
pressing and holding the Engine Start/
Stop button for 10 seconds with the
Engine Start/Stop button in the ACC position.
Do not press the Engine Start/Stop
button for more than 10 seconds except
when the stop lamp switch fuse is
blown.
For your safety always depress the
brake pedal before starting the engine.
ODN8069002
Information
If the smart key battery is weak or the
smart key does not work correctly, you
can start the engine by pressing the Engine Start/Stop button with the smart key in
the direction of the picture above.
Remote Start
ODN8069003
ODN8069004
You can start the vehicle using the
Remote Start button of the smart key.
To start the vehicle remotely:• Lock the doors by pressing the door
lock button within 10 m (32 feet)
distance from the vehicle.
• Press the remote start button for over
2 seconds within 4 seconds after
locking the doors and the hazard
warning will blink.
To turn off the remote start function,
press the remote start button once.
In case of the manual operation,
the climate control system will be
maintained even when the engine is
turned OFF. However, the automatic
operation is set to 22°C (72°F).

6-13
06
ODN8069005
Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission has eight forward speeds and one reverse speed.
The individual speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.
WARNING
The automatic transmission shift button or interior parts might get hot when a
vehicle is parked outside during hot weather. Always be careful when the vehicle is
hot.
AUtoMAtic trAnSMiSSion