HYUNDAI I20 2021 Owners Manual

7-44
Driving your vehicle
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 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).
i Information
Turning the ESC off does not affect ABS
or standard brake system operation.
Vehicle Stability Management
(VSM) (if equipped)
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.

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07
VSM operation
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.
i Information
The VSM does not operate when:
• Driving on a banked road such as
gradient or incline
• Driving in reverse.
• The ESC OFF indicator light is on.
• The EPS (Electric Power Steering)
warning light (
) is on or blinks.
WARNING
If the ESC indicator light () or
EPS warning light (
) stays on
or blinks, your vehicle may have a
malfunction with the VSM system.
When the warning light illuminates
we recommend that the vehicle be
checked by an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer as soon as possible.
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
tires and wheels installed.
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
(if equipped)
The Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
helps prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards when starting a vehicle from
a stop on a hill. The system operates the
brakes automatically for approximately
2 seconds and releases the brake after 2
seconds or when the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
WARNING
Always be ready to depress the
accelerator pedal when starting off on
a incline. The HAC activates only for
approximately 2 seconds.
i Information
• The HAC does not operate when the
shift lever is in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
• The HAC activates even when the ESC
(Electronic Stability Control) is off.
However, it does not activate, when the
ESC does not operate normally.

7-46
Driving your vehicle
Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
The Emergency Stop Signal system
alerts the driver behind by blinking the
stop light when the vehicle is braked
rapidly and severely.
The system is activated when:
• The vehicle suddenly stops (vehicle
speed is over 55 km/h and the vehicle
deceleration at greater than 7 m/s
2)
• The ABS is activating
When the vehicle speed is under 40
km/h and the ABS deactivates or the
sudden stop situation is over, the stop
light blinking will stop. Instead, the
hazard warning flasher will turn on
automatically.
The hazard warning flasher will turn off
when vehicle speed is over 10 km/h after
the vehicle has stopped. Also, it will turn
off when the vehicle is driven at low
speed for some time. You can turn it off
manually by pushing the hazard warning
flasher switch.
CAUTION
The Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
system will not work if the hazard
warning flasher is already on.
Good braking practices
WARNING
Whenever leaving the vehicle or
parking, always come to a complete
stop and continue to depress the brake
pedal. Move the shift lever into the 1st
gear (for manual transmission vehicle)
or N (Neutral) position (for Automated
Manual Transmission vehicle), then
apply the parking brake, and place
the ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF
position.
Vehicles with the parking brake not
fully engaged are at risk for moving
inadvertently and causing injury to
yourself or others.
Wet brakes can be dangerous! The
brakes may get wet if the vehicle is
driven through standing water or if it is
washed. Your vehicle will not stop as
quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet brakes
may cause the vehicle to pull to one
side.
To dry the brakes, apply the brakes
lightly until the braking action returns to
normal, taking care to keep the vehicle
under control at all times. If the braking
action does not return to normal, stop
as soon as it is safe to do so and we
recommend that you call an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.
DO NOT drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light, but constant
pedal pressure can result in the brakes
overheating, brake wear, and possibly
even brake failure.

7-47
07
If a tire goes flat while you are driving,
apply the brakes gently and keep the
vehicle pointed straight ahead while you
slow down. When you are moving slowly
enough for it to be safe to do so, pull off
the road and stop in a safe location.
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped to prevent
the vehicle from rolling forward.

7-48
Driving your vehicle
Hazardous driving conditions
When hazardous driving conditions are
encountered such as water, snow, ice,
mud or sand:
Drive cautiously and allow extra distance
for braking.
Avoid sudden movements in braking or
steering.
If stuck in snow, mud, or sand, use
second gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid
spinning the drive wheels.
WARNING
Downshifting with an Automated
manual 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.
Use sand, rock salt, or other non-slip
material under the drive wheels to
provide traction when stalled in ice,
snow, or mud.
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 1st and R (Reverse, for manual
transmission vehicle) or R (Reverse) and
a forward gear (for Automated manual
transmission vehicle). 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.
NOTICE
If the tires spin at high speed the tires
can explode, and you or others may be
injured. Do not attempt this procedure
if people or objects are anywhere near
the vehicle.
The vehicle can overheat causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little as
possible and avoid spinning the wheels
at speeds over 56 km/h (35 mph) as
indicated on the speedometer.
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” in chapter 8.
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7-49
07
Smooth cornering
Avoid braking or gear changing in
corners, especially when roads are wet.
Ideally, corners should always be taken
under gentle acceleration.
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 driver’s headlights.
• Keep your headlights clean and
properly aimed. Dirty or improperly
aimed headlights will make it much
more difficult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the headlights
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.
• 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 replacement” in
chapter 9.
• Turn on your headlights 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 replacement” in
chapter 9.

7-50
Driving your vehicle
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.

7-51
07
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 skids
to occur.
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.
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle,
make sure to use radial tires of the same
size and load range 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.
We recommend you use snow tires
when road temperature is below 45°F
(7°C).
i Information
Do not install studded tires without first
checking local and municipal regulations
for possible restrictions against their use.
Tire chains
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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. Do not mount
tire chains on vehicles equipped with
aluminum wheels; if unavoidable use
a wire type chain. If tire chains must
be used, use genuine HYUNDAI parts
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.
WINTER DRIVING

7-52
Driving your vehicle
WARNING
The use of tire chains may adversely
affect vehicle handling:
• Drive less than 30 km/h (20 mph)
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.
i Information
• Install tire chains 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 tire chains without
first checking local and municipal
regulations for possible restrictions
against their use.
Chain Installation
When installing tire chains, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions and mount
them as tightly possible. Drive slowly
(less than 30 km/h (20 mph)) 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 N (Neutral), 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 0.5~1.0 km
(0.3~0.6 miles).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles
equipped with aluminum wheels. If
unavoidable, use a wire type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 15 mm (0.59
in) wide to prevent damage to the
chain’s connection.

7-53
07
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 8. 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 puts additional burdens on the
battery system. Visually inspect the
battery and cables as described in
chapter 8. The level of charge in your
battery can be checked by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer or a service station.
Change to “winter weight” oil if
necessary
In some climates it is recommended that
a lower viscosity “winter weight” oil be
used during cold weather. See chapter
2 for recommendations. If you aren’t
sure what weight oil you should use, we
recommend that you consult with an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Check spark plugs and ignition
system
Inspect your spark plugs as described
in chapter 8 and replace them if
necessary. Also check all ignition wiring
and components to be sure they are not
cracked, worn or damaged in any way.
To keep locks from freezing
To keep the locks from freezing, squirt
an approved de-icer fluid or glycerine
into the key opening. If a lock is covered
with ice, squirt it with an approved
de-icing fluid to remove the ice. If the
lock is frozen internally, you may be able
to thaw it out by using a heated key.
Handle the heated key with care to avoid
injury.
Use approved window washer anti-
freeze in system
To keep the water in the window washer
system from freezing, add an approved
window washer anti-freeze solution in
accordance with instructions on the
container. Window washer anti-freeze is
available from an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer and most auto parts outlets. Do
not use engine coolant or other types
of anti-freeze as these may damage the
paint finish.