Hyundai Santa Fe 2006 Owner's Manual

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
139
2. Before entering an automatic car wash,
remove by turning the antenna counter-
clockwise to prevent damage to the mi-
cro antenna. To install the antenna, turn
the antenna clockwise.
B885B01O

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2
Engine Exhaust Can Be Dangerous! ............................ 2-2
Risk of Rollover ............................................................ 2-3
Before Starting the Engine ............................................ 2-3
Key Positions ................................................................ 2-4
Starting ..........................................................................2-5
Automatic Transaxle .............................................. 2-6, 2-9
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................2-13
Brake Traction Control System (BTCS).....................2-13
Full Traction Control System (FTCS) .........................2-15
Full-Time 4WD Operation...........................................2-16
Limited-Slip Differential................................................2-19
Good Braking Practices..............................................2-19
Driving for Economy...................................................2-20
Winter Driving.............................................................2-22
Trailer or Vehicle Towing ............................................2-24
Vehicle Load Limit.......................................................2-28
2

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
2
WARNING: ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS!
C010A01O-AATEngine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the windows immediately.
o Do not inhale exhaust fumes.
Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause unconsciousness and death by asphyxiation.
o 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 car, have the exhaust system checked
as soon as possible by your Hyundai dealer.
o 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. Never run the engine in your garage
any longer than it takes to start the engine and back the car out.
o Avoid idling the engine for prolonged periods with people inside the car.
If it is necessary to idle the engine for a prolonged period with people inside the car, be sure to do so only in an open area with the air
intake set at "Fresh" and fan operating at one of the higher speeds so fresh air is drawn into the interior.
If you must drive with the tail gate open because you are carrying objects that make this necessary:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at "Fresh", the air flow control at "Floor" or "Face" and the fan at one of the higher speeds.
To assure proper operation of the ventilation system, be sure the ventilation air intakes located just in front of the windshield are kept clear
of snow, ice, leaves or other obstructions.
!!
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile components and parts, including components found in the interior furnishings
in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive harm.
In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
3
RISK OF ROLLOVER
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
!
!
WARNING:
o The 2WD Santa Fe is not designed for
off-road use. The 4WD Santa Fe is de-
signed primarily for use on paved roads.
However, occasional use in off-highway
conditions such as established unpaved
roads and non-challenging off-road
trails is allowed. The 4WD Santa Fe is not
designed for blazing new trails, chal-
lenging off-road conditions, or unpaved
hill climbing. Exceeding the conditions
that were intended for the vehicle's pri-
mary design may result in injury or death.
o Utility vehicle has a significantly higher
collision rate than other type of vehicles.
C020A01O-AATBefore you start the engine, you should always:
1. Look around the vehicle to be sure there are
no flat tires, puddles of oil, water or other
indications of possible trouble.
2. After entering the car, check to be sure the
parking brake is engaged.
3. Check that all windows, and lights are clean.
4. Check that the interior and exterior mirrors
are clean and in position.
5. Check your seat, seatback and headrest to
be sure they are in their proper positions.
6. Lock all the doors.
7. Fasten your seat belt and be sure that all
other occupants have fastened theirs.
8. Turn off all lights and accessories that are
not needed.
9. When you turn the ignition switch to "ON",
check that all appropriate warning lights are
operating and that you have sufficient fuel.
10.Check the operation of warning lights and all
bulbs when key is in the "ON" position. o Sports utility vehicles have higher
ground clearance and a narrower track
to make them capable of performing in
a wide variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give them
a higher center of gravity than ordinary
cars. An advantage of the higher ground
clearance is a better view of the road
allowing you to anticipate problem. They
are not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as conventional 2-wheel
drive vehicles any more than low-slung
sports cars are designed to perform sat-
isfactorily under off-road conditions. If
at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of
this type, failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover.
o In a collision, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to be seriously
injured or killed than a person wearing a
seatbelt.
WARNING:
C015A01O-AAT

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
4
!!
KEY POSITIONSC040A01A-AAT
CAUTION:
The engine should not be turned off or the
key removed from the ignition key cylinder
while the car is in motion. The steering
wheel is locked by removing the key.
C040A01E-1
LOCKACC
ON
START!
o "START"The engine is started in this position. It will crank
until you release the key.
WARNING:
Your vehicle is equipped with tires de-
signed to provide for safe ride and handling
capability.
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel
that is different from the one that is origi-
nally installed on your vehicle. It can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle,
which could lead to handling failure or
rollover and serious injury.
When replacing the tires, be sure to equip
all four tires with the tire and wheel of the
same size, type, tread, brand and load-
carrying capacity. If you nevertheless de-
cide to equip your vehicle with any tire/
wheel combination not recommended by
Hyundai for off-road driving, you should
not use these tires for highway driving.
TO START THE ENGINEC030A01L-AATCOMBINATION IGNITION SWITCHo Place the shift lever in "P" (park) and de-
press the brake pedal fully.
o To start the engine, insert the ignition key and
turn it to the "START" position. Release it as
soon as the engine starts. Do not hold the
key in the "START" position for more than 15
seconds.NOTE:o For safety, the engine will not start if the
shift lever is not in "P" or "N" Position.
o The ignition key cannot be turned from
"ACC" position to "LOCK" position un-
less the shift lever is in the "P" (Park)
position or the negative battery terminal
is disconnected from the battery. To
remove the key, always confirm that the
shift lever is securely positioned in "P"
(Park).
o For additional information about start-
ing, see page 2-5.
WARNING:
Always wear appropriate shoes when oper-
ating your vehicle.
Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski boots,
etc.) may interfere with your
ability to use the brake and accelerator
pedal, and the clutch (if installed).

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
5
NOTE:Do not hold the key in the "START" position
for more than 15 seconds.o "ON"When the key is in the "ON" position, the ignition
is on and all accessories may be turned on. If
the engine is not running, the key should not be
left in the "ON" position. This will discharge the
battery and may also damage the ignition sys-
tem.o "ACC"With the key in the "ACC" position, some elec-
trical accessories (radio, etc.) may be oper-
ated.o "LOCK"The key can be removed or inserted in this
position.
To protect against theft, the steering wheel
locks by removing the key.NOTE:To unlock the steering wheel, insert the key,
and then turn the steering wheel and key
simultaneously.
STARTING!
C070C01A-AATTo remove the ignition key
C050A01A-AAT
1. Turn the ignition key to the "ACC" position.
2. Simultaneously push and turn the ignition
key counterclockwise from the "ACC" posi-
tion to the "LOCK" position.
3. The key can be removed in the "LOCK"
position.
WARNING:
Never run the engine in a closed or poorly
ventilated area any longer than is needed to
move your car in or out of the area. The
carbon monoxide gas emitted is odorless
and can cause serious injury or death.
C070C01E-1C050A01E-1
LOCKACC
ON
START

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
6
The first few shifts on a new vehicle, or if the
battery has been disconnected, may be some-
what abrupt. This is a normal condition, and the
shifting sequence will adjust after shifts are
cycled a few times by the T.C.M (Transaxle
Control Module).
HSM3022-1
CAUTION:
Never shift into "R" or "P" position while the
vehicle is moving.
!
OPERATING THE AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLE (4 SPEED A/T)C090A01O-GAT(If installed)The highly efficient Hyundai automatic transaxle
has four forward speeds and one reverse
speed. The individual speeds are selected au-
tomatically, depending on the position of the
speed selector lever. The selector lever has 2
gates; the main gate and the manual gate.NOTE:For information on manual gate operation,
refer to "Sports Mode".
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4
positions, and is equipped with a button to avoid
inadvertent selection.
HSM3022 C050B01L-AAT
Normal Conditions:The Starting Procedure:
1. Insert key, and fasten the seat belt.
2. Depress the brake pedal fully and place the
selector lever in "P" (park) position.
3. After turning the ignition key to the "ON"
position, make certain all warning lights and
gauges are functioning properly before start-
ing the engine.
4. Turn the ignition key to the "START" position
and release it when the engine starts.
After the engine has started, allow the engine
to run for 10 to 20 seconds prior to placing
the vehicle in gear.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 15-30 sec-
onds between starting attempts to protect
the starter from overheating.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
7
!
C090E01O-AATo D(Drive):Use for normal driving. The transaxle will auto-
matically shift through a four gear sequence.C090D02O-AATo N (Neutral):In the "N" position, the transaxle is in neutral,
which means that no gears are engaged. The
engine can be started with the shift lever in "N"
position, although this is not recommended
except if the engine stalls while the car is
moving.
C090B02A-AATThe function of each position is as fol-
lows:
o P (Park):Use to hold the vehicle in place when parked or
while starting the engine. Whenever parking the
car, apply the parking brake and shift the selec-
tor lever to the "P" (Park) position.
C090C01A-AATo R(Reverse):Use for backing up the vehicle. Bring the car to
a complete stop before shifting the selector
lever to "R" position.
CAUTION:
Never place the selector lever in the "P"
(Park) position unless the vehicle is fully
stopped. Failure to observe this caution
will cause severe damage to the transaxle.NOTE:
Depress the brake pedal and push the
button when shifting.
Push the button when shifting.
The selector lever can be shifted freely.
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
indicate the selector lever position when the
ignition is switched "ON". During "D" range
operation, green lights indicate the gear cur-
rently in use.
C090F01JM-GATSports ModeWhether the vehicle is stationary or in motion,
sports mode is selected by pushing the selector
lever from the "D" position into the manual gate.
To return to "D" range operation, push the
selector lever back into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the selector lever back-
wards and forwards can make gearshifts simple.
UP (+) : Push the lever forward once to shift up
one gear.
DOWN (-) : Pull the lever backwards once to
shift down one gear.
SKIP : By rapidly moving the selector forwards
or backwards twice, it is possible to skip one
gear, i.e. 1st to 3rd or 3rd to 1st.
C090F01O

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
8
!
C090I03L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into "R" and "P" position only when
the vehicle has completely stopped.
o Do not accelerate the engine in reverse
or any of the forward positions with the
brakes applied.
o Always apply the footbrake when shift-
ing from "P" or "N", to "R" or "D"position.
o Do not use the "P" (Park) position in
place of the parking brake. Always set
the parking brake, shift the transaxle
into "P" (Park) position and turn off the
ignition when you leave the vehicle, even
momentarily. Never leave the vehicle
unattended while the engine is running.
o When accelerating from a stop on a
steep hill, the vehicle may have a ten-
dency to roll backwards. Shifting the
shift lever into 2nd gear while in Sport
mode will help prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards.
o Check the automatic transaxle fluid level
regularly, and add fluid as necessary.
o See the maintenance schedule for the
proper fluid recommendation.
!
o To maintain the required levels of ve-
hicle performance and safety, the sys-
tem may not execute certain gearshifts
when the selector lever is operated.
o Before driving away from a stop on a
slippery road, push the selector lever
forward into the +(UP) position. This
causes the transaxle to shift into 2nd
gear which is better for smooth driving
away on a slippery road. Push the selec-
tor lever to the -(DOWN) side to shift
back to 1st gear.
CAUTION:
o In sports mode, The driver must execute
shifts in accordance with prevailing road
conditions, taking care to keep the en-
gine speed below the red zone. For en-
gine protection, upward shifts are made
automatically when the engine rpm
reaches the red zone.
o By rapidly moving the selector lever back-
wards (-) twice, it is possible to skip one
gear, i.e., 3rd to 1st, 4th to 2nd. Since
sudden engine braking and/or rapid ac-
celeration can cause a loss of traction,
however, downshifts must be made care-
fully in accordance with the vehicle's
speed.NOTE:o In sports mode, only the four forward
gears can be selected. To select reverse
or park, move the selector lever to the "R"
or "P" position as required.
o In sports mode, downward shifts are
made automatically when the vehicle
slows down. When the vehicle stops, 1st
gear is automatically selected.
C090H01L-GATNOTE:o For smooth and safe operation, depress
the brake pedal when shifting from "Neu-
tral" position or "Park" position to a
forward or reverse gear.
o The ignition key must be in the "ON"
position and the brake pedal fully de-
pressed in order to move the shift lever
from the "P" (Park) position to any of the
other positions.
o It is always possible to shift from "R",
"N", "D" position to "P" position. The
vehicle must be fully stopped to avoid
transaxle damage.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
9
!
OPERATING THE AUTOMATIC
TRANSAXLE (5 SPEED A/T)C095A01O-AAT(If installed)
HSM3022
The highly efficient Hyundai automatic transaxle
has five forward speeds and one reverse speed.
The individual speeds are selected automati-
cally, depending on the position of the speed
selector lever. The selector lever has 2 gates;
the main gate and the manual gate.NOTE:For information on manual gate operation,
refer to "Sports Mode".
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4
positions, and is equipped with a button to avoid
inadvertent selection.The first few shifts on a new vehicle, or if the
battery has been disconnected may be some-
what abrupt. This is a normal condition, and the
shifting sequence will adjust after shifts are
cycled a few times by the T.C.M (Transaxle
Control Module).
HSM3022-1
CAUTION:
Never shift into "R" or "P" position while the
vehicle is moving.
C090B01A-AATThe function of each position is as fol-
lows:
o P (Park):Use to hold the vehicle in place when parked or
while starting the engine. Whenever parking the
car, apply the parking brake and shift the selec-
tor lever to the "P" (Park) position.
CAUTION:
Never place the selector lever in the "P"
(Park) position unless the vehicle is fully
stopped. Failure to observe this caution
will cause severe damage to the transaxle.
!
NOTE:
Depress the brake pedal and push the
button when shifting.
Push the button when shifting.
The selector lever can be shifted freely.
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
indicate the selector lever position when the
ignition is switched "ON". During sports mode
operation, green lights indicate the gear cur-
rently in use.