HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID 2021 Owners Manual

06
6-47
Various driving situations, which you may
encounter in SMART mode
• The driving mode automatically
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
changes from SMART ECO mode
to SMART COMFORT mode after a
certain period of time, when you
sharply or repetitively depress the
accelerator pedal.
• The driving mode automatically
changes to SMART COMFORT mode
with the same driving patterns, when
the vehicle starts to drive on an
upward slope of a certain angle. 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 or in SMART
COMFORT mode. Active Snow Mode (ASM)
When the vehicle recognizes frequent
wheel slips on low friction roads, Active
Snow Mode improves driving stability by
minimizing these wheel slips.
Operating conditions
ASM is activated when all of the
following conditions are met:
•
Low outside ambient temperature
• Frequent Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) activation due to wheel slip
When operating
The vehicle's acceleration response is
reduced, which is similar to depressing
the accelerator pedal slowly.
Non-operating conditions
ASM is deactivated when one of the
following conditions or more are met:
• Increase of outside ambient
temperature
• The accelerator pedal is hardly
depressed
• Driving in high speed (e.g. highway
driving)

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6-48
Limitation of SMART mode
The SMART mode may be limited in
following 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 is activated : Cruise
Control may deactivate SMART mode
when the vehicle is controlled by the
set speed of Cruise Control. (SMART
mode is not deactivated just by
turning on 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).
Information
The ESC system must be turned OFF
before rocking the vehicle.
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” section in chapter 8.
Smooth cornering
Avoid braking or gear changing in
corners, especially when roads are wet.
Ideally, corners should always be taken
under gentle acceleration.
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

Driving your vehicle
6-50
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 drivers’ headlamps.
• Keep your headlamps clean and
properly aimed. Dirty or improperly
aimed headlamps will make it much
more difficult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the
headlamps 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.
• Turn OFF your Cruise Control. (if
equipped)
• 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 Tread” section
in chapter 9.
• Turn on your headlamps 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 Tread” section in chapter 9.

06
6-51
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.
Highway driving
Tires
Adjust the tire inflation, as specified.
Under-inflation may overheat or damage
the tires.
Do not install worn-out or damaged tires,
which may reduce traction or fail the
braking operation.
Information
Never over-inflate your tires above the
maximum inflation pressure, as specified
on your tires.
Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil
Driving at higher speeds on the highway
consumes more fuel and is less efficient
than driving at a slower, more moderate
speed. Maintain a moderate speed in
order to conserve fuel when driving on
the highway.
Be sure to check both the engine coolant
level and the engine oil before driving.
Drive belt
A loose or damaged drive belt may
overheat the engine.
Reducing the risk of a rollover
Your multi-purpose passenger vehicle is
defined as a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
SUV’s have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track to make them
capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. The specific
design characteristics give them a higher
center of gravity than ordinary vehicles
making them more likely to roll over if
you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. Due to this
risk, driver and passengers are strongly
recommended to buckle their seat belts.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt.
There are steps that a driver can make
to reduce the risk of a rollover. If at all
possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers, do not load your vehicle
with heavy cargo on the roof, and never
modify your vehicle in any way.
WARNING
Utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles. To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than
you would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that you would raise the center
of gravity.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
WARNING
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. Make sure
all passengers are wearing their seat
belts.

Driving your vehicle6-52
WINTER DRIVING
The severe weather conditions of winter quickly wear out tires and cause other
problems. To minimize winter driving problems, you should take the following
suggestions:
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 the vehicle to skid.
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.
We recommend that you use snow tires when road temperature is below 45°F (7°C).
Refer to the below chart, and mount the recommended snow tire for your vehicle.
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, make sure to use the same Inflation pressure
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.

06
6-53
Tire chains
„„Type A
OTM080044L
„„Type B
OTM080043L
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. If tire chains must
be used, use genuine HYUNDAI parts if
available 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.
Fabric-type chains must be used on
vehicles equipped with 19”/20” tires.
When using tire chains, attach them to
the drive wheels as follows.
4WD : All four wheels
If a full set of chains is not available for
an 4WD vehicle, chains may be installed
on the front wheels only.
WARNING
The use of tire chains may adversely
affect vehicle handling:
• Drive less than 20 mph (30 km/h)
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.
Information
• Install tire chains only in pairs and 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 studded tires without
first checking local and municipal
regulations for possible restrictions
against their use.

Driving your vehicle
6-54
Chain Installation
When installing tire chains, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions and mount
them as tightly possible. Drive slowly
(less than 20 mph (30 km/h)) 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 P
(Park), 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 0.3~0.6 miles
(0.5~1.0 km).
• Do not use tire chains on vehicles
equipped with aluminum wheels. If
unavoidable, use a wire type chain.
• Use wire chains less than 0.47 in.
(12 mm) thick or fabric-type chain
to prevent damage to the chain’s
connection.
• Fabric-type chains must be used on
vehicles equipped with 19/20” tires.
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 9. 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 temperatures affect battery
performance. Inspect the battery and
cables, as specified in chapter 9. The
battery charging level can be checked
by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer or in a
service station.
Change to “winter weight” oil if
necessary
In some regions during winter, it is
recommended to use the “winter
weight” oil with lower viscosity In
addition, replace the engine oil and filter
if it is close to the next maintenance
interval. Fresh engine oil ensures
optimum engine operation during the
winter months. For further information,
refer to chapter 2. When you are not
sure about a type of winter weight oil,
we recommend that you consult an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

06
6-55
Check spark plugs and ignition system
Inspect the spark plugs, as specified in
chapter 8. If necessary, replace them.
Also check all ignition wirings and
components for any cracks, wear-out,
and damage.
To prevent locks from freezing
To prevent the locks from being frozen,
spray approved de-icing fluid or glycerin
into key holes. When a lock opening is
already covered with ice, spray approved
de-icing fluid over the ice to remove it.
When an internal part of a lock freezes,
try to thaw it with a heated key. Carefully
use the heated key to avoid an injury.
Use approved window washer anti-
freeze solution in system
To prevent the window washer from
being frozen, add authorized window
washer anti-freeze solution, as specified
on the window washer container.
Window washer anti-freeze solution is
available from an authorized HYUNDAI
dealer, and most vehicle accessory
outlets. Do not use engine coolant or
other types of anti-freeze solution, to
prevent any damage to the vehicle paint.Do not let your parking brake freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged position.
This is most likely to happen when there
is an accumulation of snow or ice around
or near the rear brakes or if the brakes
are wet. When there is the risk that your
parking brake may freeze, temporarily
apply it with the gear in P (Park). Also,
block the rear wheels in advance, so the
vehicle may not roll. Then, release the
parking brake.
Do not let ice and snow accumulate
underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice
can build up under the fenders and
interfere with the steering. When driving
in such conditions during the severe
winter, you should check underneath
the vehicle on a regular basis, to ensure
that the front wheels and the steering
components is unblocked.
Carry emergency equipment
In accordance with weather conditions,
you should carry appropriate emergency
equipment, while driving. Some of the
items you may want to carry include tire
chains, tow straps or chains, flashlight,
emergency flares, sand, shovel, jumper
cables, window scraper, gloves, ground
cloth, coveralls, blanket, etc.
Do not place objects or materials in the
engine compartment
Putting objects or materials in the engine
compartment may cause an engine
failure or combustion, because they may
block the engine cooling. Such damage
will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.

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If you are considering to tow with your
vehicle, you should first check with
your country’s legal requirements. As
laws vary the requirements for towing
trailers, cars, or other types of vehicles or
apparatus may differ. For more details,
we recommend that you contact an
authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Remember that trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering requires
correct equipment, and it has to be used
properly. Damage to your vehicle caused
by improper trailer towing is not covered
by your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
This section contains many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for
your safety and that of your passengers.
Please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer. WARNING
Take the following precautions:
• If you don’t use the correct
equipment and/or drive improperly,
you can lose control of the vehicle
when you are pulling a trailer. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the braking performance may be
reduced. You and your passengers
could be seriously or fatally injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section.
• Before towing, make sure the
total trailer weight, GCW (Gross
Combination Weight), GVW (Gross
Vehicle Weight), GAW (Gross Axle
Weight) and trailer tongue load are
all within the limits.
TRAILER TOWING