HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID 2023 Owners Manual

Driving Your Vehicle6-32
Vehicle Stability Management
(VSM) (if equipped)
The Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
is a function of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system. It helps the vehicle
stay 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, on slippery and
uneven roads can result in severe
accidents.
VSM operation
When operating
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which ma

y 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.
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.

06
6-33
VSM OFF condition
To cancel VSM operation, press the ESC
OFF butt
on. ESC OFF indicator light ()
will illuminate.
To turn on VSM, press the ESC OFF
button again. The ESC OFF indicator light
will go out.
WARNING
If the ESC indicator light () or EPS
warning light () stays illuminated
or blinks, your vehicle may have a
malfunction with the VSM system.
When the warning light illuminates 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 VSM
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 when the
accelerator pedal is depressed.
WARNING
Always be ready to depress the
accelerator pedal when starting off
an incline. The HAC activates only for
approximately 2 seconds.
Information

[ HAC does not operate when the shift
button is in P (Park) or N (Neutral).

[ HAC activates even when the ESC
(Electronic Stability Control) is off.
However, it does not activate, when
ESC does not operate normally.

Driving Your Vehicle6-34
Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
(if equipped)
Trailer stability assist is operated a
vehicle stability control system. Trailer
stability assist system stabilizes the
vehicle and trailer when the trailer sways
or oscillates. There are various reasons
making vehicle sway and oscillate. In
most cases it happens at high speed
however, if the trailer is affected by
crosswinds, buffeting, and improper
overloading, it may also be at risk for
sway.
Factors of swaying such as: - High speed
- Strong crosswinds
- Improper overloading

- Sudden controlling of steering wheel
- Uneven road
Trailer stability assist system
continuously analyzes the vehicle
and trailer instability. When the
Trailer stability assist system detects
some sway, the brakes are applied
automatically to help stabilize the vehicle
on the front wheel. However, if it is
not enough to stabilize, the brakes are
applied on all wheels automatically and
engine power is properly reduced. When
the vehicle is stable from swaying, trailer
stability assist system does not operate.
Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
(if equipped)
OTM060014
Downhill Brake Control assists the driver
to descend down a steep hill without
having to depress the brake pedal.
The system automatically applies the
brakes to maintain vehicle speed below
a certain speed and allows the driver
to concentrate on steering the vehicle
down hill.
The system is turned off whenever the
engine is turned off.
Press the button to turn on the system
and press the button again to turn it off.

06
6-35
System operation
Mode IndicatorDescription
Standby
Green light on Press the Downhill Brake Control button when vehicle
speed is under 37 mph (60 km/h). Downhill Brake
Control will turn on and enter the standby mode. The
system does not turn on if vehicle speed is over 37 mph
(60 km/h).
Activated
Green light blink In the standby mode, Downhill Brake Control will
activate under the following conditions:

[
The hill is steep enough.

[ The brake pedal or accelerator pedal is not depressed.

[ Vehicle speed is within 0~25 mph (0~40 km/h) range.
Within the activation speed range 2~25 mph (4~40
km/h), the driver can control the vehicle speed by
depressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.
Deactivated
Green light off Downhill Brake Control will turn off under the following
conditions:

[
The Downhill Brake Control button is pressed again.

[ Vehicle speed is over 37 mph (60 km/h).
Green light on Downhill Brake Control will be deactivated but maintain
the standby mode under the following conditions:

[
The hill is not steep enough.

[ Vehicle speed is between 25~37 mph (40~60 km/h).
System
malfunction
Yellow light on The yellow warning light illuminates when the system
may have malfunctioned or may not work properly
during activation. If this occurs, Downhill Brake Control
is deactivated. The system is inspected by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Driving Your Vehicle6-36
OJX1069039L
Downhill Brake Control disabled. Control
vehicle speed (manually)
When Downhill Brake Control is not
w
orking properly this warning message
will appear on the cluster LCD display
and you will hear a warning sound. If
this occurs, control vehicle speed by
depressing the brake pedal.
WARNING
Always turn off Downhill Brake Control
on normal roads. The system might
activate inadvertently from the standby
mode when driving through speed
bumps or making sharp curves.
Information

[ Downhill Brake Control may not
deactivate on steep inclines even though
the brake pedal or accelerator pedal is
depressed.

[ Downhill Brake Control may not
always maintain vehicle speed at a
certain speed.

[ Downhill Brake Control does not
operate when:
- The gear is in P (Park).
- ESC is activated.

[ Noise or vibration may occur from the
brakes when Downhill Brake Control is
activated.
The rear stop light comes on when
Downhill Brake Control is activated.

06
6-37
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 button into the P
(Park) position, then apply the parking
brake, and set the ignition switch in the
LOCK/OFF position.
Vehicles parked with the parking brake
not applied or not fully engaged may
roll inadvertently and may cause injury
to the driver and others. ALWAYS apply
the parking brake before exiting the
vehicle.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. If the braking action does not
return to normal, stop as soon as it is
safe to do so and 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.
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.

Driving Your Vehicle6-38
All Wheel Drive (AWD) delivers engine
power to front and rear wheels for
maximum traction. AWD is useful when
extra traction is required, such as when
driving on, muddy, wet, or snow-covered
roads.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY
or DEATH:

[ Do not drive in conditions that
exceed the vehicles intended
design such as challenging off-road
conditions.

[ Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.

[ Do not make quick steering wheel
movements, such as sharp lane
changes or fast, sharp turns.

[ The risk of a rollover is greatly
increased if you lose control of your
vehicle at highway speeds.

[ Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway
and the driver over steers to reenter
the roadway.

[ In the event your vehicle leaves
the roadway, do not steer sharply.
Instead, slow down before pulling
back into the t ravel lanes.
NOTICE

[Do not drive in water if the level
is higher than the bottom of the
vehicle.

[ Check your brake condition once
you are out of mud or water. Depress
the brake pedal several times as you
move slowly until you feel normal
braking return.

[ Shorten your scheduled
maintenance interval if you drive in
off-road conditions such as sand,
mud or water (see "Maintenance
Under Severe Usage Conditions"
section in chapter 9).

[ Always wash your vehicle thoroughly
after off road use, especially the
bottom of the vehicle.

[ Be sure to equip the vehicle with four
tires of the same size and type.

[ Make sure that a full time AWD
vehicle is towed by a flat bed tow
truck.
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06
6-39
CAUTION
When driving on normal roads,
deactivate the AWD LOCK mode by
pushing the AWD LOCK button (AWD
LOCK indicator light goes off). Driving
on normal roads with the AWD LOCK
mode, especially, when cornering
may cause mechanical noise or
vibration. The noise and vibration will
disappear when the AWD LOCK mode is
deactivated. Prolonged driving with the
noise and vibration may damage some
parts of the power train.
NOTICE

[When the AWD LOCK mode is
deactivated, a sensation may be felt
as the driving power is delivered
entirely to the front wheels.
Auto All Wheel Drive mode
(normal driving)
If the AWD system determines there is a
need for four wheel drive, the engine's
driving power is distributed to all four
wheels automatically.
Multi AWD mode
In the multi AWD mode, all-wheel drive
(AWD), engine , transmission and TCS
(Tration control system) are controlled
to achieve optimal driving performance
depending on the mode selected (AUTO/
SNOW/LOCK).

Driving Your Vehicle6-40
All Wheel Drive (AWD) selection
OTMA060012
Press the DRIVE/TERRAIN button to
change from normal driving mode to
multi terrain mode. After the button
is pressed, rotate the knob within 3
seconds to select AUTO, SNOW or LOCK.
Selected mode Description
Auto AWD (N
ormal
driving) -
[
Use this mode when driving on normal roads.

[ Under normal operating conditions, the vehicle
operates similar to conventional 2WD vehicles. If the
system determines there is a need for four wheel drive,
the engine's driving power is distributed to all four
wheels automatically.
SNOW

[ Use this mode when driving on low traction roads.

[ The engine’s driving power is properly distributed
to the wheels, to help start the vehicle stably on low
traction roads or keep tires from slipping.
AWD LOCK
In the AWD LOCK mode, the system is deactivated when
vehicle speed is over 37 mph (60 km/h).
Use this mode when driving up or down steep inclines,
driving off-road, driving on sandy and muddy roads, etc.
to maximize traction
Be sure to maintain Auto AWD mode when driving on normal roads. If you drive with
the AWD Lock mode on normal roads or curved roads, it may damage AWD parts and
cause vibration and noise. However, vibration and noise are normal conditions that will
disappear when Auto AWD mode is selected. Also, when the vehicle is changed from
AWD Lock to Auto AWD, a sensation may be felt as driving power is delivered to the
rear wheels.

06
6-41
For safe AWD operation
Before driving

[Mak
e sure all passengers are wearing
seat belts.

[ Sit upright and closer to the steering
wheel than usual. Adjust the steering
wheel to a position comfortable for
you to drive.
Driving on snow-covered or icy roads

[ S
tart off slowly by applying the
accelerator pedal gently.

[ Use snow tires or tire chains.

[ Keep sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

[ Apply engine braking during
deceleration by using the paddle
shifter (manual shift mode) and
manually selecting a lower gear.

[ Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and sharp
turns to prevent skids.
Information
When using Snow Tires, mount them on
all four wheels.
If a full set of chains is not available for
an AWD vehicle when using tire chains,
chains may be installed on the front wheels
only.
For more details on Snow Tires and Tire
Chains, refer to "Winter Driving" section
later in this chapter.
Driving in sand or mud

[Maintain slo
w and constant speed.

[ Use tire chains driving in mud if
necessary.

[ Keep sufficient distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

[Reduce vehicle speed and always
check the road condition.

[ Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration,
sudden brake applications, and sharp
turns to prevent getting stuck.
NOTICE
When the vehicle is stuck in snow, sand
or mud, place a nonslip material under
the drive wheels to provide traction
OR slowly spin the wheels in forward
and reverse directions which causes
a rocking motion that may free the
vehicle.
However, avoid running the engine
continuously at high rpm, doing so may
damage the AWD system.