brakes Hyundai Sonata

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI54
The brake fluid level warning light indi-
cates that the brake fluid level in the brake
master cylinder is low and hydraulic brake
fluid conforming to DOT 3 or DOT 4 speci-
fications should be added. After adding
fluid, if no other trouble is found, the car
should be immediately and carefully driven
to a Hyundai dealer for inspection. If further
trouble is experienced, the vehicle should
not be driven at all but taken to a dealer by
a professional towing service.
Your Hyundai is equipped with dual-
diagonal braking systems. This means
you still have braking on two wheels even
if one of the dual systems should fail. With
only one of the dual systems working,
more than normal pedal travel and greater
pedal pressure are required to stop the
car. Also, the car will not stop in as short a
distance with only half of the brake system
working. If the brakes fail while you are
driving, shift to a lower gear for additional
engine braking and stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so.
B260J01NF-AAT
Charging System Warning
Light
The charging system warning light should
come on when the ignition is turned on,
then go out when the engine is running. If
the light stays on while the engine is
running, there is a malfunction in the
electrical charging system. If the light comes
on while you are driving, have the system
checked by your Hyundai dealer as soon
as possible.B260K01S-AAT
Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
This light remains on unless the trunk lid is
completely closed and latched.
!
B260H02A-AAT
Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid
Level Warning Light
WARNING:
If you suspect brake trouble, have your
brakes checked by a Hyundai dealer as
soon as possible. Driving your car with
a problem in either the brake electrical
system or brake hydraulic system is
dangerous, and could result in a serious
injury or death.Warning Light OperationThe parking brake/brake fluid level
warning light should come on when the
parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is turned to "ON" or "START". After
the engine is started, the light should go
out when the parking brake is released.
If the parking brake is not applied, the
warning light should come on when the
ignition switch is turned to "ON" or "START",
then go out when the engine starts. If the
light comes on at any other time, you should
slow the vehicle and bring it to a complete
stop in a safe location off the roadway.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
87
HIGH-MOUNTED REAR STOP
LIGHTB550A02Y-AATIn addition to the lower-mounted rear stop
lights on either side of the car, the high
mounted rear stop light in the center of the
rear window also lights when the brakes
are applied.
B550A01NF-A
REMOTE FUEL-FILLER LID RE-
LEASEB560A04Y-AATThe fuel-filler lid may be opened from
inside the vehicle by pushing the fuel-filler
lid opener switch located on the driver's
door.NOTE:If the fuel-filler lid will not open because
ice has formed around it, tap lightly or
push on the lid to break the ice and
release the lid. Do not pry on the lid. If
necessary, spray around the lid with an
approved de-icer fluid (do not use
radiator anti-freeze) or move the vehicle
to a warm place and allow the ice to melt.
ONF048018L
!
WARNING:
o Gasoline vapors are dangerous. Be-
fore refueling, always stop the engine
and never smoke or allow sparks and
open flames near the filler area.
o Never operate your vehicle without a
filler cap properly installed, flammable
vapors and gasoline could leak out in
dangerous situations such as a
collision or rollover. If the filler cap
must be replaced, only use genuine
Hyundai replacement parts.
HNF2021

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI94
B660F01NF-AATTo Reset at a Slower Speed1. Push the control switch "SET (−)" and
hold it. While the control switch is
pushed, the vehicle speed will gradually
decrease.
If the "SET(−)" switch is selected, the
cruise "SET" indicator light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
2. When the desired speed is obtained,
release the control switch.
ONF058019 B660E01NF-GAT
To Reset at a Faster Speed1. Push the control switch "RESUME (+)"
and hold it.
If the control switch "RESUME(+)" is
selected, the cruise "SET" indicator in
the instrument cluster will illuminate.
2. Accelerate to desired speed and release
the control switch. While the control
switch is held, the vehicle will gradually
gain speed.
!
WARNING:
o Keep the cruise control ON/OFF switch
off when not using the cruise control
to avoid inadvertently setting a speed.
o Use the cruise control system only
when traveling on open highways in
good weather.
o Do not use the cruise control when it
may not be safe to keep the car at a
constant speed, for instance, driving
in heavy or varying traffic, or on
slippery (rainy, icy or snow-covered)
or winding roads or over 6% up-hill or
down-hill roads.
o Pay particular attention to the driving
conditions whenever using the cruise
control system.
o During cruise-speed driving of a
manual transaxle vehicle, do not shift
into neutral without depressing the
clutch pedal, since the engine will be
overrevved. If this happens, depress
the clutch pedal or release the cruise
control ON/OFF switch.
o During normal cruise control
operation, when the "SET" switch is
activated or reactivated after apply-
ing the brakes, the cruise control will
energize after approximately 3
seconds. This delay is normal.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
7
!
C070B02A-AATUsing the ClutchThe clutch should be pressed all the way
to the floor before shifting, then released
slowly. The clutch pedal should always be
fully released while driving. Do not rest
your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
This can cause unnecessary wear. Do not
partially engage the clutch to hold the car
on an incline. This causes unnecessary
wear. Use the foot brake or parking brake
to hold the car on an incline. Do not operate
the clutch pedal rapidly and repeatedly.
WARNING:
o Always buckle-up! In a collision, an
unbelted occupant is significantly
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed than a properly belted occupant.
o Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.
o Do not make quick steering wheel
movements, such as sharp lane
changes or fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly
increased if you lose control of your
vehicle at highway speeds.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway
and the driver oversteers to reenter
the roadway.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the
roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead,
slow down before pulling back into the
travel lanes.
o Never exceed posted speed limits.
C070D03O-AATGood Driving Practiceso Never take the car out of gear and coast
down a hill. This is extremely hazardous.
Always leave the car in gear.
o Don't "ride" the brakes. This can cause
them to overheat and malfunction.
Instead, when you are driving down a
long hill, slow down and shift to a lower
gear. When you do this, engine braking
will help slow the car.
o Slow down before shifting to a lower
gear. This will help avoid over-revving
the engine, which can cause damage.
o Slow down when you encounter cross
winds. This gives you much better control
of your car.
o Be sure the car is completely stopped
before you attempt to shift into reverse.
The transaxle can be damaged if you do
not. To shift into reverse, depress the
clutch, move the shift lever to neutral,
wait three seconds, then shift to the
reverse position.
o Exercise extreme caution when driving
on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an
abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
C070E02O-AATRECOMMENDED SHIFT POINTSThe shift points as shown on the chart are
recommended for optimum fuel economy
and performance.
Shift from-to
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
Recommended
15 mph (20 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
35 mph (55 km/h)
45 mph (75 km/h)

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
10
!
C090I03L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into "R", "D" 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
tendency 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.
C090H01L-GATNOTE:o For smooth and safe operation,
depress the brake pedal when shifting
from "Neutral" 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", or "D" position to "P" position.
The vehicle must be fully stopped to
avoid transaxle damage. 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 driv-
ing away on a slippery road. Push the
selector lever to the -(DOWN) side to
shift back to 1st gear.
C090J02NF-GATSHIFT LOCK RELEASEIf the shift lever cannot be moved from the
P (Park) position with the brake pedal
depressed, continue depressing the brake,
then do the following:
1. Carefully remove the cap covering the
shift-lock override access hole.
2. Insert a screwdriver (or key) into the
access hole and press down on the
screwdriver (or key).
3. Move the shift lever.
4. Have your vehicle inspected by an au-
thorized Hyundai dealer immediately.
ONF059008L

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
11
!
!
C090N05O-AATGood Driving Practiceso Never move the gear selector lever
from "P" or "N" to any other position with
the accelerator pedal depressed.
o Never move the gear selector lever into
"P" when the vehicle is in motion.
o Be sure the vehicle is completely
stopped before you attempt to shift into
"R" or "D".
o Never take the vehicle out of gear and
coast down a hill. This may be extremely
hazardous. Always leave the vehicle in
gear when moving.
o Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause
them to overheat and malfunction.
Instead, when you are driving down a
long hill, slow down and shift to a lower
gear. When you do this, engine braking
will help slow the car.
o Slow down before shifting to a lower
gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may not
be engaged.
o Always use the parking brake. Do not
depend on placing the transaxle in "P"
to keep the car from moving.
o Exercise extreme caution when driving
on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an
abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
WARNING:
o Always buckle-up! In a collision, an
unbelted occupant is significantly
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed than a properly belted occupant.
o Avoid high speeds when cornering or
turning.
o Do not make quick steering wheel
movements, such as sharp lane
changes or fast, sharp turns.
o The risk of rollover is greatly
increased if you lose control of your
vehicle at highway speeds.
o Loss of control often occurs if two or
more wheels drop off the roadway
and the driver oversteers to reenter
the roadway.
o In the event your vehicle leaves the
roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead,
slow down before pulling back into the
travel lanes.
o Never exceed posted speed limits.
WARNING:
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow,
mud, sand, etc., then you may attempt to
rock the vehicle free by moving it for-
ward and backward. Do not attempt this
procedure if people or objects are any-
where near the vehicle. During the rock-
ing operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward as it be-
comes unstuck, causing injury or
damage to nearby people or objects. o Optimum vehicle performance and
economy is obtained by smoothly de-
pressing and releasing the accelerator
pedal.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
12
!
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS)C120A01FC-AATThe Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is
designed to prevent wheel lock-up during
sudden braking or on hazardous road
surfaces. The ABS control module monitors
the wheel speed and controls the pressure
applied to each brake. Thus, in emergency
situations or on slick roads, ABS will
increase vehicle control during braking.NOTE:o A click sound may be heard in the
engine compartment when the ve-
hicle begins to move after the engine
is started. These conditions are nor-
mal and indicate that the anti-lock
brake system or Electronic Stability
Control is functioning properly.
o During ABS or ESC operation, a pul-
sation may be felt in the brake pedal
when the brakes are applied. Also, a
noise may be heard in the engine
compartment while braking. These
conditions are normal and indicate
that the anti-lock brake system or
Electronic Stability Control System is
functioning properly.
Setting the driver's position1) Be sure the parking brake is engaged.
2) Move the accelerator and brake pedals
to the front most position by pushing the
" " portion of the switch.
3) Adjust the seat position and the steering
wheel angle properly.
4) Move the pedals toward you until you
can fully depress the brake pedal by
pushing the " " portion of the switch.
5) Depress the pedals a few times to get
used to the feel after adjusting.
WARNING:
o Adjust the pedals after parking the
vehicle on level ground. Never attempt
to adjust the pedals while the vehicle
is moving.
o Never adjust the pedals with your foot
on the accelerator pedal as this may
result in increasing the engine speed
and acceleration.
o Make sure that you can fully depress
the brake pedal before driving.
Otherwise, you may not be able to
hold down the brake pedal firmly in an
emergency stop.
POWER ADJUSTABLE PEDALSC100A01NF-AAT(With Automatic Transaxle) (If
Installed)To adjust the position of the accelerator
and brake pedals, turn the ignition key to
the "ON" position with the selector lever in
the "P" position and push the switch.
If you push the " " portion of the switch, the
pedals move rearward.
If you push the " " portion of the switch, the
pedals move forward.
ONF048030N

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
13
!
!
WARNING:
ABS or ESC will not prevent accidents
due to improper or dangerous driving
maneuvers. Even though vehicle control
is improved during emergency braking,
always maintain a safe distance between
you and objects ahead. Vehicle speeds
should always be reduced during
extreme road conditions.
The braking distance for cars equipped
with an anti-lock braking system (Elec-
tronic Stability Control System) may be
longer than for those without it in the
following road conditions.
During these conditions the vehicle
should be driven at reduced speeds:
o Rough, gravel or snow-covered
roads.
o With tire chains installed.
o On roads where the road surface is
pitted or has different surface height.
The safety features of an ABS or ESC
equipped vehicle should not be tested by
high speed driving or cornering. This
could endanger the safety of yourself or
others.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CON-
TROL (ESC) SYSTEMC310A02NF-AAT
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system is designed to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering manuevers. ESC checks
where you are steering and where the
vehicle is actually going. ESC applies the
brakes at individual wheels and intervenes
in the engine management system to sta-
bilize the vehicle.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system is an electronic system designed to
help the driver maintain vehicle control
under adverse conditions. It is not a
substitute for safe driving practices. Factors
including speed, road conditions and
driver steering input can all affect whether
ESC will be effective in preventing a loss
of control. It is still your responsibility to
drive and corner at reasonable speeds
and to leave a sufficient margin of safety.
ONF058011N
WARNING:
Never drive too fast for the road
conditions or too quickly when cornering.
Electronic stability control (ESC) will not
prevent accidents. Excessive speed in
turns, abrupt maneuvers and
hydroplaning on wet surfaces can still
result in serious accidents. Only a safe
and attentive driver can prevent
accidents by avoiding maneuvers that
cause the vehicle to lose traction. Even
with ESC installed, always follow all the
normal precautions for driving - including
driving at safe speeds for the conditions.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
15
!GOOD BRAKING PRACTICESC130A02A-AAT
WARNING:
o Whenever leaving vehicle or parking,
always set the parking brake as far as
possible and fully engage the
vehicle's transaxle into the park
position. Vehicles not fully engaged
in park with the parking brake set are
at risk for moving inadvertently and
injuring yourself or others.
o All vehicles should always have the
parking brake fully engaged when
parking to avoid inadvertent
movement of the car which can injure
occupants or pedestrians.
o Nothing should be carried on top of
the shelf panel behind the rear seat. If
there were an accident or a sudden
stop, such objects could move forward
and cause damage to the vehicle or
injure the occupants.o After being parked, check to be sure the
parking brake is not engaged and that the
parking brake indicator light is out before
driving away.
o Driving through water may get the brakes
wet. They can also get wet when the car is
washed. Wet brakes can be dangerous!
Your car will not stop as quickly if the brakes
are wet. Wet brakes may cause the car 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
car 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 call your
Hyundai dealer for assistance.
o Don't coast down hills with the car out of
gear. This is extremely hazardous. Keep
the car in gear at all times, use the brakes
to slow down, then shift to a lower gear so
that engine braking will help you maintain
a safe speed.
o Don't "ride" the brake pedal. Resting your
foot on the brake pedal while driving can
be dangerous because it can result in the
brakes overheating and losing their
effectiveness. It also increases the wear of
the brake components.
o If a tire goes flat while you are driving, apply
the brakes gently and keep the car 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 place.o If your car is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, don't let your car creep
forward. To avoid creeping forward,
keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal
when the car is stopped.
o Use caution when parking on a hill.
Firmly engage the parking brake and
place the gear selector lever in "P"
(automatic transaxle) or in first or reverse
gear (manual transaxle). If your car is
facing downhill, turn the front wheels
into the curb to help keep the car from
rolling. If your car is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the curb to
help keep the car from rolling. If there is
no curb or if it is required by other
conditions to keep the car from rolling,
block the wheels.
o 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. If there is a risk that
the parking brake may freeze, apply it
only temporarily while you put the gear
selector lever in "P" (automatic) or in first
or reverse gear (manual transaxle) and
block the rear wheels so the car cannot
roll. Then release the parking brake.
o Do not hold the vehicle on the upgrade
with the accelerator pedal. This can
cause the transaxle to overheat. Always
use the brake pedal or parking brake.

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
16
o Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary
weight in your car. Weight reduces fuel
economy.
o Don't let the engine idle longer than
necessary. If you are waiting (and not in
traffic), turn off your engine and restart
only when you're ready to go.
o Remember, your Hyundai does not re-
quire extended warm-up. After the en-
gine has started, allow the engine to run
for 10 to 20 seconds prior to placing the
vehicle in gear. In very cold weather,
however, give your engine a slightly
longer warm-up period.
o Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine.
Lugging is driving too slowly in too high
a gear resulting in the engine bucking.
If this happens, shift to a lower gear.
Over-revving is racing the engine
beyond its safe limit. This can be avoided
by shifting at the recommended speeds.
o Use your air conditioning sparingly. The
air conditioning system is operated by
engine power so your fuel economy is
reduced when you use it. o Take care of your tires. Keep them
inflated to the recommended pressure.
Incorrect inflation, either too much or
too little, results in unnecessary tire
wear. Check the tire pressures at least
once a month.
o Be sure that the wheels are aligned
correctly. Improper alignment can result
from hitting curbs or driving too fast over
irregular surfaces. Poor alignment
causes faster tire wear and may also
result in other problems as well as
greater fuel consumption.
o Keep your car in good condition. For
better fuel economy and reduced
maintenance costs, maintain your car
in accordance with the maintenance
schedule in Section 5. If you drive your
car in severe conditions, more frequent
maintenance is required (see Section 5
for details).
o Keep your car clean. For maximum
service, your Hyundai should be kept
clean and free of corrosive materials. It
is especially important that mud, dirt,
ice, etc. not be allowed to accumulate
on the underside of the car. This extra
weight can result in increased fuel
consumption and also contribute to cor-
rosion.
DRIVING FOR ECONOMYC140A02A-AATYou can save fuel and get more miles from
your car if you follow these suggestions:
o Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a
moderate rate. Don't make "jack-rabbit"
starts or full-throttle shifts and maintain
a steady cruising speed. Don't race
between stoplights. Try to adjust your
speed to that of the other traffic so you
don't have to change speeds unneces-
sarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
sible. Always maintain a safe distance
from other vehicles so you can avoid
unnecessary braking. This also reduces
brake wear.
o Drive at a moderate speed. The faster
you drive, the more fuel your car uses.
Driving at a moderate speed, especially
on the highway, is one of the most
effective ways to reduce fuel
consumption.
o Don't "ride" the brake or clutch pedal.
This can increase fuel consumption and
also increase wear on these
components. In addition, driving with
your foot resting on the brake pedal may
cause the brakes to overheat, which
reduces their effectiveness and may
lead to more serious consequences.