check engine light Hyundai Sonata 2004 Owner's Manual

FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI 1- 35
B260B01A-AATSRS (Airbag) Service
Reminder Indicator (SRI)
The SRS service reminder indicator (SRI) comes
on and flashes for about 6 seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the "ON" position or after
the engine is started, after which it will go out.
This light also comes on when the SRS is not
working properly. If the SRI does not come on,
or continuously remains on after flashing for
about 6 seconds when you turned the ignition
key to the "ON" position or started the engine,
or if it comes on while driving, have the SRS
inspected by an authorized Hyundai Dealer.
B260D01A-AATTurn signal Indicator Lights
The blinking green arrows on the instrument
panel show the direction indicated by the turn
signals. If the arrow comes on but does not blink,
blinks more rapidly than normal, or does not
illuminate at all, a malfunction in the turn signal
system is indicated. Your dealer should be
consulted for repairs.
B260E01L-AATSeat Belt Reminder Light
And Chime
Seat belt reminder light comes and stays on until
the seat belt is fastened when the ignition key is
turned "ON" or "START".
And, the warning chime will also sound for about
6 seconds.
B260F01A-AATHigh Beam Indicator Light
The high beam indicator light comes on when-
ever the headlights are switched to the high
beam or flash position.
B260G01A-AATOil Pressure Warning Light
CAUTION:
If the oil pressure warning light stays on
while the engine is running, serious engine
damage may result. The oil pressure warn-
ing light comes on whenever there is insuf-
ficient oil pressure. In normal operation, it
should come on when the ignition switch
is turned on, then go out when the engine
is started. If the oil pressure warning light
stays on while the engine is running, there
is a serious malfunction.
If this happens, stop the car as soon as it is
safe to do so, turn off the engine and check
the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the
engine oil to the proper level and start the
engine again. If the light stays on with the
engine running, turn the engine off imme-
diately. In any instance where the oil light
stays on when the engine is running, the
engine should be checked by a Hyundai
dealer before the car is driven again.
!

1- 36 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
!
B260H02A-AATParking Brake/Brake Fluid Level
Warning Lightadding 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 or some other safe method.
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.
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 sys-
tem or brake hydraulic system is danger-
ous, 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 re-
leased.
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.
The brake warning light indicates that the brake
fluid level in the brake master cylinder is low and
hydraulic brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or
DOT 4 specifications should be added. After
B260J01A-AATCharging 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 malfunc-
tion in the electrical charging system. If the light
comes on while you are driving, stop, turn off the
engine and check under the hood. First, make
certain the generator drive belt is in place. If it is,
check the tension of the belt. Do this as shown
on page 6-18 by pushing down on the center of
the belt. And then have the system checked by
your Hyundai dealer.
B260K01S-AATTrunk Lid Open Warning Light
This light remains on unless the trunk lid is
completely closed and latched.
B260L01Y-AAT
Door Ajar Warning Light
and Chime
The door ajar warning light warns you that a door
is not completely closed and the chime warns
you that driver's side front door is not completely
closed.
NOTE:To remind you not to lock the key inside the
car, the warning light comes on whenever
the key is in the "LOCK" position and a door
is open. The warning chime only sounds
whenever the key is in the "LOCK" position
and driver's side front door is open. The
chime sounds and the light remains on
until the key is removed from the ignition.

FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI 1- 37
B260M01A-AATLow Fuel Level Warning Light
The low fuel level warning light comes on when
the fuel tank is approaching empty. When it
comes on, you should add fuel as soon as
possible. Driving with the fuel level warning light
on or with the fuel level below "E" can cause the
engine to misfire and damage the catalytic
converter.
B260N01A-AAT
Malfunction Indicator Light
This light illuminates when there is a malfunction
of an exhaust gas related component, and the
system is not functioning properly so that the
exhaust gas regulation values are not satisfied.
This light will also illuminate when the ignition key
is turned to the "ON" position, and will go out in
a few seconds. If it illuminates while driving, or
does not illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to the "ON" position, take your car to your
nearest authorized Hyundai dealer and have
the system checked.
B260P02Y-GATABS Service Reminder
Indicator (If installed)
When the key is turned to the "ON" position, the
Anti-Lock Brake System will come on and then
go off in a few seconds. If the ABS SRI remains
on, comes on while driving, or does not come on
when the key is turned to the "ON" position, this
indicates that there may be a problem with the
ABS.
If this occurs, have your vehicle checked by
your Hyundai dealer as soon as possible. The
normal braking system will still be operational,
but without the assistance of the anti-lock brake
system.
CAUTION:If both ABS SRI and Parking Brake/Brake
fluid level warning lights remain "ON" or
come on while driving, there may be a
problem with E.B.D (Electronic brake force
distribution).
If this occurs, avoid sudden stops and have
your vehicle checked by your Hyundai dealer
as soon as possible.
!
B260C02E-GATTraction Control Indicator
Light (If Installed)
The traction control indicator changes opera-
tion according to the ignition switch position and
whether or not the system is in operation.
It will also illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to the "ON" position, and then go off in a
few seconds. If the TCS indicator stays on, take
your car to your authorized Hyundai dealer and
have the system checked. See section 2 for
more information about the TCS system.
B260Q01HP-DATCruise Indicator (If installed)
The cruise indicator light in the instrument clus-
ter is illuminated only when the vehicle cruising
speed has been set using the control switch on
the steering wheel.
The indicator light does not illuminate when the
main cruise control switch is activated.
Information on the use of cruise control may be
found begins on page 1-62.
B260A01Y-GATFront Fog Lamp Indicator Light
(If installed)
This fog lamp indicator light comes on whenever
the front fog lamp switch is on, when the ignition
key is turned to the "ON" position.

1- 58 FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
!
B560A02Y-AATREMOTE FUEL-FILLER LID RELEASE
The fuel-filler lid may be opened from inside the
vehicle by pushing up on the fuel-filler lid opener
located on the driver side 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.
B550A02Y-AATHIGH-MOUNTED REAR STOP LIGHT
In addition to the lower-mounted rear stoplights
on either side of the car, the high mounted rear
stoplight in the center of the rear window also
lights when the brakes are applied.WARNING:o Gasoline vapors are dangerous. Before
refueling, always stop the engine and
never allow sparks or open flames near
the filler area. If you need to replace the
filler cap, use a genuine Hyundai re-
placement part.
o If you open the fuel filler cap during high
ambient temperatures, a slight "pres-
sure sound" may be heard. This is nor-
mal and not a cause for concern.
Whenever you open the fuel filler cap,
turn it slowly.
o Make sure the fuel filler cap is replaced
and securely seated after fueling. Failure
to replace or fully seat the fuel filler cap
will result in fuel vapors escaping into
the atmosphere and the check engine
(MIL) indicator illuminating.
B550A03Y
HEF-132AB560A02Y
Fuel Cap Holder

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 3
C020A01A-AATBEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
Before 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.
C030A01A-AATCOMBINATION IGNITION SWITCH
To Start the Engine
Before starting the engine:
o If your Hyundai is equipped with a manual
transaxle, place the shift lever in neutral and
depress the clutch.
o If your Hyundai has an automatic transaxle,
place the shift lever in "P" (park).
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 2-3.
C040A01Y-AATKEY POSITIONS
CAUTION:
The engine should not be turned off or the
key removed from the ignition key cylinder
while the car is in motion.
!
o "START"
The engine is started in this position. It will crank
until you release the key.
NOTE:Do not hold the key in the "START" position
for more than 15 seconds.LOCKACC
ON
START

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 11
!
o Driving on rough, gravel or snow-cov-
ered roads.
o Driving with tire chains installed.
o Driving on roads where the road surface
is pitted or has different surface height.
During these conditions the vehicle should
be driven at reduced speeds. The safety
features of an ABS equipped vehicle should
not be tested by high speed driving or
cornering. This could endanger the safety
of yourself or others.
C300A03Y-GAT
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
(If installed)
!
C300B01E-GATTCS ON/OFF Mode
In the TCS ON mode, the indicator in the
instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
To switch the TCS OFF mode, press the TCS
switch . And the SLIP control will be deactivated
and the TCS indicator in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
NOTE:1) Turn off the engine. Then restart the
engine, and the TCS mode will automati-
cally turn "ON".
2) When the traction control is operating
properly, you can feel a slight pulsation
in the vehicle. This is only the effect of
brake control and indicates nothing
unusual.
3) When the engine starts, a click is heard
from the engine compartment; however,
this is only the sound of traction control
being checked.
4) When moving out of the mud or fresh
snow, pressing the accelerator pedal
may not cause the engine speed to in-
crease. On slippery road surfaces, the traction control
system (TCS) limits the drive wheels from
spinning excessively, thus helping the car to
accelerate. It also provides sufficient driving
force and steering performance as the car turns
at accelerated speeds. TCS has - SLIP control.
SLIP Control
Limits the drive wheels from spinning exces-
sively during starting or while making acceler-
ated turns on slippery roads to avoid losing the
driving force of the front wheels.
Driving hints
TCS does not actively apply brakes. Be sure to
decelerate the car sufficiently before entering
curves.
CAUTION:When the TCS indicator blinks, SLIP control
has been activated. It also means that the
road is slippery or your car is accelerating
excessively. In this situation, release foot
pressure from the accelerator pedal and
maintain moderate speed.
WARNING:Traction control is only a driving aid; all
normal precautions for driving in inclement
weather and on slippery road surfaces
should be observed.
HEF-051A

2- 12 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
!
C130A01A-AATGOOD BRAKING PRACTICES
WARNING:
Nothing should be carried on top of the
cargo area cover 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 occu-
pants.
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 com-
ponents.
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 on
the brake pedal when the car is stopped.
o Use caution when parking on a hill. Engage
the parking brake and place the gear selec-
tor 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 ac-
cumulation 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
C300D02L-GATIndicator and Warning
The indicator should illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to "ON" or "start", but should go
out after three seconds.
If the indicator does not illuminate, have it checked
by an authorized Hyundai dealer.
Should there be any unusual conditions in the
device, TCS illuminates as a warning.
If TCS illuminates, pull your car to a safe place
and stop the engine.
Then, start the engine again to check if the TCS
indicator goes out.
If the indicator remains lit even after the engine
has been started, have your car checked by an
authorized Hyundai dealer.
NOTE:1) When TCS illuminates, traction control
is automatically deactivated for safety.
2) This warning function is not provided
when the driver selects the TCS-OFF
mode.

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 13
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.
C140A01A-AATDRIVING FOR ECONOMY
You 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 unnec-
essarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
sible. Always maintain a safe distance from
other vehicles so you can avoid unneces-
sary 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 high-
way, 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 over-heat, which reduces their effectiveness and
may lead to more serious consequences.
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 cor-
rectly. 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 impor-
tant 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 corro-
sion.
o Travel lightly. Don't carry unnecessary
weight in your car. Weight reduces fuel
economy.
o Don't let the engine idle longer than neces-
sary. 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 require
extended warm-up. As soon as the engine
is running smoothly, you can drive away. In
very cold weather, however, give your en-
gine 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 result-
ing 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.
C160A01A-AATWINTER DRIVING
The more severe weather conditions of winter
result in greater wear and other problems. To
minimize the problems of winter driving, you
should follow these suggestions:
C150A01A-AAT
SMOOTH CORNERING
Avoid braking or gear changing in corners,
especially when roads are wet. Ideally, corners
should always be taken under gentle accelera-
tion. If you follow these suggestions, tire wear
will be held to a minimum.

DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI 2- 15
C160J01A-AATDon't 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 severe winter condi-
tions where this may happen, you should peri-
odically check underneath the car to be sure the
movement of the front wheels and the steering
components is not obstructed.
C160I01A-AAT
Don't 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. If there is a risk the
parking brake may freeze, apply it only tempo-
rarily 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.
C160H01A-AATUse Approved Anti-Freeze in Window
Washer System
To keep the water in the window washer system
from freezing, add an approved anti-freeze
solution in accordance with instructions on the
container. Window washer anti-freeze is avail-
able from Hyundai dealers and most auto parts
outlets. Do not use engine coolant or other types
of anti-freeze as these may damage the finish.
C160K01A-AAT
Carry Emergency Equipment
Depending on the severity of the weather where
you drive your car, you should carry appropri-
ate emergency equipment. Some of the items
you may want to carry include tire chains, tow
straps or chains, flashlight, emergency flares,
sand, a shovel, jumper cables, a window scraper,
gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.
C170A01A-AATHIGHER SPEED MOTORING
Pre-Trip Inspections
1. Tires:
Adjust the tire inflation pressures to specifica-
tion. Low tire inflation pressures will result in
overheating and possible failure of the tires.
Avoid using worn or damaged tires which may
result in reduced traction or tire failure.
NOTE:Never exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure shown on the tires.
2. Fuel, engine coolant and engine oil:
High speed travel consumes 1.5 times more
fuel than urban motoring. Do not forget to check
both engine coolant and engine oil.
3. Drive belt:
A loose or damaged drive belt may result in
overheating of the engine.

2- 16 DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
C190D01S-AAT
Safety Chains
Should the hitch connection between your car
and the trailer or vehicle you are towing fail, the
trailer or vehicle could wander dangerously
across other lanes of traffic and ultimately leave
the roadway. To eliminate this potentially dan-
gerous situation, safety chains, attached be-
tween your car and the trailer or towed vehicle,
are required in most states.
CAUTION:o Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
o When towing a trailer on steep grades (in
excess of 12%) pay close attention to the
engine coolant temperature gauge to
ensure the engine does not overheat. If
the needle of the coolant temperature
gauge moves across the dial towards
"H" (HOT), pull over and stop as soon as
it is safe to do so, and allow the engine
to idle until it cools down. You may
proceed once the engine has cooled
sufficiently.
!
C180A01A-AATUSE OF LIGHTS
Check your lights regularly for correct opera-
tion and always keep them clean. When driving
during the day in conditions of poor visibility, it
is helpful to drive with headlights on low beam.
This enables you to be seen as well as to see.
C190A01S-AAT
TRAILER OR VEHICLE TOWING
If you are considering towing with your car, you
should first check with your State's Department
of Motor Vehicles to determine their legal re-
quirements.
Since laws vary from State to State the require-
ments for towing trailers, cars, or other types of
vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask your
Hyundai dealer for further details before towing.
C190B01S-AATTrailer Hitches
Select the proper hitch and ball combination,
making sure that its location is compatible with
that of the trailer or vehicle being towed.
Use a quality non-equalizing hitch which distrib-
utes the tongue load uniformly throughout the
chassis.
The hitch should be bolted securely to the car
and installed by a qualified technician. DO NOT
USE A HITCH DESIGNED FOR TEMPORARY
INSTALLATION AND NEVER USE ONE THAT
ATTACHES ONLY TO THE BUMPER.
CAUTION:Do not do any towing with your car during
its first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) in order to
allow the engine to properly break in. Fail-
ure to heed this caution may result in seri-
ous engine or transaxle damage.
!
C190C01Y-AATTrailer Brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed and
operating correctly.
NOTE:If you tow a trailer or vehicle, your car will
require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. See Maintenance Under
Severe Usage Conditions" on page 5-6.