Hyundai Sonata 2012 Owner's Manual

All information in this Owner's Manual is current at the time of publication.
However, Hyundai reserves the right to make changes at any time so that
our policy of continual product improvement may be carried out.
This manual applies to all Hyundai models and includes descriptions and
explanations of optional as well as standard equipment. As a result, you may
find material in this manual that does not apply to your specific vehicle.O
OW
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LOperation
Maintenance
Specifications

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Your Hyundai should not be modified in any way. Such modifications may adversely affect the per-
formance, safety or durability of your Hyundai and may, in addition, violate conditions of the limited
warranties covering the vehicle. Certain modifications may also be in violation of regulations estab-
lished by the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal or state agencies.Your vehicle is equipped with electronic fuel injection and other electronic c\
omponents. It is possible
for an improperly installed/adjusted two-way radio or cellular telephone to adversely affect electronic
systems. For this reason, we recommend that you carefully follow the radio manufacturer's instruc-
tions or consult your Hyundai dealer for precautionary measures or special instructions if you choose
to install one of these devices.
CAUTION: MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR HYUNDAI
TWO-WAY RADIO OR CELLULAR TELEPHONE INSTALLATION

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This manual includes information titled as WARNING, CAUTION and NOTICE.
These titles indicate the following:✽ ✽

NOTICEThis indicates that interesting or helpful information is being provided.
SAFETY AND VEHICLE DAMAGE WARNING
WARNING
This indicates that a condition may result in harm, serious injury or death to you or other
persons if the warning is not heeded. Follow the advice provided with the warning.
CAUTION
This indicates that a condition may result in damage to your vehicle or its equipment if the
caution is not heeded. Follow the advice provided with the caution.

F4FOREWORD
Thank you for choosing Hyundai. We are pleased to welcome you to the growing number of discerning people who drive Hyundais.
The advanced engineering and high-quality construction of each Hyundai we build is something of which we're very proud.
Your Owner's Manual will introduce you to the features and operation of your new Hyundai. It is suggested that you read it care-
fully because the information it contains can contribute greatly to the satisfaction you receive from your new car.
The manufacturer also recommends that all service and maintenance on your car be performed by an authorized Hyundai deal-
er. Hyundai dealers are prepared to provide high-quality service, maintenance and any other assistance that may be required.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Note
: Because future owners will also need the information included in this manual, if you sell this Hyundai, please leave the man-
ual in the vehicle for their use. Thank you.
Copyright 2011 Hyundai Motor America. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieva l
system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Hyundai Motor America.
CAUTION
Severe engine and transaxle damage may result from the use of poor quality fuels and lubricants that do not meet Hyundai\
specifications. You must always use high quality fuels and lubricants that meet the specifications li\
sted on Page 8-4 in theVehicle Specifications and consumer information section of the Owner's Manual.

F5
Guide to Hyundai Genuine Parts
1. What are Hyundai Genuine Parts?
Hyundai Genuine Parts are the same
parts used by Hyundai Motor
Company to manufacture vehicles.
They are designed and tested for the
optimum safety, performance, and reli-
ability to our customers.
2. Why should you use genuine parts? Hyundai Genuine Parts are engi-
neered and built to meet rigid manu-
facturing requirements. Using imita-
tion, counterfeit or used salvage parts
is not covered under the Hyundai New
Vehicle Limited Warranty or any other
Hyundai warranty. In addition, any damage to or failure of
Hyundai Genuine Parts caused by the
installation or failure of an imitation,
counterfeit or used salvage part is not
covered by any Hyundai Warranty.
3. How can you tell if you are purchas- ing Hyundai Genuine Parts?
Look for the Hyundai Genuine Parts
Logo on the package (see below).
Hyundai Genuine Parts exported to
are packaged with labels written only
in English.
Hyundai Genuine Parts are only sold
through authorized Hyundai Dealerships.
A100A01L A100A02LA100A04L
A100A03L

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8I
Introduction
Your vehicle at a glanceSafety features of your vehicleFeatures of your vehicleDriving your vehicleWhat to do in an emergencyMaintenanceSpecifications, Consumer information,
Reporting safety defectsIndex
table of contents

1
How to use this manual / 1-2
Fuel requirements / 1-3
Vehicle break-in process / 1-5
Vehicle data collection and event data recorders / 1-6
Indicator symbols on the instrument cluster / 1-7
Introduction

Introduction21We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your vehi-
cle. Your Owner’s Manual can assist you
in many ways. We strongly recommend
that you read the entire manual. In order
to minimize the chance of death or injury,
you must read the WARNING and CAU-
TION sections in the manual.
Illustrations complement the words in this
manual to best explain how to enjoy your
vehicle. By reading your manual, you will
learn about features, important safety
information, and driving tips under vari-
ous road conditions.The general layout of the manual is pro-
vided in the Table of Contents. A good
place to start is the index; it has an alpha-
betical listing of all information in your
manual.
Sections: This manual has eight sections
plus an index. Each section begins with a
brief list of contents so you can tell at a
glance if that section has the information
you want.
You will find various WARNINGS, CAU-
TIONS, and NOTICES in this manual.
These WARNINGS were prepared to
enhance your personal safety. You should
carefully read and follow ALL procedures
and recommendations provided in these
WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTICES.
✽ ✽


NOTICEA NOTICE indicates interesting or help-
ful information is being provided.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which harm, serious bodily injury or
death could result if the warning is
ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which damage to your vehicle couldresult if the caution is ignored.

13
Introduction
Your new vehicle is designed to use only
unleaded fuel having a pump octane
number ((R+M)/2) of 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher.
Your new vehicle is designed to obtain
maximum performance with UNLEADED
FUEL, as well as minimize exhaust emis-
sions and spark plug fouling.
Gasoline containing alcohol andmethanolGasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alcohol),
and gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol (also known as wood alcohol)
are being marketed along with or instead
of leaded or unleaded gasoline.
Do not use gasohol containing more than
10% ethanol, and do not use gasoline or
gasohol containing any methanol. Either
of these fuels may cause drivability prob-
lems and damage to the fuel system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any kind if
drivability problems occur.
Vehicle damage or drivability problems
may not be covered by the manufactur-
er’s warranty if they result from the use
of:
1. Gasohol containing more than 10% ethanol.
2. Gasoline or gasohol containing methanol.
3. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
CAUTION
Never add any fuel system cleaning agents to the fuel tank other than what has been specified. (Consultan authorized HYUNDAI dealer fordetails.)
WARNING
• Do not "top off" after the nozzle automatically shuts off when
refueling.
 Tighten the cap until it clicks one time, otherwise the Malfunction
Indicator Light “ ” will illumi-
nate.
 Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to prevent fuel
spillage in the event of an acci-
dent.