brake fluid Hyundai Sonata

YOUR VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
B255A01NF-AATINDICATOR SYMBOLS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
High Beam Indicator LightDoor Ajar Warning LightSeat Belt Reminder LightTurn Signal Indicator Lights
ABS Service Reminder Indicator (If Installed)
Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid Level
Warning Light
Charging System Warning Light
SRS (Airbag) Warning Light
Cruise Indicator Light Check Engine - Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator
Lights (If Installed)
Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning LightFront Fog Light Indicator Light
Cruise SET Indicator LightLow Fuel Level Warning Light
Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
* More detailed explanations of these items will be found beginning on page 1-52.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
51
1. Tachometer
2. Door Ajar Warning Light
3. Seat Belt Warning Light (Driver's side)
4. High Beam Indicator Light
5. Turn Signal Indicator Lights
6. Speedometer
7. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Lights
(If Installed)
8. Front Fog Light Indicator Light
9. ABS Service Reminder Indicator (SRI) (If Installed)
10. Coolant Temperature Gauge
11. Fuel Gauge12. Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid Level Warning Light
13. Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
14. Charging System Warning Light
15. Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level Warning Light
16. Check Engine - Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
17. SRS (Airbag) Warning Light
18. Automatic Transaxle Position Indicator Light (If Installed)
19. Odometer/ Trip Odometer/ Trip Computer (If Installed)
20. CRUISE Indicator Light
21. Cruise SET Indicator Light
22. Trunk Lid Open Warning Light
23. Low Fuel Warning Light

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
53
!
B260H02A-AAT
Parking Brake/Low Brake Fluid
Level Warning Light
The brake fluid level 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 adding fluid, if no other trouble is
found, the car should be immediately and care-
fully 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.
B260J02A-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 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 6-19 by pushing down on the center of
the belt. 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.

1FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI54
B260L02HP-GAT
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 the key is in the ignition switch.NOTE :The warning chime only sounds whenever
the key is in the ignition switch and the
driver's side front door is open simulta-
neously. The chime sounds until the key is
removed from the ignition switch or the
driver's side front door is closed.
!
B260M01A-AAT
Low 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.
B260P02Y-GAT
ABS Service Reminder
Indicator (SRI) (If Installed)
When the key is turned to the "ON" position, the
Anti-Lock Brake System indicator 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.
WARNING:
If both the 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.
B260N02A-AAT
Check Engine - Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)
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 after the engine is started. 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.
B265C01NF-AAT
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Indicator Lights
(If Installed)
The electronic stability control indicators change
operation according to the ignition switch posi-
tion and whether the system is in operation or
not.
They will illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to the "ON" position, but should go out
after three seconds. If the ESC or ESC-OFF
indicator stays on, take your car to your autho-
rized Hyundai dealer and have the system
checked. See section 2 for more information
about the ESC.

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
55
B270A01O-AATBRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING SOUNDThe front and rear disc brake pads have wear
indicators that should make a high-pitched
squealing or scraping noise when new pads are
needed. The sound may come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle is moving. It
may also be heard when the brake pedal is
pushed down firmly. Excessive rotor damage
will result if the worn pads are not replaced. See
your Hyundai dealer immediately.
B260Q01NF-GAT
CRUISE Indicator Light
The cruise indicator light in the instrument clus-
ter is illuminated when the cruise control ON/
OFF button on the steering wheel is pushed.
The indicator light turns off when the cruise
control ON/OFF button is pushed again. Infor-
mation about the use of cruise control begins on
page 1-93.B260R01NF-GAT
Cruise SET Indicator Light
The Cruise SET indicator light in the instrument
cluster is illuminated when the cruise control
"COAST/SET" or "RES/ACCEL" switch is
pushed. The Cruise SET indicator light does not
illuminate when the cruise control "CANCEL"
switch is pushed or the system is disengaged.
To disengage the cruise control system, refer
to "To cancel the cruise speed" on page 1-94.
B260S01NF-GAT
Low Windshield Washer Fluid
Level Warning Light
The low windshield washer fluid warning light
comes on when the washer fluid reservoir is
approaching empty. When it comes on, add
washer fluid at your earliest opportunity.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTERB280A01NF-AATFUEL GAUGEThe needle on the gauge indicates the approxi-
mate fuel level in the fuel tank. The fuel capacity
is given in section 9.NOTE:The " " symbol means, the fuel filler
lid is located on the left side of the vehicle.
B280A01NF

1
FEATURES OF YOUR HYUNDAI
87
REMOTE FUEL-FILLER LID RELEASEB560A03Y-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.
B560A02NF
HNF2012 B540C01Y-AAT
To unlock using the keyTo open the trunk lid, insert the key and turn it
clockwise to unlock. The trunk compartment
light illuminates when the trunk lid is opened.
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

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
10
!
C090I03L-GAT
CAUTION:
o Shift into "R" 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 ten-
dency 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 "Neu-
tral" 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 driving
away on a slippery road. Push the selec-
tor lever to the -(DOWN) side to shift
back to 1st gear.
C090J01NF-GATSHIFT LOCK RELEASE (If Installed)If you cannot move the shift lever from the "P"
(Park) position to any other position with the
brake pedal fully depressed and the ignition key
in the "ON" position, remove the cap on the
console and with a thin object such as a flat-
head screwdriver, push the shift lock release
button down. Then, with the brake pedal de-
pressed, move the shift lever to the desired
position, and then the shift lock release button
will automatically return to its original position
after shifting from the "P" (Park) position. Then,
reinstall the cap.
If you need to use the shift lock release, it could
mean your car is developing a problem. Have
the car checked by your Hyundai dealer.
C090J01NF

2
DRIVING YOUR HYUNDAI
22
8. When parking your car and trailer, especially
on a hill, be sure to follow all the normal
precautions. Turn your front wheel into the
curb, set the parking brake firmly, and put the
transaxle in 1st or Reverse (manual) or Park
(automatic). In addition, place wheel chocks
at each of the trailer's tires.
9. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your
vehicle and trailer moving, and then apply the
trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check
your electrical connection at the same time.
10.During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
11.Avoid jerky starts, sudden acceleration or
sudden stops.
12.Avoid sharp turns and rapid lane changes.
13.Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking
efficiency.
14.When going down a hill, shift into a lower gear
and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift the
transaxle to a lower gear and reduce speed
to reduce chances of engine overloading
and/or overheating.
CAUTION:
If overheating should occur when towing,
(the temperature gauge reads near red zone),
taking the following action may reduce or
eliminate the problem.
1. Turn off the air conditioner.
2. Reduce highway speed.
3. Select a lower gear when going uphill.
4. While in stop and go traffic, place the
gear selector in park or neutral and idle
the engine at a higher speed.
!
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITC190F01JM-AATTire and Loading Information Label
I030A03NF-A
The tire label located on the driver's
side of the center pillar outer panel
gives the original tire size, cold tire
pressures recommended for your ve-
15.If you have to stop while going uphill, do not
hold the vehicle in place by pressing on the
accelerator. This can cause the automatic
transaxle to overheat. Use the parking brake
or footbrake.NOTE:When towing check transaxle fluid more
frequently.
I030A04NF-A

34WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS
!!
!
WARNING:
While the engine is running, keep hair,
hands and clothing away from moving parts
such as the fan and drive belts to prevent
injury.
5. If the water pump drive belt is broken or
engine coolant is leaking out, stop the engine
immediately and call the nearest Hyundai
dealer for assistance.
WARNING:
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. This can allow coolant to be
blown out of the opening and cause seri-
ous burns.6. If you cannot find the cause of the overheat-
ing, wait until the engine temperature has
returned to normal. Then, if coolant has been
lost, carefully add coolant to the reservoir
(page 6-9) to bring the fluid level in the
reservoir up to the halfway mark.
7. Proceed with caution, keeping alert for fur-
ther signs of overheating. If overheating
happens again, call a Hyundai dealer for
assistance.
CAUTION:
Serious loss of coolant indicates there is a
leak in the cooling system and this should
be checked as soon as possible by a Hyundai
dealer.
D030A02A-AATIf your temperature gauge indicates overheat-
ing, you experience a loss of power, or hear loud
pinging or knocking, the engine is probably too
hot. If this happens, you should:
1. Pull off the road and stop as soon as it is safe
to do so.
2. Place the gear selector lever in "P" (auto-
matic) or neutral (manual transaxle) and set
the parking brake. If the air conditioning is on,
turn it off.
3. If engine coolant is running out under the car
or steam is coming out from the hood, stop
the engine. Do not open the hood until the
coolant has stopped running or the steaming
has stopped. If there is no visible loss of
engine coolant and no steam, leave the
engine running and check to be sure the
engine cooling fan is operating. If the fan is
not running, turn the engine off.
4. Check to see if the water pump drive belt is
missing. If it is not missing, check to see that
it is tight. If the drive belt seems to be
satisfactory, check for coolant leaking from
the radiator, hoses or under the car. (If the
air conditioning had been in use, it is normal
for cold water to be draining from it when you
stop).

312
WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY
CAUTION:
o When towing the vehicle, take care not to
cause damage to the bumper or under-
body of the vehicle.
!
!
NOTE:Before towing, check the level of the auto-
matic transaxle fluid. If it is below the "HOT"
range on the dipstick, add fluid. If you
cannot add fluid, a towing dolly must be
used.
2) If any of the loaded wheels or suspension
components are damaged or the vehicle is
being towed with the front wheels on the
ground, use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
o Manual Transaxle:
If you do not use a towing dolly, place the
ignition key in the "ACC" position and put the
transaxle in "N (Neutral)".
D080B02NF
CAUTION:
Do not tow with the key removed or in the
"LOCK" position when towing from the
rear without a towing dolly.
D080B01NF
!
o Do not tow with sling type truck as this
may cause damage to the bumper or
underbody of the vehicle.
1) If the vehicle is being towed with the rear
wheels on the ground, be sure the parking
brake is released.
CAUTION:
o Automatic Transaxle:
Be sure to use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
A vehicle with an automatic transaxle should
never be towed from the rear with the front
wheels on the ground. This can cause se-
rious damage to the transaxle.
3) It is recommended that your vehicle be
towed with all the wheels off the ground.