Hyundai Santa Fe Owners Manual
Warning lightsFeatures of your vehicle / Warning and indicator sights / Warning lights
✽ NOTICE - Warning lights
Make sure that all warning lights are OFF after starting the engine. If any light is still ON, this indicates a situation that needs attention.
Air bag Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 6 seconds and then goes off. - When there is a malfunction with the SRS.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Seat Belt Warning Light
This warning light informs the driver that the seat belt is not fastened.
For more details, refer to the “Seat Belts” in chapter 3.
Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds
- It remains on if the parking brake is applied. - When the parking brake is applied.
- When the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.
- If the warning light illuminates with the parking brake released, it indicates the brake fluid level in reservoir is low.
If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add fluid as required (For more details, refer to “Brake Fluid” in chapter 7).
Then check all brake components for fluid leaks. If any leak on the brake system is still found, the warning light remains on, or the brakes do not operate properly, do not drive the vehicle.
In this case, have your vehicle towed to an authorized HYUNDAI dealer and inspected.
Dual-diagonal braking system
Your vehicle is equipped with dualdiagonal 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 vehicle.
Also, the vehicle will not stop in as short a distance with only a portion 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 vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
WARNING - Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light
Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous. If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light illuminates with the parking brake released, it indicates that the brake fluid level is low.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off. - When there is a malfunction with the ABS (The normal braking system will
still be operational without the assistance of the anti-lock brake system).
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light
These two warning lights illuminate at the same time while driving:
• When the ABS and regular brake system may not work normally.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light
When both ABS and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on, the brake system will not work normally and you may experience an unexpected and dangerous situation during sudden braking.
In this case, avoid high speed driving and abrupt braking.
Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
✽ NOTICE - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light
When the ABS Warning Light is on or both ABS and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on, the speedometer, odometer, or tripmeter may not work. Also, the EPS Warning Light may illuminate and the steering effort may increase or decrease.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is started. - When there is a malfunction with the EPS.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is started. - When there is a malfunction with the emission control system.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
CAUTION - Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may cause damage to the emission control systems which could effect drivability and/or fuel economy.
CAUTION - Gasoline Engine
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminates, potential catalytic converter damage is possible which could result in loss of engine power. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is started. - When there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system.
If there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the alternator drive belt for looseness or breakage.
If the belt is adjusted properly, there may be a problem in the electrical charging system.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- When the engine coolant temperature is above 120°C (248°F). This means that the engine is overheated and may be damaged.
If your vehicle is overheated, refer to “Overheating” in chapter 6.
CAUTION - Engine Overheating
Do not continue driving with the engine overheated. Otherwise engine may be damaged.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is started. - When the engine oil pressure is low.
If the engine oil pressure is low:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to “Engine Oil” in section 7). If the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after adding oil or if oil is not available, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
- If the engine does not stop immediately after the Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light is illuminated, severe damage could result.
- If the warning light stays on while the engine is running, it indicates
that there may be serious engine damage or malfunction. In this case,
1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
2.Turn off the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the engine oil to the proper level.
3. Start the engine again. If the warning light stays on after the engine is started, turn the engine off immediately. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This warning light illuminates: When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
If the fuel tank is nearly empty: Add fuel as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Low Fuel Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Level warning light on or with the fuel level below “0 or E” can cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter (if equipped).
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off. - When one or more of your tires are significantly underinflated (The location of the underinflated tires are displayed on the LCD display). For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in chapter 6.
This warning light remains on after blinking for approximately 60 seconds or repeats blinking and off at the intervals of approximately 3 seconds:
• When there is a malfunction with the TPMS.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in chapter 6.
WARNING - Low tire pressure
- Significantly low tire pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances.
- Continued driving or low pressure tires will cause the tires to overheat and fail.
WARNING - Safe Stopping
- The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and sudden tire damage caused by external factors.
- If you notice any vehicle instability, immediately take your foot off the accelerator pedal, apply the brakes gradually with light force, and slowly move to a safe position off the road.
Door Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
When a door is not closed securely.
Tailgate Open Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the tailgate is not closed securely.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
- Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off. - When there is a malfunction with the AWD system.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
