Hyundai Santa Fe: Automatic transmission / Automatic transmission operation

The automatic transmission has eight forward speeds and one reverse speed.

The Individual forward speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.

The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift button position when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

• ALWAYS check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
• Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift button is in the P (Park) position, then set the parking brake, and place the ignition switch in the LOCK/OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.
• When using the paddle shifter (manual shift mode), do not use engine braking (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip causing an accident.

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).

To shift from P (Park), you must depress firmly on the brake pedal and make sure your foot is off the accelerator pedal.

The shift button must be in P (Park) before turning the engine off.

WARNING

• Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
• After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the shift button is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the engine off.
• When parking on an incline, shift the gear to P (Park) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill.
• Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.

NOTICE

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion.

When the vehicle is stopped in R (Reverse) or D (Drive) position, if you open the driver’s door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear is shifted to P (Park) position automatically.

However when the vehicle moves in R (Reverse) or D (Drive) position, if you open the driver’s door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear may be not shifted to P (Park) position automatically for protecting the automatic transmission.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are not engaged.

Use N (Neutral) if you need to restart a stalled engine, or if it is necessary to stop with the engine ON. Shift into P (Park) if you need to leave your vehicle for any reason.

Always depress the brake pedal when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.

WARNING

Do not shift into gear unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Shifting into gear when the engine is running at high speed can cause the vehicle to move very rapidly. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit people or objects.

To stay in N (Neutral) when vehicle is OFF (button type)

If you want to stay in N (Neutral) after the engine is OFF (in the ACC state), do the following.

1. Turn off Auto Hold and release Electronic Parking Brake when the engine is running.

2. Push the N (neutral) button while depressing the brake pedal.

3. When you take your foot off the brake pedal, the message ‘Press and hold OK button to stay in Neutral when vehicle is Off’ (or 'Hold OK button to stay in neutral gear position when vehicle is Off') will appear on the cluster LCD display.

4. Press and hold the OK button on the steering wheel for more than 1 second.

5. When the message ‘Vehicle will stay in (N). Change gear to cancel’ (or ‘N will stay engaged when the vehicle is Off’) will appear on the cluster LCD display, press the Engine Start/Stop button while depressing the brake pedal.

However, if you open the driver’s or front passenger’s door, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park) and the Engine Start/ Stop button will change to the OFF position.

NOTICE

With the gear in N (Neutral) the Engine Start/Stop button will be in the ACC position. In the ACC position, the doors cannot be locked. The battery may discharge if left in the ACC position for a long time.

D (Drive)

This is the normal driving position. The transmission will automatically shift through an 8-gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.

To start the vehicle forward, push the D (Drive) button by depressing the brake pedal with the engine ON. (button type)

Then depress the accelerator pedal smoothly.

For extra power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, depress the accelerator fully. The transmission will automatically down shift to the next lower gear (or gears, as appropriate).

When the vehicle is stopped in D (Drive) position, if you open the driver’s door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear is shifted to P (Park) position automatically. (button type)

However while the vehicle is moving in D (Drive) position, if you open the driver’s door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear may not shift to P (Park) position automatically to protect the automatic transmission.

The DRIVE MODE switch, located on the shift button console, allows the driver to switch from NORMAL/COMFORT mode to SPORT or ECO mode. (if equipped)

For more Details, refer to "Drive Mode Integrated Control System" later in this chapter.

Shift-lock system

For your safety, the automatic transmission has a shift-lock system which prevents shifting the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Start the engine or place the ignition switch in the ON position.

3. Depress the brake pedal and push the R (Reverse) button. (button type)

Ignition key interlock system (if equipped)

The ignition key cannot be removed unless the shift button is in the P (Park) position.

When the battery is discharged:

The shift buttons will not function when the battery is discharged.

In emergencies, do the following to move the shift button to N (Neutral) on a level ground.

1. Connect the battery cables from another vehicle or from a another battery to the jump-starting terminals inside the engine compartment. For more details, refer to “Jump Starting” in chapter 7.

2. Release the parking brake with the ignition switch in the ON position.

3. Shift the gear to the N(Neutral) position refer to the “Stay in Neutral when vehicle is Off” in this chapter.

Parking

Always come to a complete stop and continue to depress the brake pedal. Move the shift button into the P (Park) position, apply the parking brake, and place the ignition switch in the LOCK/ OFF position. Take the Key with you when exiting the vehicle.

WARNING

When you stay in the vehicle with the engine running, be careful not to depress the accelerator pedal for a long period of time. The engine or exhaust system may overheat and start a fire.

The exhaust gas and the exhaust system are very hot. Keep away from the exhaust system components.

Do not stop or park over flammable materials, such as dry grass, paper or leaves. They may ignite and cause a fire.