2020 Hyundai Sonata Indicator Lights | Cluster Guide

2020 Hyundai Sonata Indicator Lights | Cluster Guide

Start an interesting trip into the world of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata’s indicator lights and instrument cluster, where new technology and useful features come together to change the way you drive. The 2020 Sonata’s instrument panel, which is the center of attention inside the car, shows that Hyundai is dedicated to combining cutting-edge technology with beautiful design. This detailed guide aims to reveal the mysteries of the indicator lights so that drivers can fully comprehend the wide range of signs and alerts they send. The instrument cluster is like a digital command center for the driver. It keeps them aware and in charge with important engine alerts and advanced safety features. This article prepares you for an interesting experience with the 2020 Hyundai Sonata’s Indicator Lights and Instrument Cluster, whether you are a tech-savvy fan or a driver who wants to connect with their car more.

2023 Hyundai Sonata Specs, Price, Features, Milage (Brochure)

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

1. Tachometer
2. Speedometer
3. Engine coolant temperature gauge
4. Fuel gauge
5. Warning and indicator lights
6. LCD display (including trip computer)
   The actual cluster in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
   For more information, refer to the “Gauges and Meters” in this chapter.

Instrument Cluster Control

Adjusting instrument cluster illumination

When the vehicle’s parking lamps or headlamps are on, press the illumination control button to adjust the brightness of the instrument panel illumination.
When pressing the illumination control button, the interior switch illumination intensity is also adjustable.

• The brightness of the instrument panel illumination is displayed.
• If the brightness reaches the maximum or minimum level, a chime will sound.

WARNING
Never adjust the instrument cluster while driving. Doing so could lead to driver distraction which may cause an accident and lead to vehicle damage, serious injury, or death.

Gauges and Meters

Speedometer

The speedometer indicates the speed of the vehicle and is calibrated in miles per hour (MPH) and/or kilometers per hour (km/h).

Tachometer

The tachometer indicates the approximate number of engine revolutions per minute (RPM).
Use the tachometer to select the correct shift points and to prevent lugging and/or over-revving the engine.

NOTICE
Do not operate the engine within the tachometer’s RED ZONE. This may cause severe engine damage.

Engine coolant temperature gauge

This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

NOTICE
If the gauge pointer moves beyond the normal range area toward the “H” position, it indicates overheating that may damage the engine.
Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. If your engine overheats, refer to “If the Engine Overheats” in chapter 7.

WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap or reservoir cap when the engine is hot. The engine coolant is under pressure and could severely burn. Wait until the engine is cool before adding coolant to the reservoir.

Fuel gauge

This gauge indicates the approximate amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank.

Information

• The fuel tank capacity is given in chapter 2.
• The fuel gauge is supplemented by a low fuel warning light, which will illuminate when the fuel tank is nearly empty.
• On inclines or curves, the fuel gauge pointer may fluctuate or the low fuel warning light may come on earlier than usual due to the movement of fuel in the tank.

WARNING
Running out of fuel can expose vehicle occupants to danger.
You must stop and obtain additional fuel as soon as possible after the warning light comes on or when the gauge indicator comes close to the “E (Empty)” level.

NOTICE
Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel level. Running out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter.
Outside temperature gauge

This gauge indicates the current outside air temperature by 1°F (1°C).

• Temperature range: -40°F ~ 140°F (40°C ~ 60°C)
  Note that the temperature indicated on the LCD display may not change as quickly as the outside temperature (there may be a slight delay before the temperature changes.)

You can change the temperature unit from °F to °C or °C to °F in the User Settings mode in the cluster

• Go to User Settings Mode → Other →Temperature Unit.

For vehicles equipped with Automatic Climate Control, you can also

• Press and hold the AUTO and OFF buttons on the climate control unit for 3 seconds

Both the temperature unit on the cluster LCD display and climate control screen will change.

Odometer

The odometer indicates the total distance that the vehicle has been driven and should be used to determine when periodic maintenance should be performed.

Range

• The range is the estimated distance the vehicle can be driven with the remaining fuel.
• If the estimated distance is below 1 mi. (1 km), the trip computer will display “—-” as range.

Information

• If the vehicle is not on level ground or the battery power has been interrupted, the range function may not operate correctly.
• The range may differ from the actual driving distance as it is only an estimate of the available driving range for the vehicle and driving conditions.
• The trip computer may not register additional fuel if less than 1.6 gallon (6 liters) of fuel are added to the vehicle.
• The range may vary significantly based on driving conditions, driving habits, and condition of the vehicle.

Transmission Shift Indicator (if equipped)

Automatic transmission shift indicator

This indicator displays which shift button position is selected.

Shift Indicator Pop-up
The pop-up that indicates the current gear position is displayed in the cluster for about 2 seconds when shifting into other positions (P/R/N/D).
The shift indicator pop-up function can be activated or deactivated from the User Settings mode in the cluster LCD display.

Warning and Indicator Lights

Information
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

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The air bag warning light illuminates for about 6 seconds and then turns off when all checks have been performed
• The air bag warning light will remain illuminated if there is a malfunction with the Safety Restraint System (SRS) air bag operation.

Seat Belt Warning Light

This warning light informs the driver that the seat belt is not fastened.
For more information, refer to “Seat Belts” in chapter 3.

Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

This warning light illuminates

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The parking brake light illuminates for about 3 seconds and will then turn off once the parking brake is released.
•  Whenever the parking brake is applied.
• Whenever the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.
  • If the warning light illuminates with the parking brake released, it indicates that the brake fluid level in the 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 information, refer to “Brake Fluid” in chapter 8). After adding brake fluid, check all brake components for fluid leaks. If a brake fluid leak is found, or if the warning light remains on, or if the brakes do not operate properly, do not drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Dual-diagonal braking system
Your vehicle 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 is required to stop the vehicle.
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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light

This warning light illuminates

 

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The ABS warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then turns off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with the ABS.

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 the 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Information – 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light

This warning light illuminates

• When you place the Engine Start/Stop button to the ON position.
  • The EPB warning light illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then turns off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with the EPB.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Information
The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light may illuminate when  the Electronic Stability control (ESC) Indicator Light comes on to indicates that the ESC is not working properly (This does not indicate malfunction of the EPB).

AUTO HOLD Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates

• [White] When you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
• [Green] When you stop the vehicle completely by depressing the brake pedal with the auto hold system activated.
• [Yellow] When there is a malfunction with the auto hold system.

Electric Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light

This warning light illuminates

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The Electric Power Steering Warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with the EPS.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

This warning light illuminates

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The malfunction indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
•  Whenever there is a malfunction with either the emission control system or the engine or the vehicle powertrain. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

NOTICE
Driving with the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may cause damage to the emission control system which could affect drivability and/or fuel economy.

NOTICE
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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Charging System Warning Light

When this warning light illuminates while the engine is running, the battery is not being charged. Immediately turn OFF all electrical accessories. Try not to use electrically operated controls, such as the power windows. Keep the engine running.
Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

This warning light illuminates: 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 information, refer to “Engine Oil” in chapter 8). If the level is low, add oil as required.

NOTICE

• If the engine is not turned OFF immediately after the Engine  Oil Pressure Warning Light is illuminated, severe damage could occur.
• 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 has started, turn the engine off immediately. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Low Fuel Level Warning Light

This warning light illuminates
When the fuel tank is nearly empty. Add fuel as soon as possible.

NOTICE
Driving with the Low Fuel Level warning light on or with the fuel level below “E” can cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter.

Master Warning Light

This indicator light illuminates
When there is a malfunction in operation in any of the following systems

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system malfunction (if equipped)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist radar blocked (if equipped)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning system malfunction (if equipped)
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning radar blocked (if equipped)
• High Beam Assist malfunction (if equipped)
• Lamp malfunction (if equipped)
• Smart Cruise Control malfunction (if equipped)
•  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) malfunction (if equipped)

To identify the details of the warning, look at the LCD display.

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates

• When you place the ignition in 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 is displayed on the LCD display.)

This warning light remains ON after blinking for approximately 60 seconds, or repeatedly blinks ON and OFF in 3-second intervals:
When there is a malfunction with the TPMS.
In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.
For more information, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in chapter 7.

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.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates

•  When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • The Electronic Stability Control indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
•  Whenever there is a malfunction with the ESC system.

This indicator light blinks
While the ESC is operating.
For more information, refer to
“Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in chapter 6.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates

• When you place the ignition switch to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When you deactivate the ESC system by pressing the ESC OFF button.

For more information, refer to
“Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in chapter 6.

Immobilizer Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates

• When the vehicle detects the immobilizer in the key with the ignition switch in the ON position.
  •  At this time, you can start the engine.
  • The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

• When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.

Immobilizer Indicator Light (with smart key) (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates for up to 30 seconds
When the vehicle detects the smart key in the vehicle with the Engine Start/Stop button in the ACC or ON position.

• Once the smart key is detected, you can start the engine.
• The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks for a few seconds: When the smart key is not in the vehicle.

• If the smart key is not detected, you cannot start the engine.
  This indicator light illuminates for 2 seconds and goes off:
  If the smart key is in the vehicle and the Engine Start/Stop button is ON, but the vehicle cannot detect the smart key.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

This indicator light blinks
When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.
In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Turn Signal Indicator Light

This indicator light blinks
When you operate the turn signal indicator stalk.
If any of the following occur, there may be a malfunction with the turn signal system.

• The turn signal indicator light illuminates but does not blink
• The turn signal indicator light blinks rapidly
• The turn signal indicator light does not illuminate at all

If any of these conditions occur, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Headlamp Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates
If one of the exterior bulbs (headlamp, stop lamp, high-mounted stop lamp) is not operating properly. One of the bulbs may need to be replaced. If the vehicle is equipped with LED headlamps, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Information
When replacing the bulb, use the same wattage bulb.
For more information, refer to “Light bulbs” in chapter 8.

High Beam Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates

• When the headlights are on and in the high beam position.
• When the turn signal lever is pulled into the Flash-to-Pass position.

Light ON Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates
When the tail lights or headlamps are on.

High Beam Assist indicator light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates

• When the High Beam is on with the light switch in the AUTO light position.
• If your vehicle detects oncoming or preceding vehicles, High Beam Assist system will switch the high beam to low beam automatically.

For more information, refer to “High Beam Assist (HBA)” in chapter 5.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates

• When 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 FCA. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized dealer of HYUNDAI.

For more information, refer to “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)” in chapter 6.

Lane Keep Assist Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates

• [Green] When you activate the lane departure warning system by pressing the LKA button and all of the system operating conditions are satisfied.
• [White] When system operating conditions are not satisfied or when the sensor does not detect the lane line.
• [Yellow] When there is a malfunction with Lane Keeping Assist system.

In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
For more information, refer to “Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)” in chapter 6.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full PDF: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Owner’s Manual| Auto User Guide

2023 Hyundai Sonata Specs, Price, Features, Milage (Brochure)

Fixing a blown fuse: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Fuse Diagram Guide