Hyundai Kona 2023 Transmission Shift Indicator, Warning and Indicator Lights 

The Transmission Shift and Lights Indicator is a user-friendly feature that is intended to improve driving safety and enjoyment in the 2023 Hyundai Kona. This function notifies the driver of the current gear position—park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N), drive (D), or manual mode (M)—through concise and understandable visual signals on the instrument panel. It also provides important lighting status information, indicating whether the turn signals, high beams, headlights, and other external lights are on. This simple and educational approach helps drivers drive more smoothly and with greater awareness, enabling them to make educated decisions about their lighting and gearbox settings.

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

Transmission Shift Indicator

Intelligent variable transmission (if equipped)

This indicator displays which shift lever position is selected.

Dual clutch transmission shift indicator

This indicator displays which shift lever position is selected.

• Park : P
• Reverse: R
• Neutral: N
• Drive : D
• Manual shift mode : D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7

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.

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” section in Chapter 3.

Airbag warning light
This warning light illuminates:

• When you turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
• It illuminates for approximately 3~6 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the  SRS.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Parking brake and brake fluid warning light
This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The parking brake & brake fluid warning 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 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 details, refer to the “Brake Fluid” section in chapter 9). 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 system. 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 and 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. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) warning light

This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The ABS warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with the ABS. Note that the hydraulic braking system will still be operational even if there is a malfunction with the ABS. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning light
When the ABS warning and Parking Brake warning lights are on simultaneously, it may indicate a problem with the Electronic Brake Force Distribution system. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

WARNING
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning light When both ABS and Parking Brake and 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. If this occurs, avoid high-speed driving and abrupt braking.
Have the 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 and brake Fluid warning lights are on, the speedometer, odometer, or tripmeter may not work. Also, the MDPS warning light may illuminate and the steering effort may increase or decrease.If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS)
This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The motor-driven power steering (MDPS) warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with the motor-driven power steering (MDPS). If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Charging system warning light
This warning light illuminates:
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. If this occurs, 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 details, refer to the “Engine Oil” section in Chapter 9). If the level is low, add oil as required.
3. If the warning light remains on after adding oil or if oil is not available, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible. Continued driving with the warning light on may cause engine failure.

Information
When engine oil pressure decreases due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the Engine Oil Pressure warning light will illuminate. In addition, the enhanced engine protection system which restrains engine power will operate. If the engine oil pressure is restored, the Engine Oil Pressure warning light and the enhanced engine protection system will turn off.

NOTICE
If the engine does not stop immediately after the Engine Oil Pressure warning light is illuminated, severe damage could result.

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.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

This indicator light illuminates:

• When you set 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.
• If the enhanced engine protection system becomes activated due to a lack of engine oil, engine power will be limited. If such a condition continues repeatedly, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will illuminate.

CAUTION
Driving with the Malfunction  Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may cause damage to the emission control system which could affect drivability and/or fuel economy. If the enhanced engine protection system starts operation due to a lack of engine oil, engine power will be limited. If such a condition continues repeatedly, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will illuminate.

NOTICE
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminates, potential catalytic converter damage is possible which could result in loss of engine power. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light (if equipped)
This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The EPB warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with 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 indicate that ESC is not working properly. This does not indicate a malfunction of EPB.

AUTO HOLD indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:

• [White] When you activate Auto Hold by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch.
• [Green] When you stop the vehicle completely by depressing the brake pedal with Auto Hold activated.
• [Yellow] Whenever there is a malfunction with the Auto Hold function. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. For more details, refer to the “Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)” section in chapter 6.

Low tire pressure warning light

This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The low tire pressure warning light 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)” section in chapter 8.
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. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible. For more details, refer to the “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” section in chapter 8.

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.

Forward Safety warning light (if equipped)
This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The Forward Safety warning light illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with
  Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
  For more details, refer to the “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)” section in chapter 7.

Lane Safety (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates:

• [Green] When Lane Keeping Assist operating conditions are satisfied.
• [White] When Lane Keeping Assist operating conditions are not satisfied.
• [Yellow] Whenever there is a malfunction with Lane Keeping Assist.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

For more details, refer to the “Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)” section in chapter 7.

All Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light
This warning light illuminates:
Whenever there is a malfunction with the AWD system. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. For more details, refer to “All Wheel Drive (AWD)” section in chapter 6.

All Wheel Drive (AWD) LOCK Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When you select AWD Lock mode by pressing the AWD LOCK button.
• The AWD LOCK mode is to increase the drive power when driving on wet pavement, snow-covered roads and/or off-road.

NOTICE
Do not use AWD LOCK mode on dry paved roads or highways, it can cause noise, vibration or damage of AWD-related parts.

LED headlight warning light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The LED headlight warning light illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
•  Whenever there is a malfunction with the LED headlight.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

This warning light blinks:
Whenever there is a malfunction with a LED headlight-related part. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

NOTICE
Continuous driving with the LED Headlight warning light on or blinking can reduce LED headlight life.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:

• When you set 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 ESC system.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

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

Electronic Stability Control  (ESC) OFF indicator light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates:

• When you set the ignition switch to the ON position.
• The ESC OFF indicator light illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
•  When you deactivate the ESC system by pressing the ESC OFF button.
  For more details, refer to the “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” section in chapter 6.

Immobilizer Indicator Light (without smart key) (if equipped)

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.

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.

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. At this time, 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. At this time, 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.

Downhill Brake Control (DBC) indicator light

This indicator light illuminates:
When you set the ignition switch to the ON position. The downhill brake control indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.  When you activate the system by pressing the DBC button.

This indicator light blinks:
When the Downhill Brake Control system is operating.

This indicator light illuminates yellow:
Whenever there is a malfunction with the Downhill Brake Control system. If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. For more details, refer to the “Downhill Brake Control (DBC)“ section in the chapter

AUTO STOP indicator light

This indicator light illuminates:
When the engine enters the Idle Stop mode of the ISG (Idle Stop and Go) system. When the engine automatically starts, the AUTO STOP indicator on the cluster Illuminates to white. For more details, refer to the “ISG (Idle Stop and Go) system” section in chapter 6.

Information
When the engine automatically starts by the ISG system, some warning lights (ABS, ESC, ESC OFF, MDPS or Parking brake warning light) may turn on for a few seconds. This happens because of low battery voltage. It does not mean the system has malfunctioned.

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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

High beam indicator light

This indicator light illuminates:
When the headlights are on and in the high beam position the turn signal lever is pulled into the Flash-to-Pass position.

High Beam Assist indicator light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:
When the high beam is on with the light switch in the AUTO position.

• White: When High Beam Assist is ready to operate.
• Green: When High Beam Assist is operating.
  If your vehicle detects oncoming or preceding vehicles, High Beam Assist will switch the high beam to the low beam automatically.
  For more details, refer to the “High Beam Assist (HBA)” section in chapter 5.

Cruise Indicator Light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates:

When the cruise control system is enabled. For more details, refer to “Smart Cruise Control (SCC)” in chapter 7.

SPORT Mode Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates When you select “SPORT” mode as drive mode. For more details, refer to “Drive Mode Integrated Control System” in Chapter 6.

SMART Mode Indicator Light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates:

• When you select ”SMART” mode as drive mode.
• For more details, refer to “Drive Mode Integrated Control System” in chapter 6.

Master warning light
This warning light illuminates:

When there is a malfunction in operation in any of the following systems:

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

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

FAQ