Hyundai Santa Fe (TM): Braking system

Hyundai Santa Fe TM 2019-2023 Owner's Manual / Driving your vehicle / Braking system

Power-assist brakes

Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage.

If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the brakes will not work. You can still stop your vehicle by applying greater force to the brake pedal than typical. The stopping distance, however, will be longer than with power brakes.

When the engine is not running, the reserve brake power is partially depleted each time the brake pedal is applied. Do not pump the brake pedal when the power assist has been interrupted.

Information

When the brake pedal is depressed under certain driving conditions or weather conditions, you may temporarily hear a noise. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your brakes.
While driving on a road with deicing chemicals, brake noise or abnormal tire wear may occur due to deicing chemicals. In a safe traffic condition, additionally apply the brakes to remove deicing chemicals on the brake discs and pads.

WARNING

Take the following precautions:

Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will create abnormal high brake temperatures, excessive brake lining and pad wear, and increased stopping distances.
When descending down a long or steep hill, use the paddle shifter and manually downshift to a lower gear in order to control your speed without using the brake pedal excessively. Applying the brakes continuously will cause the brakes to overheat and could result in a temporary loss of braking performance.
Wet brakes may impair the vehicle's ability to safely slow down; the vehicle may also pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Applying the brakes lightly will indicate whether they have been affected in this way. Always test your brakes in this fashion after driving through deep water. To dry the brakes, lightly tap the brake pedal to heat up the brakes while maintaining a safe forward speed until brake performance returns to normal. Avoid driving at high speeds until the brakes function correctly.

Disc brakes wear indicator

When your brake pads are worn and new pads are required, you will hear a high pitched warning sound from your front or rear brakes. You may hear this sound come and go or it may occur whenever you depress the brake pedal.

NOTICE

To avoid costly brake repairs, do not continue to drive with worn brake pads.

Information

Always replace brake pads as complete front or rear axle sets.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)

Applying the parking brake

To apply EPB (Electronic Parking Brake):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Pull up the EPB switch.

Make sure the Parking Brake warning light comes on.

EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) may be automatically applied when:

Requested by other systems
The driver turns the vehicle off while Auto Hold is operating.

Emergency braking

If there is a problem with the brake pedal while driving, emergency braking is possible by pulling up and holding the EPB switch. Braking is possible only while you are holding the EPB switch. However, braking distance will be longer than normal.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH, do not operate the EPB while the vehicle is moving except in an emergency situation. It could damage the brake system and lead to an accident.

Information

During emergency braking, the Parking Brake warning light will illuminate to indicate that the system is operating.

NOTICE

If you continuously notice a noise or burning smell when the EPB is used for emergency braking, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Releasing the parking brake

To release EPB (Electronic Parking Brake):

1. Press the Engine Start/Stop button to the ON or START position.

2. Press the EPB switch while depressing the brake pedal.

Make sure the Parking Brake warning light goes off.

Satisfy the following conditions

1. Ensure seat belts are fastened and the doors, hood and liftgate are closed.

2. With the engine running, depress the brake pedal and shift out of P (Park) to R (Reverse), D (Drive) or Manual shift mode.

3. Depress the accelerator pedal.

Make sure the Parking Brake warning light goes off.

Information

For your safety, you can engage EPB even though the Engine Stop/Start button is in the OFF position (only if battery power is available), but you cannot release it.
For your safety, depress the brake pedal and release the parking brake manually with the EPB switch when you drive downhill or when backing up the vehicle.

NOTICE

If the Parking Brake warning light is still on even though the EPB has been released, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
Do not drive your vehicle with EPB applied. It may cause excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear.

Warning messages

To release EPB, fasten seatbelt and close door, hood and liftgate

If you try to drive with EPB applied, a warning will sound and a message will appear.
If the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the engine hood or liftgate is opened, a warning will sound and a message will appear.
If there is a problem with the vehicle, a warning may sound and a message may appear.

If the situation occurs, depress the brake pedal and release EPB by pressing the EPB switch.

WARNING

Whenever leaving the vehicle or parking, always come to a complete stop and continue to depress the brake pedal.
Shift the gear into P (Park), pull up the EPB switch, and press the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position. Take the Key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Vehicles not fully engaged in P (Park) with the parking brake set are at risk for moving inadvertently and causing injury to yourself or others.
NEVER allow anyone who is unfamiliar with the vehicle to touch the EPB switch. If EPB is released unintentionally, serious injury may occur.
Only release EPB when you are seated inside the vehicle with your foot firmly on the brake pedal.

NOTICE

Do not apply the accelerator pedal while the parking brake is engaged. If you depress the accelerator pedal with EPB engaged, a warning will sound and a message will appear. Damage to the parking brake may occur.
Driving with the parking brake on can overheat the braking system and cause premature wear or damage to brake parts. Make sure EPB is released and the Parking Brake warning light is off before driving.

Information

A clicking sound may be heard while operating or releasing the EPB. These conditions are normal and indicate that EPB is functioning properly.
When leaving your keys with a parking attendant or assistant, make sure to inform him/her how to operate EPB.

AUTO HOLD turning Off! Press brake pedal

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly a warning will sound and a message will appear.

Parking brake automatically engaged

When EPB is applied while Auto Hold is activated, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

EPB malfunction

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light illuminates if the Engine Start/Stop button is pressed to the ON position and goes off in approximately 3 seconds if the system is operating normally.

If the EPB warning light remains on, comes on while driving, or does not come on when the Engine Start/Stop button is pressed to the ON position, this indicates that the EPB may have malfunctioned.

If this occurs, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

The EPB warning light may illuminate when the ESC indicator comes on to indicate that ESC is not working properly, but it does not indicate a malfunction of EPB.

NOTICE

If the EPB warning light is still on, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
If the Parking Brake warning light does not illuminate or blinks even though the EPB switch was pulled up, EPB may not be applied.
If the Parking Brake warning light blinks when the EPB warning light is on, press the switch, and then pull it up. Repeat this one more time. If the EPB warning does not go off, have the system checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Parking brake warning light

Check the Parking Brake warning light by pressing the Engine Stop/Start button to the ON position.

This light will be illuminated when the parking brake is applied with the Engine Stop/Start button in the START or ON position.

Before driving, be sure the parking brake is released and the Parking Brake warning light is OFF.

If the Parking Brake warning light remains on after the parking brake is released while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction in the brake system. Immediate attention is necessary.

If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle immediately. If that is not possible, use extreme caution while operating the vehicle and only continue to drive the vehicle until you can reach a safe location.

When the EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) does not release

If the EPB does not release normally, contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer by loading the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck and have the system checked.

Auto Hold

Auto Hold maintains the vehicle in a standstill even though the brake pedal is not depressed after the driver brings the vehicle to a complete stop by depressing the brake pedal.

To apply:

1. With the driver’s door, engine hood and liftgate (vehicle equipped with shift button) closed, then press the AUTO HOLD switch. The white AUTO HOLD indicator will come on and the system will be in the standby position.

2. When you stop the vehicle completely by depressing the brake pedal, Auto Hold maintains the brake pressure to hold the vehicle stationary. The indicator changes from white to green.

3. The vehicle will remain stationary even if you release the brake pedal.

4. If EPB is applied, Auto Hold will be released.

To release:

If you depress the accelerator pedal with the gear in D (Drive), R (Reverse, vehicle equipped with shift button) or Manual shift mode or R(vehicle equipped with shift button), the Auto Hold will be released automatically and the vehicle will start to move. The AUTO HOLD indicator changes from green to white.

WARNING

When Auto Hold is automatically released by depressing the accelerator pedal, always take a look around your vehicle.

Slowly depress the accelerator pedal for a smooth start.

To cancel:

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Press the AUTO HOLD switch.

The AUTO HOLD indicator will turn off.

WARNING

To prevent, unexpected and sudden vehicle movement, ALWAYS press your foot on the brake pedal to cancel the Auto Hold before you:

- Drive downhill.
- Drive the vehicle in R (Reverse, vehicle equipped with shift button).
- Park the vehicle.

Information

The Auto Hold does not operate when:
- The driver's door is opened
- The engine hood is opened
- The liftgate is opened (vehicle equipped with shift button)
- The gear is in P (Park)
- The gear is in R (Reverse, vehicle equipped with shift lever)
- EPB is applied
For your safety, the Auto Hold automatically switches to EPB when:
- The driver's door is opened
- The engine hood is opened
- The vehicle is in a standstill for more than 10 minutes
- The vehicle is standing on a steep slope
- The vehicle moved several times
- The liftgate is opened
In these cases, the Parking Brake warning light comes on, the AUTO HOLD indicator changes from green to white, and a warning sound and a message will appear to inform you that EPB has been automatically engaged. Before driving off again, depress the brake pedal, check the surrounding area near your vehicle and release the parking brake manually with the EPB switch.
While operating Auto Hold, you may hear mechanical noise. However, it is normal operating noise.

NOTICE

If the AUTO HOLD indicator changes to yellow, Auto Hold is not working properly. Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

WARNING

Depress the accelerator pedal slowly when you start the vehicle.
For your safety, cancel Auto Hold when you drive downhill, back up the vehicle or park the vehicle.

NOTICE

If there is a malfunction with the driver's door or engine hood open detection system, Auto Hold may not work properly. Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.

Warning messages

Parking brake automatically engaged / Parking brake automatically applied

When EPB is applied while Auto Hold is activated, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

Deactivating AUTO HOLD... Press brake pedal

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly a warning will sound and a message will appear.

When this message is displayed, Auto Hold and EPB may not operate. For your safety, depress the brake pedal.

Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD

If you did not apply the brake pedal when you release Auto Hold by pressing the AUTO HOLD switch, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

AUTO HOLD conditions not met. Close door, hood and liftgate.

When you press the AUTO HOLD switch, if the driver's door and engine hood are not closed, a warning will sound and a message will appear on the cluster LCD display.

Press the AUTO HOLD switch after closing the driver's door and hood.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

WARNING

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system will not prevent accidents due to improper or dangerous driving maneuvers. Even though vehicle control is improved during emergency braking, always maintain a safe distance between you and objects ahead of you. Vehicle speeds should always be reduced during extreme road conditions. The braking distance for vehicles equipped with ABS or ESC may be longer than for those without these systems in the following road conditions.

Drive your vehicle at reduced speeds during the following conditions:

Rough, gravel or snow-covered roads.
On roads where the road surface is pitted or has different surface height.
Tire chains are installed on your vehicle.

The safety features of ABS or ESC equipped vehicle should not be tested by high speed driving or cornering. This could endanger the safety of yourself or others.

ABS is an electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid. ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same time.

Using ABS

To obtain the maximum benefit from your ABS in an emergency situation, do not attempt to modulate your brake pressure and do not try to pump your brakes. Depress your brake pedal as hard as possible.

When you apply your brakes under conditions which may lock the wheels, you may hear sounds from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and it means your ABS is active.

ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes to stop the vehicle.

Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

ABS will not prevent a skid that results from sudden changes in direction, such as trying to take a corner too fast or making a sudden lane change. Always drive at a safe speed for the road and weather conditions.

ABS cannot prevent a loss of stability. Always steer moderately when braking hard. Severe or sharp steering wheel movement can still cause your vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic or off the road.

On loose or uneven road surfaces, operation of the anti-lock brake system may result in a longer stopping distance than for vehicles equipped with a conventional brake system.

The ABS () warning light will stay on for several seconds after the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position.

During that time, ABS will go through self-diagnosis and the light will go off if everything is normal. If the light stays on, you may have a problem with your ABS. Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING

If the ABS () warning light is on and stays on, you may have a problem with the ABS. Your power brakes will work normally. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, contact your authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE

When you drive on a road having poor traction, such as an icy road, and apply your brakes continuously, ABS will be active continuously and the ABS () warning light may illuminate. Pull your vehicle over to a safe place and turn the vehicle off.

Restart the vehicle. If the ABS warning light is off, then your ABS system is normal.

Otherwise, you may have a problem with your ABS system. Contact an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

Information

When you jump start your vehicle because of a drained battery, the ABS () warning light may turn on at the same time. This happens because of the low battery voltage. It does not mean your ABS is malfunctioning. Have the battery recharged before driving the vehicle.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Electronic Stability Control helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering maneuvers.

ESC checks where you are steering and where the vehicle is actually going. ESC applies braking pressure to any one of the vehicle's brakes and intervenes in the engine management system to assist the driver with keeping the vehicle on the intended path. It is not a substitute for safe driving practices. Always adjust your speed and driving to the road conditions.

WARNING

Never drive too fast for the road conditions when cornering. ESC will not prevent accidents.

Excessive speed in turns, abrupt maneuvers, and hydroplaning on wet surfaces can result in severe accidents.

ESC operation

ESC ON condition

When the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position, ESC and the ESC OFF indicator lights illuminate for approximately three seconds. After both lights go off, ESC is enabled.

When operating

When ESC is in operation, the ESC indicator light blinks:

When you apply your brakes under conditions which may lock the wheels, you may hear sounds from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and it means your ESC is active.
When ESC activates, the engine may not respond to the accelerator as it does under routine conditions.
If Cruise Control was in use when ESC activates, Cruise Control automatically disengages. Cruise Control can be reengaged when the road conditions allow. See “Cruise Control System” later in this chapter (if equipped).
When moving out of the mud or driving on a slippery road, the engine rpm (revolutions per minute) may not increase even if you press the accelerator pedal deeply. This is to maintain the stability and traction of the vehicle and does not indicate a problem.

ESC OFF condition

To cancel ESC operation:

State 1

Press the ESC OFF button briefly. The ESC OFF indicator light and/or message 'Traction Control disabled' will illuminate. In this state, the traction control function of ESC (engine management) is disabled, but the brake control function of ESC (braking management) still operates.

State 2

Press and hold the ESC OFF button continuously for more than 3 seconds. The ESC OFF indicator light and/or message 'Traction & Stability Control disabled' illuminates and a warning chime sounds. In this state, both the traction control function of ESC (engine management) and the brake control function of ESC (braking management) are disabled.

If the Engine Start/Stop button is pressed to the OFF position when ESC is off, ESC remains off. Upon restarting the vehicle, ESC will automatically turn on again.

Indicator lights

When the Engine Start/Stop button is pressed to the ON position, the ESC indicator light illuminates, then goes off if the ESC system is operating normally.

The ESC indicator light blinks whenever ESC is operating.

If the ESC indicator light stays on, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the ESC system. When this warning light illuminates have the vehicle be checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

The ESC OFF indicator light comes on when ESC is turned off.

WARNING

When ESC is blinking, this indicates ESC is active:

Drive slowly and NEVER attempt to accelerate. NEVER turn ESC off while the ESC indicator light is blinking or you may lose control of the vehicle resulting in an accident.

NOTICE

Driving with wheels and tires with different sizes may cause the ESC system to malfunction. Before replacing tires, make sure all four tires and wheels are the same size. Never drive the vehicle with different sized wheels and tires installed.

ESC OFF usage

When Driving

The ESC OFF mode should only be used briefly to help free the vehicle if stuck in snow or mud, by temporarily stopping operation of ESC, to maintain wheel torque.

To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a flat road surface.

NOTICE

To prevent damage to the transmission:

Do not allow wheel(s) of one axle to spin excessively while the ESC, ABS, and Parking Brake warning lights are displayed. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Reduce engine power and do not spin the wheel(s) excessively while these lights are displayed.
When operating the vehicle on a dynamometer, make sure ESC is turned off (ESC OFF light illuminated).

Information

Turning ESC off does not affect ABS or standard brake system operation.

Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)

Vehicle Stability Management is a function of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. It helps the vehicle stay stable when accelerating or braking suddenly on wet, slippery and rough roads where traction over the four tires can suddenly become uneven.

WARNING

Take the following precautions when using Vehicle Stability Management:

ALWAYS check the speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead. VSM is not a substitute for safe driving practices.
Never drive too fast for the road conditions. VSM will not prevent accidents. Excessive speed in bad weather, on slippery and uneven roads can result in severe accidents.

VSM operation

When operating

When you apply your brakes under conditions which may activate ESC, you may hear sounds from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and it means your VSM is active.

Information

VSM does not operate when:

Driving on a banked road such as gradient or incline.
Driving in reverse.
The ESC OFF indicator light is on.
The EPS (Electric power steering) warning light () is on or blinks.

VSM OFF condition

To cancel VSM operation, press the ESC OFF button. ESC OFF () indicator light will illuminate.

To turn on VSM, press the ESC OFF button again. The ESC OFF indicator light will go out.

WARNING

If the ESC () indicator light or EPS () warning light stays illuminated or blinks, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the VSM system. When the warning light illuminates have the vehicle be checked by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE

Driving with wheels and tires with different sizes may cause the VSM system to malfunction. Before replacing tires, make sure all four tires and wheels are the same size. Never drive the vehicle with different sized tires and wheels installed.

Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)

Hill-Start Assist Control helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. The system operates the brakes automatically for approximately 2 seconds and releases the brake after 5 seconds or when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

WARNING

Always be ready to depress the accelerator pedal when starting off an incline. Hill-Start Assist Control activates only for approximately 2 seconds.

Information

Hill-Start Assist Control does not operate when the gear is shifted to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
Hill-Start Assist Control activates even when the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is off. However, it does not activate, when ESC does not operate normally.

Downhill Brake Control (DBC)

Downhill Brake Control assists the driver to descend down a steep hill without having to depress the brake pedal.

The system automatically applies the brakes to maintain vehicle speed below a certain speed and allows the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle down hill.

The system is turned off whenever the engine is turned off.

Press the button to turn on the system and press the button again to turn it off.

System operation

Downhill Brake Control disabled. Control vehicle speed (manually)

When Downhill Brake Control is not working properly this warning message will appear on the cluster LCD display and you will hear a warning sound. If this occurs, control vehicle speed by depressing the brake pedal.

WARNING

Always turn off Downhill Brake Control on normal roads. The system might activate inadvertently from the standby mode when driving through speed bumps or making sharp curves.

Information

Downhill Brake Control may not deactivate on steep inclines even though the brake pedal or accelerator pedal is depressed.
Downhill Brake Control may not always maintain vehicle speed at a certain speed.
Downhill Brake Control does not operate when:
- The gear is in P (Park).
- ESC is activated.
Noise or vibration may occur from the brakes when Downhill Brake Control is activated.
The rear stop light comes on when Downhill Brake Control is activated.

Good braking practices

WARNING

Whenever leaving the vehicle or parking, always come to a complete stop and continue to depress the brake pedal. Shift the gear to the P (Park) position, then apply the parking brake, and press the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position.

Vehicles parked with the parking brake not applied or not fully engaged may roll inadvertently and may cause injury to the driver and others. ALWAYS apply the parking brake before exiting the vehicle.

Wet brakes can be dangerous! The brakes may get wet if the vehicle is driven through standing water or if it is washed. Your vehicle will not stop as quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet brakes may cause the vehicle to pull to one side.

To dry the brakes, apply the brakes lightly until the braking action returns to normal. If the braking action does not return to normal, stop as soon as it is safe to do so and call an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for assistance.

DO NOT drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. Even light, but constant pedal pressure can result in the brakes overheating, brake wear, and possibly even brake failure.

If a tire goes flat while you are driving, apply the brakes gently and keep the vehicle pointed straight ahead while you slow down. When you are moving slowly enough for it to be safe to do so, pull off the road and stop in a safe location.

Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped to prevent the vehicle from rolling forward.

Dual clutch transmission

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Four wheel drive (4WD)

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