Your Hyundai was designed with intelligent technology to help you during your drive. But which dashboard symbols mean something is working and which ones mean something is wrong with your car or SUV?
Winner Hyundai put together this 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport dashboard symbols guide to help drivers in Middletown, Odessa, and Dover know what your SUV is trying to tell you.
Warning Lights
- Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light: We'll begin with a rather routine warning. When you see a light that looks like a flat tea kettle, that's meant to be an old-fashioned oil can. This means that your engine oil pressure is low and usually signals that you need an oil change as soon as possible.
- Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light: The next warning light looks like a thermometer floating on some waves. It comes on whenever your coolant levels are off or the coolant temperature is either too high or too low. If you see this, stop the car and let the engine cool down, then slowly drive to a service center.
- Electronic Power Steering: Just as important as your engine fluid levels is your ability to steer. When your power steering system malfunctions, you'll see a light that looks like a two-pronged steering wheel with an exclamation mark next to it. When this comes on, stop the car safely and call for a tow truck. It is not safe to continue driving if you can't steer properly.
- Low Tire Pressure Warning Light/TPMS System Malfunction: Our next warning light watches out for your tires. If any of your tires have low pressure or the entire tire pressure management system (TPMS) is malfunctioning, you'll see a light that looks like an exclamation inside some parentheses and underlined (!). This is another one where you'll want to get your car towed since continuing to drive with a tire issue could put you at risk of a blowout.
- ABS Warning Light: Your Santa Fe Sport is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System. If there's ever a malfunction with it, you'll see a light that says the letters ABS inside a circle. You can still stop your SUV safely, but it won't have the security of the ABS system. It's recommended that you schedule service as soon as possible if you see this light.
- Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light: The final warning light we'll cover also has to do with your brakes but can be a little more serious. If you have the parking brake on, you'll see a light that has three symbols. The word BRAKE is on the bottom half. Above it, to the left is an exclamation inside a circle, and to the right is the letter P inside a circle. This light should turn off when you disengage the parking brake. If it stays on, it means that you are low on brake fluid. This can hurt your ability to stop effectively. You should get service immediately if you see this light.
Indicator Lights
- Cruise Control Indicator: When you turn on cruise control, you'll see a light that says CRUISE illuminate on your instrument cluster. This will remain on as long as you're using cruise control. The light will go out once you stop using cruise control.
- Downhill Brake Control: When you're heading down a steep slope and you need to maintain a constant slow speed to keep your Santa Fe Sport steady and safe, Downhill Brake Control kicks in. When this is working a light that looks like your SUV on an angle comes on. When you reach
level ground again this will disengage and turn itself off. - Electronic Stability Control: Another light that shows up when a system turns on to help with road conditions is your Electronic Stability Control. This light looks like a car driving on some squiggly lines and comes on when you're navigating uneven or slippery roads. It will turn off once you get back on level or stable road conditions.
- AWD LOCK Indicator: One of the ways your SUV stays efficient is by switching between Front Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive (AWD). When it detects that AWD is needed, you'll see a logo that looks like your suspension with the word LOCK underneath it. This just means that AWD has been engaged and is locked in to help you get through the current conditions.
Hyundai Service Center
If you have any questions about these or other 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport dashboard symbols, feel free to contact us at Winner Hyundai. We are proud to offer great service to drivers in Middletown, Odessa, and Dover.
Our team of technicians will be able to get you back on the road if your Santa Fe Sport ever gives off any of these warning lights. Schedule service online to get your appointment set up.
