Hyundai Palisade: Driving Your Vehicle / Drive Mode Integrated Control system (AWD)

The drive mode may be selected according to the driver's preference or road condition.

Drive Mode

The mode changes whenever the DRIVE MODE selection knob is rotated.

• SMART mode :

SMART mode automatically adjusts the driving mode (ECO ↔ COMFORT ↔ SPORT) in accordance with the driver's driving habits.

• SPORT mode :

SPORT mode provides sporty but firm riding.

• ECO mode :

ECO mode helps improve fuel efficiency for eco-friendly driving.

• COMFORT mode :

COMFORT mode provides smooth driving and comfortable riding.

SMART mode

SMART mode selects the proper driving mode among ECO, COMFORT, and SPORT by judging the driver's driving habits (i.e. Economical or Aggressive) from the brake pedal depression or the steering wheel operation.

• Rotate the DRIVE/TERRAIN mode selection knob to activate SMART mode. When SMART mode is activated, the indicator illuminates on the instrument cluster.
• The vehicle starts in SMART mode, when the engine was turned OFF in SMART mode.
• SMART mode automatically controls gear shifting patterns, engine torque, in accordance with the driver's driving habits.
• SMART mode automatically controls the vehicle driving, such as gear shifting patterns, engine torque, riding quality (if equipped with the electronic suspension system), and power distribution (if equipped with the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system), in accordance with the driver's driving habits.

Information

• When you mildly drive the vehicle in SMART mode, the driving mode changes to ECO mode to improve fuel efficiency. However, the actual fuel efficiency may differ in accordance with your driving situations (i.e. upward/downward slope, vehicle deceleration/acceleration).
• When you dynamically drive the vehicle in SMART mode by abruptly decelerating or sharply turning the driving mode changes to SPORT mode. However, it may adversely affect fuel economy.

Various driving situations, which you may encounter in SMART mode

• The driving mode automatically changes to ECO mode after a certain period of time, when you gently depress the accelerator pedal (Your driving is categorized to be economical.).
• The driving mode automatically changes from SMART ECO mode to SMART COMFORT mode after a certain period of time, when you sharply or repetitively depress the accelerator pedal.
• The driving mode automatically changes to SMART COMFORT mode with the same driving patterns, when the vehicle starts to drive on an upward slope of a certain angle. The driving mode automatically returns to SMART ECO mode, when the vehicle enters a leveled road.
• The driving mode automatically changes to SMART SPORT, when you abruptly accelerate the vehicle or repetitively operate the steering wheel (Your driving is categorized to be aggressive.). In this mode, your vehicle drives in a lower gear for abrupt accelerating/decelerating and increases the engine brake performance.
• You may still sense the engine braking performance, even when you release the accelerator pedal in SMART SPORT mode. It is because your vehicle remains in lower gear over a certain period of time for next acceleration. Thus, it is a normal driving situation, not indicating any malfunction.
• The driving mode automatically changes to SMART SPORT mode only in harsh driving situations. In most of the normal driving situations, the driving mode sets to be either in SMART ECO mode or in SMART COMFORT mode.

Limitation of SMART mode

The SMART mode may be limited in following situations. (The OFF indicator illuminates in those situations.)

• The driver uses the paddle shifter (manual shift mode) : It deactivates SMART mode. The vehicle drives, as the driver manually changes gear with the paddle shifter.
• The cruise control is activated : The cruise control system may deactivate the SMART mode when the vehicle is controlled by the set speed of the smart cruise control system. (SMART mode is not deactivated just by activating the cruise control system.)
• The transmission oil temperature is either extremely low or extremely high : The SMART mode can be active in most of the normal driving situations. However, an extremely high/ low transmission oil temperature may temporarily deactivate the SMART mode, because the transmission condition is out of normal operation condition.

SPORT

SPORT mode manages the driving dynamics by automatically adjusting the steering effort, and the engine and transmission control logic for enhanced driver performance.

• When SPORT mode is selected by rotating the DRIVE/TERRAIN mode selection knob, the SPORT indicator will illuminate.
• Whenever the engine is restarted, the drive mode will revert back to COMFORT mode. If SPORT mode is desired, re-select SPORT mode.
• When SPORT mode is activated:
  - The engine rpm will tend to remain a little higher for a brief time even after releasing the accelerator. This is typical when the SPORT mode is activated.
  - Upshifts are delayed when accelerating

Information

In SPORT mode, the fuel efficiency may decrease.

ECO mode

When the drive mode is set to ECO mode, the engine and transmission control logic are changed to maximize fuel efficiency.

• When ECO mode is selected by rotating the DRIVE mode selection knob, the ECO indicator will illuminate.
• The vehicle starts in ECO mode, when the engine was turned OFF in ECO mode.

Information

Fuel efficiency depends on the driver's driving habit and road condition.

When ECO mode is activated:

• The acceleration response may be slightly reduced if the accelerator pedal is depressed moderately.
• The air conditioner performance may be limited.
• The shift pattern of the automatic transmission may change.
• The engine noise may be louder at some automatic transmission shifts as down-shift requires pressing down more on the accelerator.

The above situations are normal conditions when ECO mode is activated to help improve fuel efficiency.

Limitation of ECO mode operation:

If the following conditions occur while ECO mode is operating, the system operation is limited even though there is no change in the ECO indicator.

• When the coolant temperature is low:
  The system will be limited until engine performance becomes normal.
• When driving up a hill:
  The system will be limited to gain power when driving uphill because engine torque is restricted.
• When driving the vehicle in manual shift mode using the paddle shifter. The system will be limited according to the shift location.