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Automatic transmission operation (Rotary gear shift dial type)

The automatic transmission has six (or eight) forward speeds and one reverse speed.

The individual speeds are selected automatically in the D (Drive) position.

The automatic transmission shift dial or interior parts might get hot when a vehicle is parked outside during hot weather. Always be careful when the vehicle is hot.

2025 Hyundai Tucson rotary gear shift dial image. Callout (A) indicates the rotary gear shift dial with D, N, R markings and arrows showing rotation direction. Callout (B) points to the P button on the end of the lever. Explains the layout for shifting gears and engaging Park.

2C_ShiftButtonOverview

  1. Rotary gear shift dial
  2. P button

Depress the brake pedal whenever rotating the gear shift dial or shifting to P.

The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the shift position when the Engine Start/Stop button is in the ON position.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

  • ALWAYS check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

  • Before leaving the driver's seat, always make sure the vehicle is shifted to the P (Park) position, then apply the parking brake, then place the Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these precautions are not followed.

  • When using the paddle shifter (manual shift mode), do not use engine braking (shifting from a high gear to lower gear) rapidly on slippery roads. The vehicle may slip causing an accident.

Transmission ranges

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).

2025 Hyundai Tucson instrument cluster gear position display image. A white letter 'P' is shown inside a black rectangular box at the bottom, with parts of the tachometer and temperature gauge visible on the right. This explains the function of displaying the current shift position as Park (P) on the cluster.

2C_ClusterShiftPositionLamp

2025 Hyundai Tucson gear shift lever P button image. A black arrow indicates the P button on the end of the column-mounted rotary shift lever. The lever displays D, N, and R positions. Explains the function of pressing the button to shift into the P (Park) position.

2C_PressPButton

To shift the gear to P (Park), press the P button while depressing the brake pedal.

If you turn the engine off in R (Reverse), N (Neutral) or D (Drive), the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

  • Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

  • After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the vehicle is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the engine off.

  • When parking on an incline, shift the gear to P (Park) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling downhill.

Automatic gear shift to P (Park)

The gear is shifted to P (Park) automatically for safety reasons under the following conditions:

  • When the engine is turned off with the gear in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral).

  • When the driver’s door is open with the engine running, the gear in R (Reverse), D (Drive) or N (Neutral) and the vehicle at a standstill.

  • When the driver’s door is open with the gear in N (Neutral) and the vehicle is off.

In situations the gear must be in P (Park), always check if the gear is shifted to P (Park) by checking the cluster.

R (Reverse)

Use this position to drive the vehicle rearward.

2025 Hyundai Tucson rotary gear shift dial image. The image shows the gear shift lever on the steering column with D, N, R, and P markings. A black arrow points downwards, indicating the rotation direction of the dial. This explains the function of rotating the dial to shift into R (Reverse).

2C_ShiftButtonRPosition

To shift the gear R (Reverse), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to R (Reverse) while depressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the R (Reverse) position, if you open the driver's door, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the gear may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the transmission if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion.

N (Neutral)

The wheels and transmission are not engaged.

2025 Hyundai Tucson rotary gear shift dial image. Curved arrows indicate rotating the dial upwards or downwards to select the N position. The lever displays D, N, R indicators and a P button on the end. Explains the function of shifting the gear to the Neutral (N) position.

2C_ShiftButtonNPosition

To shift the gear to N (Neutral), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to N (Neutral) from R (Reverse) or D (Drive) while depressing the brake pedal.

Always depress the brake pedal when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.

If you turn the engine off in N (Neutral), the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

The engine can be started with the gear in N (Neutral), but for you safety, be sure to start the engine with the gear in P (Park).

D (Drive)

This is the normal driving position.

The transmission will automatically shift through an 6(or 8)-gear sequence, providing the best fuel economy and power.

For extra power when passing another vehicle or driving uphill, depress the accelerator pedal further until you feel the transmission downshift to a lower gear.

2025 Hyundai Tucson rotary gear shift dial D (Drive) position image. A curved black arrow with the letter D points upwards, indicating the rotation of the shift lever end. The lever on the steering column displays D, N, R, and P indicators. Explains the function of shifting the gear to D (Drive).

2C_ShiftButtonDPosition

To shift the gear D (Drive), rotate the rotary gear shift dial to D (Drive) while depressing the brake pedal.

When the vehicle is stopped in the D (Drive) position, if you open the driver's door with the seat belt unfastened, the gear will automatically shift to P (Park).

However, if the vehicle is in motion, the gear may not automatically shift to P (Park) to prevent automatic transmission damage.

When you start after stopping on a steep incline, even if the gear is in D (Drive), if you do not depress the accelerator or brake pedal, the vehicle may roll backwards, which can cause an accident.

Always come to a complete stop before shifting into D (Drive).

When the battery is discharged

You cannot shift gears, when the battery is discharged.

In emergencies, do the following to shift the gear to N (Neutral) on a level ground.

  1. Connect the battery cables from another vehicle or from a another battery to the jump-starting terminals inside the engine compartment.

    For more information, refer to the “Jump starting” section in chapter 8.

  2. Release the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with the Engine Start/Stop button in the ON position.

  3. Shift the gear to the N (Neutral) position.

Shift-lock system

For your safety, the automatic transmission has a shift-lock system which prevents shifting the transmission from P (Park) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P (Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive):

  1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

  2. Start the engine.

  3. Shift gear while depressing the brake pedal.