KIA NIRO 2021 Owners Manual

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FOREWORD
Dear Customer,
Thank you for selecting your new Kia vehicle.
As a global car manufacturer focused on building high-quality vehicles with exceptional value, Kia Motors is dedicated to pro-
viding you with a customer service experience that exceeds your expectations.
If technical assistance is needed on your vehicle, authorized Kia dealerships can provide you with factory-trained technicians,
recommended special tools, and genuine Kia replacement parts.
This Owner's Manual will acquaint you with the operation of features and equipment that are either standard or optional on this
vehicle, along with the maintenance needs of this vehicle. Therefore, you may find some descriptions and illustrations not appli-
cable to your vehicle. You are advised to read this publication carefully and follow the instructions and recommendations. Please
always keep this manual in the vehicle for your, and any subsequent owner's, reference.
All information contained in this Owner's Manual was accurate at the time of publication. However, as Kia continues to make
improvements to its products, the company reserves the right to make changes to this manual or any of its vehicles at any time
without notice and without incurring any obligations.
Please drive safely, and enjoy your Kia vehicle!
© 2021 Kia MOTORS AMERICA, Inc.
All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or translated in
whole or in part without the written consent of Kia Motors
America, Inc.
Printed in Korea

i We want to help you get the greatest
possible driving pleasure from your
vehicle. Your Owner’s Manual can
assist you in many ways. We strong-
ly recommend that you read the
entire manual. In order to minimize
the chance of death or injury, you
must read the WARNING and CAU-
TION sections in the manual.
Illustrations complement the words
in this manual to best explain how to
enjoy your vehicle. By reading your
manual, you will learn about fea-
tures, important safety information,
and driving tips under various road
conditions.
The general layout of the manual is
provided in the Table of Contents.
Use the index when looking for a
specific area or subject; it has an
alphabetical listing of all information
in your manual.
Sections: This manual has nine sec-
tions plus an index. Each section
begins with a brief list of contents so
you can tell at a glance if that section
has the information you want.You will find various WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs, and NOTICEs in this
manual. These WARNINGs were pre-
pared to enhance your personal safe-
ty. You should carefully read and follow
ALL procedures and recommenda-
tions provided in these WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs and NOTICEs.
✽ ✽

NOTICE
A NOTICE indicates interesting or
helpful information is being provided.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Foreword
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situa-
tion in which harm, serious bod-
ily injury or death could result if
the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation
in which damage to your vehicle
could result if the caution is
ignored.

table of contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
I
Introduction
Your vehicle at a glance
Safety features of your vehicle
Features of your vehicle
Driving your vehicle
What to do in an emergency
Maintenance
Specifications, Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Index

HEV (HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM / H2
PHEV (PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM / H3
CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H4
DRIVING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H28
ENERGY FLOW / H36
PLUG-IN HYBRID ENERGY FLOW / H38
STARTING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (SMART KEY) / H40
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H42
Hybrid System Overview

H2
HEV (HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
The Kia Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) uses both the gasoline engine and the electric motor for power. The electric
motor is run by a 240V high-voltage HEV battery.
Depending on the driving conditions, the HEV computer selectively operates between the engine and the electric
motor or even both at the same time.
Fuel efficiency increases when the engine is at idle, or when the vehicle is driven by the electric motor with the HEV
battery.
The HEV battery charge must be maintained because, at times, the engine may come on even at idle to act as a gen-
erator. Charging also occurs when decelerating or by regenerative braking.
ODEP057140L
Startup/Low speed cruise
Acceleration High speed cruiseDecelerationStop
Electric motorElectric motor+EngineEngine+
Motor or MotorChargingEngine OFF

H3
PHEV (PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
The Kia Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehi-
cle and an all-electric vehicle.
When used as a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, the HEV computer selectively operates between the engine and
the electric motor or even both at the same time.
When it is operating in the electric vehicle mode, the vehicle is driven only using the electric motor over a certain dis-
tance until the hybrid battery becomes low. The driving distance in EV mode depends on customer driving style and road
conditions. Aggressive driving maneuvers may at times temporarily enable the engine to operate for maximum power.
The hybrid battery can be fully charged by connecting a plug to an external electric power source.
The engine can be turned on based on a number of factors such as heater usage and a frequent operation of the
accelerator pedal by a driver in Charge Depleting mode.
ODEP057141L
Electric Vehicle ModeStart up/Low speedAcceleration High speed
DecelerationExternal charging
Electric motor
CD (Charge Depleting) ModeCS (Charge Sustaining) ModeCharging
MotorEngine+MotorEngine+Motor
or MotorChargingBattery charging
6

H4
Charging Information
• AC Charger: The plug-in hybrid
vehicle is charged by plugging into
a AC Charger installed in your
home or a public charging station.
(For further details, refer to the 'AC
Charge'.)
Trickle Charger: The plug-in hybrid
vehicle can be charged by using
household electricity.The electrical outlet in your home
must comply with regulations and
can safely accommodate the
Voltage / Current (Amps) / Power
(Watts) ratings specified on the
trickle charge. Use only as a back-
up charger.
Charging Time
AC Charger: Takes about 2 hours
15 minutes at room temperature
(Can be charged to 100%.).Depending on the condition and
durability of the high-voltage bat-
tery, charger specifications, and
ambient temperature, the time
required for charging the high-volt-
age battery may vary.
Trickle Charger: For charging at
home. Please note that the Trickle
Charger is slower than the AC
Charger.
CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE
Charging Types

ature, the time required for charging the high voltage battery may vary.

CategoryCharging Inlet
(Vehicle)Charging ConnectorCharging OutletCharging Method Charging Time
AC Charger
AC Charger
installed in homes
or public charging
stations Approximately 2 hours
15 minutes (to fully
charge the plug-in
hybrid,100%)
Trickle
ChargerHousehold current
For charging at home.
The included Trickle
charger takes about 9
hours at room tempera-
ture (Can be charged to
100%.).
ODEPQ017018
ODEPQ017019
ODEPQ017019
OAEEQ016024 OJFHPQ016021L
ODEPQ017018

H5
Charging Status Information
When charging the high voltage bat-
tery, the charge level can be checked
from outside the vehicle.
Charging Connector
AUTO/LOCK Mode
You may select when the charging
connector can be locked and
unlocked in the charging inlet.
Press the button to change
between AUTO mode and LOCK
mode.
ODEPQ019021L
Operation of ChargingIndicator Lamp
Details
(1)(2)(3)
(OFF)(OFF)(OFF)Not Charged
Blinking(OFF)(OFF)
Charging
0~33%
(ON)Blinking(OFF)34~66%
(ON)(ON)Blinking67~99%
(ON)(ON)(ON)
Charging complete
(100%)(turns OFF in 5 seconds)
BlinkingBlinkingBlinkingError while charging
(OFF)(OFF)Blinking
Charging 12 V aux-iliary battery or
reserved air condi- tioner is operating
(OFF)Blinking(OFF)
Reserved charging is operating (turns OFF after 3 min-
utes) or interrup-
tions that temporar- ily prevent charging (e.g. power failure)
ODEPQ010020L