warning KIA NIRO 2021 User Guide

H30
Warning and indicator lights
Ready Indicator
This indicator illuminates :
When the vehicle is ready to be driven.
- ON : Normal driving is possible.
- OFF : Normal driving is not possible,
or a problem has occurred.
- Blinking : Emergency driving.
When the ready indicator goes OFF
or blinks, there is a problem with the
system. In this case, have your vehi-
cle inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Hybrid system warning
light
This warning light illuminates:
When there is a malfunction with the
hybrid system.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia deal-
er.
When the warning light illuminates
while driving, or does not go OFF
after starting the vehicle, have the
system inspected by an authorized
Kia dealer.
EV Mode Indicator
This indicator illuminates when the
vehicle is driven by the electric motor.
Charging Cable
Connection Indicator
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This indicator illuminates in red when
the charging cable is connected.
EV
DRIVING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H32
LCD Display Messages
Check Hybrid system
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the hybrid
control system.
Refrain from driving when the warn-
ing message is displayed.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer.
Check Hybrid system.
Turn off engine
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the hybrid
system. The " " indicator will blink
and a warning chime will sound until
the problem is solved.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer.
Check Hybrid system.
Do not start engine.
This message is displayed when the
hybrid battery power (SOC) level is
low. A warning chime will sound until
the problem is solved.
In this case, park the vehicle in a safe
location and have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Stop vehicle and check power
Supply
This message is displayed when a
failure occurs in the power supply
system.
In this case, park the vehicle in a safe
location and have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Refill inverter coolant
This message is displayed when the
inverter coolant is nearly empty.
You should refill the inverter coolant.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer.
Stop vehicle and check brakes
This message is displayed when a
failure occurs in the brake system.
In this case, park the vehicle in a safe
location and have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Check brakes
This message is displayed when the
brake performance is low or the
regenerative brake does not work
properly due to a failure in the brake
system.
In this case, it may take longer for the
brake pedal to operate and the brak-
ing distance may become longer.
DRIVING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H33
Refuel to prevent Hybrid battery
Damage
This message is displayed when the
fuel tank is nearly empty.
You should refill the fuel tank to pre-
vent hybrid battery damage.
Check Virtual Engine Sound
System
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the Virtual
Engine Sound System (VESS).
In this case, have the system
inspected by an authorized Kia deal-
er.
Charging stopped. Check the
cable connection
This warning message is displayed
when charging is stopped because
the charging connector is not cor-
rectly connected to the charging inlet
In this case, separate the charging
connector and re-connect it and
check whether there is any problem
(external damage, foreign sub-
stances, etc.) with the charging con-
nector and charging inlet.
Remaining charge time
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
The message is displayed to notify
the remaining time to fully charge the
battery.
Charging stopped. Please check
the AC charger (Plug-in hybrid
vehicle)
This message is displayed when
there is a problem with the charger.
Low/High System Temp.
Maintaining Hybrid mode
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message is displayed when the
temperature of the high-voltage
(hybrid) battery is too low or too high.
This warning message is to protect
the battery and the hybrid system.
Low/High System Temp.
Switching to Hybrid mode
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message is displayed when the
temperature of the high-voltage
(hybrid) battery is too low or high.
This warning message is to protect
the battery and the hybrid system.

H39
System setting
The driver can activate the Aux.
Battery Saver+ function by placing
the engine start/stop button to the
ON position and by selecting:
"User Settings ➞Other Features ➞
Aux. Battery Saver+"WARNING
The Aux. Battery Saver+ relies
on the high voltage battery to
charge the 12V battery. The
charging indicator lamp will blink
rapidly when this is occurring.
To reduce the risk of electrical
shock, do not touch any high
voltage components (orange-
colored) or other electrical
devices while charging is occur-
ring.

H40
Starting the Hybrid System
1.Carry the smart key into the vehicle.
2.Make sure the parking brake is
firmly applied.
3.Place the shift lever in the P(Park)
position.
In N (neutral) position, you cannot
start the vehicle.
4.Depress the brake pedal.
5.Press the engine start/stop button.
6.The engine should be started with-
out pressing the accelerator. In
extremely cold weather or after the
vehicle has not been operated for
several days, let the engine warm up
without depressing the accelerator.

vehicle, if it is far away from you,
the engine may not start.
ton is in the ACC or ON position
and if any door is open, the sys-
tem checks for the smart key. If
the smart key is not in the vehicle,
the warning, "Key is not in vehi-
cle" will come on, and if all doors
are closed, the chime will also
sound for about 5 seconds. The
indicator will turn off while the
vehicle is moving. Keep the smart
key in the vehicle when using the
ACC position or if the vehicle
engine is on.If the starting procedure is fol-
lowed, the " " symbol on the
instrument cluster will turn on. For
more details, Please check chap-
ter 4.
STARTING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (SMART KEY)

H43
The Hybrid battery uses high voltage
to operate the electric motor and
other components. High voltage is
dangerous if touched.
Your vehicle is equipped with orange
colored insulation which covers over
the high voltage components to pro-
tect people from electric shock. High
voltage warning labels are attached
to some system components as addi-
tional warnings. Have your vehicle
serviced by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING - High voltage
components
Never touch orange-colored or
high voltage labeled compo-
nents including wires, cables,
and connectors. If the insula-
tors or covers are damaged or
removed, severe injury or death
from electrocution may occur.
WARNING - Avoid
Touching Hybrid Power
Control Unit
When replacing the fuses in the
engine compartment, never
touch the HPCU. The HPCU car-
ries high voltage. Touching the
HPCU could result in electrocu-
tion, serious injury, or death.
ODEPQ019002L
ODEQ016003
HPCU
HEV Battery

H44
WARNING - Battery elec-
trolyte
As with all batteries, avoid fluid
contact with the Hybrid battery.
If the battery is damaged and if
electrolyte comes in contact
with your body, clothes or eyes,
immediately flush with a large
quantity of fresh water and seek
medical attention.
WARNING - After market
battery charger
Do not use an after-market bat-
tery charger to charge the
Hybrid battery. Doing so may
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING - High Waters
Avoid high waters as this may
result in your vehicle becom-
ing saturated with water and
could compromise the high
voltage components.
Do not touch any of the high
voltage components within
your vehicle if your vehicle
has been submerged in water
equal to half of the vehicle
height. Touching high voltage
components once submerged
in water could result in severe
burns or electric shock that
could result in death or seri-
ous injury.
ODEQ016004
MotorCAUTION - High Voltage
Battery Damage
When loading your vehicle, be
careful of transporting items in
a manner that could damage the
high voltage battery. Do not
store items on top of the high
voltage battery or overload the
trunk area. Such actions may
ultimately damage the high volt-
age battery unit.
CAUTION - Carrying
Liquids in Trunk
Do not load large amounts of
liquid in open containers in the
vehicle. If spilled onto the HEV
battery, the liquid may cause a
short or further damage to the
battery.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H45
✽ ✽
NOTICE - Prolonged parking
Prolonged parking might cause bat-
tery discharge and operation failure
due to natural discharge. Driving
the vehicle approximately once
every 2 months, more than 9 miles
(15 km) is recommended. The bat-
tery will be charged automatically
when driving the vehicle.
WARNING - Exposure to
High Voltage
High voltage in the hybrid bat-
tery system is very dangerous
and can cause severe burns
and electric shock. This may
result in serious injury or death.
For your safety, never touch,
replace, dismantle or remove
any portion of the hybrid bat-
tery system including compo-
nents, cables and connectors.
WARNING - Use of Water
or Liquids
If water or liquids come into
contact with the hybrid system
components, and you are also
in contact with the water, severe
injury or death due to electrocu-
tion may occur.
WARNING - Hot
Components
When the hybrid battery system
operates, the HEV battery system
can be hot. Heat burns may result
from touching even insulated
components of the HEV system.
CAUTION - Cleaning
Engine
When you clean the engine com-
partment, do not wash using
water. Water may cause electric
arcing to occur and damage elec-
tronic parts and components.

H46
Safety plugSome Special Features of the
Hybrid Vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles sound different than
gasoline engine vehicles. When the
hybrid system operates, you may
hear a sound from the hybrid battery
system behind the rear seat. If you
apply the accelerator pedal rapidly,
you may hear a sound. When you
apply the brake pedal, you may hear
a sound from the regenerative brake
system. When the hybrid system is
turned off or on, you may hear a
sound in the engine compartment. If
you depress the brake pedal repeat-
edly when the hybrid system is
turned on, you may hear a sound in
the engine compartment. None of
these sounds indicate a problem.
They are characteristics of hybrid
vehicles.
When the hybrid system is turned on,
the engine may run. This does not
indicate a malfunction. If the " "
symbol is on, the hybrid system is
operating. Even if the gasoline engine
is off, you can operate the vehicle.
WARNING - Safety Plug
Never touch the safety plug.
The safety plug is attached to
the high voltage hybrid battery
system. Touching the safety
plug may result in death.
Service personnel should fol-
low the appropriate procedures
in the service manual.
ODEQ016006
■Hybrid
ODEPQ017038
■Plug-in Hybrid
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H47
The HEV system may emit electro-
magnetic waves which can affect the
performance of electronic devices
appliances, such as laptop comput-
ers, which are not part of the vehicle
design.
If you park the vehicle for a long time,
the hybrid system will discharge. You
need to drive the vehicle approximate-
ly once every 2 months, more than 9
miles (15 km) is recommended.
When you start the hybrid system in
the "P" transmission position, the
" " symbol is illuminated in the
cluster. The driver can drive the vehi-
cle even if the engine is stopped.Virtual Engine Sound System
(VESS)
The Virtual Engine Sound System
generates engine sound for pedestri-
ans to hear vehicle sound because
there is limited sound while electric
motor power is used.
If the vehicle is moving at low
speed, the VESS will operate.
When the gear is shifted to R
(Reverse), an additional warning
sound will be heard.
WARNING - Turning off
HEV system
When you leave the vehicle, you
should turn off the hybrid sys-
tem. If you depress the acceler-
ator pedal by mistake and the
vehicle is not in the "P" posi-
tion, the vehicle will accelerate.
This may result in serious injury
or death.