check engine KIA NIRO 2021 Owner's Manual

Features of your vehicle
98 4
Press START button while turning
wheel (for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if the steering wheel does not
unlock normally when the ENGINE
START/STOP button is pressed.
It means that you should press the
ENGINE START/STOP button
while turning the steering wheel
right and left.
Steering wheel not locked
(for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if the steering wheel does not lock
when the ENGINE START/STOP
button changes to the OFF posi-
tion.
Check Steering Wheel Lock
System (for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if the steering wheel does not lock
normally when the ENGINE
START/STOP button changes to
the OFF position.
Press brake pedal to start engine
(for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if the ENGINE START/STOP button
changes to the ACC position twice
by pressing the button repeatedly
without depressing the brake pedal.
It means that you should depress
the brake pedal to start the engine.
Key not in vehicle (for smart key
system)
This warning message illuminates
if the smart key is not in the vehicle
when you press the ENGINE
START/STOP button.
It means that you should always
have the smart key with you.
Key not detected (for smart key
system)
This warning message illuminates
if the smart key is not detected
when you press the ENGINE
START/STOP button.

499
Features of your vehicle
Press START button again
(for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if you can not operate the ENGINE
START/STOP button when there is
a problem with the ENGINE
START/STOP button system.
It means that you could start the
engine by pressing the ENGINE
START/STOP button once more.
If the warning illuminates each
time you press the ENGINE
START/STOP button, have your
vehicle inspected by an authorized
Kia dealer.
Press START button with key (for
smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if you press the ENGINE
START/STOP button while the
warning message “Key not detect-
ed” is illuminating.
At this time, the immobilizer indica-
tor light blinks.
Check BRAKE SWITH fuse
(for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if the brake switch fuse is discon-
nected.
It means that you should replace
the fuse with a new one. If that is
not possible, you can start the
engine by pressing the ENGINE
START/STOP button for 10 sec-
onds in the ACC position.
Shift to P or N to start engine
(for smart key system)
This warning message illuminates
if you try to start the engine with
the shift lever not in the P (Park) or
N (Neutral) position.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
You can start the engine with the
shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi-
tion. But, for your safety, we recom-
mend that you start the engine with
the shift lever in the P (Park) posi-
tion.
Low washer fluid
This warning message illuminates
on the service reminder mode if
the washer fluid level in the reser-
voir is nearly empty.
It means that you should refill the
washer fluid.
Low fuel
This warning message illuminates
if the fuel tank is nearly empty.
- When the low fuel level warning
light is illuminates.
Add fuel as soon as possible.

Features of your vehicle
100 4
Device in wireless charger
(if equipped)
If a smart phone is still left on the wire-
less charging pad unattended, even
when the ENGINE START/STOP but-
ton is turned to the ACC or OFF posi-
tion. And the instrument panel's one
time driving information mode has fin-
ished, a warning message will lit up on
the instrument panel.
❈For more details, refer to “Wireless
smart phone charging system” in
this chapter.
Check Hybrid system
This warning message illuminates
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
engine off
This warning message illuminates
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 warning message illuminates
when the hybrid battery power
(SOC) level is low. A warning chime
will sound until the problem is solved.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer.
Stop vehicle and check power
supply
This warning message illuminates
when a failure occurs in the power
supply system.
In this case, park the vehicle in a
safe location and tow your vehicle to
the nearest authorized Kia dealer
and have the vehicle inspected.

4101
Features of your vehicle
Park with engine On to charge
battery
This warning message illuminates
when the hybrid battery power
(SOC) level is low.
In this case, park the vehicle in a
safe location and wait until the hybrid
battery is charged.
Refuel to prevent Hybrid battery
damage
This warning message illuminates
when the fuel tank is nearly empty.
You should refill the fuel tank to pre-
vent hybrid battery damage.
Refill inverter coolant
This warning message illuminates
when the inverter coolant is nearly
empty.
You should refill the inverter coolant.
Check brake system
This warning message illuminates
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.
Stop vehicle and check brake
system
This warning message is displayed
when a failure occurs in the brake
system.
In this case, park the vehicle in a
safe location and tow your vehicle to
the nearest authorized Kia dealer
and have the vehicle inspected.
Coasting guide (if equipped)
A chime will sound and the coasting
guide indicator will blink four times to
inform the driver when to take the
foot off the accelerator by anticipat-
ing a decelerating event* based on
an analysis of driving routes and
road conditions based on the naviga-
tion. It encourages the driver to
remove foot from the pedal and allow
coasting down the road with EV
motor only. This helps prevent
unnecessary fuel consumption and
may increases fuel efficiency.
ODEP049583L

4107
Features of your vehicle
Parking Brake & Brake
Fluid Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the ignition switch or
ENGINE START/STOP button to
the ON position.
- It illuminates for approximately 3
seconds
- It remains on if the parking brake
is applied.
When the parking brake is applied.
When the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is low.
- If the warning light illuminates
with the parking brake released, it
indicates the brake fluid level in
reservoir is low.If the brake fluid level in the reservoir
is low:
1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check
the brake fluid level immediately
and add fluid as required (For
more details, refer to “Brake Fluid”
in chapter 7).
Then check all brake components
for fluid leaks. If any leaks in the
brake system are still found, the
warning light remains on, or the
brakes do not operate properly, do
not drive the vehicle.
In this case, have your vehicle
towed to an authorized Kia dealer
and inspected.Dual-diagonal braking system
Your vehicle is equipped with dual-
diagonal braking systems. This
means you still have braking on two
wheels even if one of the dual sys-
tems should fail.
With only one of the dual systems
working, greater pedal pressure is
required to stop the vehicle.
Also, the vehicle will require
increased stopping distance with
only a portion of the brake system
working.
If the brakes fail while you are driv-
ing, shift to a lower gear for addition-
al engine braking and stop the vehi-
cle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Driving the vehicle with a warning
light ON is dangerous. If the Parking
Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light
illuminate with the parking brake
released, it indicates that the brake
fluid level is low.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia deal-
er.

Features of your vehicle
110 4
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (MIL)
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the ignition switch or
ENGINE START/STOP button to
the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
When there is a malfunction with
the emission control system.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Charging System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the ignition switch or
ENGINE START/STOP button to
the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
When there is a malfunction with
either the alternator or electrical
charging system.
If there is a malfunction with either
the alternator or electrical charging
system:
1.Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2.Turn the engine off and check the
alternator drive belt for looseness
or breakage.
If the belt is adjusted properly,
there may be a problem in the elec-
trical charging system.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Catalytic
Converter Damage
If the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (MIL) illuminates, poten-
tial catalytic converter damage
is possible which could result in
loss of engine power.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may
cause damage to the emission
control systems which could
affect drivability and/or fuel
economy.

4111
Features of your vehicle
Engine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
Once you set the ignition switch or
ENGINE START/STOP button to
the ON position.
- It remains on until the engine is
started.
When the engine oil pressure is low.
If the engine oil pressure is low:
1.Drive carefully to the nearest safe
location and stop your vehicle.
2.Turn the engine off and check the
engine oil level (For more details,
refer to “Engine Oil” in chapter 7). If
the level is low, add oil as required.
If the warning light remains on after
adding oil or if oil is not available,
have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer as soon as
possible.If the warning light stays on while the
engine is running, it indicates that
there may be serious engine dam-
age or malfunction. In this case,
1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so.
2. Turn off the engine and check the
oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the
engine oil to the proper level.
3. Start the engine again. If the warn-
ing light stays on after the engine
is started, turn the engine off
immediately. In this case, have
your vehicle inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.
Low Fuel Level Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
Add fuel as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Engine
damage
If the engine is not stopped
immediately after the engine oil
pressure warning light is illumi-
nated and stays on while the
engine is running, serious
engine damage may result.
CAUTION - Low Fuel
Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Level
warning light on or with the fuel
level below “E” can cause the
engine to misfire and damage
the catalytic converter (if
equipped).

4133
Features of your vehicle
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If there is heavy accumulation of
snow or ice on the windshield, defrost
the windshield for about 10 minutes,
or until the snow and/or ice is
removed before using the windshield
wipers to ensure proper operation.
If you do not remove the snow
and/or ice before using the wiper
and washer, it may damage the
wiper and washer system.
Front windshield washers
In the OFF position, pull the lever
gently toward you to spray washer
fluid on the windshield and to run the
wipers 1-3 cycles.
Use this function when the wind-
shield is dirty.
The spray and wiper operation will
continue until you release the lever.
If the washer does not work, check
the washer fluid level. If the fluid level
is not sufficient, you will need to add
appropriate non-abrasive windshield
washer fluid to the washer reservoir.The reservoir filler neck is located in
the front of the engine compartment
on the passenger side.
OQL045409
CAUTION - Washer pump
To prevent possible damage to
the washer pump, do not oper-
ate the washer when the fluid
reservoir is empty.

4169
Features of your vehicle
Use the USB charger when the
engine is running to prevent bat-
tery discharge.
Only devices that fit the USB port
can be used.
The USB charger can be used only
for battery charging purposes.
Battery chargers cannot be
charged.Wireless smart phone charg-
ing system (if equipped)
A wireless smart phone charging
system is located in front of the cen-
ter console
Firmly close all doors, and turn the
ignition to ACC or IGN ON. To start
wireless charging, place the smart
phone equipped with wireless charg-
ing function on the wireless charging
pad.For best wireless charging results,
place the smart phone on the center
of the charging pad.
The wireless charging system is
designed for one smart phone
equipped with QI per single usage
only. Please refer to the smart phone
accessory cover or the smart phone
manufacturer homepage to check
whether your smart phone supports
QI function.
ODEP049424

Driving your vehicle
4 5
Be sure the exhaust system does
not leak.
The exhaust system should be
checked whenever the vehicle is
raised to change the oil or for any
other purpose. If you hear a change in
the sound of the exhaust or if you drive
over something that strikes the under-
neath side of the vehicle, have the
exhaust system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING- Engine
exhaust
Do not inhale exhaust fumes or
leave your engine running in a
enclosed area for a prolonged
time. Exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas that can cause
unconsciousness and death by
asphyxiation.WARNING- Open liftgate
Do not drive with the liftgate
open. Poisonous exhaust gases
can enter the passenger com-
partment. If you must drive with
the liftgate open proceed as fol-
lows:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at
“Fresh”, the air flow control
at “Floor” or “Face” and the
fan at the highest speed.