warning KIA NIRO PHEV 2018 User Guide

H29
Refuel to prevent Hybrid batteryDamage
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 SoundSystem
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.
Remaining charge time(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
The message is displayed to notify
the remaining time to fully charge the
battery.
Charger Error! (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.
Switching to Hybrid mode to allowheating (Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
When the coolant temperature is lower than 57 °F (-14 °C), and you
turn the climate control On for
heating, the above message will be
displayed in the cluster. Then, the
vehicle will automatically switch to
HEV mode.
When the coolant temperature is higher than 57 °F (-14 °C), or you
turn the climate control Off, the
vehicle will automatically return to
EV mode.

H36
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 \bOther Features \b
Aux. Battery Saver+"
LCD message
This message is displayed when the
Aux. Battery Saver+ function has
been completed when the vehicle is
turned ON.
However, if the LCD message pops
up frequently, have your vehicle`s
auxiliary battery or electric/electronic
components serviced by an author-
ized Kia dealer.
ODEP047473N
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) or
other electrical devices while
charging is occurring.
ODEPQ017051
PLUG-IN HYBRID ENERGY FLOW (CONT.)

H37
Starting the Hybrid System
1.Carry the smart key into the vehicle.
2.Make sure the parking brake isfirmly applied.
3.Place the shift lever in the P(Park) position.
In N (neutral) position, you can not
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,
if any door is open, the system
checks for the smart key. If the
smart key is not in the vehicle, the
warning, "Key is not in vehicle"
will come on, and if all doors are
closed, the chime will also sound
for about 5 seconds. The indica-
tor will turn off while the vehicle is
moving. Keep the smart key in the
vehicle when using the ACC posi-
tion 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)

H40
The Hybrid battery uses high voltage
to operate the electric motor and
other components and other compo-
nents. High voltage is dangerous if
touched.
Your vehicle is equipped with orange
colored insulation and 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 or high
voltage labeled components
including wires, cables, and
connections. If the insulators or
covers are damaged or
removed, severe injury or death
from electrocution may occur.
WARNING - Touching
HPCU
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.
ODEQ016002
ODEQ016003
HPCU
HEV Battery
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H41
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.
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 the 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 elec-
tric shock that could result in
death or serious injury.
ODEQ016004
MotorCAUTION - High Voltage
Battery Damage
When loading your vehicle, be careful of transporting items ina manner that could damage thehigh voltage battery. Do notstore items on top of the highvoltage battery or overload thetrunk area. Such actions mayultimately damage the high volt-age battery unit.
CAUTION - Carrying
Liquids in Trunk
Do not load large amounts of liquid in open containers in thevehicle. If spilled onto the HEVbattery, the liquid may cause ashort or further damage to thebattery.

H42
✽
✽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 usingwater. Water may cause electricarcing to occur and damage elec-tronic parts and components.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H43
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.
Safety plug is attached to high
voltage hybrid battery system.
Touching safety plug will result
in death or serious injury.
Service personnel should follow
procedure in service manual.
ODEQ016006
■Hybrid
ODEPQ017038
■Plug-in Hybrid

H44
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 lowspeed, 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.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H45
High Voltage Battery Air Intake
The hybrid battery air intake is locat-
ed on bottom and side of the rear
seats. The air intake cools down the
hybrid battery. When the hybrid bat-
tery air intake is blocked, the hybrid
battery may be overheated. Do not
obstruct the air intake with any other
objects.
If An Accident Occurs
Avoid the engine compartment.
Avoid any orange or high voltagewires, cables, or components.
Assume that a high voltage compo- nent is exposed and move away from
the vehicle as promptly as possible.
Refer to Chapter 7 for towing infor- mation.WARNING - Air Intake
Blocking the air intake behind the rear seats may damage
the HEV battery.
Do not allow any water into the air intake even when
cleaning. If any water enters
the air intake, the Hybrid bat-
tery may cause an electric
shock which can cause seri-
ous injury or death due to
electrocution.
ODEQ016007
WARNING
-
Interference with electron-
ic medical devices
Electromagnetic waves that are
generated from the charger can
impact medical electric devices
such as an implantable cardiac
pacemaker. When using such
medical electric devices, ask
your medical professional and
the device manufacturer
whether charging your electric
vehicle will impact the operation
of the medical electric devices.

H47
When the hybrid vehicle shuts
off
When the high voltage battery or 12-
volt battery discharges, or fuel tank is
empty, the hybrid system may not
operate.
If the Hybrid system stops operating
while the vehicle is moving, reduce
the vehicle and pull your vehicle off
the road in a safe area, and shift the
transmission in to Park (P) position
and;
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Set the start button at OFF, and tryto start the Hybrid system by
applying the brake pedal and
pushing the start button.
3. If the Hybrid system will not oper- ate, refer to "EMERGENCY
STARTING" in chapter 7.
Before you try to jump start the vehi-
cle, confirm the fuel level. If the fuel
level is low add more fuel before
attempting as emergency start.
WARNING
If a submersion in water occurs:
If your vehicle was flooded and
has soaked carpeting or water
on the flooring, you should not
try to start the Hybrid system.
Never touch the high voltage
cables, connectors and pack-
age modules, because an elec-
trical shock may occur causing
injury or death. High Voltage
cables are orange in color.
In this case, have the vehicle
towed to and inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING - Vehicle
Accident
Never touch electric wires or
cable. If exposed electric wires
or cables are visible inside or
outside of your vehicle, an elec-
tric shock may occur.
WARNING - Putting out
fire
Never use a small quantity of
water to put out a fire in your
vehicle. If a fire occurs, evacu-
ate the car immediately and
contact the fire department.