check engine light KIA NIRO PHEV 2020 User Guide

489
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 illuminatesif the fuel tank is nearly empty.
- When the low fuel level warning
light is illuminates.
Add fuel as soon as possible.

497
Features of your vehicle
Parking Brake & BrakeFluid 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 3seconds
- 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 illuminateswith 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
100
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 isstarted.
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 isstarted.
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 damageis possible which could result inloss of engine power.
In this case, have your vehicleinspected by an authorized Kiadealer as soon as possible.
CAUTION - Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on maycause damage to the emissioncontrol systems which couldaffect drivability and/or fueleconomy.

4101
Features of your vehicle
Engine Oil PressureWarning 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 isstarted.
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 stoppedimmediately after the engine oilpressure warning light is illumi-nated and stays on while theengine is running, seriousengine damage may result.
CAUTION - Low Fuel
Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Levelwarning light on or with the fuellevel below “E” can cause theengine to misfire and damagethe catalytic converter (ifequipped).

55
Driving your vehicle
Before entering vehicle
• Be sure that all windows, outsidemirror(s), and outside lights are
clean.
Check the condition of the tires.
Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up.
Necessary inspections
Fluid levels, such as engine oil,
engine coolant, brake fluid, and
washer fluid should be checked on a
regular basis, at the exact interval
depending on the fluid. Further
details are provided in chapter 7,
“Maintenance”.
Before starting
Close and lock all doors.
Position the seat so that all con-trols are easily reached.
Buckle your seat belt.
Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
Be sure that all lights work.
Check all gauges.
Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch or
ENGINE START/STOP button is in
the ON position.
Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light
goes out.
For safe operation, be sure you are
familiar with your vehicle and its
equipment.
BEFORE DRIVING
WARNING - Distracted driving
Focus on the road while driving.
The driver's primary responsi-
bility is in the safe and legal
operation of the vehicle. Any
handled devices, other equip-
ment or vehicle systems that
distract the driver should not be
used during vehicle operation.

Driving your vehicle
85
ON
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. This is
the normal running position after the
engine is started.
Do not leave the ignition switch ON ifthe engine is not running to preventbattery discharge. START
Turn the ignition switch to the START
position to start the engine. The
engine will crank until you release
the key; then it returns to the ON
position. The brake warning light can
be checked in this position.
The anti-theft steering column lock (if
equipped) is not a substitute for the
parking brake. Before leaving the dri-
ver’s seat, always make sure the shift
lever is engaged in P (Park) for dual
clutch transmission, set the parking
brake fully and shut the engine off.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement may occur if these pre-
cautions are not taken.
WARNING- Key holder
Do not place small purses, mul-
tiple keys, or other heavy acces-
sories on your vehicle key ring.
The driver can accidently push
these objects causing the ACC
position to change while in
motion and disrupt the proper
operation of some of the vehi-
cle's safety features.
WARNING- Ignition switch
Never turn the ignition switch to
LOCK or ACC while the vehicle
is moving. This would result in
loss of directional control and
braking function, which could
cause an accident.

Driving your vehicle
12
5
ACC(Accessory)
Press the ENGINE START/STOP
button while it is in the OFF position
without depressing the brake pedal.
If the ENGINE START/STOP button
is in the ACC position for more than
1 hour, the button is turned off auto-
matically to prevent battery dis-
charge.
ON
Press the ENGINE START/STOP
button while it is in the ACC position
without depressing the brake pedal.
The warning lights can be checked
before the engine is started. Do not
leave the ENGINE START/STOP
button in the ON position for a long
time. The battery may discharge,
because the engine is not running.
START/RUN
To start the engine, depress the
brake pedal and press the ENGINE
START/ STOP button with the shift
lever in the P (Park) position. For
your safety, start the engine with the
shift lever in the P (Park) position.
If you press the ENGINE START/STOP
button without depressing the brake
pedal for dual clutch transmission vehi-
cles, the engine will not start and the
ENGINE START/STOP button
changes as follow:
OFF ➔ACC ➔ON ➔OFF or ACC
Not illuminated AmberRed

533
Driving your vehicle
Check the brake warning light by turn-
ing the ignition switch or ENGINE
START/STOP button ON (do not start
the engine). This light will be illuminat-
ed when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch or ENGINE
START/STOP button in the START or
ON position.
Before driving, be sure the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off.
If the brake warning light remains on
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running, there may
be a malfunction in the brake system.
Immediate attention is necessary.If at all possible, cease driving the
vehicle immediately. If that is not pos-
sible, use extreme caution while
operating the vehicle and only contin-
ue to drive the vehicle until you can
reach a safe location or repair shop.
WARNING - Parking brake
use
Never allow a passenger to touch the parking brake. If the
parking brake is released
unintentionally, serious injury
may occur.
All vehicles should always have the parking brake fully
engaged when parked to avoid
inadvertent movement of the
vehicles which can injure
occupants or pedestrians.
W-75

535
Driving your vehicle
To release EPB (Electronic Parking
Brake) automatically:
Shift lever in P (Park)With the engine running depress
the brake pedal and shift out of P
(Park) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
Shift lever in N (Neutral) With the engine running depress
the brake pedal and shift out of N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D
(Drive).
Depress the accelerator pedal slowly when the following condi-
tions are satisfied:
1. Start the engine.
2. Fasten the driver's seat belt.
3. Close the driver's door, engine hood and liftgate.
4. The shift lever is in R (Rear), D (Drive) or manual mode.
Make sure the brake warning light
goes off.✽ ✽ NOTICE
• For your safety, you can engage
the EPB even though the ignition
switch or ENGINE START/STOP
button is in the OFF position, but
you cannot release it.
• For your safety, depress the brake pedal and release the parking
brake manually with the EPB
switch when you drive downhill or
when backing up the vehicle.
EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) may
be automatically applied when:
The EPB is overheated
Requested by other systems
The hybrid system is turned off
with the EPB applied
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• If Auto Hold is operating (Green
light), EPB is applied automatical-
ly when the hybrid system is
turned off.
• If Auto Hold is in ready position (White light), EPB is applied auto-
matically after 1 second from the
hybrid system off timing. In this
case, if the EPB switch is pressed
within 1 second, the EPB will not
be applied.
CAUTION
If the parking brake warning
light is still on even thoughthe EPB has been released,have the system checked byan authorized Kia dealer.
Do not drive your vehicle with the EPB applied. It may causeexcessive brake pad andbrake rotor wear.

Driving your vehicle
38
5
EPB malfunction indicator
(if equipped)
This war ning light illuminates if the
ignition switch or ENGINE START/
STOP button is changed to the ON
position and goes off in approximately
3 seconds if the system is operation
normally.
If the EPB malfunction indicator
remains on, comes on while driving,
or does not come on when the igni-
tion switch or ENGINE START/STOP
button is changed to the ON position,
this indicates that the EPB may have
malfunctioned. If this occurs, have your vehicle
checked by an authorized Kia dealer
as soon as possible.
The EPB malfunction indicator may
illuminate when the ESC indicator
comes on to indicate that the ESC is
not working properly, but it does not
indicate a malfunction of the EPB.
ODEP059286
CAUTION
The EPB warning light may
illuminate if the EPB switchoperates abnormally. Shut theengine off and turn it on againafter a few minutes. The warn-ing light will go off and theEPB switch will operate nor-mally. However, if the EPBwarning light is still on, havethe system checked by anauthorized Kia dealer.
If the parking brake warning light does not illuminate orblinks even though the EPBswitch was pulled up, the EPBis not applied.
(Continued)
(Continued) If the parking brake warning light blinks when the EPBwarning light is on, press theswitch, then pull it up. Oncemore press it back to its origi-nal position and pull it backup. If the EPB warning doesnot go off, have the systemchecked by an authorized Kiadealer.