engine KIA NIRO PHEV 2021 Owners Manual

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

Features of your vehicle
102 4
❈Example of a deceleration event is
going down an extended hill, slow-
ing down approaching a toll booth,
and approaching reduced speed
zones.

The driver can activate or deactivate
the Coasting Guide by placing the igni-
tion switch or ENGINE START/STOP
in the ON position and by selecting
“User Settings Convenience 
Coasting Guide Enable Coasting
Guide”.
For the explanation of the system,
press and hold the [OK] button.
To activate the system, take the fol-
lowing procedures. Enter your desti-
nation information on the navigation
and select the driving route. Select
the ECO mode by driving the vehicle
in D (Drive). Then, satisfy the follow-
ing.
- The driving speed should be
between 37 mph (60 km/h) and 99
mph (160km/h).
❈The operating speed may vary due
to difference between instrument
cluster and navigation effected by
tire inflation level.Unplug vehicle to start
(Plug-in hybrid)
The message is displayed when you
start the engine without unplugging
the charging cable. Unplug the
charging cable, and then start the
vehicle.
Remaining Time (Plug-in hybrid)
The message is displayed to notify
the remaining time to fully charge the
battery.

Features of your vehicle
106 4
Warning lights
✽
✽
NOTICE - Warning lights
Make sure that all warning lights
are OFF after starting the engine. If
any light is still ON, this indicates a
situation that needs attention.
Hybrid system warning
light
This warning light illuminates:
When there is a malfunction with
the hybrid system.
In this case, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Air bag 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 6
seconds and then goes off.
When there is a malfunction with
the SRS.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Seat Belt Warning Light
This warning light informs the driver
that the seat belt is not fastened.
❈ For more details, refer to the “Seat
Belts” in chapter 3.
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS

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
108 4
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) 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 and then goes off.
When there is a malfunction with
the ABS (The normal braking sys-
tem will still be operational without
the assistance of the anti-lock
brake system).
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
Electronic
Brake force
Distribution
(EBD) System
Warning Light
These two warning lights illuminate at
the same time while driving:
When the ABS and regular brake
system may not work normally.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
WARNING - Electronic
Brake force Distribution
(EBD) System Warning Light
When both ABS and Parking
Brake & Brake Fluid Warning
Lights are on, the brake system
will not work normally and you
may experience an unexpected
and dangerous situation during
sudden braking thereby
increasing the risk of a crash
and injury. In this case, avoid
high speed driving and abrupt
braking. Have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.

4109
Features of your vehicle
✽ ✽
NOTICE- Electronic Brake
force Distribution (EBD)
System Warning Light
When the ABS Warning Light is on
or both ABS and Parking Brake &
Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on,
the speedometer, odometer, or trip-
meter may not work. Also, the EPS
Warning Light may illuminate and
the steering effort may increase or
decrease.
In this case, have your vehicle inspect-
ed by an authorized Kia dealer as
soon as possible.
Regenerative Brake
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates :
When the regenerative brake does
not operate and the brake does not
perform well. This causes the Brake
Warning light (red) and Regenerative
Brake Warning Light (yellow) to illu-
minate simultaneously.
In this case, drive safely and have
your vehicle inspected by an author-
ized Kia dealer.
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) 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
the EPS.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
(yellow color)
(red color)

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).

Features of your vehicle
112 4
Low Tire Pressure
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 and then goes off.
When one or more of your tires are
significantly underinflated.
❈For more details, refer to “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in chapter 6.This warning light remains on after
blinking for approximately 70 seconds
or repeats blinking on and off at the
intervals of approximately 4 seconds:
When there is a malfunction with
the TPMS.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
❈For more details, refer to “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in chapter 6. The TPMS cannot alert you to
severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors.
If you notice any vehicle instability,
immediately take your foot off the
accelerator pedal, apply the brakes
gradually with light force, and slow-
ly move to a safe position off the
road.
WARNING - Low tire
pressure
Significantly low tire pressure
makes the vehicle unstable
and can contribute to loss of
vehicle control and increased
braking distances.
Continued driving on low pres-
sure tires may cause the tires
to overheat and fail.

4113
Features of your vehicle
Master Warning light
(if equipped)
This warning light informs the driv-
er the following situations.
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
malfunction (if equipped)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
radar blocked (if equipped)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning mal-
function (if equipped)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning radar
blocked (if equipped)
- Lamp malfunction
- LED headlamp malfunction (if
equipped)
- High Beam Assist malfunction (if
equipped)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) malfunction
- Smart Cruise Control malfunction (if
equipped)
- Smart Cruise Control radar blocked
(if equipped)- Lane Following Assist malfunction (if
equipped), etc.
- Highway Driving Assist malfunction
(if equipped)
The Master Warning Light illuminates
when one or more of the above warn-
ing situations occur. If the warning situ-
ation is resolved, the master warning
light will turn off.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is above 248°F (120°C). This
means that the engine is overheat-
ed and may be damaged.
If your vehicle is overheated, refer
to “If the engine overheats” in
chapter 6.
CAUTION - Engine
Overheating
Do not continue driving with the
engine overheated. Otherwise
the engine may be damaged.