catalytic converter KIA Optima Hybrid 2014 3.G Owner's Manual

Features of your vehicle
54
4
State of charge (SOC)
The state of charge (SOC) gauge
indicates the hybrid battery's charge
level. If the SOC is near L level, the
vehicle automatically operates the
engine to charge the battery.
However, if the service indicator and
MIL(Malfunction indicator lamp) turn
on when the State of Charge(SOC)
is near L(Low), have your vehicle
checked by an authorized Kia dealer
immediately.
WARNING- Fuel gauge
Stop and obtain additional fuel
as soon as possible after the
warning light comes on or when
the gauge indicator comes
close to the E level. Running out
of fuel can expose vehicle occu-
pants to danger.WARNING
Never try to start the vehicle if
the fuel tank is empty. The
engine is impossible to charge
the high voltage battery of
hybrid system. If you try to start
the vehicle when the fuel is
empty, the high voltage battery
will become discharged and be
damaged.
CAUTION- Low fuel
Avoid driving with extremely low fuel level. Running out offuel could cause the engine tomisfire, damaging the catalyticconverter.OTFH044057

481
Features of your vehicle
Electronic PowerSteering (EPS) WarningLight (if equipped)
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 EPS.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
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.
CAUTION- Malfunction
Indicator
Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the MalfunctionIndicator Lamp (MIL) on maycause damage to the emissioncontrol systems which couldeffect drivability and/or fueleconomy.
CAUTION- Gasoline
Engine
If the Malfunction IndicatorLamp (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.

483
Features of your vehicle
Low Fuel Level WarningLight
This warning light illuminates:
When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
If the fuel tank is nearly empty:
Add fuel as soon as possible.
Door Ajar Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:
When a door is not closed securely.
Trunk Open WarningLight
This warning light illuminates:
When the trunk is not closed secure-
ly.
CAUTION- Engine Oil
Pressure Warning Light
If the engine is not stopped immediately after the EngineOil Pressure Warning Light isilluminated, severe damagecould result.
If the warning light stays on while the engine is running,there may be serious enginedamage. 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 oillevel is low, fill the engineoil to the proper level.
3. Start the engine again. If the warning light stays on afterthe engine is started, turnthe engine off immediately.In this case, have your vehi-cle inspected by an author-ized Kia dealer.
CAUTION- Low Fuel
Level
Driving with the Low Fuel Levelwarning light on or with the fuellevel below can cause theengine to misfire and damagethe catalytic converter (ifequipped).

Do not operate the engine in con-fined or closed areas (such as
garages) any more than what is
necessary to move the vehicle in or
out of the area.
When the vehicle is stopped in an open area for more than a short
time with the engine running,
adjust the ventilation system (as
needed) to draw outside air into the
vehicle.
Never sit in a parked or stopped vehicle for any extended time with
the engine running.
When the engine stalls or fails to start, excessive attempts to restart
the engine may cause damage to
the emission control system.Operating precautions for catalyt-
ic converters (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with a cat-
alytic converter emission control
device.
Therefore, the following precautions
must be observed: Use only UNLEADED FUEL for
gasoline engines.
Do not operate the vehicle when there are signs of engine malfunc-
tion, such as misfire or a noticeable
loss of performance.
Do not misuse or abuse the engine. Examples of misuse are
coasting with the ignition off and
descending steep grades in gear
with the ignition off.
Do not operate the engine at high idle speed for extended periods (5
minutes or more).
Do not modify or tamper with any part of the engine or emission con-
trol system. All inspections and
adjustments must be made by an
authorized Kia dealer.
Avoid driving with a extremely low fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, dam-
aging the catalytic converter.
Failure to observe these precautions
could result in damage to the catalyt-
ic converter and to your vehicle.
Additionally, such actions could void
your warranties.
WARNING- Fire
Do not park, idle or drive the vehicle over or near flamma-
ble objects, such as grass,
vegetation, paper, leaves, etc.
A hot exhaust system can
ignite flammable items under
your vehicle.
Also, do not remove the heat sink around the exhaust sys-
tem, do not seal the bottom of
the vehicle or do not coat the
vehicle for corrosion control.
It may present a fire risk under
certain conditions.
WARNING- Catalytic
converter
Keep away from the catalytic
converter and exhaust system
while the vehicle is running or
immediately thereafter. The
exhaust and catalytic systems
are very hot and may burn you.
Maintenance
93
7