catalytic converter KIA OPTIMA HYBRID 2015 Owners Manual

Features of your vehicle
48
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.
CAUTION- Low fuel
Avoid driving with extremely low fuel level. Running out offuel could cause the engine tomisfire, damaging the catalyticconverter.
CAUTION
Never try to start the vehicle ifthe fuel tank is empty. It isimpossible to charge the highvoltage battery of hybrid systemwhile cranking an engine with-out fuel. If you try to start thevehicle when the fuel tank isempty, the high voltage batterywill be discharged and could bedamaged.
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Features of your vehicle
Malfunction IndicatorLamp (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
electrical charging system.
In this case, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
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.

477
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.
Low Tire PressureWarning 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 and then goes off.
When one or more of your tires are significantly underinflated. (The
location of the underinflated tires
are displayed on the LCD display).
For more details, refer to "Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)" in chapter 6. This warning light remains on after
blinking for approximately 60 seconds
or repeats blinking and off at the
intervals of approximately 3 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.
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).

Maintenance
96
7
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.