warning KIA SPORTAGE 2021 Owners Manual

5 39
Driving your vehicle
EPB malfunction indicator (if equipped)
This warning light illuminates if the
engine start/stop button is changed
to the ON position and goes off in
approximately 3 seconds if the sys-
tem 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 the 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.
• The EPB warning light may illumi-
nate if the EPB switch operates
abnormally. Shut the engine off
and turn it on again after a few min-
utes. The warning light will go off
and the EPB switch will operate
normally. However, if the EPB
warning light is still on, have the
system checked by an authorized
Kia dealer.
• If the parking brake warning light does not illuminate or blinks even
though the EPB switch was pulled
up, the EPB is not applied.
• If the parking brake warning light blinks when the EPB warning light
is on, press the switch, then pull it
up. Once more press it back to its
original position and pull it back up.
If the EPB warning does not go off,
have the system checked by an
authorized Kia dealer.
OQL055059

Driving your vehicle
405
Emergency braking
If there is a problem with the brake
pedal while driving, emergency brak-
ing is possible by pulling up and
holding the EPB switch. Braking is
possible only while you are holding
the EPB switch.
✽NOTICE
During emergency braking by the
EPB, the parking brake warning
light will illuminate to indicate that
the system is operating.
If you notice a continuous noise or
burning smell when the EPB is used
for emergency braking, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized Kia
dealer.
When the EPB (ElectronicParking Brake) is not released
If the EPB does not release normal-
ly, take your vehicle to an authorized
Kia dealer by loading the vehicle on
a flatbed tow truck and have the sys-
tem checked.
WARNING
Do not operate the Electronic
Parking Brake while the vehicle
is moving except in an emer-
gency situation. Applying the
Electronic Parking Brake while
the vehicle is moving at normal
speeds can cause a sudden loss
of control of the vehicle. If you
must use the Electronic Parking
Brake to stop the vehicle, use
great caution in applying the
brake.

5 43
Driving your vehicle
(Continued)In these cases, the brake warning
light comes on, the AUTO HOLD
indicator changes from green to
white, and a warning sounds and a
message will appear to inform you
that EPB has been automatically
engaged. Before driving off again,
press foot brake pedal, check the
surrounding area near your vehi-
cle and release parking brake
manually with the EPB switch.
• If the AUTO HOLD indicator lights up yellow, the Auto Hold is
not working properly. Take your
vehicle to an authorized Kia deal-
er and have the system checked.If there is a malfunction with the dri-
ver’s door, engine hood open detec-
tion system, the Auto Hold may not
work properly.
Take your vehicle to an authorized Kia
dealer and have the system checked.
✽NOTICE
A click or electric brake motor
whine sound may be heard while
operating or releasing the EPB, but
these conditions are normal and
indicate that the EPB is functioning
properly.
Warning messages
Parking brake automatically locked
When the EPB is applied from Auto
Hold, a warning will sound and a
message will appear.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of an acci-
dent, do not activate Auto Hold
while driving downhill, backing
up or parking your vehicle.
OJF058376L
OJF058377L
■Type A
■Type B

Driving your vehicle
445
When the conversion from Auto Hold
to EPB is not working properly a
warning will sound and a message
will appear.
✽NOTICE
When this message is displayed, the
Auto Hold and EPB may not oper-
ate. For your safety, depress the
brake pedal.
If you do not apply the brake pedal
when you release the Auto Hold by
pressing the [AUTO HOLD] switch, a
warning will sound and a message
will appear.
OJF058374L
OJF058375L
■Type A
■Type BOJF058380L
OJF058381L
■Type A
■Type B

5 45
Driving your vehicle
AUTO HOLD conditions not met.
Close door, hood, and liftgate
When you press the [AUTO HOLD]
switch, if the driver’s door, engine
hood are not closed or the driver’s
seat belt is unfastened, a warning
will sound and a message will
appear on the LCD display. At this
moment, press the [AUTO HOLD]
button after closing the driver’s door,
engine hood and liftgate.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS (or ESC) will not prevent acci-
dents due to improper or dangerous
driving maneuvers. Even though
vehicle control is improved during
emergency braking, always maintain
a safe distance between you and
objects ahead. Vehicle speeds
should always be reduced during
extreme road conditions. The vehicle
should be driven at reduced speeds
in the following circumstances:
• When driving on rough, gravel orsnow-covered roads
• When driving with tire chains installed
• When driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has differ-
ent surface heights.
Driving in these conditions increases
the stopping distance for your vehicle. The ABS continuously senses the
speed of the wheels. If the wheels
are going to lock, the ABS system
repeatedly modulates the hydraulic
brake pressure to the wheels.
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the
wheels, you may hear a “tik-tik’’
sound from the brakes, or feel a cor-
responding sensation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and it means
your ABS is active.
In order to obtain the maximum benefit
from your ABS in an emergency situa-
tion, do not attempt to modulate your
brake pressure and do not try to pump
your brakes. Press your brake pedal as
hard as possible or as hard as the sit-
uation allows the ABS to control the
force being delivered to the brakes.
✽NOTICE
A click/clunk type sound may be
heard once per ignition cycle in the
engine compartment when the vehi-
cle begins to move after the engine is
started. These conditions are normal
and indicate that the anti-lock brake
system is functioning properly.
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Driving your vehicle
465
• Even with the anti-lock brake sys-tem, your vehicle still requires suf-
ficient stopping distance. Always
maintain a safe distance from the
vehicle in front of you.
• Always slow down when cornering. The anti-lock brake system cannot
prevent accidents resulting from
excessive speeds.
• On loose or uneven road surfaces, operation of the anti-lock brake
system may result in a longer stop-
ping distance than for vehicles
equipped with a conventional
brake system. The ABS warning light will stay on for
approximately 3 seconds after the
ignition switch is ON. During that
time, the ABS will go through self-
diagnosis and the light will go off if
everything is normal. If the light stays
on, you may have a problem with
your ABS. Contact an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible. • When you drive on a road having
poor traction, such as an icy road,
and have operated your brakes
continuously, the ABS will be active
continuously and the ABS warning
light may illuminate. Pull your vehi-
cle over to a safe place and stop
the engine.
• Restart the engine. If the ABS warning light goes off, then your
ABS system is normal. Otherwise,
you may have a problem with the
ABS. Contact an authorized Kia
dealer as soon as possible.
✽NOTICE
When you jump start your vehicle
because of a drained battery, the
engine may not run as smoothly and
the ABS warning light may turn on at
the same time. This happens because
of low battery voltage. It does not
mean your ABS has malfunctioned.
• Do not pump your brakes!
• Have the battery recharged beforedriving the vehicle.
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5 47
Driving your vehicle
Electronic stability control
(ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system is designed to stabi-
lize the vehicle during cornering
maneuvers. ESC checks where you
are steering and where the vehicle is
actually going. ESC applies the
brakes at individual wheels and inter-
venes with engine management sys-
tem to stabilize the vehicle.The Electronic stability control (ESC)
system is an electronic system
designed to help the driver maintain
vehicle control under adverse condi-
tions. It is not a substitute for safe
driving practices. Factors including
speed, road conditions and driver
steering input can all affect whether
ESC will be effective in preventing a
loss of control. It is still your respon-
sibility to drive and corner at reason-
able speeds and to leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the
wheels, you may hear a “tik-tik’’
sound from the brakes, or feel a cor-
responding sensation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and it means
your ESC is active.
✽NOTICE
A click/clunk type sound may be
heard once per ignition cycle in the
engine compartment when the vehi-
cle begins to move after the engine is
started. These conditions are normal
and indicate that Electronic stabili-
ty control (ESC) System is function-
ing properly.
WARNING
Never drive too fast for the road
conditions or too quickly when
cornering. Electronic stability
control (ESC) will not prevent
accidents. Excessive speed in
turns, abrupt maneuvers and
hydroplaning on wet surfaces
can still result in serious acci-
dents. Only a safe and attentive
driver can prevent accidents by
avoiding maneuvers that cause
the vehicle to lose traction.
Even with ESC installed, always
follow all the normal precautions
for driving - including driving at
safe speeds for the conditions.

Driving your vehicle
505
ESC OFF usage
When driving
• ESC should be turned on for dailydriving whenever possible.
• To turn ESC off while driving, select the ESC OFF/ESC
OFF(TCS OFF) in the LCD display
while driving on a flat road surface.
✽NOTICE
• When operating the vehicle on adynamometer, ensure that you
select the LCD display 
ESC
ESC OFF/ESC OFF (TCS OFF)
(ESC OFF light illuminated). If
the ESC is left on, it may prevent
the vehicle speed from increasing,
and result in false diagnosis.
• Turning the ESC off does not affect ABS or brake system opera-
tion.
CAUTION
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the ESC systemto malfunction. When replacingtires, make sure they are thesame size as your original tires.
WARNING
The Electronic Stability Control
system is only a driving aid that
can only assist you in maintain-
ing control under certain cir-
cumstances. Use precautions
for safe driving by slowing
down on curved, snowy, or icy
roads. Drive slowly and don’t
attempt to accelerate whenever
the ESC indicator light is blink-
ing, or when the road surface is
slippery.WARNING
Never select the ESC OFF/ ESC
OFF(TCS OFF) in the LCD dis-
play while ESC is operating
(ESC indicator light blinks).

5 51
Driving your vehicle
Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
The Downhill Brake Control (DBC)
allows the vehicle to descend from a
steep hill without depressing the
brake pedal. It slows down the vehi-
cle under 5 mph (8 km/h) and allows
the driver concentrate on steering
the vehicle.
✽NOTICE
• The DBC defaults to the OFF posi-tion whenever the ignition switch
is placed in the ON position.
• Noise or vibration may occur from the brakes when the DBC is acti-
vated.
• The rear stop light comes on when DBC is activated.
OQL055117
OQL055116
WARNING
Always turn off the DBC on nor-
mal roads. The DBC might acti-
vate inadvertently from the
standby mode when driving
through speed bumps or mak-
ing sharp curves increasing the
risk of a crash.
WARNING
The DBC is a supplemental sys-
tem only and is not a substitute
for safe driving practices. A
driver should not solely rely on
this system when descending
from a hill and should always be
ready to apply the brakes
depending on road and traffic
conditions.

Driving your vehicle
525
DBC operation✽NOTICE
If the DBC red indicator light illu-
minates, the system may have over-
heated or have malfunctioned.
When the warning light illuminates
even though the DBC system has
cooled off, we recommend that the
vehicle be checked by an authorized
Kia dealer as soon as possible.
✽NOTICE
• The DBC may not deactivate onsteep inclines even though the
brake or accelerator pedal is
depressed.
• The DBC does not operate when: - The shift lever is in P (Park).
- The ESC is activated.
Standby
Press the DBC button when vehicle speed is under 25
mph (40 km/h). The DBC system will turn ON and enter
the standby mode.
The system does not turn ON if vehicle speed is over 25
mph (40 km/h).
In the standby mode, if vehicle speed is under 22 mph
(35 km/h) while driving down a steep hill, the DBC will
activate automatically.
In the activated mode, the DBC will temporarily deacti-
vate under the following conditions:
• The hill is not steep enough.
•
The brake pedal or accelerator pedal is depressed.
If the above conditions are gone, the DBC will automat-
ically activate again.
The DBC will turn OFF under the following conditions:
• The DBC button is pressed again.
• Vehicle speed is over 38 mph (60 km/h).
Activated
Temporarily deactivated
OFF
Mode Indicator light
Description
blinks
illuminated
not
illuminated
illuminated