Dashboard Indicators: Kia Niro PHEV 2023 Warning Guide

The dashboard indicators in the 2023 Kia Niro PHEV are very important. They give you important tips and information to make sure you have a safe and smooth driving experience. These lights are carefully made to quickly let drivers know about any possible problems or system states that need their attention. Each dashboard light is an important part of keeping drivers aware and in control on the road. It does everything from showing how charged the batteries are to pointing out possible problems or maintenance that needs to be done. These markers not only make driving easier, but they also make the Kia Niro PHEV safer and more fuel-efficient by using clear symbols and easy-to-understand designs.

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Warning and indicator lights

The warning light and indicator light indicate a situation where the driver should be careful and whether the various functions are activated.

Warning lights

The warning light indicates situations that require the driver to pay attention.

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.

Airbag warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 ~ 6 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the SRS. In this case, have the 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 “Seat belts” on pages 4-17.

Parking brake & brake fluid warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.
  • It appears 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 appears with the parking brake is released, it indicates the brake fluid level in the 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” on pages 8-14). Then check all brake components for fluid leaks. If any leak on the brake system is 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 systems should fail.
With only one of the dual systems working, more than normal pedal travel and greater pedal pressure are required to stop the vehicle.
Also, the vehicle will not stop in as short a distance with only a portion of the brake system working.
If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to a lower gear for additional engine braking and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

Parking brake & brake fluid warning light
Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous. If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light appears 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 dealer.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the ABS (The normal braking system will still be operational without the assistance of the antilock brake system). In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning light
These two warning lights appear at the same time while driving:

 

• When the ABS and regular brake system are not working, 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. In this case, avoid high-speed driving and abrupt braking. Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the EPB.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTICE

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light
The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light may appear when the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light comes on to indicate that the ESC is not working properly (This does not indicate malfunction of the EPB).

Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.
  • This indicator light comes on after the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position and then goes out after approximately 3 seconds.
• When there is a malfunction with the EPS.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Charging system warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
• 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.
   In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
This warning light appears:

 

• When you set the ignition switch or the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
  • The malfunction indicator light appears for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
• Whenever there is a malfunction with either the emission control system or the engine or the vehicle powertrain.
  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

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.
• If the enhanced engine protection system becomes activated due to a lack of engine oil, engine power will be limited. If such a condition continues repeatedly, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will appear.

CAUTION
If the oil pressure lowers due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the engine oil pressure warning light turns on and an enhanced engine protection system that limits the engine’s power is activated. After that, the engine warning light turns on if driving repeatedly and continuously.

CAUTION
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) appears, potential catalytic converter damage is possible which could result in loss of engine power. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Engine oil pressure warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• 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 pressure is low:

• Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
• Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to “Engine oil and filter” on pages 8-13). 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer. Continued driving with the warning light on may cause engine failure.

NOTICE

• When engine oil pressure decreases due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the Engine Oil Pressure warning light will appear.
• The enhanced engine protection system which limits engine power will be activated. If the engine oil pressure is restored, the Engine Oil Pressure warning light and the enhanced engine protection system will turn off.
• The enhanced engine protection system which limits engine power will be activated. If the engine oil pressure is restored, the Engine Oil Pressure warning light and the enhanced engine protection system will turn off.

CAUTION

Engine overheating
Do not continue driving with the engine overheated. Otherwise, the engine may be damaged.

CAUTION

Engine damage
If the engine is not stopped immediately after the engine oil pressure warning light appears and stays on while the engine is running, serious engine damage may result.

Exhaust system (GPF) warning light (Gasoline Engine)
This warning light appears:

 

• When there is a malfunction with the Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) system.
• When this warning light appears, it may turn off after driving the vehicle:
  • The vehicle should be driven for more than 30 minutes at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and faster.
  • Ensure the following conditions are all met: safe road conditions, transmission 3rd gear or above, and engine speed of 1,500 – 4,000 rpm.

If this warning light blinks despite the procedure (at this time the LCD warning message will be displayed), have the GPF system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Gasoline engine with GPF (if equipped)
If you continue to drive with the GPF warning light blinking for a long time, the GPF system can be damaged and fuel consumption can worsen.

Low fuel level warning light
This warning light appears:
When the fuel tank is nearly empty. If the fuel tank is nearly empty: Add fuel as soon as possible.

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.

Master warning light
This indicator light appears:

 

• This warning light informs the driver of the following situations
  • LED headlamp malfunction (if equipped)
  • Lamp malfunction
  • High Beam Assist malfunction (if equipped)

To identify the details of the warning look at the LCD.
If the warning situation is solved, the master warning light will turn off.

Low tyre pressure warning light (if equipped)
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When one or more of your tyres are significantly underinflated. (The location of the underinflated tyres is displayed on the LCD). Monitoring System (TPMS)” on pages 7-9.

This warning light remains on after blinking for approximately 60 seconds or repeats blinking on and off at intervals of approximately 3 seconds:

• When there is a malfunction with the TPMS.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” on pages 7-9.

WARNING

Low tyre pressure

• Significantly low tyre pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances.
• Continued driving with low-pressure tyres will cause the tyres to overheat and fail.

WARNING

Safe stopping

• The TPMS cannot alert you about severe and sudden tyre 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 slowly move to a safe position off the road.

LED headlamp warning light
This warning light appears:

 

• Once you set the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the LED headlamp.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This warning light blinks:

• When there is a malfunction with an LED headlamp-related part.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

LED headlamp warning light
Continuous driving with the LED Headlamp Warning Light on or blinking can reduce LED headlamp (low beam) life.

Forward Safety warning light
This indicator light appears:

 

• Once you set the ENGINE START/ STOP button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

For more details, refer to “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Front Camera Only) (if equipped)” on page 6-58 or “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion) (if equipped)” on page 6-68.

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Icy road warning light if equipped)
This warning light is to warn the driver the road may be icy. When the temperature on the outside temperature gauge is approximately below 4 °C (39 °F) the Icy road warning light and outside temperature gauge blinks and then appear. Also, the warning chime sounds 1 time.

Indicator lights

Electronic stability control (ESC) indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the ESC system.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This indicator light blinks:
While the ESC is operating.
For more details, refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system” on page 6-48.

Electronic stability control (ESC) OFF indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.
  • It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When you deactivate the ESC system by pressing the ESC OFF button.

For more details, refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system” on page 6-48.

AUTO HOLD indicator light (AUTO HOLD)
This indicator light appears

• White When you activate the auto hold system by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.
• Green When you stop the vehicle completely by depressing the brake pedal with the auto hold system activated.
• Yellow When there is a malfunction with the auto hold system. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

For more details, refer to “AUTO HOLD (if equipped)” on pages 6-44.

Immobilizer indicator light (without smart key) (if equipped)
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the vehicle detects the immobilizer in your key properly while the ignition switch is ON.
  • At this time, you can start the engine.
  • The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks:

• When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Immobilizer indicator light (with smart key)
This indicator light appears for up to 30 seconds:

 

• When the vehicle detects the smart key in the vehicle properly while the ENGINE START/STOP button is ACC or ON.
  • At this time, you can start the engine.
  • The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks for a few seconds:

• When the smart key is not in the vehicle.
  • At this time, you can not start the engine.

This indicator light appears for 2 seconds and goes off:

• When the vehicle can not detect the smart key which is in the vehicle while the ENGINE START/STOP Button is ON.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This indicator light blinks:

• When the battery of the smart key is weak.
  • At this time, you can not start the engine. However, you can start the engine if you press the ENGINE START/STOP Button with the smart key. (For more details, refer to
    “Immobilizer system” on pages 5-11).
• When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.
  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Turn signal indicator light
This indicator light blinks:

 

• When you turn the turn signal light on.
  If any of the following occurs, there may be a malfunction with the turn signal system. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
• The indicator light does not blink but appears.
• The indicator light blinks more rapidly.
• The indicator light does not appear at all.

Low beam indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the headlamps are on.

High beam indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the headlamps are on and in the high beam position.
• When the turn signal lever is pulled into the Flash-to-Pass position.

High Beam Assist indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the high beam is on with the light switch in the AUTO light position.
• If your vehicle detects oncoming or preceding vehicles, High Beam Assist will switch the high beam to the low beam automatically.

For more details, refer to “High Beam Assist (HBA)” on page 5-117.

Light ON indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the taillamps or headlamps are on.

Front fog indicator light if equipped)
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the front fog lights are on.

The Lane Safety indicator light
The Lane Safety indicator will appear when you turn Lane Keeping Assist on by pressing the Lane Safety button.
If there is a problem with Lane Keeping Assist, the yellow Lane Safety indicator will appear.
* For more details, refer to “Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)” on pages 6-80.

Cruise Control indicator light (if equipped)
This indicator light appears:

 

• When the cruise control system is enabled.

For more details, refer to “Cruise Control (CC) (if equipped)” on pages 6-115.

Ready indicator
This indicator illuminates:
When the vehicle is ready to be driven.

• ON: Normal driving is possible.
• OFF: Normal driving is not possible, or a problem has occurred.

EV mode indicator
This indicator illuminates:
When the vehicle is driven by the electric motor.

• “EV” indicator ON: The vehicle is driven using the electric motor or the gasoline engine is stopped.
• “EV” indicator OFF: The vehicle is driven using the gasoline engine.

Charging cable connection indicator light (Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This indicator illuminates in red when the charging cable is connected.

SPORT Mode indicator light
This indicator light appears:

 

• When you select “SPORT” mode as drive mode.

For more details, refer to “Drive mode integrated control system” on page 6-55.

ECO Mode indicator light
This indicator light illuminates:

 

• When you select “ECO” mode as drive mode.

For more details, refer to “Drive mode integrated control system” on page 6-55.

Green zone drive mode indicator light
This indicator appears when you enter the inner road under as entering the inner road of a large hospital or school, registered favourites (Home/Office/favourite 1, 2, 3), large shopping mall and park (public, national, etc.). Refer to “Green Zone Drive Mode” on page 6-56.

FAQs

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