Kia Niro EV 2021 Smart Cruise Control User Manual

Introduction

The mechanism adjusts to the movement of traffic in addition to maintaining a steady speed. Smart Cruise Control will automatically lower your speed to maintain a safe and comfortable distance between cars if the car in front of you slows down. The device can also effortlessly continue your predetermined speed once traffic has cleared or the car in front of you starts to accelerate. The Kia Niro EV 2021 has an advanced cruise control technology that not only improves safety but also lessens driver fatigue on extended highway drives. It takes care of speed adjustments so you may pay more attention to the road and drive more comfortably.

The Smart Cruise Control system also has programmable options that let you change the following distance and sensitivity to suit your preferences. This adaptability guarantees a customized driving experience that matches your level of comfort and driving style. In conclusion, the Kia Niro EV 2021’s Smart Cruise Control technology blends practicality, security, and clever functionality. It promotes a higher level of safety while easing the stress of highway driving by automatically adjusting to the flow of traffic.

Driving Your Vehicle

Before driving
Before getting into the vehicle, you should examine the car and its surroundings. After getting into the vehicle, you should check a number of things before driving.

Before entering vehicle

• Be sure that all windows, outside mirror(s), and outside lights are clean.
  Check the condition of the tires.
• Check under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
  Be sure there are no obstacles behind you if you intend to back up.

Before starting

• Close and lock all doors.
• Position the seat so that all controls are easily reached.
• Buckle your seat belt.
• Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors.
• Be sure that all lights work.
• Check all gauges.
• Check the operation of warning
  lights when the POWER button is turned to the ON position.
• Release the parking brake and make sure the brake warning light goes out.

For safe operation, be sure you are familiar with your vehicle and its equipment.

WARNING
Check surroundings
Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for pedestrians, especially children, before putting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).

WARNING
Loose objects
Securely store items in your vehicle. When you make a sudden stop or turn the steering wheel rapidly; loose objects may drop on the floor and it could interfere with the operation of the foot pedals, possibly causing an accident.

WARNING
Proper footwear
Always wear appropriate shoes when operating your vehicle. Unsuitable shoes (high heels, ski boots, sandals, etc.) may interfere with your ability to use the brake and accelerator pedals.

WARNING
Driving while intoxicated
Do not drive while intoxicated. Drinking and driving is dangerous. Even a small amount of alcohol will affect your reflexes, perceptions and judgment.
Driving while under the influence of drugs is as dangerous as or more dangerous than driving drunk.

WARNING
Distracted driving
Focus on the road while driving. The driver’s primary responsibility is in the safe and legal operation of the vehicle. Use of any handled devices, other equipment or vehicle systems that distract the driver should not be used during vehicle operation.

Power Button

Whenever the front door is opened, the POWER button will illuminate for your convenience.

The light will go off after about 30 seconds when the door is closed.
When all entrances are closed, if you lock the vehicle by using the transmitter or the smart key, the light will go off immediately.

POWER button position
The POWER button has the following four positions.

• OFF
• ACC (Accessory)
• ON
  START/RUN

OFF (Not Illuminated)
To turn off the vehicle power (ON position), press the POWER button with the shifter dial in the P (Park) position. When you press the POWER button without the shifter dial in the P (Park) position, the POWER button will not change to the OFF position but to the ACC position.

ACC (Accessory) (Amber)
Press the POWER button while it is in the OFF position without depress-ing the brake pedal.
If the POWER button is in the ACC position for more than 1 hour, the button is turned off automatically to prevent battery discharge.

ON (Red)
Press the POWER button while it is in the ACC position without depress -ing the brake pedal.
The warning lights can be checked before the vehicle is started. Do not leave the POWER button in the ON position for a long time. The battery may discharge, because the vehicle is not ON.

Go to OFF → ACC → ON → OFF or ACC

NOTICE
If you leave the POWER button in the ACC or ON position for a long time, the battery will discharge.

WARNING
Starting vehicle
Never press the POWER button while the vehicle is in motion except in an emergency. This would result in loss of directional control and braking function, which could cause an accident.

WARNING
Leaving the Vehicle
To avoid unexpected or sudden vehicle movement, never leave your vehicle if the reduction gear is not locked in the P (Park) position and the parking brake is fully engaged. Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the reduction gear is engaged in P (Park), set the parking brake fully and shut the vehicle off.

Starting the vehicle
WARNING
Do not start the vehicle with the accelerator pedal depressed. The vehicle can move and lead to an accident.

• The vehicle will start by pressing the POWER button, only when the smart key is in the vehicle.
  Even when the smart key is in the vehicle, if it is far away from the driver, the vehicle may not start.
• When the POWER button is in the ACC or ON position, and any door is open, the system checks for the smart key. When the smart key is not in the vehicle, the “ ” indicator will blink and the warning “Key not in vehicle” will come on. When all doors are closed, the chime will also sound for about 5 seconds. Keep the smart key in the vehicle when in the ACC position or if the vehicle is ON.

1. Always carry the smart key with you.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Make sure the shifter dial is in P (Park).
4. Depress the brake pedal.
5. Press the POWER button. If the vehicle starts, the” indicator  ” will come on.

NOTICE

• Always start the vehicle with your foot on the brake pedal.
  If ambient temperature is low, the ”  ” indicator may remain illuminated longer than the normal amount of time.

NOTICE
To prevent damage to the vehicle:  If the ” ” indicator turns off while you are in motion, do not attempt to move the shifter dial to the P (Park) position.
If traffic and road conditions permit, you may put the shifter dial in the N (Neutral) position while the vehicle is still moving and press the POWER button in an attempt to restart the vehicle.

• Do not push or tow your vehicle to start the vehicle.

WARNING
Unintended vehicle movement Never leave the smart key in the vehicle with children or vehicle occupants who are unfamiliar with the vehicle operation. Pushing the POWER button while the smart key is in the vehicle may result in unintended vehicle activation and/or unintended vehicle movement.

If the battery is weak or the smart key does not work correctly, you can start the vehicle by pressing the POWER button with the smart key.

The side with the lock button should contact the POWER button directly.
When you press the POWER button directly with the smart key, the smart key should contact the but-ton at a right angle.
When the stop lamp fuse is blown, you can’t start the vehicle normally. Replace the fuse with a new one. If it is not possible, you can start the vehicle by pressing the POWER but-ton for 10 seconds while it is in the ACC position. The vehicle can start without depressing the brake pedal. But for your safety always depress the brake pedal before starting the vehicle.
Do not press the POWER button for more than 10 seconds except when the stop lamp fuse is blown.

Turning Off the Vehicle

1. Depress the brake pedal fully.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Press the POWER button to turn the vehicle off.
5. Make sure the “ ” indicator light on the instrument cluster is turned off.

CAUTION
If the “” indicator light on the instrument cluster is still on, the vehicle is not turned off and can move when the gear is in any position except P (Park).

Reduction gear

Electric cars transmit the rotation of the motor to the wheel through the reducer.

Reduction Gear Operation
Select gear positions by turning the shifter dial.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

• ALWAYS check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for people, especially children, before shifting a vehicle into D (Drive) or R (Reverse).
• Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the gear is in the P (Park) position, then set the parking brake, and place the Power button in the OFF position. Unexpected and sudden vehicle movement can occur if these pre-cautions are not followed.

For your safety, always depress the brake pedal while shifting to another gear.

Gear position

The indicator in the instrument cluster displays the gear position when the POWER button is in the ON position.

P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into P (Park).
To shift the gear from R (Reverse), N (Neutral) or D (Drive) to P (Park), press the [P] button.
If you turn off the vehicle in D (Drive) or R (Reverse), the gear automatically shifts to P (Park). With the vehicle on, the gear automatically shifts to P (Park) if you open the driver’s door when the gear is in N (Neutral), R (Reverse) or D (Drive) and the following conditions are met:

• The brake/accelerator pedal is not depressed.
  The seat belt is unfastened.
• The vehicle speed is below 1 mph (2 km/h).
  When the vehicle is over a certain speed, the gear does not shift to P (Park) when the P button is pressed.

WARNING

• Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion may cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
• After the vehicle has stopped, always make sure the gear is in P (Park), apply the parking brake, and turn the vehicle off.
• Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.

R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle backward.
To shift to R (Reverse), press the [R] button while depressing the brake pedal.

CAUTION
Shifting
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage the reduction gear if you shift into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion, except on “Rocking the vehicle” (“Rocking the vehicle”

N (Neutral)
The wheels and gear are not engaged.
To shift to N (Neutral), press the [N] button while depressing the brake pedal.

Always depress the brake pedal
when you are shifting from N (Neutral) to another gear.
In N (Neutral), if the driver attempts to turn off the vehicle, the gear remains in N (Neutral) and the POWER button will be in the ACC position.
To turn off the vehicle from the ACC position, press the [P] button within 3 minutes. The vehicle will shift to P (Park) and turn off.
When the driver’s door is opened within 3 minutes with the POWER button in the ACC position and the gear in N (Neutral), the vehicle is automatically turned OFF and shifted to the P (Park) position.

D (Drive)
This is the normal driving position. To shift to D (Drive), press the [D] button while depressing the brake pedal.

Shift-lock system
For your safety, your vehicle has a shift-lock system which prevents shifting the gear from P (Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To shift from P (Park) or N (Neutral) into R (Reverse) or D (Drive), from R (Reverse) into D (Drive) or from D (Drive) into R (Reverse):

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the vehicle or place the POWER button  in the ON position.
3. Press the R (Reverse) or D (Drive) button.

NOTICE
For your safety, you cannot shift the gear while the charging cable is connected.

When the battery (12 V) is dis-charged
You cannot shift the gear when the battery is discharged.
Jump start your vehicle (refer to “Jump starting” or contact an authorized Kia dealer.

Parking

1. Always come to a complete stop and continue to depress the brake pedal.
2. Shift to the P (Park) position.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Place the POWER button in the OFF position.
5. Take the Key with you when exiting the vehicle.

LCD Display Messages
If a message appears on the LCD display, refer to the next section for the appropriate steps to take.

Shifting conditions not met

The message appears on the LCD display in the following conditions:

1. When driving speed is too fast to shift the gear. Decrease the vehicle speed or slow down before shifting the gear.
   When the gear is shifted while the vehicle is in Utility mode.

Press brake pedal to change gear

The message appears on the LCD display, when the brake pedal is not depressed while shifting the gear.
Depress the brake pedal and then shift the gear.

Shift to P after stopping

The message appears on the LCD display when the gear is shifted to P (Park) while the vehicle is moving.
Stop the vehicle before shifting to P (Park).

Gear already selected

The message appears on the LCD
display when the selected gear button is pressed again.

PARK malfunction. Engage parking brake when parking vehicle

The message is displayed when there is a problem with function engaging P (Park) position.
Immediately have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Check P button

The message appears on the LCD display when there is problem with the P button.
Immediately have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Check shifter dial

The message appears on the LCD display when there is problem with the shift buttons.
Immediately have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer

Rotary shifter stuck

The message appears on the LCD display when the shifter dial is continuously stuck or there is problem with the shifter dial.
Make sure that there is no object over the shifter dial. If the problem persists, immediately have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Shift button held down

The message appears on the LCD display when the shifter button is continuously pressed or there is problem with the button.

Make sure that there is no object over the shift button. If the problem
persists, immediately have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

Rotary shifter turned while pressing P

The message appears on the LCD display when the shift dial is not turned while pressing P button.
Make sure that shifter dial is not turned while pressing P button.

Good Driving Practices
Good driving habits reduce the risk of accidents and help maintain vehicle performance.

• Never shift from P (Park) or N (Neutral) to any other position with the accelerator pedal depressed.
  • Never shift from P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.

Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into R (Reverse) or D (Drive).

• Do not shift to N (Neutral) when driving. Doing so may result in an accident.
• Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. Even light, but consistent pedal pressure can result in the brakes overheating, brake wear and possibly even brake failure.
• Always apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle. Do not depend on placing the gear in P (Park) to keep the vehicle from moving.
• Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially careful when braking, accelerating or shifting gears. On a slippery surface, an abrupt change in vehicle speed can cause the drive wheels to lose traction and may cause loss of vehicle control resulting in an accident.
• Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by
  smoothly depressing and releasing the accelerator.

WARNING
When driving uphill or downhill, always shift to D (Drive) for driving forward or shift to R (Reverse) for driving backwards, and check the gear position indicated on the cluster before driving.
Driving in the opposite direction of the selected gear can lead to a dangerous situation by shutting off the engine and affecting the braking performance.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:

• ALWAYS wear your seat belt. In a collision, an unbelted occupant is significantly more likely to be seriously injured or killed than a properly belted occupant.
• Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
  Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane
  changes or fast, sharp turns.
• The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
• Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the road-way and the driver over steers to reenter the roadway.
• In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.
• Kia recommends you follow all posted speed limits.

Regenerative braking system

The regenerative braking system allows you to charge the battery when you use the brakes to stop the vehicle.

Regenerative Braking (Paddle Shifter)
The paddle shifter is used to adjust the regenerative braking level from 0 to 3 during decelerating or braking.

Left side ( ): Increases regenerative braking and deceleration.

Right side ( ): Decreases regenerative braking and deceleration.

Pull and hold the left side paddle shifter for more than 0.5 seconds and One Pedal Driving function is operated, increasing the regenerative braking. In this case, stopping the vehicle is possible by pulling the paddle shifter.

With the Smart Regeneration System activated, pull and hold the right side paddle shifter for over 1 second to turn on and off the automatic change of the regenerative
braking. However, nothing will hap-pen if the Smart Regeneration System is not activated from the User Settings mode. To activate or deactivate the function go to ‘User settings → Convenience → Smart Regeneration’.

NOTICE
The paddle shifter does not operate when:

• The [ ] and [ ] paddle shifters are pulled at the same time.
• The vehicle is decelerating by depressing the brake pedal.
  The Cruise Control system or  Smart Cruise Control system is activated.

The selected regenerative braking level is displayed on the instrument cluster.

Initial setting of the regenerative braking level and adjustable range vary according to the selected Drive mode.

Drive mode	Initial setting
ECO+	2
ECO	2
NORMAL	1
SPORT	1

* For more details, refer to “Drive mode integrated control system”

One pedal driving
The driver can stop the vehicle by pulling and holding the left side paddle shifter.
Operating Conditions
The system enters the operating condition when the conditions below are met:

• The driver’s door is closed.
• The driver’s seat belt is fastened.

To operate:

• Pull and hold the left side paddle shifter while coasting.
• When the vehicle speed is above 2 mph (3 km/h), release the paddle shifter to return to the previously set level.
• When the vehicle speed is below 2 mph (3 km/h), the function maintains control to stop the vehicle even though the paddle shifter is released.
• While the One pedal driving is in activation, the driver can control the vehicle stopping position using the accelerator pedal.

Automatic engagement of EPB After the vehicle is stopped by the One Pedal Driving function, EPB is automatically engaged when any of these conditions occur:

• The driver’s door is open.

The driver’s seatbelt is unfastened.
The hood is open.
The liftgate is open.
5 minutes have passed after the vehicle has stopped.
The system operation is limited due to other reasons.

WARNING

• Do not solely rely on one pedal driving to stop the vehicle. Stop-ping the vehicle may not be possible depending vehicle and road conditions. Pay attention to the road condition ahead and apply the brake if necessary.
•  
• Avoid increasing the regenerative 
  braking level suddenly on slippery roads (like snow or icy conditions) because it may lead slipping of the tires and skidding of vehicle. It can be dangerous due to the loss of the vehicle’s steering force.

Smart regeneration system

The Smart Regeneration System controls the regenerative braking automatically according to the road gradient and driving condition of the vehicle in front.
The system minimizes the unnecessary operation of the brake and acceleration pedal, improving the electric efficiency and assisting the driver.
Setting Smart Regeneration System

1. Place the gear in P (Park).
2. Select ‘User settings → Convenience → Smart Regeneration’ on the User Settings mode.

The setting is maintained when the vehicle is restarted.
Also, with the Smart Regeneration System activated, pull and hold the right side paddle shifter for over 1 second to turn on and off the automatic change of the regenerative braking.

Smart Regeneration System Activation
With ‘AUTO’ for the regenerative braking level displayed on the cluster, the regenerative braking level is controlled automatically when vehicle speed is above 6 mph (10 km/h) and one of the condition below is met.
The road gradient changes
Distance from the vehicle ahead  reduces or increases
Speed of the vehicle ahead reduces or increases

WARNING
When vehicle speed is under 6 mph (10 km/h), the Smart Regeneration System is cancelled. The driver must adjust the vehicle speed by depressing the accelerator or brake pedal according to the road condition ahead and driving condition.

When the system is turned on from the User Settings mode, but the front radar doesn’t recognize the vehicle in front, ‘AUTO’ is displayed in white.

If the front radar recognizes the vehicle in front, ‘AUTO’ is displayed in blue. The regenerative braking level is automatically controlled  depending on the driving condition of the vehicle in front and the level is indicated with arrows.

However, current regenerative braking level is maintained if the driver depresses the brake pedal while the system is in activation. Also, the system is cancelled temporarily if the accelerator pedal is depressed.

WARNING
The Smart Regeneration System which automatically controls the regenerative braking level when coasting is only a supplemental system for the driver’s convenience. Do not solely rely on this system to stop the vehicle. The system cannot completely stop the vehicle in all situations nor avoid all collisions. The brake control may be insufficient depending on the speed of the vehicle in front and when the vehicle in front suddenly stops, a vehicle cuts in suddenly and there is a steep slope. Always look ahead cautiously to prevent unexpected and sudden situations from occurring.

Smart Regeneration System Will Be Temporarily cancelled When:

• Cancelled manually

Pulling and holding the right side paddle shifter for more than 1 second.
The Smart Regeneration System turns off temporarily and AUTO for the regenerative braking level disappears from the cluster.

• Cancelled automatically
  • The vehicle is shifted to N (Neutral), R (Reverse) or P (Park).
  • Cruise Control (including Smart Cruise Control) is in activation.
  • The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) or ABS is operating.

WARNING
When the Smart Regeneration System is cancelled automatically, adjust the vehicle speed directly by depressing the accelerator or brake pedal according to the road and driving conditions ahead.

Resuming Smart Regeneration System
To re-activate the Smart Regeneration System while driving:

• Pull and hold the right side paddle shifter for more than 1 second again. Then, AUTO for the regenerative braking level will appear on the cluster.

Turning Smart Regeneration system off
To turn off the system:

• Shift to P (Park) and deselect ‘User Settings → Convenience → Smart Regeneration’ on the User Settings mode.

Vehicle-to-Vehicle Distance Recognition Sensor (front radar)
In order for the Smart Regeneration System to operate properly, always make sure the radar sensor cover is clean and free of dirt, snow, and debris.
Dirt, snow, or foreign substances on the lens may adversely affect the sensing performance of the sensor. In this case, the system operation may stop temporarily and not operate normally.

CAUTION

• Do not apply license plate frame  or foreign objects such as a bumper sticker or a bumper guard near the radar sensor. Doing so may adversely affect the sensing performance of the radar.
• Always keep the radar sensor and lens cover clean and free of dirt and debris.
  Use only a soft cloth to wash the vehicle. Do not spray pressurized water directly on the sensor or sensor cover.
• Be careful not to apply unnecessary force on the radar sensor or sensor cover. If the sensor is forcibly moved out of proper alignment, the Smart Regeneration System may not operate correctly. In this case, a warning message may not be displayed. Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
• If the front bumper becomes damaged in the area around the radar sensor, the Smart Regeneration System may not operate properly. Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
• Use only genuine Kia parts to repair or replace a damaged sensor or sensor cover. Do not apply paint to the sensor cover.

System Malfunction
“Check Smart Regeneration System” message will appear when the Smart Regeneration System is not functioning normally.

The message will appear when the system is not functioning normally. The system will be cancelled and the word ‘AUTO’ on the cluster will dis-appear and instead display regenerative braking level. Check for foreign substances on the front radar. Remove any dirt, snow, or foreign material that could interfere with the radar sensors. If the system still does not operate normally, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system checked.

Limitations of the System
The Smart Regeneration System may not operate properly in certain situations when the driving condition is beyond the performance of the front radar sensor.
Driver’s attention is required in such cases when the system does not react properly or operate unintentionally.

Driving on a curve

When driving on the curve, the system may not detect the vehicle in your lane and the regenerative braking level will reduce automatically, making you feel that the vehicle is accelerating.
Also, if the system suddenly recognizes the vehicle in front, the regenerative braking level will increase automatically, making you feel that the vehicle is decelerating.
The driver must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce
your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

The smart regeneration system may recognize a vehicle in an adjacent lane when driving on a curved road. In this case, the system increase the braking level and slow the vehicle.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions while driving. If necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance. Also, when necessary, you may depress the accelerator pedal to prevent the system from unnecessarily decelerating your vehicle.
Always check the traffic conditions around the vehicle.

Driving on a slope

When driving uphill or downhill, the system may not detect the vehicle in your lane and the regenerative braking level will reduce automatically, making you feel that the vehicle is accelerating.
Also, if the system suddenly recognizes the vehicle in front, the regenerative braking level will increase automatically, making you feel that the vehicle is decelerating.
The driver must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

Changing lanes

When a vehicle changes lanes in front of you, the smart regeneration system may not immediately detect the vehicle, especially if the vehicle changes lanes abruptly. In this case, you must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

Recognizing the vehicle

Some vehicles in your lane cannot be recognized by the sensor:

• Narrow vehicles such as motorcycles or bicycles
  Vehicles offset to one side
  Slow-moving vehicles or sudden decelerating vehicles
  Stopped vehicles (When the vehicle ahead drives away, the system may not detect a stopped vehicle.)
• Vehicles with small rear profile such as trailers with no loads
  A vehicle ahead cannot be recognized correctly by the sensor if any of following occurs:
  When the vehicle is pointing
  upwards due to overloading in the luggage compartment
• While the steering wheel is operating
• When driving to one side of the lane
  When driving on narrow lanes or on curves
  Apply the brake or accelerator pedal if necessary.

WARNING
When using the Smart Regeneration System take the following precautions:

• If an emergency stop is necessary, you must apply the brakes.
• Keep a safe distance according to road conditions and vehicle speed. If the vehicle distance is too close  during a high-speed driving, a serious collision may result.
•  Always maintain sufficient braking distance and decelerate your vehicle by applying the brakes if necessary.
• The Smart Regeneration System is designed to detect and monitor the vehicle ahead in the roadway through radar signals. It is not designed to detect oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, or smaller wheeled objects such as luggage bags, shopping carts, or strollers.
• Vehicles moving in front of you with a frequent lane change may cause a delay in the system’s reaction or may cause the system to react to a vehicle actually in an adjacent lane. Always drive cautiously to prevent unexpected and sudden situations from occurring.
• The Smart Regeneration System may not recognize complex driving situations so always pay attention to driving conditions and control your vehicle speed.

NOTICE
The Smart Regeneration System may not operate temporarily due to:

• Electrical interference
• Modifying the suspension
  • Differences of tire abrasion or tire pressure
  • Installing different type of tires

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following three conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
3. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

Radio frequency radiation exposure information:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of 8 in (20 cm) between the radiator (antenna) and your body.
This transmitter must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Brake system

This vehicle is equipped with various brakes and functions to stop the vehicle or keep it stationary.

Power brakes
Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage.
If the vehicle is not on or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the brakes will not work. You can still stop your vehicle by applying greater force to the brake pedal than typical. The stopping distance, however, will be longer than with power brakes.
When the vehicle is not on, the reserve brake power is partially depleted each time the brake pedal is applied. Do not pump the brake pedal when the power assist has been interrupted.
Pump the brake pedal only when necessary to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.

CAUTION
Brake Pedal
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will create abnormally high brake temperatures which can cause excessive brake lining and pad wear.

WARNING
Steep hill braking
Avoid continuous application of the brakes when descending a long or steep hill by increasing the regeneration level. Continuous brake application will cause the brakes to overheat and could result in a temporary loss of braking performance.

Wet brakes may impair the vehicle’s ability to safely slow down; the vehicle may also pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Apply-ing the brakes lightly will indicate whether they have been affected in this way. Always test your brakes in this fashion after driving through deep water. To dry the brakes, apply them lightly while maintaining a safe forward speed until brake performance returns to normal.

CAUTION

Do not depress the brake pedal continuously without the “ ” indicator ON. The battery may be discharged.

In the event of brake failure
If service brakes fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion, you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. The stopping dis

WARNING
Parking brake
Avoid applying the parking brake to stop the vehicle while it is moving except in an emergency situation. Applying the 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 parking brake to stop the vehicle, use great caution in applying the brake.

CAUTION
Replace brake pads
Do not continue to drive with worn brake pads. Continuing to drive with worn brake pads can damage the braking system and result in costly brake repairs, and can also lead to a serious accident.

WARNING
Brake wear
Do not ignore high pitched wear sounds from your brakes. If you ignore this audible warning, you will eventually lose braking performance, which could lead to a serious accident.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
The Electronic Parking Brake switch is located on the lower left side of the shifter dial.

Applying the parking brake

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Pull up the EPB switch.
3. Make sure the warning light comes on.

Also, the EPB is applied automatically if the Auto Hold button is on when the vehicle is turned off. However, if you pull up the EPB switch after the vehicle is turned off, the EPB will not be Applied.

NOTICE
On a steep incline or when pulling a trailer, if the vehicle does not remain at a standstill, do as follows:

1. Apply the EPB.
2. Pull up the EPB switch for more than 3 seconds.

Do not operate the EPB while the vehicle is moving except in an emergency situation.

NOTICE
A click or electric brake motor whine sound may be heard while operating or releasing the EPB.
These conditions are normal and indicate that the EPB is functioning properly.

Releasing the parking brake with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) switch

1. Releasing the parking brake with EPB switch,
   • Have the POWER button in the ON position.
   • Depress the brake pedal.
   • The shifter dial must be in P(Park).
2. 2. Make sure the brake warning light goes off.

Automatic release of Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
The EPB is released automatically under following conditions.

• Shifter dial in P (Park) With the vehicle running depress the brake pedal and shift out of P (Park) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
• Shifter dial in N (Neutral)
  With the vehicle running depress the brake pedal and shift out of N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) or D
  (Drive).
• Reduction gear

1. Start the vehicle.
2. Fasten the driver’s seat belt. Close the driver’s door, hood and liftgate.
3. Depress the accelerator pedal while the shifter dial is in R (Rear), D (Drive).

Make sure the brake warning light goes off.

NOTICE

• For your safety, you can engage the EPB even though the POWER button is in the OFF position, but you cannot release it.
• For your safety, depress the brake pedal and release the parking brake manually with the EPB switch when you drive downhill or when backing up the vehicle.

CAUTION
If the parking brake warning light is still on even though the EPB has been released, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer. Do not drive your vehicle with the EPB applied. It may cause excessive brake pad and brake rotor wear.

EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) may be automatically applied when:

• The EPB is overheated
• Requested by other systems

NOTICE
For EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) equipped vehicles with AUTO HOLD function used while driving, if the POWER button has been turned OFF, the EPB will be engaged automatically. Therefore, AUTO HOLD function should be turned off before the POWER but-ton is turned off.

• System warning
  The EPB will display a warning message with sound under certain conditions.
  If you try to drive off depressing the accelerator pedal with the EPB applied, but the EPB doesn’t release automatically, a warning will sound and a message will appear.
• If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened and the vehicle hood, driver’s door or liftgate is opened, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

• If there is a problem with the vehicle, a warning may sound and a message may appear.

If the above situation occurs, depress the brake pedal and release EPB by pressing the EPB switch.

WARNING

• To prevent unintentional movement when stopped and leaving the vehicle, do not use the shifter dial in place of the parking brake. Set the parking brake and make sure the shifter dial is securely positioned in P (Park).
• Never allow a passenger to touch the parking brake. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, serious injury may occur.
• All vehicles should always have the parking brake fully engaged when parked to avoid inadvertent movement of the vehicles which can injure occupants or pedestrians.

CAUTION

• A click or electric brake motor whine sound may be heard while operating or releasing the EPB. These conditions are normal and indicate that the EPB is functioning properly.
• When leaving your keys with a parking lot attendant or valet, make sure to inform him/her how to operate the EPB.
• The EPB may malfunction if you drive with the EPB applied.
  When you automatically release EPB by depressing the accelerator pedal, depress it slowly.

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly a warning will sound and a message will appear.

NOTICE
Engage the brake pedal when the above message appears for the Auto Hold and EPB may not activate.

If the EPB is applied while Auto Hold is activated because of an ESC
(Electronic Stability Control) signal, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

EPB malfunction indicator
This warning light illuminates if the POWER button is changed to the ON position and goes off in approximately 3 seconds if the system is operating normally.

If the EPB malfunction indicator remains on, comes on while driving, or does not come on when the POWER 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 illuminate if the EPB switch operates abnormally. Shut the vehicle off and turn it on again after a few minutes.

CAUTION
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 EPB 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.

Emergency braking
If there is a problem with the brake pedal while driving, emergency braking is possible by pulling up and holding the EPB switch.
Braking is possible only while you are holding the EPB switch.

WARNING
Do not operate the Electronic Parking Brake while the vehicle is moving except in an emergency 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.

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 (Electronic Parking Brake) is not released
If the EPB does not release normally, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer by loading the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck and have the system checked.

AUTO HOLD
The Auto Hold maintains the vehicle in a standstill even though the brake pedal is not depressed after the driver brings the vehicle to a complete stop by depressing the brake pedal.

Applying Auto Hold function

1. Depress the brake pedal, start the vehicle and then press the Auto Hold button. The white AUTO HOLD indicator will come on indicating the system is in standby.
   
2. Before the Auto Hold will engage, the driver’s door and vehicle hood must be closed and the liftgate must be closed.
3. When coming to a complete stop by depressing the brake pedal, the AUTO HOLD indicator changes from white to green indicating the AUTO HOLD is engaged.
4. The vehicle will remain at a stand-still even if you release the brake pedal.
   
5. If EPB is applied, Auto Hold will be released.
   If you press the accelerator pedal with the shifter dial in D (Drive) or manual mode, the Auto Hold will be released automatically and the vehicle will start to move. The indicator changes from green to white indicating the Auto Hold is in standby and the EPB is released.

WARNING
When driving off from Auto Hold by depressing the accelerator pedal, always check the surrounding area near your vehicle.
Slowly depress the accelerator pedal for a smooth launch.

Canceling Auto Hold function

• To cancel the Auto Hold operation, press the Auto Hold switch. The AUTO HOLD indicator will go out.
• To cancel the Auto Hold operation when the vehicle is at a standstill, press the Auto Hold switch while depressing the brake pedal.

NOTICE

• The following are conditions when the Auto Hold will not engage
  (Auto Hold light will not turn green and the Auto Hold system remains in stand by):

   

  • The driver’s door is opened
  • The vehicle hood or liftgate is opened
  • The shifter dial is in P (Park)
  • The EPB is applied
• For your safety, the Auto Hold automatically switches to EPB under any of the following conditions (Auto Hold light remains white and the EPB automatically applies):
  • The driver’s door is opened
  • The vehicle hood or liftgate is opened
  • The vehicle is in a standstill for more than 10 minutes
  • The vehicle is standing on a steep slope
    The vehicle moved for a few seconds
    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 vehicle 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 dealer and have the system checked.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of an accident, do not activate Auto Hold while driving downhill, backing up or parking your vehicle.

If there is a malfunction with the driver’s door or vehicle hood or lift-gate open detection 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
The Auto Hold function will display a warning message with sound under certain conditions.
When the EPB is applied from Auto Hold, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

When the conversion from Auto Hold to EPB is not working properly a warning will sound and a message will appear.

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 operate. 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.

When you press the [AUTO HOLD] switch, if the driver’s door and vehicle hood are not closed or the lift-gate is not closed, 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, vehicle hood and liftgate.

WARNING
Parking brake use

• Never allow a passenger to touch the parking brake. If the parking brake is released unintentionally, serious injury may occur.
• All vehicles should always have the parking brake fully engaged when parked to avoid inadvertent movement of the vehicles which can injure occupants or pedestrians.

Check the brake warning light by pressing POWER button ON (do not start the vehicle). This light will be illuminated when the parking brake is applied with the POWER button in the START or ON position.

Before driving, be sure the parking brake is fully released and the brake warning light is off.
If the brake warning light remains on after the parking brake is released while the vehicle is running, there may be a malfunction in the brake system. Immediate attention is necessary.
If at all possible, cease driving the vehicle immediately. If that is not possible, use extreme caution while operating the vehicle and only continue to drive the vehicle until you can reach a safe location or repair shop.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
ABS (or ESC) will not prevent accidents 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 or snow-covered roads
  When driving with tire chains installed
  When driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has different surface heights.

Driving in these conditions increase 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 “tiktik’’ sound from the brakes, or feel a corresponding 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 situation, 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 situation allows the ABS to control the force being delivered to the brakes.

NOTICE
A click sound may be heard in the engine compartment when the vehicle begins to move after the engine is started. These conditions are normal and indicate that the anti-lock brake system is functioning properly.

• Even with the anti-lock brake system, your vehicle still requires sufficient 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 stopping distance than for vehicles equipped with a conventional brake system.

The ABS warning light will stay on for approximately 3 seconds after the POWER button 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 vehicle over to a safe place and stop the vehicle.
Restart the vehicle. 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 mal-functioned.

• Do not pump your brakes!
  Have the battery recharged before driving the vehicle.

Electronic stability control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability control (ESC) system is designed to stabilize the vehicle during cornering maneuvers. ESC checks where you are steering and where the vehicle is actually going. ESC applies the brakes on individual wheels and intervenes with the engine management system to stabilize the vehicle.

WARNING
Electronic stability control (ESC) will not prevent accidents. Excessive speed in turns, abrupt maneuvers and hydroplaning on wet surfaces can still result in serious accidents. 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.

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is an electronic system designed to help the driver maintain vehicle control under adverse conditions. 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 responsibility to drive and corner at reasonable 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 “tiktik’’ sound from the brakes, or feel a corresponding sensation in the brake pedal. This is normal and it means your ESC is active.

NOTICE
A click sound may be heard in the engine compartment when the vehicle begins to move after the engine is started. These conditions are normal and indicate that the Electronic Stability Control System is functioning properly.

ESC operation
ESC ON condition

• When the ignition is turned ON, ESC and ESC OFF indicator lights illuminate for approximately 3 seconds, then ESC is turned on.
  Press the ESC OFF but-ton for at least half a second after turning the ignition ON to turn ESC off.(ESC OFF indicator will illuminate). To turn the ESC on, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF indicator light will go off).
• When starting the engine, you may hear a slight ticking sound. This is the ESC performing an automatic system self-check and does not indicate a problem.

When operating

When the ESC is in operation, the ESC indicator light blinks.

• When the Electronic Stability Control is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle. This is only the effect of brake control and indicates nothing unusual.
  When moving out of the mud or driving on a slippery road, pressing the accelerator pedal may not cause the engine rpm (revolutions per minute) to increase.

ESC operation off
ESC OFF state

This car has 2 kinds of ESC off states.
If the vehicle stops when ESC is off, ESC remains off. Upon restarting the vehicle, the ESC will automatically turn on again.

ESC off state 1 – Traction control disabled
To turn off the traction control function and only operate the brake control function of the ESC, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF ) for less than 3 seconds and the ESC OFF indicator light (ESC OFF ) will illuminate.

ESC off state 2 – Traction & stability control disabled
To turn off the traction control function and the brake control function of the ESC, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF ) for more than 3 seconds. ESC

OFF indicator light (ESC OFF ) will illuminate and ESC
OFF warning chime will sound. At this state, the car stability control function does not operate any more.

 

• ESC off state 1
  To turn off the traction control function and only operate the brake control function of the ESC, press the ESC OFF button (ESC OFF ) for at least half a second (ESC OFF indicator light (ESC OFF ) illuminates).

At this state, only the brake control function will operate.
If your vehicle is equipped with cluster type B, C, a message also will appear on the LCD display.

Indicator light

ESC indicator light

ESC OFF indicator light

When ignition switch is turned to ON, the indicator light illuminates, then goes off if the ESC system is operating normally.
The ESC indicator light blinks when-ever ESC is operating or illuminates when ESC fails to operate.
The ESC OFF indicator light comes on when the ESC is turned off with the button.

WARNING
Electronic stability control
Drive carefully even though your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control. It can only assist you in maintaining control under certain circumstances.

ESC OFF usage
When driving

• ESC should be turned on for daily driving whenever possible.
  To turn ESC off while driving, press the ESC OFF button while driving on a flat road surface.

WARNING
Operating ESC
Never press the ESC OFF but-ton while ESC is operating (ESC indicator light blinks).
If ESC is turned off while ESC is operating, the vehicle may slip out of control.

NOTICE

• When operating the vehicle on a dynamometer, ensure that the ESC is turned 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 operation.

Vehicle stability management (VSM) 
This system provides further enhancements to vehicle stability and steering responses when a vehicle is driving on a slippery road or a vehicle detects changes in coefficient of friction between right wheels and left wheels when braking.

WARNING
Tire/ Wheel size
When replacing tires and wheels, make sure they are the same size as the original tires and wheels installed. Driving with varying tire or wheel sizes may diminish any supplemental safety benefits of the VSM system.

VSM operation
When the VSM is in operation, ESC indicator light ( ) blinks.
When the vehicle stability management is operating properly, you can feel a slight pulsation in the vehicle and/or abnormal steering responses (EPS). This is only the effect of brake and EPS control and indicates nothing unusual.

The VSM does not operate when:

• Driving on bank road such as gradient or incline
  Driving in reverse
  ESC OFF indicator light ( ) remains on the instrument cluster
  EPS indicator light remains on the instrument cluster

VSM operation off
If you press the ESC OFF button to turn off the ESC, the VSM will also cancel and the ESC OFF indicator light ( ) illuminates.
To turn on the VSM, press the button again. The ESC OFF indicator light goes out.

WARNING
Vehicle stability management
Drive carefully even though your vehicle has Vehicle stability management. It can only assist you in maintaining control under certain circumstances.

Malfunction indicator
The VSM can be deactivated even if you don’t cancel the VSM operation by pressing the ESC OFF button. It indicates that a malfunction has been detected somewhere in the Electric Power Steering system or VSM system. If the ESC indicator light ( ) or EPS warning light remains on, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system checked.

NOTICE
The VSM is designed to function above approximately 13 mph (22 km/h) on curves.
The VSM is designed to function above approximately 6 mph (10 km/h) when a vehicle is braking on a split-mu road. The split-mu road is made of surfaces which have different friction forces.

The Vehicle Stability Management system is not a substitute for safe driving practices but a supplementary function only. It is the responsibility of the driver to always check the speed and the distance to the vehicle ahead. Always hold the steering wheel firmly while driving.
Your vehicle is designed to activate according to the driver’s intention, even with installed VSM. Always follow all the normal precautions for driving at safe speeds for the conditions – including driving in clement weather and on a slippery road.

WARNING
For maximum protection, always wear your seat belt. No system, no matter how advanced, can compensate for all driver error and/or driving conditions. Always drive responsibly.

Hill-start assist control (HAC)
A vehicle has the tendency to roll back on a steep hill when it starts to go after stopping. The Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) prevents the vehicle from rolling back by applying the brakes automatically for about 2 seconds. The brakes are released when the accelerator pedal is depressed or after about 2 seconds.
The HAC is activated only for about 2 seconds, so when the vehicle is starting off always depress the accelerator pedal.

WARNING
Maintaining Brake Pressure on Incline
HAC does not replace the need to apply brakes while stopped on an incline. While stopped, make sure you maintain brake pressure sufficient to prevent your vehicle from rolling back-ward and causing an accident. Don’t release the brake pedal until you are ready to accelerate forward.

Good braking practices

• Check to be sure the parking brake is not engaged and the parking brake indicator light is out before driving away.
  Driving through water may get the brakes wet. They can also get wet when the vehicle is washed. Wet brakes can be dangerous! Your vehicle will not stop as quickly if the brakes are wet. Wet brakes may cause the vehicle to pull to one side.
  To dry the brakes, apply the brakes lightly until the braking action returns to normal, taking care to keep the vehicle under control at all times. If the braking action does not return to normal, stop as soon as it is safe to do so and call an authorized Kia dealer for assistance.
  Don’t coast down hills with the vehicle out of gear. This is extremely hazardous. Keep the vehicle in gear at all times, use the brakes to slow down, then shift to a lower gear so that engine braking will help you maintain a safe speed.
• Don’t “ride” the brake pedal. Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving can be dangerous because the brakes might overheat and lose their effective-ness. It also increases the wear of the brake components.
  If a tire goes flat while you are driving, apply the brakes gently and keep the vehicle pointed straight ahead while you slow down. When you are moving slowly enough for it to be safe to do so, pull off the road and stop in a safe place.
  If your vehicle is equipped with an Automatic Transmission, don’t let your vehicle creep forward. To avoid creeping forward, keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped.
  Be cautious when parking on a hill. Firmly engage the parking brake and place the shift lever in P (automatic transmission). If your vehicle is facing downhill, turn the front wheels into the curb to help keep the vehicle from rolling.

If your vehicle is facing uphill, turn the front wheels away from the curb to help keep the vehicle from rolling. If there is no curb or if it is required by other conditions to keep the vehicle from rolling, block the wheels.

• Under some conditions your parking brake can freeze in the engaged position. This is most likely to happen when there is an accumulation of snow or ice around or near the rear brakes or if the brakes are wet. If there is a risk that the parking brake may freeze, apply it only temporarily while you put the shift lever in P (automatic transmission) and block the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll. Then release the parking brake.
  Do not hold the vehicle on an incline with the accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.

Drive Mode Integrated Control System

The drive mode integrated control system allows the driver to select the drive mode most appropriate to the surrounding environment.

Drive Mode
The drive mode may be selected according to the driver’s preference or road condition.

The mode changes, as below, whenever the DRIVE MODE button is pressed.

• Press and hold the DRIVE MODE button to select ECO+ mode.
•  

Initial Setting for Each Drive Mode

Drive mode	NORMAL	SPORT	ECO	ECO+*1
Feature	Normal driving mode	Sporty driving mode	Optimal for eco- driving	Ultra power saving driving mode
Button activation	Press	Press	Press	Press and hold
Indicator on the cluster	–	SPORT	ECO	ECO+*1
Air conditioner / heater system control	NORMAL (ECO/NORMAL)*2	NORMAL (ECO/NORMAL)*2	ECO	Off
Speed limit	–	–	(55 mph~75 mph)*2	Below 56 mph
Regenerative braking level	1 (1~3)*2	1 (1~3)*2	2 (1~3)*2	2

1. *Change to ECO+ mode
   Distance to empty may not change when the air conditioner / heater system is off. However, actual distance may be extended.
   Air conditioner / heater system turns off (except the defroster) but you may turn it on if necessary.
   When the drive mode is switched from the ECO+ mode to a different mode, it is changed to air conditioner / heater operation status of the ECO mode.
   The speed limit is automatically deactivated when Smart Cruise Control is in activation or the accelerator pedal is depressed to the end. If speed limit function is deactivated by depressing the accelerator pedal, the speed limit function will reactivate when vehicle speed is lower than the set speed limit. Also, the speed is changed to the speed set at ECO mode when the drive mode switches from the ECO+ mode to ECO mode.
2. It is possible to set the driving condition for each drive mode (except the ECO+ mode) at the drive mode setting in the multimedia system. For more information, refer to the separately supplied manual.

FORWARD COLLISION-AVOIDANCE ASSIST (FCA) (IF EQUIPPED)

The FCA system is designed to detect and monitor the vehicle ahead or detect a pedestrian (if equipped) in the roadway through radar signals and camera recognition to warn the driver that a collision is imminent, and if necessary, apply emergency braking.

* FCA stands for Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
* Sensor fusion (Front view camera
+ Front radar) FCA operates for the vehicle ahead, the pedestrian or the cyclist in front.

WARNING
Forward Collision-Avoidance assist Limitations
FCA is a supplemental function and is not a substitute for safe driving practices.
It is the responsibility of the driver to always check the speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and to be prepared to apply the brakes.

WARNING
Take the following precautions when using Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist:

• This function is only a supple mental function and it is not intended to, nor does it replace  the need for the extreme care and attention of the driver. The sensing range and objects detectable by the sensors are limited. Pay attention to the road conditions at all times.
• NEVER drive too fast in accordance with the road conditions or while cornering.
• Always drive cautiously to prevent unexpected and sudden situations from occurring. FCA does not stop the vehicle completely and is only intended to help mitigate an imminent collision.

Function setting and activation
The driver can activate FCA by placing the POWER button to the ON position and by selecting:

• Go to the ‘User Settings → Driver
• Assistance → Forward Collision-
  Avoidance Assist’ on the LCD display.

FCA deactivates, when the driver cancels the function setting.

The warning light illumi-nates on the LCD display, when you cancel FCA. The driver can monitor FCA ON/OFF status on the LCD display. Also, the warning light illuminates when the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is turned off (Traction & Stability control disabled.).

When the warning light remains ON with FCA activated, take your vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer and have the system checked.
Setting the initial warning activation time
The driver can select the initial warning activation time in the User Settings in the instrument cluster LCD display.
The options for the initial Forward Collision Warning include the following:
Early: When this condition is selected, the initial Forward Collision Warning is activated earlier than normal. This setting maximizes the amount of distance between the vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist ahead before the initial warning occurs. If the ‘Early’ condition feels too sensitive, change it into ‘Normal’.

Normal: When this condition is selected, the initial Forward Collision Warning is activated normally.

• LATE – When this condition is selected, the initial Forward Collision Warning is activated later than normal. This setting reduces the amount of distance between the vehicle or pedestrian ahead before the initial warning occurs. Select this condition only when traffic is light, and you are driving slowly.

Prerequisite for activation The FCA will activate when the FCA is selected on the LCD display, and when the following prerequisites are satisfied:

• The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is activated. The driving speed is over 6 mph.(The FCA only works within a certain range of vehicle speeds)
• When the FCA recognizes a vehicle or the pedestrian in front.

WARNING The FCA may not recognize every obstacle or provide warnings and braking in every situation, so do not rely on the FCA to stop the vehicle in instances where the driver sees an obstacle and has the ability to apply the brakes.

WARNING
Set or cancel FCA with controlling switches on steering wheel after stopping the vehicle in the safe place for your safety. Do not attempt to set or cancel the FCA while your vehicle is moving.

• The FCA automatically activates upon placing the ignition switch to the ON position. The driver can deactivate the FCA by canceling the system setting on the LCD display. The FCA automatically deactivates upon canceling the ESC. When the ESC is cancelling, the FCA cannot be activated on the LCD display. The FCA warning light will illuminate, but it does not indicate a malfunction of the system.

FCA warning message and system control The FCA system produces warning messages, warning alarms, and emergency braking based on the level of risk of a frontal collision, such as when a vehicle ahead suddenly brakes.

Collision Warning (1st warning)

• The warning message appears on the LCD display with the warning alarms. The FCA limitedly controls the brakes to mitigate a potential collision.

Emergency braking (2nd warning).

• The warning message appears on the LCD display with the warning alarms. The FCA limitedly controls the brakes to mitigate a potential collision. Brake control is maximized just before a collision.
•  
• 
• The warning message appears on the LCD display with the warning alarms.
  The FCA limitedly controls the brakes to mitigate a potential collision. Brake control is maximized just before a collision.

CAUTION
When other warning sounds such as the seat belt warning sound are in operation and override the FCA alarming system, FCA warning sounds may not occur.

Brake operation

• In an urgent situation, the braking system enters into the ready status for prompt reaction against the driver’s depressing the brake pedal.
  The FCA provides additional braking power for optimum braking performance when the driver depresses the brake pedal.
  The braking control is automatically deactivated, when the driver sharply depresses the accelerator pedal, or when the driver abruptly turns the steering wheel.
  The braking control is automatically canceled when risk factors disappear.

WARNING
The driver should always exercise caution when operating the vehicle, even though there is no warning message or warning alarm.

WARNING
Never rely solely on the FCA to avoid a collision. It is the driver’s responsibility to safely maneuver the vehicle under all conditions.

WARNING
The FCA operates within certain parameters, such as the distance from the vehicle/pedestri an in front, the speed of the vehicle/pedestrian in front, and the driver’s vehicle operation. Certain conditions such as inclement weather and road conditions may affect the operation of the FCA system. Never deliberately drive dangerously to activate the system.

FCA front radar / camera sensor

In order for the FCA system to operate properly, always make sure the sensor or sensor cover is clean and free of dirt, snow, and debris. Dirt, snow, or foreign substances on the lens may adversely affect the sensing performance of the sensor.

NOTICE

• Do not install any accessories, such as a license plate bracket or bumper sticker near the sensor area. Do not replace the bumper by yourself. Doing so may adversely affect the sensing performance.
  Always keep the sensor/bumper area clean.
  Use only a soft cloth to wash the vehicle. Also, do not spray highly pressurized water on the sensor installed on the bumper.
  Be careful not to apply unnecessary force on the frontal sensor area. When the sensor moves out of the correct position due to external force, the system may not operate correctly even without the warning light or message. In this case, we recommend you to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
  Use only the genuine Kia sensor cover. Do not arbitrarily apply paint on the sensor cover.
• Do not tint the window or install stickers, accessories around the inside mirror where the camera is installed.
• Make sure the frontal camera installation point does not get wet.
  Do not impact or arbitrarily remove any radar/camera components.
  Do not place reflective objects (white paper or mirror etc.) on the dashboard. The system may activate unnecessarily due to reflect of the sunlight.
  Excessive audio volume may prevent vehicle occupants from hearing the sound of the system warning alarm.

Warning message and warning light

When the sensor cover or the sensor lens is covered with foreign sub-stances, such as snow or rain, the FCA operation may temporarily stop. In this case, the warning message appears to warn the driver. Remove any dirt, snow, or debris and clean the radar sensor cover before operating the FCA system.
The FCA may not properly operate in an area (e.g. open terrain), where any objects is not detected after turning ON the engine.

System malfunction

When the FCA is not working properly, the FCA warning light ( ) will illuminate and the warning message will appear for a few seconds. After the message disappears, the master warning light ( ) will illuminate. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
The FCA warning message may appear along with the illumination of the ESC warning light.

WARNING

• The FCA is only a supplemental system for the driver’s convenience.
  The driver still maintains responsibility to control the vehicle. Do not solely depend on the FCA system. Rather, maintain a safe braking distance, and, if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce the driving speed or stop the vehicle.
• The FCA may unnecessarily produce warning messages and warning alarms. Due to the sensing limitation, the FCA may not produce warning messages or warning alarm at all.
  When there is a malfunction with the FCA, the braking control does not operate upon detecting a collision risk even with other braking systems normally operating.
• The FCA operates only for the vehicle / pedestrian in front, while driving forward. It does not operate for any animals or vehicles in the opposite direction.
  The FCA cannot recognize cross-traffic or parked vehicles presenting a side profile.
  If the vehicle in front stops suddenly, you may have less control of the brake system. Therefore, always keep safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
  The FCA system may not activate if the driver applies the brake pedal to avoid risk of collision.
• The FCA system does not operate when the vehicle is in reverse. In these cases, you must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce the driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.
  The FCA system may not activate according to driving condition, traffic on the road, weather, road condition, etc.
  The FCA system may not activate to all types of vehicles.

Limitation of the system
The FCA system is designed to monitor the driving situation ahead through camera and radar sensors to warn the driver that a collision is imminent, and if necessary, apply emergency braking.
In certain situations, the camera and sensors may not be able to detect the situation ahead. In these cases, the FCA system may not operate normally. The driver must pay careful attention in the following situations where the FCA operation may be limited.

Recognizing Vehicles
The sensor may be limited when:

• The radar or the camera is covered with foreign substances.
  It heavily rains or snows.
  There is interference by electro-magnetic waves.
  The vehicle in front has a narrow body. (i.e. motor cycle and bicycle)
  The driver’s view is unclear due to the backlight, the reflected light, or darkness.
  The camera cannot contain the full image of the vehicle in front.
  The vehicle in front is a special vehicle, such as a heavily-loaded truck or a trailer.
  The outside brightness is greatly changed, such as entering/exiting the tunnel.
  The vehicle driving is unstable.
  The radar/camera sensor recognition is limited.
• The driver’s field of view is not well illuminated (either too dark or too much reflection or too much back-light that obscures the field of view)
  The vehicle in front is driving erratically
  The vehicle is driven near areas containing metal substances such as a construction zone, railroad, etc.
  Backlight is reflected in the direction of the vehicle (including front light from the vehicle ahead)
  Moisture on the windshield is not completely removed or frozen.
  The weather is misty.
  The vehicle in front does not turn ON the rear lights, does not have rear lights, has asymmetric rear lights, or has rear lights out of angle.
  The vehicle is on unpaved or uneven rough surfaces, or roads with sudden gradient changes.
• The vehicle is moving under ground level or inside a building.
  If a sudden change in the sensor recognition takes place while driving over the speed bump,
  When the vehicle is severely shaken,
  When driving around a roundabout with a vehicle in front,
  If the front of the camera lens is contaminated by front glass tinting, film, water repellent coating, damage on glass, foreign matter (sticker, insect, etc.)
  The radar or camera or camera lens is damaged.
• If not using headlamp or using weak light in the night or in a tunnel.
  Backlight is shining in the driving  direction of the vehicle. (Including oncoming vehicle headlights.)
• When the rear part of the front vehicle is small or low.
  When a trailer or other vehicle is towing the front vehicle.
• When the ground clearance of the front vehicle is high.
•  
• When a front vehicle makes sudden lane changes unexpectedly.
•  
• Driving on a curve

The performance of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist may be limited when driving on a curved road.
The front camera or radar sensor recognition function may not detect the vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist traveling in front on a curved road. This may result in no alarm and braking when necessary.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist may recognize a vehicle or pedestrian or cyclist in the next lane or outside the lane when driving on a curved road.

If this occurs, the function may unnecessarily alarm the driver and apply the brake.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving.

Driving on a slope

The performance of Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist may be decreased while driving upward or downward on a slope. The front camera or front radar sensor recog-nition may not detect the vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist in front.
This may result in unnecessary alarm and braking or no alarm and braking when necessary.
When the function suddenly recognizes the vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist in front while passing over a slope, you may experience sharp deceleration.
Always keep your eyes forward while driving upward or downward on a slope, and, if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain distance.

• Changing lanes
  When a vehicle changes lanes in front of you, FCA may not immediately detect the vehicle, especially if the vehicle changes lanes abruptly. In this case, you must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

When driving in stop-and-go traffic, and a stopped vehicle in front of you merges out of the lane, FCA may not immediately detect the new vehicle that is now in front of you. In this case, you must maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain a safe distance.

Recognizing the vehicle

When the vehicle in front has heavy loading extended rearward, or when the vehicle in front has higher ground clearance, it may induce a hazardous situation. Always pay attention to road and driving conditions, while driving and, if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce your driving speed in order to maintain distance.
Detecting pedestrian or cyclist
The sensor may be limited when:

• The pedestrian or cyclist is not fully detected by the camera recognition function, for example, if the pedestrian is leaning over or is not fully walking upright
• The pedestrian or cyclist is moving very quickly or appears abruptly in the front view camera detection area
  The pedestrian or cyclist is wearing clothing that easily blends into the background, making it difficult to be detected by the front view camera recognition function
• The outside lighting is too bright (e.g. when driving in bright sun-light or in sun glare) or too dark (e.g. when driving on a dark rural road at night)
•  
• It is difficult to detect and distinguish the pedestrian or cyclist from other objects in the surroundings, for example, when there is a group of pedestrian, cyclists or a large crowd
• There is an item similar in shape or appearance to a person
  The pedestrian or cyclist is below the sensor’s viewing range
  The sensor can not identify the pedestrian’s outline because of other items changing their profile, such as mobility assistance devices
• The front view camera or front radar is obstructed by a foreign object or debris
  Inclement weather such as heavy rain or snow obscures the field of view of the radar sensor or camera
• When light coming from a street light or an oncoming vehicle is reflected on a wet road surface such as a puddle in the road
• The field of view in front is obstructed by sun glare
  The windshield glass is fogged up; a clear view of the road is obstructed
  The adverse road conditions cause excessive vehicle vibrations while driving cause excessive vehicle vibrations while driving perpendicular to the direction of travel
• When there is any electromagnetic interference
  When the cyclist is near areas containing metal objects such as a construction zone, railroad, etc.
• If the bicycle material is not reflected well on the radar
  When a pedestrian or cyclists height is small.
  When a pedestrian or cyclists behavior is unstable.
  When a pedestrian or cyclist suddenly interrupts in front of the
  vehicle.
  When there are many pedestrian or cyclist.
  When there is an object that reflects radar well. (such as a guardrail or a nearby vehicle)

WARNING

• Do not use Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist when towing a vehicle. Application of FCA while towing may adversely affect the safety of your vehicle or the towing vehicle.
• Use extreme caution when the vehicle in front of you has cargo that extends rearward from the cab, or when the vehicle in front of you has higher ground clearance.
• FCA is designed to detect and monitor the vehicle ahead or detect a pedestrian or cyclist in the roadway through camera recognition and radar signals. It is not designed to detect bicycles, motorcycles, or smaller wheeled objects such as luggage bags, shopping carts, or strollers.
• Never try to test the operation of FCA. Doing so may cause severe
  injury or death.
  If the front bumper, front glass, front view camera or front radar have been replaced or repaired, have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends to visit an authorized Kia dealer/service partner.
• If the function detects an object that has a similar shape or characteristics of a vehicle or a pedestrian, FCA may operate.

NOTICE
In some instances, FCA may be canceled when subjected to electro-magnetic interference.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following three conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
3. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the device.

Radio frequency radiation exposure information:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance of 8 in (20 cm) between the radiator (antenna) and your body.
This transmitter must not be colocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

FAQs

Useful Links 

View Full User Guide: Kia Niro EV 2021| Auto User Guide
Download Manuals: Owner’s Manuals and Documents | Kia