Kia Soul 2023 Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist BCA Owner’s Manual
Introduction
Unparalleled safety technology that will improve your driving experience is now available on the Kia Soul 2023 with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA). By incorporating cutting-edge technology into its vehicles, Kia has once again raised the bar in the rapidly changing automotive industry.
The Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) in the Kia Soul 2023 is an example of Kia’s dedication to safety and innovation. Kia continues to redefine what it means to drive with assurance and confidence by fusing cutting-edge technology with their well-known design and performance.
Please be aware that the data above is based on my knowledge threshold for September 2021. I advise visiting the official Kia website or getting in touch with a Kia dealership for the most precise and current information on the Kia Soul 2023 and its Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) (If Equipped)
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist is designed to help detect and monitor approaching vehicles in the driver’s blind spot area and warn the driver of a possible collision with a warning message and audible warning.
In addition, if there is a risk of collision when driving forward out of a parking space, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist can help avoid a collision assisting with applying the brake.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist helps detect and informs the driver that a vehicle is in the blind spot.
CAUTION
The detecting range may vary depending on the speed of your vehicle. Even if there is a vehicle in the blind spot area, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not warn you when you pass by at high speeds.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist helps detect and informs the driver that a vehicle is approaching at high speed from the blind spot area.
CAUTION
Warning timing may vary depending on the speed of the vehicle approaching at high speed.
When you are driving forward out of a parking space, if Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist judges that there is a collision risk with an approaching vehicle in the blind spot, it can help avoid collision by applying the brake.
Detecting sensor
Rear corner radar
Refer to the picture above for the detailed location of the detecting sensors.
CAUTION
- Never disassemble the detecting sensor assembly, or cause any damage to it.
If the detecting sensor or near the sensor has been damaged or impacted in any way, even though the warning message does not appear on the cluster, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly. Have the function be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer. - If the detecting sensors have been replaced or repaired, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
The genuine Kia rear bumpers which the Rear corner radar sensors are mounted are parts with quality and performance ensured. If arbitrarily applying paint on or changing the bumper, the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not function properly. Use only Kia Genuine Parts or those of an equivalent standard with proven quality and performance to repair or replace the bumper.
Do not apply license plate frame or objects, such as a bumper sticker, film or a bumper guard near the rear corner radar. - Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not work properly if the bumper have been replaced, or the surroundings of the rear corner radar has been damaged or paint has been applied.
- If a trailer, carrier, etc., is installed, it may adversely affect the performance of the rear corner radar or Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate.
- For more details on the precautions of the front view camera, refer to “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Front Camera Only) (if equipped)” on page 5-39.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist settings
Blind-spot safety
A: Driver Assistance
- Driving Safety
- Blind-Spot Safety
With the vehicle on, touch Settings → Driver Assistance → Driving Safety on the instrument cluster or Settings → Vehicle → Driver Assistance → Driving Safety on the infotainment system.
- Blind-Spot Safety: Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist will warn and braking assist will be applied depending on the collision risk levels.
A: Blind-Spot Safety System is Off
When activating Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist or restarting the vehicle with this function activated, the warning light on the side mirrors will appear for approximately 3 seconds.
When the vehicle is restarted with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist inactivated, the warning message will appear on the cluster.
WARNING
If Blind-Spot Safety is deselected, the driver should always be aware of the surroundings and drive safely.
NOTICE
If the vehicle is restarted, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist will maintain the last setting.
Warning volume
A: Driver Assistance
- Warning Volume
- Driving Safety Priority
- High
- Medium
- Low
With the vehicle on, touch Settings → Driver Assistance → Warning Volume on the instrument cluster or Settings → Vehicle → Driver Assistance → Warning Volume on the infotainment system to change the Warning volume to adjust the Warning volume levels; High, Medium or Low.
If Driving Safety Priority is selected, the audio volume will temporarily decrease to warn the driver with the audible warning for safe driving.
NOTICE
If you change the Warning volume, the Warning volume of other Driver Assistance systems may change.
CAUTION
The setting of the Warning volume applies to all functions of Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist operation
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist will warn and control as following operation.
- Vehicle detection
Collision warning
Collision-avoidance assist (while departing)
Vehicle detection
First warning (Left/Right)
The warning light on the outside rear view mirror (side view mirror) will appear when the vehicle on both lanes is detected from the rear.
A vehicle is detected in the following conditions.
- Your driving speed: Above 12 mph (20 km/h)
- The speed of the vehicle in your blind spot area: Above 7 mph (10 km/h)
Collision warning
With the vehicle detection state, Collision warning will alert the driver when the turn signal is activated to make a lane change with an adjacent car in the blind spot area.
- Collision warning will alert the driver with the warning light on the outside rear view mirrors (side view mirrors) and an audible warning.
- When the turn signal is turned off or you move away from the lane, the collision warning will be canceled and the function will return to Vehicle detection state.
CAUTION
If Warning Only is selected from the Settings menu, the collision warning will operate when your vehicle approaches the lane the blind spot vehicle is detected.
WARNING
- The detecting range of the front corner radar or rear corner radar is deter-mined by a standard road width, therefore, on a narrow road, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may detect other vehicles two lanes over and warn you. In contrast, on a wide road, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not be able to detect a vehicle driving in the next lane and may not warn you.
- When the hazard warning flasher is on, the collision warning by the turn signal will not operate.
NOTICE
- If the driver’s seat is on the left side, the collision warning may occur when you turn left.
Maintain a proper distance with the vehicles in the lane. - Images or colors may be displayed differently depends on the instrument cluster specifications or theme.
Collision-avoidance assist (while departing)
A: Emergency Braking
The warning light on the outside rear view mirror (side view mirror) and an audible warning will warn the driver of a collision. It assists in braking control to prevent a collision with a vehicle approaching from the blind spot area.
Collision-Avoidance Assist will be activated in the following conditions.
- Your driving speed: Below 2 mph (3 km/h)
- Speed of the vehicle in your blind spot area: Above 3 mph (5 km/h)
A: Drive carefully
When the vehicle is stopped due to emergency braking, the warning mes-sage will appear on the cluster. For your safety, the driver should depress the brake pedal immediately and check the surroundings.
- Brake control will end after the vehicle is stopped by emergency braking for approximately 2 seconds.
WARNING
- For your safety, change the Settings after parking the vehicle at a safe location.
- If any other function’s warning message is displayed or audible warning is generated, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist’s warning message may not be displayed and audible warning may not be generated.
- You may not hear the warning sound of Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist if the surrounding is noisy.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate if the driver applies the brake pedal to avoid collision. - When Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist is operating, braking control by the function will automatically cancel when the driver excessively depresses the accelerator pedal or sharply steers the vehicle.
During Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist operation, the vehicle may stop suddenly injuring passengers and shifting loose objects. Always have the seat belt on and keep loose objects secured. - Even if there is a problem with Blind- Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, the vehicle’s basic braking performance will operate properly.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist does not operate in all situations or cannot avoid all collisions.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may warn the driver late or may not warn the driver depending on the road and driving conditions. - Driver should maintain control of the vehicle at all times. Do not depend on Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. Maintain a safe braking distance, and if necessary, depress the brake pedal to reduce driving speed or to stop the vehicle.
- Never operate Blind-Spot Collision- Avoidance Assist on people, animal, objects, etc. It may cause serious injury or death.
WARNING
The brake control may not operate properly depending on the status of ESC (Electronic Stability Control).
There will only be a warning when:
- The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) warning light is on
- ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is engaged in a different function
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction and limitations
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction
A: Check blind-spot safety systems
When Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist is not working properly, the warning message will appear on the cluster for several seconds, and the master ( ) warning light will appear on the cluster. If this occurs, have Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
A: Check outside mirror warning icon
When the outside rearview mirror warning light is not working properly, the warning message will appear on the cluster for several seconds, and the master ( ) warning light will appear on the cluster. If this occurs, have Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist disabled
A: Blind-spot safety systems disabled. Radar blocked
When the rear bumper around the rear corner radar or sensor is covered with foreign material, such as snow or rain, or installing a trailer or carrier, it can reduce the detecting performance and temporarily limit or disable Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.
If this occurs, the warning message will appear on the cluster.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist will operate properly when such foreign material or trailer, etc., is removed, and then the vehicle is restarted.
If Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist does not operate properly after it is removed, have Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING
- Even though the warning message does not appear on the cluster, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not properly operate.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not properly operate in an area (for example, open terrain) where any objects are not detected right after the vehicle is turned on, or when the detecting sensor is blocked with foreign material right after the vehicle is turned on.
CAUTION
Turn off Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist to install or remove a trailer, carrier, or another attachment. Turn on Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist when finished.
Limitations of Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly, or it may operate unexpectedly under the following circumstances:
- There is inclement weather, such as heavy snow, heavy rain, etc.
The detecting sensor is covered with snow, rain, dirt, etc.
The temperature around the detecting sensor is high or low due to sur-rounding environment. - The detecting sensor is blocked while
driving near a vehicle, pillar, or wall.
Driving on a highway (or motorway) ramp or driving through a tollgate.
The road pavement (or the peripheral ground) abnormally contains metallic components (for example, possibly due to subway construction). - There is a fixed object near the vehicle, such as sound barriers, guardrails, central dividers, entry barriers, street lamps, signs, tunnels, walls, etc.
(including double structures)
Driving through a narrow road where trees or grass are overgrown
Driving in vast areas where there are few vehicles or structures (for example, desert, meadow, suburb, etc.) - Driving on a wet road surface, such as a puddle on the road
The other vehicle drives very close behind your vehicle, or the other vehicle passes by your vehicle in close proximity - The speed of the other vehicle is very fast that it passes by your vehicle in a short time
- Your vehicle passes by the other vehicle
Your vehicle changes lane
Your vehicle has started at the same time as the vehicle next to you and has accelerated
The vehicle in the next lane moves two lanes away from you, or when the vehicle two lanes away moves to the next lane from you - A trailer or carrier is installed around the rear corner radar
The bumper around the rear corner radar is covered with objects, such as a bumper sticker, bike rack, etc.
The bumper around the rear corner radar is impacted, damaged or the radar is out of position - Your vehicle height is low or high due to heavy loads, abnormal tire pressure, etc.
- When the following objects are detected:
- A motorcycle or bicycle is detected
- A vehicle such as a flat trailer is detected – A big vehicle such as a bus or truck is detected
- A moving obstacle such as a pedestrian, animal, shopping cart or a baby stroller is detected
- A vehicle with low height such as a sports car is detected
Braking control may not work, driver’s attention is required in the following circumstances:
- The vehicle severely vibrates while driving over a bumpy road, uneven road or concrete patch
- Driving on a slippery surface due to snow, water puddle, ice, etc.
- The tire pressure is low or a tire is damaged
- The braking system has been modified
- The vehicle makes abrupt lane changes
NOTICE
For more details on the limitations of the front view camera, refer to “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Front Camera Only) (if equipped)” on page 5-39.
WARNING
- Driving on a curved road
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly when driving on a curved road. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not detect the vehicle in the next lane.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions while driving.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly when driving on a curved road. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may detect a vehicle in the same lane.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions while driving.
- Driving on a sloped road
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly when driving on a slope. The function may not detect the vehicle in the next lane or may incorrectly detect the ground or structure.
Always pay attention to road and driing conditions while driving.
- Driving where the road is merging/ dividing
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly when driving where the road merges or divides. The function may not detect the vehicle in the next lane.
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions while driving.
- Driving where the heights of the lanes are different
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly when driving where the heights of the lanes are different. The function may not detect the vehicle on a road with different lane heights (underpass joining section, grade separated intersections, etc.).
Always pay attention to road and driving conditions while driving.
WARNING
- When you are towing a trailer or another vehicle, make sure that you turn off Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. If you tow a European spec trailer, the function may be limited.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate properly if interfered by strong electromagnetic waves.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist may not operate for 3 seconds after the vehicle is started, or the front view camera or rear corner radars are initialized.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference, and
- This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FAQs
- What is Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) in the Kia Soul 2023?
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) is a state-of-the-art safety feature that assists in identifying vehicles in your blind spot and offers warnings or corrective action to avoid collisions during lane changes. - How does the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system work?
The BCA system uses sensors and cameras to keep an eye on the areas near your car. It issues visual or audible warnings when a car is detected in your blind spot. In some circumstances, it can also step in to steer or brake in order to avoid a collision. - Can the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system be turned off?
The majority of contemporary cars with cutting-edge safety features give drivers the option to turn on or off particular features, including Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. For the best protection, it is generally advised to keep such safety features enabled. - Will the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system work in all driving conditions?
The BCA system is made to work in a variety of driving circumstances. Extreme weather, sensor obstructions, or specific road conditions, however, might impair its performance. Driving carefully is essential, and you shouldn’t solely rely on the system. - Can the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system detect motorcycles or bicycles?
Assist (BCA) system? Modern BCA systems are made to detect a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles, though the specific capabilities may vary. But it’s crucial to exercise caution and constantly scan your surroundings for any potential blind-spot dangers. - Does the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system work at all speeds?
The BCA system’s functionality may change based on the vehicle and its specifications. While some systems may be able to operate at different speeds, others might have strict speed restrictions. For precise information, refer to the vehicle’s manual or get in touch with a Kia dealership. - Can the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system prevent all collisions?
Although the BCA system is intended to give warnings and aid in collision prevention, it cannot ensure that all collisions will be avoided. Drivers must maintain their attention, use their mirrors, and adopt safe driving practices. - Will the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system work if I activate my turn signal?
Generally speaking, turning on your turn signal lets other drivers know you intend to change lanes. To provide more precise assistance during lane changes, the BCA system in some cars may modify its warnings or interventions based on the signal activation. - Can I rely solely on the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system when changing lanes?
No, the BCA system should only be used as a supplement to careful driving, not as a replacement. Even with the BCA system working for you, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your mirrors and the area around you, use your turn signals, and drive carefully when changing lanes. - Does the Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) system require regular maintenance or calibration?
Usually integrated into the vehicle’s safety system, the BCA system may not need independent calibration or maintenance. To ensure the best performance of all safety features, it is always advised to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations for routine vehicle maintenance.
Useful Links
View Full User Guide: Kia Soul 2023 Owner’s Manual | Auto User Guide
Download Manuals: Kia | Owner’s Manuals and Documents