Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 Automatic Climate Control System, Defrosting and Defogging 

With its improved Climate Control System, Defrosting, and Defogging features, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV brings a new era of driving comfort and safety. These features are meant to make every part of the driving experience better. The cabin is beautifully designed, and the dual-zone automatic climate control system makes it a haven of personalized comfort. The driver and front passenger can each set the temperature to their liking, and optional heated and ventilated seats add to the sense of well-being. When it’s cold outside in the morning, the Sportage PHEV’s defrosters really shine. The front windshield defroster quickly gets rid of ice and frost, and the back window defroster makes sure you can see clearly. The defogging feature is just as amazing. It keeps the inside windshield from condensation and fogging up, so the view stays clear. The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV handles winter’s cold and unpredictable weather with warmth and accuracy. It also makes sure that every trip is marked by perfect climate control and clear vision, setting new standards for comfort and ease of use in plug-in hybrid SUVs.

2023 KIA SPORTAGE Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

Automatic climate control system

The automatic climate control system uses cooling and heating to help maintain a pleasant environment inside the vehicle.

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

1.  Driver’s temperature control knob
2. Passenger’s temperature control knob
3.  AUTO (automatic control) button
4.  OFF button
5.  Fan speed control button
6. Mode selection button
7. Front windshield defroster button
8.  Rear window defroster button
9. SYNC button
10. Air intake/outtake control button
11.  Air conditioning (A/C) button
12. Front glass heater (if equipped)
13.  Infotainment/climate control mode switching button 14 Driver’s side only button

NOTICE
Operating the blower when the ignition switch is in the ON position could cause the battery to discharge. Operate the blower when the engine is running.

Using the infotainment/climate switchable controller control panel (For Type B)

Press the button on the switchable controller to switch between the infotainment system or climate control panel. Press and hold the button to select the default mode for the control panel.

Switching between panels

Infotainment control panel

Climate control panel

Press the button on the switchable controller to select the desired control panel. The selected control panel icon will appear and the control panel will be changed.

• The knob display will appear according to the selected control panel mode.
•  When the vehicle is in the ACC position, only the infotainment system will be activated.

Setting the default mode

Press and hold the button to select the default mode for the control panel.

• After the setting, the control panel will return to the default mode after a certain period of time even if the control panel is switched to the different mode.
•  If the mode is set to ‘OFF’, the control panel will display the mode used recently.

Heating and air conditioning automatically

1.  Press the AUTO button.
   The modes, fan speeds, air intake and air-conditioning will be controlled automatically by setting the temperature.

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

You can control the air flow in three stages by pushing the AUTO button during automatic operation.

For Type A (button)

For Type B (control panel)

•  HIGH: Provide rapid air conditioning and heating with strong airflow
•  MEDIUM: Provide air conditioning and heating with medium-strength air flow.
•  LOW: It is suitable for drivers who prefer to soft air flow. When you select the temperature to HI or LO in AUTO mode, the air flow strength is automatically set to ‘HIGH’.

Set the temperature control switch to the desired temperature.

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

The climate control system is automatically controlled according to the desired temperature.

•  To turn the automatic operation off, select any of the following buttons or switches:
  • Mode selection button
  • Air conditioning (A/C) button
  •  Front airflow shield defroster button (Press the button one more time to deselect the front windshield defroster function. The ‘AUTO’ sign will appear on the information display once again.)
  •  Fan speed control switch
    The selected function will be controlled manually while other functions operate automatically.
•  For your convenience and to improve the effectiveness of the climate control, use the AUTO button and set the temperature to 72 °F (22 °C).

NOTICE
Do not place anything over the sensor located on the instrument panel to ensure better control of the heating and cooling system.

Heating and air conditioning manually

The heating and cooling system can be controlled manually by pressing buttons other than the AUTO button.

In this case, the system works sequentially according to the order of buttons selected.

1. Start the vehicle.
2. Set the mode to the desired position.
   For improving the effectiveness of heating and cooling;
   • • Heating:
     •  Cooling:
3. Set the temperature control to the desired position.
4.  Set the air intake control to the outside (fresh) air position.
5. Set the fan speed control to the desired speed.
   If air conditioning is desired, turn the air conditioning system on. Press the AUTO button in order to convert to fully automatic control of the system.

Mode selection
The mode selection button controls the direction of the airflow through the ventilation system.

Type A / B

The air flow outlet ports are switched in the following sequence:

• Face-Level (B, D, F)
  Air flow is directed toward the upper body and face. Additionally, each outlet can be controlled to direct the air dis-charged from the outlet.
• Bi-Level (B, C, D, E, F)
  Air flow is directed towards the face and the floor.
• Floor-Level (A, C, D, E, F)
  Most of the airflow is directed to the floor, with a small amount of the air being directed to the windshield, side window defrosters and side air vents.
• Floor/Defrost-Level (A, C, D, E, F)
  Most of the airflow is directed to the floor and the windshield with a small amount directed to the side window defrosters and side air vents.
• Defrost-Level (A, D)
  Most of the airflow is directed to the windshield with a small amount of air directed to the side window defrosters and side air vents.

Instrument panel vents

You can adjust the direction of air delivery from these vents using the vent control lever as shown. To close the vent, push the air vent lever in the opposite direction of the passenger. To open the vent, push the air vent lever in the same direction of the passenger.

Temperature control

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

The temperature will increase to the maximum (HI) by turning the knob all the way to the right. The temperature will decrease to the minimum (Lo) by turning the knob all the way to the left. When turning the knob, the temperature will increase or decrease by 1 °F/0.5 °C. When set to the lowest temperature set-ting, the air conditioning will operate continuously.

NOTICE
When starting the vehicle in cold weather using manual temperature control, operate the system in the following method to improve heating.

• Turn off or lower the blower, right after starting the engine.
•  Allow the engine to warm up during this time since the air flow from the heater is still cold.
•  After a few minutes of engine warm up, turn on or set the fan to a higher level and adjust the temperature set-ting to hot.

Adjusting the driver and passenger side temperatures equally

1.  Press the “SYNC” button to adjust the driver and passenger side temperature equally. The passenger-side temperature will be set to the same temperature as the driver-side temperature.
2.  Turn the driver-side temperature control knob. The driver and passenger side temperature will be adjusted equally.
3. If you rotate the passenger’s temperature control knob, the SYNC button is turned off and the passenger side temperature can be operated individually.

Adjusting the driver and passenger side temperatures individually
Press the “SYNC” button again to adjust the driver and passenger side temperature individually. The button indicator will turn off.

Changing temperature scale

• To change the temperature display from Fahrenheit to Celsius and vice versa, press the OFF button while pressing the AUTO button for 3 seconds or more. The display will change from Centigrade to Fahrenheit, or from Fahrenheit to Centigrade. If the battery has been discharged or disconnected, the temperature mode display will reset to Fahrenheit.

Controlling air intake
This is used to select the outside (fresh) air position or recirculated air position. With the outside air position button

Without outside air position button

To change the air intake control position:

• Push the desired control button. Outside (fresh) air position

With the outside (fresh) air position selected, air enters the vehicle from outside and is heated or cooled according to the function selected.
Recirculated air position
With the recirculated air position selected, air from the passenger compartment will be drawn through the heating system and heated or cooled according to the function selected. Prolonged operation of the heater in the recirculated air position (without air conditioning selected) may cause fogging of the windshield and side windows and make the air in the passenger compartment stale. In addition, prolonged use of the air conditioning with the recirculated air position selected will result in excessively dry air in the passenger compartment.

NOTICE
Prolonged operation of the heater in the recirculated air position (without air conditioning selected) may cause fogging of the windshield and side windows and the air within the passenger compartment may become stale.
In addition, prolonged use of the air conditioning with the recirculated air position selected will result in excessively dry air in the passenger compartment.

WARNING
Continued climate control system operation in the recirculated air position may allow humidity to increase inside the vehicle which may fog the glass and obscure visibility.

2023 KIA SPORTAGE Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

Controlling fan speed
The fan speed can be set to the desired speed by operating the fan speed control button.
To change the fan speed:

• Press button right for higher speed, or press button left for lower speed.

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

To turn the fan speed control off:

• Press the front blower OFF button.

Air conditioning (A/C)

• Press the A/C button to turn the air conditioning system on (an indicator light will appear).
• Press the button again to turn the air conditioning system off.

WARNING
Reduced Visibility
Continuous use of the climate control system in the recirculated air position may allow humidity to increase inside the vehicle, which may fog the glass and obscure visibility.

WARNING
Recirculated Air
Continued use of the climate control system in the recirculated air position can cause drowsiness or sleepiness, and loss of vehicle control. Set the air intake control to the outside (fresh) air position as much as possible while driving.

WARNING
Sleeping with A/C on
Do not sleep in a vehicle with the air conditioning or heating on as this may cause serious harm or death due to a drop in the oxygen level and/or body temperature.

Turning off the front air climate control

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

•  Press the OFF button to turn off the front and rear air climate control system.
  However, you can still operate the mode and air intake buttons as long as the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position.

Windshield defrosting and defogging

When the windshield is covered with frost or moisture, the front view is blurred, you should remove the frost and moisture.

WARNING
Windshield heating
Do not use the position during cooling operations in extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the outside air and the windshield could cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, causing loss of visibility. In this case, set the mode selection to the position and fan speed control to the lower speed.

•  For maximum defrosting, set the temperature control to the extreme right/hot position and the fan speed control to the highest speed.
•  If warm air to the floor is desired while
  defrosting or defogging, set the mode to the floor-defrost position.
•  Before driving, clear all snow and ice from the windshield, rear window, outside rearview mirrors, and all side windows.
• Clear all snow and ice from the hood and air inlet in the cowl grill to improve the heater and defroster efficiency and to reduce the probability of fogging up the inside of the wind shield.

Defogging inside windshield

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

1. Set the fan speed to the desired position.
2. Select the desired temperature.
3.  Press the defroster button (
4. The outside (fresh) air position will be selected automatically and the air conditioning will turn on according to the detected ambient temperature.
   If the air conditioning and outside (fresh) air position are not selected automatically, adjust the corresponding button manually. If the position is selected, the lower fan speed is adjusted to a higher fan speed.

Defrosting outside windshield

Type A (button)

Type B (control panel)

1.  Set the fan speed to the highest position.
2.  Set the temperature to the extreme hot (HI) position.
3.  Press the defroster button (
4. The outside (fresh) air position will be selected automatically and the air conditioning will turn on according to the detected ambient temperature.

Auto defogging system

Auto defogging helps reduce the possibility of fogging up the inside of the windshield by automatically sensing the moisture on inside the windshield.

The auto defogging system operates when the heater or air conditioning is on. When the Auto Defogging System operates, the indicator will appear.
If a high amount of humidity is detected in the vehicle, the Auto Defogging System will be enabled.
The following steps will be performed automatically:

1.  The A/C button will turn ON.
2. The air intake control will change to Fresh mode under low outside temperatures.
3. The mode will be changed to defrost to direct airflow to the windshield.
4.  The fan speed will be increased. To cancel or reset the Auto Defogging System
   Press the front windshield defroster button for 3 seconds when the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position.
   When the Auto Defogging System is canceled, the defrost button indicator will blink 3 times.
   When the Auto Defogging System is reset, the defrost button indicator will blink 6 times without a signal.

NOTICE

•  When the air conditioning is turned on  by an auto-defogging system, if you try to turn off the air conditioning, the indicator will blink 3 times and the air conditioning will not be turned off.
•  To maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of the Auto Defogging System, do not select Recirculation mode while the system is operating.
•  When the Auto Defogging System is operating, the fan speed adjustment knob, the temperature adjustment knob, and the air intake control button are all disabled.

NOTICE
Do not remove the sensor cover located on the upper end of the driver-side wind-shield glass. Damage to system parts could occur and may not be covered by your vehicle warranty.

Defroster

The vehicle is equipped with a defroster for removing frost or fog from the rear window.

CAUTION
Conductors
To prevent damage to the conductors bonded to the inside surface of the rear window, never use sharp instruments or window cleaners containing abrasives to clean the window.

Operating rear window defroster
The defroster heats the window to remove frost, fog and thin ice from the rear window, while the engine is on. If there is heavy accumulation of snow on the rear window, brush it off before operating the rear defroster.

To activate the rear window defroster:

• Press the rear window to defroster button located in the heater control panel. The indicator on the rear window defroster button illuminates when the defroster is ON. The rear window defroster automatically turns off after approximately 20 minutes or when the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned off.To turn off the defroster:
•  Press the rear window defroster button again.

Outside mirror defroster (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the outside mirror defrosters, they will operate at the same time you turn on the rear window defroster.

Defogging logic (if equipped)

To reduce the possibility of fogging up the inside of the windshield, the air intake or air conditioning is controlled automatically according to certain conditions such as or position. To cancel automatic defogging logic or return to the automatic defogging logic, do the following.

Cancelling/returning automatic defogging logic

1.  Turn the vehicle to the ON position.
2. Press the defroster button
3. While pressing the air conditioning
   C) button, press the air intake control button at least 5 times within 3 seconds.
   The recirculation indicator blinks 3 times in 0.5-second of intervals. It indicates that the defogging logic is cancelled or returned to the programmed status.
   If the battery has been discharged or disconnected, it resets to the defog logic status.

Cancelling/returning automatic defogging logic

1.  Turn the vehicle to the ON position.
2. Press the defroster button (
3.  While pressing the air conditioning (A/C) button, press the air intake control button at least 5 times within 3 seconds.
   The recirculation indicator blinks 3 times in 0.5-second of intervals. It Indi that the defogging logic is canceled or returned to the programmed status.
   If the battery has been discharged or disconnected, it resets to the defog logic status.

FAQ