Kia Telluride 2023 Power Liftgate and Smart Power Liftgate

As ease and innovation in cars are always changing, the 2023 Kia Telluride stands out as the most useful model yet, with the Power Liftgate and Smart Power Liftgate features seamlessly adding to its list of modern conveniences. These high-tech systems are not just an improvement on the standard rear hatch or tailgate; they open the door to a whole new level of ease and usefulness. With the push of a button, the Power Liftgate’s electronic prowess makes it easy to get to the Telluride’s cargo space. This makes everyday chores easier and the driving experience better. The Smart Power Liftgate, which has sensors that can sense your presence, takes this experience to a whole new level. It introduces a new era of hands-free ease by letting you open and close the gate without touching it when the key fob is nearby, all while improving safety and flexibility. We go into great detail in this guide about these amazing features, showing you their different uses, ways to make them your own, and how they completely change the 2023 Kia Telluride’s philosophy of practical luxury, simplicity, and ease of use.

2023 Kia Telluride Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

Power Liftgate

Power liftgate operating conditions
The power liftgate operates when the gear is in P (Park) with the engine running. However, the power liftgate will operate regardless of the gear position when the engine is off. Also, the liftgate can be opened only when vehicle speed is below 1.8 mph (3 km/h).
For safety, before attempting to open or close the liftgate, make sure the vehicle is in P (Park).

2023 Kia Telluride Specs, Price, Features, Milage (brochure)

WARNING

• Never leave children or animals unattended in your vehicle. Children may operate the power liftgate. Doing so can result in injury to themselves or others and can damage the vehicle.
• Make sure that there are no people or objects in the path of the power liftgate or smart liftgate prior to use. Serious injury, damage to the vehicle or damage to surrounding objects (for example, walls, ceilings, vehicles, etc.) may result if contact with the liftgate occurs.

A: 28 inches (70 cm)
B: 28 inches (70 cm)

•  A liftgate covered with snow or equipped with heavy objects (e.g. bike racks, ladders) may not be opened; with the liftgate open, it may be accidentally closed, causing injuries to anyone around the vehicle.
• Do not open the liftgate if the liftgate is covered with snow or equipped with heavy objects.
• Make sure to remove snow and heavy objects before opening the liftgate.

NOTICE

• Do not close or open the liftgate manually. This may cause damage to the power liftgate. If it is necessary to close or open the liftgate manually when the battery is discharged or disconnected, do not apply excessive force.
• Do not operate the power liftgate more than 10 times continuously when the engine is not running. Use the power liftgate with the engine running when the power liftgate is used repeatedly to prevent battery discharge.
• Do not leave the power liftgate open for a long period of time. This may drain the battery.
• Do not apply excessive force when the power liftgate is operating. Doing so could result in vehicle damage.
•  Do not grab or hold on to the liftgate support struts at any time. Damage to the liftgate support struts could result. Deformation of the liftgate support struts may cause vehicle damage and personal injury may occur.

•  Do not modify or repair any part of the power liftgate by yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer.
•  Do not operate the power liftgate under the following conditions. The power liftgate may not operate properly.
  •  One side of the vehicle is lifted to inspect the vehicle or change a tire
  •  Parking on an uneven road such as a slope, etc.
• Close the liftgate completely and lock all doors and liftgate using the central door lock button before using an automatic car wash.
• Do not spray high-pressure water directly on the power liftgate outside open/close button. The liftgate may open unintentionally.

INFORMATION

• If the liftgate is not fully closed and vehicle speed is at or above 1.8 mph (3 km/h), a warning will sound 10 times. Immediately park the vehicle at a safe place, close the liftgate, and check that the liftgate open warning on the instrument cluster is turned off.
•  In cold and wet climates, the outside power liftgate open/close button may not work properly due to freezing conditions. If this occurs, remove the ice before using the outside power liftgate open/close button or use the power liftgate open/close button on the smart key or the instrument panel.
•  Operating the power liftgate more than 5 times continuously could cause damage to the operating motor. If this occurs, the power liftgate will not operate to prevent the motor from overheating. If any of the power liftgate buttons are pressed to try to open the liftgate, the chime will sound 3 times, but the liftgate will remain closed. Allow the power liftgate system to cool for about 1 minute before operating the system again.

Operating the power liftgate.

Power liftgate open/close button (Smart key, Instrument panel)

Press the power liftgate open/close button for 1 second. The liftgate opens or closes with a warning sound.
While the liftgate is opening or closing, press the button to stop the liftgate operation.

Power liftgate open/close button (Outside the power liftgate)

When the liftgate is closed, press the power liftgate open/close button to open the liftgate.
If the vehicle is locked, press the power liftgate open/close button with the smart key in your possession.
If the liftgate is unlocked, the liftgate will open or close with a warning sound when the power liftgate open/close but-ton is pressed without carrying the smart key.
Power liftgate open/close button (Inside the power liftgate)

Press the power liftgate open/close button. The liftgate opens or closes with a warning sound.

Automatic reverse
During power liftgate operation if the power liftgate senses any obstacle, the liftgate will stop or will fully open. The automatic reverse feature may not operate properly, or it may operate unexpectedly under the following circumstances:

• The automatic reverse feature may not detect the resistance if the detected resistance is below a certain level, or if the liftgate is almost fully closed near the latched position.
• The automatic reverse feature may operate if a strong impact is applied with no obstructions placed.

WARNING
Never intentionally place any object or part of your body in the path of the power liftgate to make sure the automatic reverse feature operates. Serious injury, or damage to the vehicle or object may occur.

INFORMATION
The power liftgate may stop operating if the automatic reverse feature operates more than two times while attempting to open or close the liftgate. If this occurs, carefully open or close the liftgate manually, and then after 30 seconds try to operate the power liftgate automatically again.

Setting the power liftgate

To use each feature, you must select the opening speed or opening height from the settings menu. Select the settings when you do not want to use the feature.

Power liftgate opening speed

To adjust the power liftgate speed, select ‘Setup → Vehicle Settings → Door/Liftgate → Power Liftgate Opening Speed → Fast/Normal’ in the infotainment system. (Default setting is ‘Fast’)
Power liftgate opening height
To adjust the power liftgate opening height, select ‘Setup → Vehicle Settings Door/Liftgate → Power Liftgate Opening Height → Full Open/Level 3/Level 2/Level 1/User Height Setting’ in the infotainment system.
See additional information in the supplied Infotainment Manual.
User height setting

1. Position the liftgate manually to the height you prefer.
2. Press the power liftgate open/close button located inside the liftgate for more than 3 seconds.
   If ‘User Height Setting’ is selected for the power liftgate opening height, the power liftgate will automatically open to the height manually set by you.

INFORMATION

• If the power liftgate opening height has not been manually set, the power liftgate will fully open when ‘User Height Setting’ from the infotainment system is selected.
• If one of the height settings (Full Open/Level 3/Level 2/Level 1) is selected from the settings menu in the infotainment system, and then ‘User Height Setting’ is selected, the liftgate will open to the height manually set by you.
•  The power liftgate opening speed and opening height settings change according to the linked User Profile. If the User Profile is changed, power liftgate opening speed and opening height settings will change accordingly.
•  The infotainment system may change after software updates. For more information, refer to the user’s manual provided in the infotainment system and the quick reference guide.

Resetting the power liftgate

In some circumstances resetting the power liftgate operation may need to be performed. Some instances where reset-ting the power liftgate may be required include:

•  When the 12-volt battery is recharged
• When the 12-volt battery is reinstalled after removal or replacement
• When the related fuse is reinstalled after removal or replacement

1. With the vehicle off or running, put the gear in P (Park).
2. Press the power liftgate open/close inner button (1) and outer button (2) simultaneously until a chime sounds.
3. Slowly close the liftgate manually.
4. Press the power liftgate open/close outer button. The power liftgate will open with a chime sound.

Wait until the liftgate fully opens to complete resetting. If the liftgate stops before it is fully open, resetting cannot be completed.

INFORMATION
If the power liftgate does not operate properly after the above procedure, have the system inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Emergency liftgate safety release

To unlock and open the liftgate manually from inside the luggage compart-ment, perform the following procedure:

1. Insert a long, flat object, such as a key into the opening at the bottom of the liftgate.
2. Slide the latch in the direction of the arrow to unlock the liftgate.
3. Push the liftgate to open.

WARNING

• For emergencies, be fully aware of the location of the emergency liftgate safety release latch in the vehicle and how to open the liftgate if you are accidentally locked in the luggage compartment.
• No one, including animals, should be allowed to occupy the luggage compartment of the vehicle at any time. The luggage compartment is a very dangerous location in the event of an accident.
• Use the release latch for emergencies

Power liftgate automatic close Using the power liftgate automatic close feature

1. When the liftgate is open, approach the detecting area, which is 20~40 inches (50~100 cm) from behind the liftgate with the smart key in your possession. Wait for approximately 3 seconds until the chime sounds.
2. With the smart key, move away from the vehicle. The liftgate closes automatically with a chime sound.

2023 Kia Telluride Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

Setting Power liftgate automatic close

A: Vehicle Settings

1. Door
2. Liftgate Auto Close
   With the vehicle on, select ‘Setup → Vehicle Settings → Door/Liftgate → Power Liftgate Auto Close’ to turn on Power Liftgate Auto Close and deselect to turn off the feature in the infotainment system 1 Door 2 Liftgate Auto Close
   With the vehicle on, select ‘Setup → Vehicle Settings → Door/Liftgate → Power Liftgate Auto Close’ to turn on Power Liftgate Auto Close and deselect to turn off the feature in the infotainment system.

See additional information in the supplied Infotainment Manual.

Press the automatic close-release button while the liftgate is open. The power liftgate automatic close feature will turn off.

Smart Power Liftgate

On a vehicle equipped with a smart key, the liftgate can be opened using the Smart Power Liftgate system.

Using the smart power liftgate

The liftgate can be opened with no-touch activation when all of the below conditions have been satisfied.

• 15 seconds have passed after all doors have been closed and locked.
• The smart key is positioned within the detecting area for more than 3 seconds.

NOTICE

• The Smart Power Liftgate does not operate when:
  • The smart key is detected within 15 seconds after the doors are closed and locked and is continuously detected.
  • The smart key is detected within 15 seconds after the doors are closed and locked, and within 60 inches (1.5 m) from the front door handles.(for vehicles equipped with Welcome Light)
  • A door is not locked or closed.
  • The smart key is in the vehicle.

To activate the Smart Power Liftgate

1. Press the MODE button ( ) several times on the steering wheel until ‘User Settings’ menu appears on the LCD.
2. Select ‘Door → Smart Power Liftgate’ with the MOVE switch ( / ) and the OK button on the steering wheel.

INFORMATION
The infotainment system may change after software updates. For more information, refer to the user’s manual provided in the infotainment system and the quick reference guide.

Detect and Alert
If you are in the detecting area (20~39 inches (50~100 cm) behind the vehicle) carrying a smart key, the hazard warning lights will blink and the chime will sound for about 3 seconds. This alerts you that the smart key has been detected and the liftgate will open.

NOTICE
Do not approach the detecting area if you do not want the liftgate to open. If you have unintentionally entered the detecting area and the hazard warning lights and chime starts to operate, leave the detecting area with the smart key. The liftgate will stay closed.

Automatic opening

The hazard warning lights will blink and chime will sound 2 times and then the liftgate will open.
Make sure you close the liftgate before driving your vehicle.
Make sure there are no people or objects around the liftgate before opening or closing the liftgate. Make sure objects in the liftgate do not come out when opening the liftgate on a slope. It may cause serious injury. Make sure to deactivate the Smart Power Liftgate when washing your vehicle. Otherwise, the liftgate may open inadvertently. The key should be kept out of reach of children. Children may inadvertently open the Smart Power Liftgate while playing around the rear area of the vehicle.

CAUTION
Liftgate lift
Make certain that you close the liftgate before driving your vehicle. Possible damage may occur to the liftgate gas lifters and attached hardware if the lift-gate is not closed prior to driving.

Deactivating the smart power lift-gate with the smart key

1. Door lock
2. Door unlock
3. Liftgate open
4. Panic
5. Remote start

•  If you press any button of the smart key during the Detect and Alert stage, the Smart Power Liftgate function will be deactivated.

Make sure to be aware of how to deactivate the Smart Power Liftgate function for emergency situations.

NOTICE

• If you press the door unlock button  (2), the Smart Power Liftgate function will be deactivated temporarily. But, if you do not open any door for 30 seconds, the smart power liftgate function will be activated again.
• If you press the liftgate open button (3) for more than 1 second, the liftgate opens.
• If you press the door lock button (1) or liftgate open button (3) when the Smart Power Liftgate function is not in the Detect and Alert stage, the smart power liftgate function will not be deactivated.
• In case you have deactivated the Smart Power Liftgate function by pressing the smart key button and opened a door, the smart power lift-gate function can be activated again by closing and locking all doors.

Detecting area

•  The Smart Power Liftgate operates with a welcome alert if the smart key is detected within 20~39 inches (50~100 cm)from the liftgate.
• The alert stops once the smart key is positioned outside the detecting area during the Detect and Alert stage.

NOTICE

• The Smart Power Liftgate function will  not work if any of the following occurs:
  • The smart key is close to a radio transmitter such as a radio station or an airport which can interfere with normal operation of the transmitter.
    The smart key is near a mobile two-way radio system or a cellular phone.
    Another vehicle’s smart key is being operated close to your vehicle.
• The detecting range may decrease or increase when:
  • One side of the tire is raised to replace a tire or to inspect the vehicle.
    The vehicle is parked on a slope or unpaved road, etc.

FAQ’s