Warning Lights and Indicators: 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid Guide

Warning Lights and Indicators: 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid Guide

As car technology is always changing, the 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid stands out as a model of efficiency and innovation. It combines eco-friendly engineering with a stylish driving experience in a way that looks great. The warning lights and indicators on the Optima Hybrid’s dashboard are at the head of this group. They watch over the driver and send important information to them. These indicators are more than just lights; they’re a complex language that tells you in real time about the health and performance of the car. In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at the 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid’s warning lights and signs. We’ll take the mystery out of the visual cues that make driving safe and enjoyable. Come with us as we look into the Optima Hybrid’s dashboard. Each light there shows a story of innovation, efficiency, and a dedication to driving in an eco-friendly way.

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WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS

Warning lights

NOTICE
Warning lights
Make sure that all warning lights are OFF after starting the engine. If any light is still ON, this indicates a situation that needs attention.

Hybrid system warning light

This warning light illuminates:
when there is a malfunction with the hybrid system.
In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Air bag Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  It illuminates for approximately 6 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the SRS.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Seat Belt Warning Light
This warning light informs the driver that the seat belt is not fastened.

For more details, refer to the “Seat Belts” in chapter 3.

Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds
  • It remains on if the parking brake is applied.
• When the parking brake is applied.
• When the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.
  • If the warning light illuminates with the parking brake released, it indicates the brake fluid level in reservoir is low.

If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add fluid as required (For more details, refer to “Brake Fluid” in chapter 7).
   Then check all brake components for fluid leaks. If any leaks in the brake system are still found, the warning light remains on, or the brakes do not operate properly, do not drive the vehicle.
   In this case, have your vehicle towed to an authorized Kia dealer and inspected.

Dual-diagonal braking system

Your vehicle is equipped with dual-diagonal braking systems. This means you still have braking on two wheels even if one of the dual sys should fail.
With only one of the dual systems working, greater pedal pressure will be required to stop the vehicle.
Also, the vehicle will require increased stopping distance with only a portion of the brake system working.
If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to a lower gear for addition-al engine braking and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous. If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light illuminate with the parking brake released, it indicates that the brake fluid level is low.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the ABS (The normal braking system will still be operational without the assistance of the anti-lock brake system).
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) System
Warning Light
These two warning lights illuminate at the same time while driving:

• When the ABS and regular brake system may not work normally. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light
When both ABS and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on, the brake system will not work normally and you may experience an unexpected and dangerous situation during sudden braking thereby increasing the risk of a crash and injury. In this case, avoid high speed driving and abrupt braking. Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

NOTICE
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light
When the ABS Warning Light is on or both the ABS and the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on, the speedometer, odometer, or tripmeter may not work. Also, the EPS Warning Light may illuminate and the steering effort may increase or decrease.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Regenerative Brake Warning Light
This warning light illuminates :
When the regenerative brake does not operate and the brake does not perform well. This causes the Brake Warning light (red) and Regenerative Brake Warning Light (yellow) to illu-minate simultaneously.
In this case, drive safely and have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:

• When the ignition is moved to ON, the warning light illuminates for about 3 seconds and turns off automatically if no problem.
• When the warning light illuminates while driving, it indicates that there is a problem with the electric power steering system. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
This warning light illuminates

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It remains on until the engine is started.
•  When there is a malfunction with the emission control system.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
Driving with the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may cause damage to the emission control systems which could affect drivability and/or fuel economy.

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

Charging System
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It remains on until the engine is started.
• When there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system.

If there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the alternator drive belt for looseness or breakage.
   If the belt is adjusted properly, there may be a problem in the electrical charging system.
   In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It remains on until the engine is started.
• When the engine oil pressure is low.

If the engine oil pressure is low:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to “Engine Oil” in chapter 7). If the level is low, add oil as required. If the warning light remains on after adding oil or if oil is not available, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

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

If the warning light stays on while the engine is running, it indicates that there may be serious engine dam-age or malfunction. In this case,

1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
2. Turn off the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the engine oil to the proper level.
3. Start the engine again. If the warning light stays on after the engine is started, turn the engine off immediately. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Low Tire Pressure
Warning Light
This warning light illuminates:

•  Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When one or more of your tires are significantly underinflated.

For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in chapter 6.

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

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

For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in chapter 6.

WARNING
Low tire pressure

• Significantly low tire pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances.
• Continued driving on low-pressure tires will cause the tires to overheat and fail.
• The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and sudden tire damage caused by external factors.
• If you notice any vehicle instability, immediately take your foot off the accelerator pedal, apply the brakes gradually with light force, and slowly move to a safe position off the road.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light
(if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the EPB.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTICE
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light
The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warning Light may illuminate when the Electronic Stability control (ESC) Indicator Light comes on to indicate that the ESC is not working properly (This does not indicate malfunction of the EPB).

Master Warning light (if equipped)

• This warning light informs the driver of the following situations
  • LED head lamp malfunction (if equipped)
    Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go malfunction
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction (if equipped)
  • Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) malfunction
  • Lamp malfunction
  • High Beam Assist malfunction (if equipped)
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) malfunction

The Master Warning Light illuminates if one or more of the above warning situations occur.
If the warning situation is resolved, the master warning light turns off.

Forward Collision-avoidance Assist Warning light (FCA, if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates:

• When there is a malfunction with the FCA.

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

Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) Warning Light (if equipped)
This warning light blinks:

• When there is a malfunction with the Dynamic Bending Light (DBL).

If there is a malfunction with the Dynamic Bending Light (DBL):

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and restart the engine. If the warning light remains on, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

• When the engine coolant temperature is above 248°F (120°C). This means that the engine is overheated and may be damaged.
  If your vehicle is overheated, refer to “Overheating” in chapter 6.

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

Indicator Lights
Charging Cable Connection Indicator (Plug-in hybrid)
This indicator illuminates in red when the charging cable is connected.

Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the ESC system.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This indicator light blinks:
While the ESC is operating.

For more details, refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in chapter 6.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates:

• Once you set the Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.
  • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When you deactivate the ESC system by pressing the ESC OFF button.

For more details, refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in chapter 5.

Immobilizer Indicator
Light (Without Smart Key)

This indicator light illuminates

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

This indicator light blinks

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

Immobilizer Indicator Light (With Smart Key)

This indicator light illuminates for up to 30 seconds:
When the vehicle detects the smart key in the vehicle properly while the Engine Start/Stop Button is ACC or ON.

• • At this time, you can start the engine.
  • The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks for a few seconds:

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

This indicator light illuminates for 2 seconds and goes off:

• When the vehicle cannot detect the smart key which is in the vehicle while the Engine Start/Stop Button is ON.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This indicator light blinks
When the battery of the smart key is weak.

• • At this time, you cannot start the engine. However, you can start the engine if you press the Engine Start/Stop Button with the smart key. (For more details, refer to “Starting the Engine” in chapter 5).
• When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.
  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Turn Signal Indicator Light
This indicator light blinks:

• When you turn the turn signal light on.

If any of the following occurs, there may be a malfunction with the turn signal system. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

• The indicator light does not blink but illuminates.
• The indicator light blinks more rapidly.
• The indicator light does not illuminate at all.

High Beam Indicator Light
This indicator light illuminates:

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

High beam assist indicator
This warning light illuminates :

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

Front Fog Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the front fog lights are on.

Light ON Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the tail lights or headlights are on.

Cruise Indicator Light

CRUISE

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the cruise control system is enabled.

For more details, refer to “Cruise Control System” in chapter 5.

Cruise SET Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the cruise control speed is set.

For more details, refer to “Cruise Control System” in chapter 5.

HOLD Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

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

For more details, refer to “Auto Hold” in chapter 5.

ECO Indicator Light 

This indicator light illuminates :

• When the Active ECO system is activated by pressing the DRIVE mode button.
• The ECO indicator (green) will illuminate to show that the Active ECO is operating.

LKA (Lane Keeping
Assistant System)
Indicator (if equipped)
The LKA indicator will illuminate when you turn the lane keeping assistant system on by pressing the LKA button.
If there is a problem with the system, the yellow LKA indicator will illuminate.
In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
For more details, refer to “LKA” in chapter 5.

SPORT Mode Indicator Light 

This indicator light illuminates:

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

For more details, refer to “Drive Mode” in chapter 5.

EV Mode Indicator

This indicator illuminates when the vehicle is driven by the electric motor.

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

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

When the ready indicator goes OFF or blinks, there is a problem with the system. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full PDF: Kia Optima Hybrid 2020 User Manual| Auto User Guide2023 kia Sorento Hybrid Specs, Price, Features, Mileage and Review

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