Warning Lights Meanings: 2022 Kia Forte Dashboard Symbols

With the 2022 Kia Forte, driving on the roads is an immersive experience. Every turn is followed by a symphony of dashboard symbols and warning lights, each sending a different message. As we try to figure out what these mysterious signs mean, the Forte’s dashboard shows itself to be a skilled communicator, combining form and function in a way that looks natural. This article will break down the complicated language of the 2022 Kia Forte’s dashboard symbols, from the soft glow of regular indicators to the urgent flashing of warning lights. This will give drivers a full understanding of the car’s complex communication system. Join us as we figure out the visual language that not only makes Forte’s dashboard look better but also makes every drive safer and more aware.

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

Warning and indicator lights

The warning light and indicator light indicate a situation where the driver should be careful and whether the various functions are activated.

Warning lights

• The warning light indicates situations that require the driver to pay attention.

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.

Airbag warning light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or the ENGINE START/STOP button to the 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 “Seat belts”.

Parking brake & brake fluid warning light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or 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/clutch fluid (if equipped)”.

Then check all brake components for fluid leaks. If any leak on the brake system is 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 inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Dual-diagonal braking system

• Your vehicle is equipped with dualdiagon braking systems. This means you still have braking on two wheels even if one of the dual systems should fail.
• With only one of the dual systems working, more than normal pedal travel and greater pedal pressure are required to stop the vehicle.
• Also, the vehicle will not stop in as short a distance with only a portion of the brake system working.
• If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to a lower gear for additional engine braking and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

WARNING

• Parking Brake & Brake Fluid WarningLight
  • Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous.
  • If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light illuminates 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 ignition switch or 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 do 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.
  • 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 ABS and 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.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
    • This indicator light comes on after the ignition key is turned to the ON position and then goes out after approximately 3 seconds.
  • When there is a malfunction with the EPS.
  • In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Charging System Warning Light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • 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.
  3. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

• This warning light illuminates:
  • When you set the ignition switch or the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
    • The malfunction indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
  • Whenever there is a malfunction with either the emission control system or the engine or the vehicle powertrain.
  • In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

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

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • When the engine oil pressure is low.
  • Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
  • Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to “Engine oil and filter”.
  • 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
  • Continued driv-ing with the warning light on may cause engine failure.

NOTICE
When engine oil pressure decreases due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the Engine Oil Pressure warning light will illuminate.

Low Fuel Level Warning Light

• This warning light illuminates:
  • When the fuel tank is nearly empty.
• If the fuel tank is nearly empty:
  • Add fuel as soon as possible.

CAUTION

• Low Fuel Level
  • Driving with the Low Fuel Level warning light on or with the fuel level below “E” can cause the engine to misfire.

Master warning light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • This warning light informs the driver of the following situations
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction (if equipped)
  • Blind-Spot Collision Warning malfunction (if equipped)
  • Blind-Spot Collision Warning radar blocked (if equipped)
  • High Beam Assist malfunction
  • Smart Cruise Control malfunction (if equipped)
  • Smart Cruise Control radar blocked (if equipped)
  • LED headlamp malfunction
  • TPMS failure, low pressure (if equipped), etc.
  • To identify the details of the warning look at the LCD.
  • If the warning situation is solved, the master warning light will turn off.

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light

 

• This warning light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
    • It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
  • When one or more of your tyres are significantly underinflated. (The location of the underinflated tyres is played on the LCD) (if equipped).
  • For more details, refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) (Type A) (if equipped)” or “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) (Type B) (if equipped)”.
• This warning light remains on after blinking for approximately 70 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) (Type A) (if equipped)” or “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) (Type B) (if equipped)”.

WARNING

• Low tyre pressure
  • Significantly low tyre pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances.
  • Continued driving or low-pressure tyres will cause the tyres to overheat and fail.
  • The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and sudden tyre 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.

WARNING

• Safe Stopping
  • The TPMS cannot alert you to severe and sudden tyre 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
• NOTICE

  Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) Warn- ing 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).

LED Headlamp Warning Light (if equipped)

• This warning light illuminates:
  • When there is a malfunction with the LED headlamp.
  • In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

• LED Headlamp Warning Light
  • Continuous driving with the LED Headlamp Warning Light on can reduce LED headlamp (low beam) life.

Forward Safety Warning light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When you set the ignition switch or the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
    • The malfunction indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then goes off.
  • When there is a malfunction with For-ward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
  • In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Icy Road Warning Light (if equipped)

• This warning light is to warn the driver the road may be icy.
• When the temperature on the outside temperature gauge is approximately below 4°C (39°F), the Icy Road Warning Light and Outside Temperature Gauge blink and then illuminate.
• Also, the warning chime sounds 1time.

NOTICE
If the icy road warning light appears while driving, you should drive more attentively and safely, refraining from speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden braking sharp turning, etc.

Indicator lights

Electronic stability control (ESC) indicator light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or 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)”.

Electronic stability control (ESC) OFF indicator light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • Once you set the ignition switch or 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)”.

AUTO 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 the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
  • For more details, refer to “AUTO HOLD (if equipped)”.

Immobilizer Indicator Light (Without Smart Key)

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When the vehicle detects the immobilizer in your key properly while the ignition switch 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 immobiliser 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 can not 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 can not 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 “Folding key immobilizer system”.
  • 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.

Low beam indicator light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When the headlights are on.

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, High Beam Assist will switch the high beam to the low beam automatically.
  • For more details, refer to “High Beam Assist (HBA)”.

The Lane Safety indicator light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • [Green] When Lane Keeping Assist operating conditions are satisfied.
  • [Gray] When Lane Keeping Assist operating conditions are not satisfied.
  • [Yellow] Whenever there is a malfunction with Lane Keeping Assist.
  • If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized retailer of Genesis Branded products.
  • For more details, refer to “Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)”.

Light ON indicator light

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When the tail lights or headlights are on.

Front fog indicator light (if equipped)

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When the front fog lights are on.

KEY OUT Indicator Light (if equipped)

• When the ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ACC or ON position, if any door is open, the system checks for the smart key.

This indicator light blinks:

• When the smart key is not in the vehicle and any door is open with the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button in the ACC or ON position.
• At this time, if you close all doors, the chime will also sound for approximately 5 seconds.
• The indicator will go off while the vehicle is moving.

Cruise indicator lightCRUISE

• This indicator light illuminates:
  • When Cruise Control is enabled.
    • For more details, refer to “Cruise Control (CC) (if equipped)”.

SPORT Mode Indicator Light

• This indicator light illuminates :
  • When you select “SPORT” mode as drive mode.
  • For more details, refer to “Drive mode integrated control system (if equipped)”.

SMART Mode Indicator Light

• This indicator light illuminates :
  • When you select “SMART” mode as drive mode.
  • For more details, refer to “Drive mode integrated control system (if equipped)”.

Rear View Monitor (RVM)

Rear View Monitor will show the area behind the vehicle to assist you when parking or backing up.

Detecting sensor

• Rearview camera
  • Refer to the picture above for the detailed location of the detecting sensor.

FAQs

Useful Link

View Full PDF: 2022 Kia Forte | Auto User Guide

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

2022 Kia Forte Instrument Cluster | Dashboard Guide