2013 KIA Soul tailgate

Features of your vehicle
20
4
Opening the tailgate
The tailgate is locked or unlocked
when all doors are locked or
unlocked with the key or central
door lock switch.
If unlocked, the tailgate can be opened by pressing the handle
switch and then pulling the handle
up. The tailgate swings upward. Make
sure no objects or people are near
the rear of the vehicle when opening
the tailgate.
Closing the tailgate
To close the tailgate, lower and push
down the tailgate firmly. Make sure
that the tailgate is securely latched.
Make sure your hands, feet and
other parts of your body are safely
out of the way before closing the tail-
gate.
TAILGATE
OAM049009
CAUTION - Tailgate lift
cylinders
Make certain that you close the
tailgate before driving yourvehicle. Possible damage mayoccur to the tailgate lift cylin-ders and attached hardware ifthe tailgate is not closed prior todriving.
WARNING - Exhaust fumes
Driving with the tailgate open is
not advisable. Dangerous
exhaust fumes can enter the
passenger compartment.
If you must drive with the tail-
gate opened, keep the air vents
and all windows open so that
additional outside air can enter.
CAUTION - Closing tailgate
Make sure nothing is near the
tailgate latch and striker whileclosing the tailgate. It may dam-age the tailgate's latch.

421
Features of your vehicle
Emergency tailgate safety
release
Your vehicle is equipped with the
emergency tailgate safety release
lever located on the bottom of the
tailgate. When someone is inadver-
tently locked in the luggage compart-
ment, the tailgate can be opened by
pushing the release lever and push-
ing open the tailgate.
OAM049010
WARNING - Riding incargo area
Occupants should never ride in
the rear cargo area where no
restraints are available.
Occupants should always be
properly restrained.

Features of your vehicle
56
4
Tailgate open warning
light
This warning light illuminates when
the tailgate is not closed securely
with the ignition switch in any posi-
tion.
Door ajar warning light
This warning light illuminates when a
door is not closed securely with the
ignition switch in any position.
Immobilizer indicator (if equipped)
Without smart key system
This light illuminates when the immo-
bilizer key is inserted and turned to
the ON position to start the engine.
At this time, you can start the engine.
The light goes out after the engine is
running.
If this light blinks when the ignition
switch is in the ON position before
starting the engine, have the system
checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
With smart key system
If any of the following occurs in a
vehicle equipped with the smart key,
the immobilizer indicator illuminates,
blinks or goes off. When the smart key is in the vehi-
cle, if the ENGINE START/STOP
button is in the ACC or ON posi-
tion, the indicator will illuminate for
approximately 30 seconds to indi-
cate that you are able to start the
engine. However, when the smart
key is not in the vehicle, if the
ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed, the indicator will blink for
a few seconds to indicate that you
are not be able to start the engine.
If the indicator illuminates only for 2 seconds and goes out when the
ENGINE START/STOP button is
turned to ON position with the
smart key in the vehicle, have the
system checked by an authorized
Kia dealer.
When the battery is weak, if the ENGINE START/STOP button is
pressed, the indicator will blink and
you are not able to start the
engine. However, you are able to
start the engine by inserting the
smart key in the smart key holder.
Also, if the smart key system relat-
ed parts have a problem, the indi-
cator will blink.

Features of your vehicle
72
4
Do not use the interior lights for
extended periods when the engine is
not running.
It may cause battery discharge.
Map lamp
Push the lens (1) to turn the map
lamp on or off. This light produces a
spot beam for convenient use as a
map lamp at night or as a personal
lamp for the driver and the front pas-
senger.
(2) DOOR
The light will turn on as below if the
button is pressed.
The light will turn off if the button is
pressed again. The light comes on
when any door (or tailgate) is opened
regardless of the ignition switch posi-
tion. When doors are unlocked by the
transmitter or the key is removed
from the ignition switch, the light
comes on for approximately 30 sec-
onds as long as any door is not
opened. The light goes out gradually
after approximately 30 seconds if the
door is closed.
However, if the ignition switch is ON
or all doors are locked, the light will
turn off immediately. If a door is
opened with the ignition switch in the
ACC or LOCK position, the light
stays on for about 20 minutes.
However, if a door is opened with the
ignition switch in the ON position, the
light stays on continuously.
INTERIOR LIGHT
OAM042052
■Type A
WARNING - Interior light
Do not use the interior lights
when driving in the dark. The
glare from the interior lights
may obstruct your view and
cause an accident.

473
Features of your vehicle
Room lamp
The light will turn on and off accord-
ing to the switch position.
(1) OFF
The light stays off at all times.
(2) DOOR
The light comes on when any door
(or tailgate) is opened regardless of
the ignition switch position. When
doors are unlocked by the transmitter
or the key is removed from the igni-
tion switch, the light comes on for
approximately 30 seconds as long as
any door is not opened. The light
goes out gradually after approxi-
mately 30 seconds if the door is
closed.
However, if the ignition switch is ON
or all doors are locked, the light will
turn off immediately. If a door is
opened with the ignition switch in the
ACC or LOCK position, the light
stays on for about 20 minutes.
However, if a door is opened with the
ignition switch in the ON position, the
light stays on continuously.
(3) ON
The light stays on at all times.
Do not leave the lamp switches on
for an extended period of time when
the vehicle is not running.
Luggage room lamp
The luggage room lamp comes on
when the tailgate is opened.
The lamp comes on as long as the
tailgate is open. To prevent unneces-
sary charging system drain, close
the tailgate securely after using the
luggage room.
OAM049053
■Type B
OAM042348N

Driving your vehicle
25
Be sure the exhaust system does
not leak.
The exhaust system should be
checked whenever the vehicle is
raised to change the oil or for any
other purpose. If you hear a change in
the sound of the exhaust or if you
drive over something that strikes the
underside of the car, have the exhaust
system checked as soon as possible
by an authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING - Engineexhaust
Do not inhale exhaust fumes or
leave your engine running in a
enclosed area for a prolonged
time. Exhaust fumes contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless gas that can cause
unconsciousness and death by
asphyxiation.
WARNING
- Open tailgate
Do not drive with the tailgate
open. Poisonous exhaust gases
can enter the passenger com-
partment.
If you must drive with the tail-
gate open proceed as follows:
1. Close all windows.
2. Open side vents.
3. Set the air intake control at
"Fresh", the air flow control at
"Floor" or "Face" and the fan
at the highest speed.