2018 KIA NIRO Start

HEV (HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM / H2
PHEV (PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM / H3 CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H4
DRIVING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H25 HYBRID ENERGY FLOW / H31
PLUG-IN HYBRID ENERGY FLOW / H33
STARTING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (SMART KEY) / H37 COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE / H39
Hybrid System Overview

H2
HEV (HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
The Kia Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) uses both the gasoline engine and the electric motor for power. The electric
motor is run by a 360V high-voltage HEV battery.
Depending on the driving conditions, the HEV computer selectively operates between the engine and the electric
motor or even both at the same time.
Fuel efficiency increases when the engine is at idle, or when the vehicle is driven by the electric motor with the HEV
battery.
The HEV battery charge must be maintained for the times when the engine acts as a generator, such as when
stopped at idle. Charging also occurs when decelerating or by regenerative braking.
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Startup/Low speed cruiseAcceleration High speed cruise DecelerationStop
Electric motorElectric motor+EngineEngine+
Motor or MotorChargingEngine OFF

H3
PHEV (PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
The Kia Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehi-
cle and an all-electric vehicle.
When used as a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, the HEV computer selectively operates between the engine and
the electric motor or even both at the same time.
When it is operating in the electric vehicle mode, the vehicle is driven only using the electric motor over a certain dis-
tance until the hybrid battery becomes low. The driving distance in EV mode depends on customer driving style and road
conditions. Aggressive driving maneuvers may at times temporarily enable the engine to operate for maximum power.
The hybrid battery can be fully charged by connecting a plug to an external electric power source.
The engine can be turned on due to factors such as heater usage and a frequent operation of the accelerator pedal
by a driver in CD mode.
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Electric Vehicle ModeStart up/Low speedAcceleration High speedDecelerationExternal charging
Electric motor
CD (Charge Depleting) Mode
CS (Charge Sustaining) Mode
Charging
MotorEngine+MotorEngine+Motor
or MotorChargingBattery charging
6

H6
When the Charging Connector
is Locked
LOCK mode (button indicator off) :The connector locks when the
charging connector is plugged into
the charging inlet. The connector is
locked until all doors are unlocked
by the driver. This mode can be used
to prevent charging cable theft.
- If the charging connector isunlocked when all doors are
unlocked, but the charging cable
is not disconnected within 10 sec-
onds, the connector will be auto-
matically locked again.
- If the charging connector is unlocked when all doors are
unlocked, but all doors are locked
again, immediately, the connector
will be automatically locked again. AUTO mode (button indicator on) :
The connector locks when charg-
ing starts. The connector unlocks
when charging is complete. This
mode can be used when charging
in a public charging station. ❈ ❈
Charging connector
AUTO/LOCK mode
When the charging connector is
plugged into the charging inlet, the
connector lock timing varies with the
modes selected by pressing the but-
ton.
LOCK mode : The connector locks automatically when the charging
connector is connected normally.
AUTO mode : The connector locks when charging and automatically
unlocks when charging is complet-
ed.
❈ For more details, refer to the
“Charging connector AUTO/LOCK
mode”.
CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)
LOCKAUTO
Before chargingOX
While chargingOO
Finished chargingOX

H8
When scheduled charging is setand the normal charger or the
portable charging cable (ICCB: In-
Cable Control Box) is connected
for charging, the indicator lamp
blinks (for 3 minutes) to indicate
that scheduled charging is set. When scheduled charging is set,
charging is not initiated immediate-
ly when the normal charger or
portable charging cable (ICCB: In-
Cable Control Box) is connected.
If charging is required immediately, turn off the scheduled charge
using the vehicle’s touchscreen or
UVO eco smartphone application
or press the vehicle's scheduled
charge release button( ).
When the scheduled charge is set, the charge start time is calculated
by itself. In some cases, charging
may start immediately after con-
necting the charger. If you press the scheduled charging
deactivation ( ) button to immedi-
ately charge the battery, charging
must be initiated 3 minutes after the
charging cable has been connected.
When you press the scheduled
charging deactivation ( ) button
for immediate charging, the sched-
uled charge setting is not com-
pletely deactivated. If you need to
completely deactivate the sched-
uled charge setting, use the AVN
to finalize the deactivation.
Refer to "Normal Charge or Trickle
Charge" for details about connect-
ing the normal charger and the
portable charger (ICCB: In-Cable
Control Box).
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CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H12
6. Check if the charging cable con-nection indicator of the high volt-
age battery in the instrument clus-
ter is turned ON.
Charging does not occur when the
indicator is OFF. When the charg-
ing connector is not connected
properly, reconnect the charging
cable to charge.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• Charging is in progress only when
the shift lever is in P (Park).
Charging the battery with the
Engine Start/Stop button in the
ACC position is possible. However,
it may discharge the 12-V battery.
Thus, if possible, charge the bat-
tery with the Engine Start/Stop
button in the OFF position.
• The charging process is interrupt- ed temporarily when the shift lever
is moved from P (Park) to Not P(R
(Reverse)/N (Neutral)/D (Drive))
during charging. To resume(restart)
charging, move the shift lever to the
P (park) position. Then, the charging
process is resumed(restarted).
7. After charging has started, the
estimated charging time is dis-
played on the instrument cluster
for about 1 minute. It is also dis-
played, when the driver’s door is
opened with charging in progress.
When scheduled charging is set,
the estimated charging time is dis-
played as “--" .
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CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)
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H17
6. Remove any dust on the chargingconnector and charging inlet.
7. Hold the charging connector han- dle. Then, insert it into the charging
inlet, until you hear a click sound. If
it is not fully connected, improper
connection between the charging
connector and the charging termi-
nals are a potential fire hazard. 8. Charging starts automatically and
the charging light blinks. 9. Check if the charging cable con-
nection indicator of the high volt-
age battery in the instrument clus-
ter is turned ON.
Charging does not occur when the
indicator is OFF. When the charg-
ing connector is not connected
properly, reconnect the charging
cable to charge.
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■ Vehicle connection ■
Charge

H18
✽
✽NOTICE
• The charging is in progress only
with the shift lever is in P (Park).
Charging the battery with the
Engine Start/Stop button in the
ACC position is possible. However,
it may discharge the 12-V battery.
Thus, if possible, charge the bat-
tery with the Engine Start/Stop
button in the OFF position.
• Moving the shift lever from P (Park) to R (Reverse)/N(Neutral)/D
(Drive) stops the charging process.
To restart the charging process,
move the shift lever to P (Park),
press the Engine Start/Stop button
to the OFF position, and discon-
nect the charging cable. Then,
connect the charging cable and
restart the vehicle again.
10. After charging has started, the
estimated charging time is dis-
played on the instrument cluster
for about 1 minute. It is also dis-
played, when the driver’s door is
opened with charging in progress.
When scheduled charging is set,
the estimated charging time is dis-
played as "--".
Unlock Connector in Emergency
If the charging connector does not
unlock for some reason, open the
hood and slightly pull the emergency
cable as shown above. The charging
door will then open.
If a charging door is not opened
immediately with emergency cable in
operation, press a charging door
lightly and pull emergency cable
again.
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CHARGING THE PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)