2018 KIA NIRO PHEV Owners Manual

H43
Safety plugSome Special Features of the
Hybrid Vehicle.
Hybrid vehicles sound different than
gasoline engine vehicles. When the
hybrid system operates, you may
hear a sound from the hybrid battery
system behind the rear seat. If you
apply the accelerator pedal rapidly,
you may hear a sound. When you
apply the brake pedal, you may hear
a sound from the regenerative brake
system. When the hybrid system is
turned off or on, you may hear a
sound in the engine compartment. If
you depress the brake pedal repeat-
edly when the hybrid system is
turned on, you may hear a sound in
the engine compartment. None of
these sounds indicate a problem.
They are characteristics of hybrid
vehicles.
When the hybrid system is turned on,
the engine may run. This does not
indicate a malfunction. If the " "
symbol is on, the hybrid system is
operating. Even if the gasoline engine
is off, you can operate the vehicle.
WARNING - Safety Plug
Never touch the safety plug.
Safety plug is attached to high
voltage hybrid battery system.
Touching safety plug will result
in death or serious injury.
Service personnel should follow
procedure in service manual.
ODEQ016006
■Hybrid
ODEPQ017038
■Plug-in Hybrid

H44
The HEV system may emit electro-
magnetic waves which can affect the
performance of electronic devices
appliances, such as laptop comput-
ers, which are not part of the vehicle
design.
If you park the vehicle for a long time,
the hybrid system will discharge. You
need to drive the vehicle approximate-
ly once every 2 months, more than 9
miles (15 km) is recommended.
When you start the hybrid system in
the "P" transmission position, the
" " symbol is illuminated in the
cluster. The driver can drive the vehi-
cle even if the engine is stopped.Virtual Engine Sound System
(VESS)
The Virtual Engine Sound System
generates engine sound for pedestri-
ans to hear vehicle sound because
there is limited sound while electric
motor power is used.
If the vehicle is moving at lowspeed, the VESS will operate.
When the gear is shifted to R (Reverse), an additional warning
sound will be heard.
WARNING - Turning off
HEV system
When you leave the vehicle, you
should turn off the hybrid sys-
tem. If you depress the acceler-
ator pedal by mistake and the
vehicle is not in the "P" posi-
tion, the vehicle will accelerate.
This may result in serious injury
or death.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H45
High Voltage Battery Air Intake
The hybrid battery air intake is locat-
ed on bottom and side of the rear
seats. The air intake cools down the
hybrid battery. When the hybrid bat-
tery air intake is blocked, the hybrid
battery may be overheated. Do not
obstruct the air intake with any other
objects.
If An Accident Occurs
Avoid the engine compartment.
Avoid any orange or high voltagewires, cables, or components.
Assume that a high voltage compo- nent is exposed and move away from
the vehicle as promptly as possible.
Refer to Chapter 7 for towing infor- mation.WARNING - Air Intake
Blocking the air intake behind the rear seats may damage
the HEV battery.
Do not allow any water into the air intake even when
cleaning. If any water enters
the air intake, the Hybrid bat-
tery may cause an electric
shock which can cause seri-
ous injury or death due to
electrocution.
ODEQ016007
WARNING
-
Interference with electron-
ic medical devices
Electromagnetic waves that are
generated from the charger can
impact medical electric devices
such as an implantable cardiac
pacemaker. When using such
medical electric devices, ask
your medical professional and
the device manufacturer
whether charging your electric
vehicle will impact the operation
of the medical electric devices.

H46
After parking the vehicle, shift thetransmission into "P" position. Turn
off the hybrid system by pushing
the Engine Start/Stop button.
For your safety, do not touch high voltage cables, connectors and
package modules. High Voltage
components are orange in color.
Exposed cables or wires may be visible inside or outside of the vehi-
cle. Never touch the wires or
cables, because an electrical
shock may occur causing injury or
death.✽ ✽

NOTICE
• If a small scale fire occurs, use a
fire extinguisher (ABC, BC) that is
meant for electrical fires.
If it is impossible to extinguish the
fire in the early stage, remain a
safe distance from the vehicle and
immediately call your local fire
emergency responders. Also,
advise them that a hybrid vehicle
is involved.
If the fire spreads to the high volt-
age battery, large amount of water
is needed to put out the fire.
Using small amount of water or
fire extinguishers not meant for
electrical fires could cause serious
injury or death from electrical
shocks.
• If you need towing, refer to chap- ter 7.
If a vehicle accident occurs:
1.Stop the vehicle and shift the trans-
mission into "P" position and then
depress the parking brake.
2.Turn off the Hybrid system by pushing the Engine Start/Stop
Button.
3.Evacuate to the safety place.
4.Call emergency services for help and let them know the vehicle is a
Hybrid vehicle.
Do not touch high voltage cables,
connectors and package modules.
High voltage components are
orange in color.
Exposed cables or wires may be vis-
ible inside or outside of the vehicle.
Never touch the wires or cables,
because an electrical shock may
occur causing injury or death.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H47
When the hybrid vehicle shuts
off
When the high voltage battery or 12-
volt battery discharges, or fuel tank is
empty, the hybrid system may not
operate.
If the Hybrid system stops operating
while the vehicle is moving, reduce
the vehicle and pull your vehicle off
the road in a safe area, and shift the
transmission in to Park (P) position
and;
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Set the start button at OFF, and tryto start the Hybrid system by
applying the brake pedal and
pushing the start button.
3. If the Hybrid system will not oper- ate, refer to "EMERGENCY
STARTING" in chapter 7.
Before you try to jump start the vehi-
cle, confirm the fuel level. If the fuel
level is low add more fuel before
attempting as emergency start.
WARNING
If a submersion in water occurs:
If your vehicle was flooded and
has soaked carpeting or water
on the flooring, you should not
try to start the Hybrid system.
Never touch the high voltage
cables, connectors and pack-
age modules, because an elec-
trical shock may occur causing
injury or death. High Voltage
cables are orange in color.
In this case, have the vehicle
towed to and inspected by an
authorized Kia dealer.
WARNING - Vehicle
Accident
Never touch electric wires or
cable. If exposed electric wires
or cables are visible inside or
outside of your vehicle, an elec-
tric shock may occur.
WARNING - Putting out
fire
Never use a small quantity of
water to put out a fire in your
vehicle. If a fire occurs, evacu-
ate the car immediately and
contact the fire department.

Introduction
Fuel requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
• Gasoline containing alcohol and methanol . . . . . . . . . 1-2
• Do not use methanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
• Fuel additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
• Operation in foreign countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle break-in process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
HEV/PHEV powertrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Vehicle data collection and event data recorders. . 1-6
1

Introduction
21
Your new vehicle is designed to use
only unleaded fuel having a pump
octane number ((R+M)/2) of 87
(Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. (Do not use methanol blend-
ed fuels.)
Your new vehicle is designed to
obtain maximum performance with
UNLEADED FUEL, as well as mini-
mize exhaust emissions and spark
plug fouling.
Never add any fuel system cleaning
agents to the fuel tank other than
what has been specified. (Consult an
authorized Kia dealer for details.)
• Tighten the cap until it clicks onetime, otherwise the Check Engine light will illuminate.
Gasoline containing alcohol and
methanol
Gasohol, a mixture of gasoline and
ethanol (also known as grain alco-
hol), and gasoline or gasohol con-
taining methanol (also known as
wood alcohol) are being marketed
along with or instead of leaded or
unleaded gasoline. Pursuant to EPA regulations, ethanol
may be used in your vehicle.
Do not use gasohol containing more
than 15% ethanol, and do not use
gasoline or gasohol containing any
methanol. Ethanol provides less
energy than gasoline and it attracts
water, and it is thus likely to reduce
your fuel efficiency and could lower
your MPG results.
Methanol may cause drivability prob-
lems and damage to the fuel system,
engine control system and emission
control system.
Discontinue using gasohol of any
kind if drivability problems occur.
Vehicle damage or drivability prob-
lems may not be covered by the
manufacturer’s warranty if they result
from the use of:
1. Gasoline or gasohol containing
methanol.
2. Leaded fuel or leaded gasohol.
3. Gasohol containing more than 15% ethanol.
WARNING - Refueling
• Do not “top off” after the noz- zle automatically shuts off.
Attempts to force more fuel
into the tank can cause fuel
overflow onto you and the
ground causing a risk of fire.
Always check that the fuel cap is installed securely to pre-
vent fuel spillage, especially
in the event of an accident.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS

13
Introduction
"E85" fuel is an alternative fuel com-
prised of 85 percent ethanol and 15
percent gasoline, and is manufac-
tured exclusively for use in Flexible
Fuel Vehicles. “E85” is not compati-
ble with your vehicle. Use of “E85”
may result in poor engine perform-
ance and damage to your vehicle's
engine and fuel system. Kia recom-
mends that customers do not use
fuel with an ethanol content exceed-
ing 15 percent.
✽ ✽

NOTICE
Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
does not cover damage to the fuel sys-
tem or any performance problems
caused by the use of “E85” fuel.
✽ ✽

NOTICE
Never use any fuel containing
methanol. Discontinue use of any
methanol containing product which
may inhibit proper drivability.
Other fuels
Using fuels that contain Silicone (Si),
MMT (Manganese, Mn), Ferrocene
(Fe), and Other metalic additives,
may cause vehicle and engine dam-
age or cause misfiring, poor acceler-
ation, engine stalling, catalyst melt-
ing, clogging, abnormal corrosion,
life cycle reduction, etc.
Also, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(MIL) may illuminate.
✽ ✽

NOTICE
Damage to the fuel system or per-
formance problem caused by the use
of these fuels may not be covered by
your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains harmful man-
ganese-based fuel additives Such as
MMT(Methylcyclopentadienyl
Manganese Tricarbonyl). Kia does not
recommend the use of gasoline con-
taining MMT. This type of fuel can
reduce vehicle performance and affect
your emission control system. The
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the
cluster may come on.
Do not use methanol
Fuels containing methanol (wood
alcohol) should not be used in your
vehicle. This type of fuel can reduce
vehicle performance and damage
components of the fuel system,
engine control system and emission
control system.