2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID ESP

687
Driving your vehicle
Your vehicle's fuel economy depends
mainly on your style of driving, where
you drive and when you drive.
Each of these factors affects how
many miles (kilometers) you can get
from a gallon (liter) of fuel. To operate
your vehicle as economically as pos-
sible, use the following driving sug-
gestions to help save money in both
fuel and repairs:
Drive smoothly. Accelerate at amoderate rate. Don't make "jack-
rabbit" starts or full-throttle shifts
and maintain a steady cruising
speed. Don't race between stop-
lights. Try to adjust your speed to
the traffic so you don't have to
change speeds unnecessarily.
Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos- sible. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from other vehicles so you
can avoid unnecessary braking.
This also reduces brake wear.
Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you drive, the more fuel your
vehicle uses. Driving at a moderate
speed, especially on the highway,
is one of the most effective ways to
reduce fuel consumption. Don't "ride" the brake pedal. This
can increase fuel consumption and
also increase wear on these com-
ponents. In addition, driving with
your foot resting on the brake pedal
may cause the brakes to overheat,
which reduces their effectiveness
and may lead to more serious con-
sequences.
Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated to the recommended pres-
sure. Incorrect inflation, either too
much or too little, results in unnec-
essary tire wear. Check the tire
pressures at least once a month.
Be sure that the wheels are aligned correctly. Improper align-
ment can result from hitting curbs
or driving too fast over irregular
surfaces. Poor alignment causes
faster tire wear and may also result
in other problems as well as
greater fuel consumption. Keep your vehicle in good condi-
tion. For better fuel economy and
reduced maintenance costs, main-
tain your vehicle in accordance
with the maintenance schedule in
chapter 8. If you drive your vehicle
in severe conditions, more frequent
maintenance is required (see
chapter 8 for details).
Keep your vehicle clean. For maxi- mum service, your vehicle should
be kept clean and free of corrosive
materials. It is especially important
that mud, dirt, ice, etc. not be
allowed to accumulate on the
underside of the vehicle. This extra
weight can result in increased fuel
consumption and also contribute to
corrosion.
Travel lightly. Don't carry unneces- sary weight in your vehicle. Weight
reduces fuel economy.
Don't let the engine idle longer than necessary. If you are waiting
(and not in traffic), turn off your
engine and restart only when
you're ready to go.
ECONOMICAL OPERATION

691
Driving your vehicle
Rocking the vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle
to free it from snow, sand, or mud,
first turn the steering wheel right and
left to clear the area around your
front wheels. Then, shift back and
forth between R (Reverse) and any
forward gear in vehicles equipped
with a dual clutch transmission. Do
not race the engine, and spin the
wheels as little as possible. If you are
still stuck after a few tries, have the
vehicle pulled out by a tow vehicle to
avoid engine overheating and possi-
ble damage to the transaxle.The ESC system should be turned
OFF prior to rocking the vehicle.
Smooth cornering
Avoid braking or gear changing in
corners, especially when roads are
wet. Ideally, corners should always
be taken under gentle acceleration. If
you follow these suggestions, tire
wear will be held to a minimum.CAUTION- Vehicle rocking
Prolonged rocking may causeengine overheating, transaxledamage or failure, and tire dam-age.
CAUTION- Spinning tires
Do not spin the wheels, espe-cially at speeds more than 35mph (56 km/h). Spinning thewheels at high speeds when thevehicle is stationary couldcause a tire to overheat whichcould result in tire damage thatmay injure bystanders.
WARNING- Sudden
Vehicle Movement
Do not attempt to rock the vehi-
cle if people or objects are near-
by. The vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backwards as it
becomes unstuck.

Driving your vehicle
92
6
Driving at night
Because night driving presents more
hazards than driving in the daylight,
here are some important tips to
remember:
Slow down and keep more dis-
tance between you and other vehi-
cles, as it may be more difficult to
see at night, especially in areas
where there may not be any street
lights.
Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare from other driver's head-
lights.
Keep your headlights clean and properly aimed. (On vehicles not
equipped with the automatic head-
light aiming feature.) Dirty or
improperly aimed headlights will
make it much more difficult to see
at night.
Avoid staring directly at the head- lights of oncoming vehicles. You
could be temporarily blinded, and it
will take several seconds for your
eyes to readjust to the darkness.
Driving in the rain
Rain and wet roads can make driving
dangerous, especially if you’re not
prepared for the slick pavement.
Here are a few things to consider
when driving in the rain: A heavy rainfall will make it harder
to see and will increase the dis-
tance needed to stop your vehicle,
so slow down.
Keep your windshield wiping equipment in good shape. Replace
your windshield wiper blades when
they show signs of streaking or
missing areas on the windshield.
If your tires are not in good condi- tion, making a quick stop on wet
pavement can cause a skid and
possibly lead to an accident. Be
sure your tires are in good shape.
Turn on your headlights to make it easier for others to see you.
Driving too fast through large pud- dles can affect your brakes. If you
must go through puddles, try to
drive through them slowly.
If you believe you may have gotten your brakes wet, apply them lightly
while driving until normal braking
operation returns.

What to do in an emergency
67
Charging method for 12V battery
(A) It is recommended to charge the12V battery by starting and run-
ning the vehicle (HEV Ready
Mode) for a minimum of 30 min-
utes if a 12V reset, or jump start
has been used.
(B) If you can not start the vehicle :
After connecting the jumper cables at the recommended locations, you
should press “12V batt Reset”
switch(1) to charge the battery.
The voltage range of the charger should be 13.3~14V and its current
range should be less than 60A.
(13.8V is recommended).
External power source using 12V
battery(Except the use of dash cameras)
The use of external power acces-
sories may reduce performance and
function of the vehicle. Especially,
the use of dash cameras may cause
a shut off the power of the vehicle
prior to the dash camera’s automatic
shut-down.
If the power of the car is shut off,
start the vehicle as explained above
(refer to “Over discharge of 12V bat-
tery”)
CAUTION
• The use of an improper charg- er with a voltage and currentrange higher than specifiedmay cause overheating anddamage to the 12V battery.
The use of an incorrect charg- er will lead to a power shut-offto save the 12V battery. Stopusing the incorrect chargeronce the power of the vehicleis shut off.

713
What to do in an emergency
Each tire, including the spare (if pro-
vided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehi-
cle manufacturer on the vehicle plac-
ard or tire inflation pressure label. (If
your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pres-
sure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pres-
sure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When
the system detects a malfunction,
the telltale will flash for approximate-
ly one minute and then remain con-
tinuously illuminated. This sequence
will continue upon subsequent vehi-
cle start-ups as long as the malfunc-
tion exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement, alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.

719
What to do in an emergency
With the Tire Mobility Kit you stay
mobile even after experiencing a tire
puncture.
The system of compressor and seal-
ing compound effectively and com-
fortably seals most punctures in a
passenger car tire caused by nails or
similar objects and reinflates the tire.
After you ensured that the tire is prop-
erly sealed you can drive cautiously
on the tire (up to 120 miles (200 km))
at a max. speed of 50 mph (80 km/h)
in order to reach a service station or
tire dealer to have the tire replace-
ment.
It is possible that some tires, espe-
cially with larger punctures or damage
to the sidewall, cannot be sealed
completely.
Air pressure loss in the tire may
adversely affect tire performance.
For this reason, you should avoid
abrupt steering or other driving
maneuvers, especially if the vehicle is
heavily loaded or if a trailer is in use.
The Tire Mobility Kit is not designed
or intended as a permanent tire
repair method and is to be used for
one tire only.This instruction shows you step by
step procedure to temporarily seal
the puncture.
Read the section “Notes on the safe
use of the Tire Mobility Kit”.Notes on the safe use of the
Tire Mobility Kit
Park your car at the side of the
road so that you can work with the
Tire Mobility Kit away from moving
traffic.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your park-
ing brake.
Only use the Tire Mobility Kit for sealing/inflation passenger car
tires. Only punctured areas located
within the tread region of the tire
can be sealed using the Tire
Mobility Kit.
Do not use on motorcycles, bicy- cles or any other type of tires.
When the tire and wheel are dam- aged, do not use Tire Mobility Kit
for your safety.

733
What to do in an emergency
IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS
✽
✽ NOTICE
Any gas or electrolyte leakage from
your vehicle is not only poisonous
but also flammable. Upon witness-
ing one of those, open the windows,
and remain a safe distance from the
vehicle out of the road. Immediately
contact an authorized Kia dealer
and advise them that a hybrid vehi-
cle is involved.
If you need towing, refer to
"Towing" in the previous pages.
When the vehicle is severely dam- aged, remain a safe distance of 50
feet (15 meter) or more between
your vehicle and other
vehicles/flammables.
If a fire occurs :
Immediately call emergency services
(911) and advise the emergency
responders that a hybrid vehicle is
involved.
WARNING - High voltage components
For your safety, do not touch high voltage cables, connec-
tors and package modules.
High voltage components are
orange in color.
Exposed cables or wires may be visible inside or outside of
the vehicle. Never touch the
wires or cables, because an
electrical shock, an injury, or a
death may occur.WARNING- Submersion
in water
Do not touch your vehicle if it
has been submerged in water.
The high-voltage battery may
cause shock or may catch fire.
Immediately contact the author-
ities and advise them of the
condition of your vehicle and
that a hybrid vehicle is involved.

Maintenance
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Maintenance services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
• Owner’s responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
• Owner maintenance precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Owner maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
• Owner maintenance schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Scheduled maintenance service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items . . . 8-22
Checking fluid levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25
Engine oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
• Checking the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26
• Changing the engine oil and filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-27
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28\
• Checking the coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28
• Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
• Inverter coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29
• Recommended coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30
• Changing the coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-32
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
• Checking the brake fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-33
Engine clutch actuator fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34
• Checking the engine clutch actuator fluid level . . . . 8-34
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-36
• Checking the washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-36
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
• Checking the parking brake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37
Air cleaner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
• Filter replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38
Climate control air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
• Filter inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-42
• Blade inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-42
• Blade replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-42
Battery (Plug-in Hybrid) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-45
• For best battery service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-45
• Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-46
• Reset items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-47\
Tires and wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-48
• Tire care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
8-48
• Recommended cold tire inflation pressures . . . . . . . 8-48
• Tire pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-49
• Checking tire inflation pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-49
• Tire rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-50
• Wheel alignment and tire balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-51
• Tire replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-52
• Wheel replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-52
• Tire traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53
• Tire maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53
• Tire sidewall labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-53
8