2020 KIA NIRO PHEV Owners Manual

H47
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.

H48
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 making contact with anyorange or high voltage wires,
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.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

H49
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. 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.Step away from the vehicle and go to a safe 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.
WARNING
If a small scale fire occurs, use a fire extinguisher (ABC,
BC) that is meant for electrical
fires.
If it is impossible to extin-
guish the fire in the early
stage, remain a safe distance
from the vehicle and immedi-
ately call your local fire emer-
gency responders. Also,
advise them that a hybrid
vehicle is involved.
If the fire spreads to the high
voltage 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 chapter 6.

H50
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 speed gradually, pull your
vehicle off the road to 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 6.
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 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 or package
modules, because an electrical
shock may occur causing injury
or death. High Voltage cables
are orange in color.
If this occurs. 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.
COMPONENTS OF THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

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 modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
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.

Introduction
41
Fuel Additives
Kia recommends that you use good
quality gasolines treated with deter-
gent additives such as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, which help pre-
vent deposit formation in the engine.
These gasolines will help the engine
run cleaner and enhance perform-
ance of the Emission Control System.
For more information on TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, please go to the
website (www.toptiergas.com)
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
and have problems starting or the
engine does not run smoothly, addi-
tives that can be purchased sepa-
rately may be added to the gasoline.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of additive
should be added to the fuel tank at
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or
every engine oil change is recom-
mended. Additives are available from
your authorized Kia dealer along with
information on how to use them. Do
not mix other additives.
Operation in foreign countries
If you are going to drive your vehicle
in another country, be sure to:
Observe all regulations regardingregistration and insurance.
Determine that acceptable fuel is available.