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5115
Driving your vehicle
In traffic situation
Use switch or pedal to accelerate
In traffic, your vehicle will stop if the
vehicle ahead of you stops. Also, if
the vehicle ahead of you starts
moving, your vehicle will start as
well. However, if the vehicle stops
you must depress the accelerator
pedal or push up the switch
(RES+) to start driving. If you push the smart cruise control
switch (RES+ or SET-) while Auto
Hold and smart cruise control is
operating the Auto Hold will be
released regardless of accelerator
pedal operation and the vehicle will
start to move. The AUTO HOLD
indicator changes from green to
white. (if equipped with EPB
(Electronic Parking Brake))
CAUTION
If the vehicle ahead (vehicle
speed: less than 30 km/h (20
mph) disappears to the next
lane, the warning chime will
sound and a message will
appear. Adjust your vehicle
speed for vehicles or objects
that can suddenly appear in
front of you by depressing the
brake pedal according to the
road condition ahead and driv-
ing condition.
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Page 464 of 667

Driving your vehicle
138 5
Limitations of the system
The driver must be cautious in the
below situations, because the sys-
tem may not detect other vehicles or
objects in certain circumstances.
When a trailer or carrier is
installed.
The vehicle drives in inclement
weather such as heavy rain or
snow.
The sensor is polluted with rain,
snow, mud, etc.
The rear bumper where the sensor
is located is covered with a foreign
object such as a bumper sticker, a
bumper guard, a bike rack, etc.
The rear bumper is damaged, or
the sensor is out of the original
default position.
The vehicle height gets lower or
higher due to heavy loading in a
liftgate, abnormal tire pressure,
etc.
When the temperature of the rear
bumper is high. When the sensors are blocked by
other vehicles, walls or parking-lot
pillars.
The vehicle drives on a curved road.
The road pavement (or the periph-
eral ground) abnormally contains
metallic components (i.e. possibly
due to subway construction).
There is a fixed object near the
vehicle, such as a guardrail.
While going down or up a steep
road where the height of the lane is
different.
Driving on a narrow road where
trees or grass or overgrown.
Driving in rural areas where the sen-
sor does not detect another vehicle
for an extended period of time.
Driving on a wet road.
Driving on a road where the guardrail
or wall is in double structure.
A big vehicle is near such as a bus
or truck.
When the other vehicle approaches
very close. When the other vehicle passes at a
very fast speed.
While changing lanes.
If the vehicle has started at the
same time as the vehicle next to
you and has accelerated.
When the vehicle in the next lane
moves two lanes away from you OR
when the vehicle two lanes away
moves to the next lane from you.
A motorcycle or bicycle is near.
A flat trailer is near.
If there are small objects in the
detecting area such as a shopping
cart or a baby stroller.
If there is a low height vehicle such
as a sports car.
The brake pedal is depressed.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
is activated.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
malfunctions.
The tire pressure is low or a tire is
damaged.
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5139
Driving your vehicle
The brake is reworked.
The vehicle sharply stops.
Temperature is extremely low
around the vehicle.
The vehicle severely vibrates while
driving over a bumpy road,
uneven/bumpy road, or concrete
patch.
The vehicle drives on a slippery
surface due to snow, water puddle,
or ice.
[A] : Structure
Driving where there is a vehicle or
structure near
The system may not operate proper-
ly when driving where there is a vehi-
cle or structure near.
In certain instances, the system may
not detect the vehicle approaching
from behind and the warning or
brake may not operate properly.
Always pay attention to your sur-
rounding while driving. When the vehicle is in a complex
parking environment
The system may not operate prop-
erly when the vehicle is in a com-
plex parking environment.
In certain instances, the system
may not be able to exactly deter-
mine the risk of collision for the
vehicles which are parking or
pulling out near your vehicle (e.g. a
vehicle escaping beside your vehi-
cle, a vehicle parking or pulling out
in the rear area, a vehicle
approaching your vehicle making a
turn, etc.).
In this case, the warning or brake
may not operate properly.
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Page 466 of 667
![KIA NIRO HYBRID EV 2021 Owners Manual Driving your vehicle
140 5
[A] : Vehicle
When the vehicle is parked diago-
nally
The system may not operate proper-
ly when the vehicle is parked diago-
nally.
In certain instances, when the diago-
n KIA NIRO HYBRID EV 2021 Owners Manual Driving your vehicle
140 5
[A] : Vehicle
When the vehicle is parked diago-
nally
The system may not operate proper-
ly when the vehicle is parked diago-
nally.
In certain instances, when the diago-
n](/manual-img/2/58908/w960_58908-465.png)
Driving your vehicle
140 5
[A] : Vehicle
When the vehicle is parked diago-
nally
The system may not operate proper-
ly when the vehicle is parked diago-
nally.
In certain instances, when the diago-
nally parked vehicle is pulled out of
the parking space, the system may
not detect the vehicle approaching
from the rear left/right of your vehi-
cle. In this case, the warning or brake
may not operate properly.
Always pay attention to your sur-
rounding while driving. When the vehicle is on/near a
slope
The system may not operate proper-
ly when the vehicle is on/near a
slope.
In certain instances, the system may
not detect the vehicle approaching
from the rear left/right and the warning
or brake may not operate properly.
Always pay attention to your sur-
rounding while driving.
[A] : Structure, [B] : Wall
Pulling into the parking space
where there is a structure
The system may not operate properly
when pulling in the vehicle to the park-
ing space where there is a structure at
the back or side of your vehicle.
In certain instances, when backing
into the parking space, the system
may not detect the vehicle moving in
front of your vehicle. In this case, the
warning or brake may not operate
properly.
Always pay attention to the parking
space while driving.
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5151
Driving your vehicle
Don’t let your parking brake
freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged
position. This is most likely to happen
when there is an accumulation of
snow or ice around or near the rear
brakes or if the brakes are wet. If
there is a risk the parking brake may
freeze, apply it only temporarily while
you put the gear shift lever in P (Park,
Dual clutch transmission) and block
the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot
roll. Then release the parking brake.
Don't let ice and snow accu-
mulate underneath
Under some conditions, snow and
ice can build up under the fenders
and interfere with the steering. When
driving in severe winter conditions
where this may happen, you should
periodically check underneath the
vehicle to be sure the movement of
the front wheels and the steering
components are not obstructed.
Carry emergency equipment
Depending on the severity of the
weather, you should carry appropri-
ate emergency equipment. Some of
the items you may want to carry
include tow straps or chains, flash-
light, emergency flares, sand, shov-
el, jumper cables, window scraper,
gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, blan-
ket, etc.
TRAILER TOWING
We do not recommend using this
vehicle for trailer towing.
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63
What to do in an emergency
If the engine stalls at a cross-
road or crossing
If the engine stalls at a crossroad or
crossing, set the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position and then push the
vehicle to a safe place.
If you have a flat tire while
driving
If a tire goes flat while you are driv-
ing:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal and let the vehicle slow
down while driving straight ahead.
Do not apply the brakes immedi-
ately or attempt to pull off the road
as this may cause a loss of con-
trol. When the vehicle has slowed
to such a speed that it is safe to do
so, brake carefully and pull off the
road. Drive off the road as far as
possible and park on firm level
ground. If you are on a divided
highway, do not park in the median
area between the two traffic lanes.2. When the vehicle is stopped, turn
on your emergency hazard flash-
ers, set the parking brake and put
the transmission in P (Park).
3. Have all passengers get out of the
vehicle. Be sure they all get out on
the side of the vehicle that is away
from traffic.
4. When changing a flat tire, follow
the instruction provided later in
this section.
If the engine stalls while driv-
ing
1. Reduce your speed gradually,
keeping a straight line. Move cau-
tiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try to start the hybrid system
again. If your vehicle will not start,
contact an authorized Kia dealer
or seek other qualified assistance.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If there was a check engine light and
loss of power or stall and if safe to do
so, wait at least 10 seconds to restart
the vehicle after it stalls. This may
reset the car so it will no longer run
at low power (limp home) condition.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING
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611
What to do in an emergency
IF THE ENGINE OVERHEATS
If your temperature gauge indicates
overheating, you will experience a
loss of power, or hear loud pinging or
knocking, the engine is probably too
hot. If this happens, you should:
1. Turn on the emergency warning
flasher and stop in a safe place.
Move the shift lever to P (Park)
and engage the parking brake.
2. If hot steam does not come out
from the engine room, carefully
open the engine room and check
whether the water pump connec-
tor is properly engaged. If the con-
nector is not properly engaged,
stop the engine immediately and
properly engage the connector.
Then, turn the engine on.
3. Turn on the air conditioner.4. If the “HEV Warning” light turns on
in the driver instrument cluster, or
engine coolant or hot steam emits
from the engine coolant filler, stop
the engine immediately. Then, call
the nearest authorized Kia dealer
for assistance. If the “Engine
Warning” light remains illuminated
or the engine coolant is not flowing
out, keep the engine running.
Open the engine hood for ventila-
tion to help cool down the engine.5. Check whether the engine coolant
temperature is low enough by
checking its temperature. If the
engine coolant level is low, please
check the connecting parts
between the radiator hose, heater
hose, and water pump for any signs
of leakage. When there is no sign of
leakage, please refill the engine
coolant. If causes and signs of
engine overheating such as warn-
ing light illumination, engine coolant
leakage, or cooling fan malfunction
are found, stop the vehicle the ear-
liest. Then, call the nearest author-
ized Kia dealer for assistance.
WARNING- Under the
Hood
While the engine is running,
keep hair, hands and clothing
away from moving parts such
as the fan and drive belts to pre-
vent injury.
WARNING- Radiator Cap
Do not remove the
radiator cap when the
engine is hot. This
can allow coolant to
blow out of the open-
ing and cause seri-
ous burns.
Page 502 of 667
What to do in an emergency
20 6
Removing and storing the
spare tire
Turn the tire hold-down wing bolt
counterclockwise.
Store the tire in the reverse order of
removal.
To prevent the spare tire and tools
from “rattling” while the vehicle is in
motion, store them properly.If it is hard to loosen the tire hold-
down wing bolt by hand, you can
loosen it easily using the jack handle.
1. Put the jack handle (1) inside of
the tire hold-down wing bolt.
2. Turn the tire hold-down wing bolt
counterclockwise with the jack
handle.
Use caution when utilizing the sharp
jack handle.
Changing tires
1. Park on a level surface and apply
the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the shift lever into P (Park)
with dual clutch transmission.
3. Activate the hazard warning flash-
ers.OQL065031
OQL065032
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