2021 KIA NIRO HYBRID EV coolant temperature

H34
Switching to Hybrid mode to allow
heating (Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
When the coolant temperature is
lower than -14 °C (57 °F), and you
turn the climate control On for
heating, this message will be dis-
played in the cluster. Then, the
vehicle will automatically switch to
HEV mode.
When the coolant temperature is
higher than -14 °C (57 °F), or you
turn the climate control Off, the
vehicle will automatically return to
EV mode.
Wait until fuel door opens
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message is displayed when you
attempt to open the fuel filler lid with
the fuel tank pressurized. Wait until
the fuel tank is depressurized.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
• It may take up to 20 seconds to
open fuel filler lid.
• When the fuel filler lid is frozen
and does not open after 20 seconds
at freezing temperature, slightly
tap the fuel filler lid and then
attempt to open it.
Fuel door open
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message is displayed when the
fuel filler lid is opened.
Also means "Ready to refuel".
Check fuel door
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message is displayed when the
fuel filler lid is open or an abnormal-
ity has occurred.
Charging Door Open
(Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
This message indicates that the
charging door is open.
(Driving with the charging door open
may result in moisture inflow or dam-
age. This message is used to prevent
such occurrences.)
DRIVING THE HYBRID/PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE (CONT.)

493
Features of your vehicle
Driving Style
The driving style is displayed when
you are driving in ECO mode.
When you drive in SPORT mode,
each driving category will be dis-
played with “--”.
Energy Flow
The hybrid system informs the driv-
ers its energy flow in various operat-
ing modes. While driving, the current
energy flow is specified in 11 modes.
❈ For more details, refer to “Energy
Flow” in Hybrid System Overview
chapter.
Engine coolant temperature
This gauge indicates the tempera-
ture of the engine coolant when the
engine is running.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
When the gauge indicator gets out of
the normal range, toward the “H
(Hot)” position, it indicates over-
heating of the engine. It may dam-
age the engine.
Do not continue driving with the
overheated engine.
❈ ❈

For further information, refer to
“If the Engine Overheats” in the
chapter 6.
ODEP049579LODEP047202NODEP049603N

Features of your vehicle
104 4
Switching to Hybrid mode to
allow heating or air conditioning
(Plug-in hybrid)
When the coolant temperature is
lower than -14°C (57°F), and you
turn the climate control On for
heating, the above message will be
displayed in the cluster. Then, the
vehicle will automatically switch to
HEV mode.
When the coolant temperature is
higher than -14°C (57°F), or you
turn the climate control Off, the
vehicle will automatically return to
EV mode.
Switching to Hybrid mode for
self-diagnosis (Plug-in hybrid)
This message is displayed for self-
diagnosis of the hybrid mode sys-
tem.

Features of your vehicle
112 4
Master Warning light
(if equipped)
This warning light informs the driv-
er the following situations.
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
system malfunction (if equipped)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
radar blocked (if equipped)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning system
malfunction (if equipped)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning radar
blocked (if equipped)
- Lamp malfunction
- LED headlamp malfunction (if
equipped)
- High Beam Assist malfunction (if
equipped)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) malfunction
- Smart Cruise Control system mal-
function (if equipped)
- Smart Cruise Control system radar
blocked (if equipped)
- Lane Following Assist system mal-
function (if equipped), etc.The Master Warning Light illuminates
when one or more of the above warn-
ing situations occur. If the warning situ-
ation is resolved, the master warning
light will turn off.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This warning light illuminates:
When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is above 120°C (248°F). This
means that the engine is overheat-
ed and may be damaged.
If your vehicle is overheated, refer
to “If the engine overheats” in
chapter 6.
CAUTION - Engine
Overheating
Do not continue driving with the
engine overheated. Otherwise
the engine may be damaged.

Driving your vehicle
150 5
Use high quality ethylene gly-
col coolant
Your vehicle is delivered with high
quality ethylene glycol coolant in the
cooling system. It is the only type of
coolant that should be used because
it helps prevent corrosion in the cool-
ing system, lubricates the water
pump and prevents freezing. Be sure
to replace or replenish your coolant
in accordance with the maintenance
schedule in chapter 8. Before winter,
have your coolant tested to assure
that its freezing point is sufficient for
the temperatures anticipated during
the winter.
Check battery and cables
Winter puts additional burdens on
the battery system. Visually inspect
the battery and cables as described
in chapter 8. The level of charge in
your battery can be checked by an
authorized Kia dealer or a service
station.
Change to "winter weight" oil
if necessary
In some climates it is recommended
that a lower viscosity "winter weight"
oil be used during cold weather. See
chapter 9 for recommendations. If
you aren't sure what weight oil you
should use, consult an authorized
Kia dealer.
Check spark plugs and ignition
system
Inspect your spark plugs as
described in chapter 8 and replace
them if necessary. Also check all
ignition wiring and components to be
sure they are not cracked, worn or
damaged in any way.
To keep locks from freezing
To keep the locks from freezing,
squirt an approved de-icer fluid or
glycerine into the key opening. If a
lock is covered with ice, squirt it with
an approved de-icing fluid to remove
the ice. If the lock is frozen internally,
you may be able to thaw it out by
using a heated key. Handle the heat-
ed key with care to avoid injury.
Use approved window washer
anti-freeze in system
To keep the water in the window
washer system from freezing, add an
approved window washer anti-freeze
solution in accordance with instruc-
tions on the container. Window wash-
er anti-freeze is available from an
authorized Kia dealer and most auto
parts outlets. Do not use engine
coolant or other types of anti-freeze
as these may damage the paint fin-
ish.

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.

What to do in an emergency
12 6
6. If you cannot find the cause of the
overheating, wait until the engine
temperature has returned to nor-
mal. Then, if coolant has been lost,
carefully add coolant to the reser-
voir to bring the fluid level in the
reservoir up to the halfway mark.
7. Proceed with caution, keeping
alert for further signs of overheat-
ing. If over heating happens again,
call the nearest authorized Kia
dealer for assistance.✽ ✽
NOTICE
Serious loss of coolant indicates
there is a leak in the cooling system
and should be checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Kia dealer.
CAUTION
When the engine overheats from
low engine coolant, suddenly
adding engine coolant may
cause cracks in the engine. To
prevent damage, add engine
coolant slowly in small quantities

721
Maintenance
COOLANT
The high-pressure cooling system
has a reservoir filled with year round
antifreeze coolant. The reservoir is
filled at the factory.
Check the antifreeze protection and
coolant level at least once a year: at
the beginning of the winter season,
and before traveling to a colder cli-
mate.Checking the coolant level Turn the engine off and wait until it
cools down. Use extreme care
when removing the radiator cap.
Wrap a thick towel around it, and
turn it counterclockwise slowly to
the first stop. Step back while the
pressure is released from the cool-
ing system.
When you are sure all the pressure
has been released, press down on
the cap, using a thick towel, and
continue turning counterclockwise
to remove it.
Even if the engine is not operating,
do not remove the radiator cap or
the drain plug while the engine and
radiator are hot. Hot coolant and
steam may still blow out under
pressure, causing serious injury.
The engine coolant and/or inverter
coolant level is influenced by the
hybrid system temperature. Before
checking or refilling the engine
coolant and/or inverter coolant,
turn the hybrid vehicle off.
WARNING
Removing radiator
cap
Never attempt to remove the
radiator cap while the engine is
operating or hot. Doing so
might lead to cooling system
and engine damage and could
result in serious personal injury
from escaping hot coolant or
steam.
CAUTION - Radiator cap
Never attempt to remove the
radiator cap while the engine is
operating or hot. Doing so
might lead to cooling system
and engine damage.