2021 KIA NIRO PHEV check engine

Maintenance
18 7
Exhaust pipe and muffler
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes,
muffler and hangers for cracks, dete-
rioration, or damage. Start the
engine and listen carefully for any
exhaust gas leakage. Tighten con-
nections or replace parts as neces-
sary.
Suspension mounting bolts
Check the suspension connections
for looseness or damage. Retighten
to the specified torque.
Steering gear box, linkage &
boots/lower arm ball joint
With the vehicle stopped and engine
off, check for excessive free-play in
the steering wheel.
Check the linkage for bends or dam-
age. Check the dust boots and ball
joints for deterioration, cracks, or
damage. Replace any damaged
parts.
Drive shafts and boots
Check the drive shafts, boots and
clamps for cracks, deterioration, or
damage. Replace any damaged
parts and, if necessary, repack the
grease.
Air conditioning refrigerant
Check the air conditioning lines and
connections for leakage and dam-
age.When checking engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid,
always be sure to clean the area
around any filler plug, drain plug, or
dipstick before checking or draining
any lubricant or fluid. This is espe-
cially important in dusty or sandy
areas and when the vehicle is used
on unpaved roads. Cleaning the plug
and dipstick areas will prevent dirt
and grit from entering the engine and
other mechanisms that could be
damaged.
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS

719
Maintenance
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil level
Engine oil is used for lubrication
and cooling, so it is gradually con-
sumed during driving the vehicle.
Regularly check and manage the
oil level using the following proce-
dure.
1. Be sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Start the engine and allow it to
reach normal operating tempera-
ture.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for a
few minutes (about 15 minutes.
(with oil filler cap and dipstick
detached)) for the oil to return to
the oil pan.
4. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean,
and reinsert it fully.5. Check if the oil level is between
the F-L line and refill it if the oil
level is near the L line.
CAUTION - Replacing
engine oil
Do not overfill the engine oil. It
may damage the engine.
WARNING- Radiator hose
Be very careful not to touch the
radiator hose when checking or
adding engine oil as it may be
hot enough to burn you.
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■(Gasoline) 1.6 GDi

Maintenance
20
7
Check if the oil level is between the
F-L line and refill it if the oil level is
near the L line
Use a funnel to help prevent oil
from being spilled on engine com-
ponents.
Use only the specified engine oil.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricantsand capacities” in chapter 8.)
The engine oil consumption may increase while you break in a new
vehicle and it will be stabilized after
driving 3,750 miles (6,000 km).
The engine oil consumption can be affected by driving habits, climate
conditions, traffic conditions, oil
quality, etc. Therefore, it is recom-
mended that you inspect the
engine oil level regularly and refill it
if necessary.
The engine oil change interval is set for the purpose of preventing oil
deterioration, and is not related the
amount of oil consumption; so,
check and refill the amount of the
oil regularly.Changing the engine oil and
filter
Have engine oil and filter changed by
an authorized Kia dealer according
to the Maintenance Schedule at the
beginning of this chapter.
If exceeding the maintenanceschedule for replacement of engine
oil, the engine oil performance may
deteriorate and the engine condition
may be affected. Therefore, the
replacement cycle should be
observed.
To keep the engine in optimal condi- tion, use recommended engine oil. If
not using the recommended oil,
replace it according to the severe
usage maintenance conditions.
WARNING - Used engine
oil
Used engine oil may cause irrita-
tion or cancer of the skin if left in
contact with the skin for pro-
longed periods of time. Always
protect your skin by washing
your hands thoroughly with
soap and warm water as soon as
possible after handling used oil.
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■(Gasoline) 1.6 GDi

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.

Maintenance
22
7
Engine coolant
Check the condition and connections
of all cooling system hoses and
heater hoses. Replace any swollen
or deteriorated hoses.
The coolant level should be filled
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the coolant reservoir when
the engine is cool.
If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protec-
tion against freezing and corrosion.
Bring the level to MAX, but do not
overfill. If frequent additions are
required, see an authorized Kia deal-
er for a cooling system inspection.
Inverter coolant
The coolant level should be filled
between MAX and MIN marks on the
side of the coolant reservoir when
the engine is cool.
If the coolant level is low, add enough
specified coolant to provide protec-
tion against freezing and corrosion.
Bring the level to MAX, but do not
overfill. If frequent additions are
required, see an authorized Kia deal-
er for a cooling system inspection.
WARNING- Cooling fan
Use caution when
working near the
blade of the cooling
fan. The electric
motor (cooling fan) is
controlled by engine coolant
temperature, refrigerant pres-
sure and vehicle speed. It may
sometimes operate even when
the engine is not running.
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Maintenance
24 7
✽
✽
NOTICE
Make sure the coolant cap is proper-
ly closed after refill of coolant.
Otherwise the engine could be over-
heated while driving.
1. Check if the radiator cap label is
straight front.2. Make sure that the tiny protru-
sions inside the coolant cap
should be securely interlocked.WARNING
Radiator cap
Do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine and radiator
are hot. Scalding hot coolant
and steam may blow out under
pressure which may result in
serious injury.
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■Engine room front view
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■Engine room rear view

Maintenance
26 7
BRAKE FLUID
Checking the brake fluid level
Check the fluid level in the reservoir
periodically. The fluid level should be
between MAX (Maximum) and MIN
(Minimum) marks on the side of the
reservoir.
Before removing the reservoir cap
and adding brake fluid, clean the
area around the reservoir cap thor-
oughly to prevent brake fluid contam-
ination.Periodically check that the fluid level
in the brake fluid reservoir is
between MIN and MAX. The level will
fall with accumulated mileage. This is
a normal condition associated with
the wear of brake linings. If the fluid
level is excessively low, have the
brake system checked by an author-
ized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified brake fluid.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricants
and capacities” in chapter 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
In the event the brake system
requires frequent additions of fluid,
the vehicle should be inspected by
an authorized Kia dealer.
When changing and adding brake
fluid, handle it carefully. Do not let it
come in contact with your eyes. If
brake fluid should come in contact
with your eyes, immediately flush
them with a large quantity of fresh
tap water. Have your eyes examined
by a doctor as soon as possible.
Brake fluid, which has been exposed
to open air for an extended time
should never be used as its quality
cannot be guaranteed. It should be
disposed of properly.
CAUTION - Brake fluid
Do not allow brake fluid to con-
tact the vehicle's body paint, as
paint damage will result.
CAUTION - Proper fluid
Only use brake fluid in brake
system. Small amounts of
improper fluids (such as engine
oil) can cause damage to the
brake system.
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Maintenance
28 7
ENGINE CLUTCH ACTUATOR FLUID
Checking the engine clutch
actuator fluid level
In normal driving conditions, the
actuator fluid level does not go down
rapidly. However, oil consumption
rate may rise as vehicle mileage
increases, and leakage in actuator
related parts may result in increased
consumption of the engine clutch
actuator oil. Regularly check and
make sure the engine clutch actuator
oil fluid level is between [MIN] and
[MAX] marks.
If the oil level is below [MIN] mark,
we recommend that your vehicle be
checked by an authorized Kia dealer.If the fluid level is excessively low, we
recommend that the system be
checked by an authorized Kia dealer.
Use only the specified engine clutch
actuator fluid.
(Refer to “Recommended lubricants
or capacities” in chapter 8.)
Never mix different types of fluid.
✽ ✽
NOTICE - Loss of engine
clutch actuator fluid
In the event the engine clutch actua-
tor requires frequent additions of
fluid, we recommend that the system
be inspected by an authorized Kia
dealer.
WARNING- Engine clutch
actuator fluid
When changing and adding
engine clutch actuator fluid,
handle it carefully. Do not let it
come in contact with your eyes.
If engine clutch actuator fluid
should come in contact with
your eyes, immediately flush
them with a large quantity of
fresh water, and seek medical
attention as soon as possible.
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