2021 KIA NIRO PHEV check engine light

What to do in an emergency
4 6
IF THE ENGINE WILL NOT START
If engine doesn't turn over or
turns over slowly
1. Be sure the shift lever is in N
(Neutral) or P (Park) and the
emergency brake is set.
2. Check the battery connections to
be sure they are clean and tight.
3. Turn on the interior light. If the light
dims or goes out when you oper-
ate the starter, the battery is dis-
charged.
4. Check the starter connections to
be sure they are securely tight-
ened.
5. Do not push or pull the vehicle to
start it. See instructions for "Jump
starting".
If engine turns over normally
but does not start
1. Check the fuel level.
2. With the ignition switch in the
LOCK position, check all connec-
tors at the ignition coils and spark
plugs. Reconnect any that may be
disconnected or loose.
3. Check the fuel line in the engine
compartment.
4. If the engine still does not start,
call an authorized Kia dealer or
seek other qualified assistance.
WARNING - Push/
pull start
Do not push or pull the vehicle
to start it. Push or pull starting
may cause the catalytic con-
verter to overload and create a
fire hazard.

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.

77
Maintenance
OWNER MAINTENANCE
The following lists are vehicle checks
and inspections that should be per-
formed by the owner or an author-
ized Kia dealer at the frequencies
indicated to help ensure safe,
dependable operation of your vehi-
cle.
Any adverse conditions should be
brought to the attention of your deal-
er as soon as possible.
These Owner Maintenance Checks
are generally not covered by war-
ranties and you may be charged for
labor, parts and lubricants used.Owner maintenance schedule
When you stop for fuel:
Check the engine oil level.
Check the coolant level in coolant
reservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid
level.
Look for low or under-inflated tires.
While operating your vehicle:
Note any changes in the sound of
the exhaust or any smell of
exhaust fumes in the vehicle.
Check for vibrations in the steering
wheel. Notice any increased steer-
ing effort or looseness in the steer-
ing wheel, or change in its straight-
ahead position.
Notice if your vehicle constantly
turns slightly or “pulls” to one side
when traveling on smooth, level
road.
When stopping, listen and check
for unusual sounds, pulling to one
side, increased brake pedal travel
or “hard-to-push” brake pedal.
If any slipping or changes in the
operation of your transmission
occurs, check the transmission
fluid level.
Check the dual clutch transmission
P (Park) function.
Check the parking brake.
Check for fluid leaks under your
vehicle (water dripping from the air
conditioning system during or after
use is normal).
WARNING- Hot coolant
Be careful when checking your
engine coolant level when the
engine is hot. Scalding hot
coolant and steam may blow
out under pressure.
WARNING
When you open the engine
hood, turn the Hybrid system
off. If not, it may result in death
or serious injury because of the
high voltage flow.

Maintenance
8 7
At least monthly:
Check the coolant level in the
engine coolant reservoir.
Check the operation of all exterior
lights, including the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flash-
ers.
Check the inflation pressures of all
tires including the spare for tires
that are worn, show uneven wear,
or are damaged.
Check for loose wheel lug nuts.
At least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall) :
Check the radiator, heater and air
conditioning hoses for leaks or
damage.
Check the windshield washer
spray and wiper operation. Clean
the wiper blades with clean cloth
dampened with washer fluid.
Check the headlight alignment.
Check the muffler, exhaust pipes,
shields and clamps.
Check the lap/shoulder belts for
wear and function.
At least once a year :
Clean the body and door drain
holes.
Lubricate the door hinges and
check the hood hinges.
Lubricate the door and hood locks
and latches.
Lubricate the door rubber weather-
strips.
Check the air conditioning system.
Inspect and lubricate dual clutch
transmission linkage and controls.
Clean the battery and terminals.
Check the brake fluid level.

Maintenance
58 7
FUSES
❈Left side : Normal , Right side : Blown
A vehicle’s electrical system is pro-
tected from electrical overload dam-
age by fuses.
This vehicle has 2 (or 3) fuse panels,
one located in the driver’s side panel
bolster, the other in the engine com-
partment near the battery.
If any of your vehicle’s lights, acces-
sories, or controls do not work, check
the appropriate circuit fuse. If a fuse
has blown, the element inside the
fuse will melt.
If the electrical system does not
work, first check the driver’s side
fuse panel.
Always replace a blown fuse with
one of the same rating.
If the replacement fuse blows, this
indicates an electrical problem. Avoid
using the system involved and imme-
diately consult an authorized Kia
dealer.
Three kinds of fuses are used: blade
type for lower amperage rating, car-
tridge type, and multi fuse for higher
amperage ratings.
Do not arbitrarily modify or add-on
electric wiring to the vehicle.
WARNING- Fuse replace-
ment
Never replace a fuse with any-
thing but another fuse of the
same rating.
A higher capacity fuse could
cause damage and possibly a
fire.
Never install a wire or alu-
minum foil instead of the
proper fuse - even as a tem-
porary repair. It may cause
extensive wiring damage and
a possible fire.
CAUTION
Do not use a screwdriver or any
other metal object to remove
fuses because it may cause a
short circuit and damage the
system.
OJF075021 ■Blade type
■Cartridge type
■Multi fuse
■BFT

Maintenance
60 7
3. Pull the suspected fuse straight
out. Use the removal tool provided
on the engine compartment fuse
panel cover.
4. Check the removed fuse; replace it
if it is blown.
Spare fuses are provided in the
engine compartment fuse panel.
5. Push in a new fuse of the same
rating, and make sure it fits tightly
in the clips.
If it fits loosely, consult an authorized
Kia dealer.
If you do not have a spare, use a
fuse of the same rating from a circuit
you may not need for operating the
vehicle, such as the power outlet
fuse.
If the head lamp, turn signal lamp,
stop signal lamp, fog lamp, DRL, tail
lamp, HMSL do not work and the
fuses are OK, check the fuse panel
in the engine compartment. If a fuse
is blown, it must be replaced.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
If the headlamp, fog lamp, turn sig-
nal lamp, or tail lamp malfunction
even without any problem to the
lamps, have the vehicle checked by
an authorized Kia dealer for assis-
tance.
ODEP079020
CAUTION
Do not input any other objects
except fuses or relays into
fuse/relay terminals, such as a
driver or wiring. It may cause
contact failure and system
malfunction.
Do not plug in screwdrivers or
aftermarket wiring into the ter-
minal originally designed for
fuse and relays only. The elec-
trical system and wiring of the
vehicle interior may be dam-
aged or burned due to contact
failure.
If you directly connect the
wire on the taillight or replace
the bulb which is over the reg-
ulated capacity to install trail-
ers, etc., the inner junction
block can get burned.

Maintenance
86 7
LIGHT BULBS
Bulb replacement precaution
Please keep extra bulbs on hand
with appropriate wattage ratings in
case of emergencies.
Refer to “Bulb Wattage” in chapter 8.
When changing lamps, first turn off
the engine at a safe place, firmly
apply the parking brake and detach
the battery’s negative (-) terminal.
Use only bulbs of the specified
wattage.✽ ✽
NOTICE
• If the light bulb or lamp connector
is removed while the lamp is still
on, the fuse box's electronic sys-
tem may log it as a malfunction.
Therefore, a lamp malfunction
incident may be recorded as a
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in
the fuse box.
• It is normal for an operating lamp
to flicker momentarily. This is due
to a stabilization function of the
vehicle’s electronic control device.
If the lamp lights up normally
after momentarily blinking, then
it is functioning as normal.
However, if the lamp continues to
flicker several times or turns off
completely, there may be an error
in the vehicle’s electronic control
device. Please have the vehicle
checked by an authorized Kia
dealer immediately.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
We recommend that the headlight
aiming be adjusted by an authorized
Kia dealer after an accident or after
the headlight assembly is reinstalled.
WARNING- Working on
the lights
Prior to working on the light,
firmly apply the parking brake,
ensure that the engine
start/stop button is in OFF posi-
tion and turn off the lights to
avoid sudden movement of the
vehicle and burning your fingers
or receiving an electric shock.
CAUTION -Light replace-
ment
Be sure to replace the burned-
out bulb with one of the same
wattage rating. Otherwise, it
may cause damage to the fuse
or electric wiring system.
CAUTION -Headlamp
Lens
To prevent damage, do not
clean the headlamp lens with
chemical solvents or strong
detergents.