2021 KIA NIRO PHEV ECO mode

H3
PHEV (PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
The Kia Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehi-
cle and an all-electric vehicle.
When used as a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, the HEV computer selectively operates between the engine and
the electric motor or even both at the same time.
When it is operating in the electric vehicle mode, the vehicle is driven only using the electric motor over a certain dis-
tance until the hybrid battery becomes low. The driving distance in EV mode depends on customer driving style and road
conditions. Aggressive driving maneuvers may at times temporarily enable the engine to operate for maximum power.
The hybrid battery can be fully charged by connecting a plug to an external electric power source.
The engine can be turned on based on a number of factors such as heater usage and a frequent operation of the
accelerator pedal by a driver in Charge Depleting mode.
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Electric Vehicle ModeStart up/Low speedAcceleration High speed
DecelerationExternal charging
Electric motor
CD (Charge Depleting) ModeCS (Charge Sustaining) ModeCharging
MotorEngine+MotorEngine+Motor
or MotorChargingBattery charging
6

H5
Charging Status Information
When charging the high voltage bat-
tery, the charge level can be checked
from outside the vehicle.
Charging Connector
AUTO/LOCK Mode
You may select when the charging
connector can be locked and
unlocked in the charging inlet.
Press the button to change
between AUTO mode and LOCK
mode.
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Operation of ChargingIndicator Lamp
Details
(1)(2)(3)
(OFF)(OFF)(OFF)Not Charged
Blinking(OFF)(OFF)
Charging
0~33%
(ON)Blinking(OFF)34~66%
(ON)(ON)Blinking67~99%
(ON)(ON)(ON)
Charging complete
(100%)(turns OFF in 5 seconds)
BlinkingBlinkingBlinkingError while charging
(OFF)(OFF)Blinking
Charging 12 V aux-iliary battery or
reserved air condi- tioner is operating
(OFF)Blinking(OFF)
Reserved charging is operating (turns OFF after 3 min-
utes) or interrup-
tions that temporar- ily prevent charging (e.g. power failure)
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H29
Plug-in hybrid mode message

: The high-voltage
(hybrid) battery is
used to drive the
vehicle.

: The drive mode
will be automati-
cally selected
from either Electric
(CD) mode or
Hybrid (CS) mode
by the system
according to the
driving condition.
: The high-voltage
(hybrid) battery
and gasoline
engine are used to
drive the vehicle.
A corresponding message is dis-
played to indicate the selected mode.
■‘Infotainment System’ screen
Press [PHEV] on the [Home screen].
The Plug-in Hybrid menu consists of
five sections: [EV range], [Energy
information], [Charge management],
[ECO driving], [Energy flow].
For more information, please refer to
the Multimedia System Manual that
was separately supplied with your
vehicle.
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H34
Switching to Hybrid mode to allow
heating (Plug-in hybrid vehicle)
When the outdoor temperature is
lower than 8.6°F (-13°C), 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 outdoor temperature is
higher than 14°F (-10°C), 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.)

H41
ECONOMICAL and SAFE
OPERATION of Hybrid system
Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a
moderate rate and maintain a
steady cruising speed. Don't make
"jack-rabbit" starts. Don't race
between stoplights.
Avoid heavy traffic whenever pos-
sible. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from other vehicles so you
can avoid unnecessary braking.
This also reduces brake wear.
The regenerative brake generates
energy when the vehicle deceler-
ates.
When the hybrid battery power is
low, the hybrid system automatical-
ly recharges the hybrid battery.
When the engine runs in "N" posi-
tion, the hybrid system cannot gen-
erate electricity. The hybrid battery
cannot recharge in "N" position.
Please refer to chapter 6.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
When the hybrid system is in ready
mode, the engine will automatically
start and stop as needed.
The " " symbol will illuminate in
the cluster when the system is oper-
ational.
CAUTION - Extended
cranking
Do not crank the engine for a
prolonged period of time with-
out the engine starting. This
could result in damage to the
HEV battery and result in total
discharge.

Safety features of your vehicle
26 3
Seat belts - Front passenger and
rear seat 3-point system with
combination locking retractor
To fasten your seat belt:
Combination retractor type seat belts
are installed in the rear seat posi-
tions to help accommodate the
installation of child restraint systems.
Although a combination retractor is
also installed in the front passenger
seat position, it is strongly recom-
mended that children always be
seated in the rear seat. NEVER
place any infant restraint system in
the front seat of the vehicle.
This type of seat belt combines the
features of both an emergency lock-
ing retractor seat belt and an auto-
matic locking retractor seat belt. To
fasten your seat belt, pull it out of the
retractor and insert the metal tab into
the buckle. There will be an audible
"click" when the tab locks into the
buckle. When not securing a child
restraint, the seat belt operates in the
same way as the driver's seat belt
(Emergency Locking Retractor Type).It automatically adjusts to the proper
length only after the lap belt portion
of the seat belt is adjusted manually
so that it fits snugly around your hips.
When the seat belt is fully extended
from the retractor to allow the instal-
lation of a child restraint system, the
seat belt operation changes to allow
the belt to retract, but not to extend
(Automatic Locking Retractor Type).
Refer to “Using a child restraint sys-
tem” in this section.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
Although the combination retractor
provides the same level of protection
for seated passengers in either emer-
gency or automatic locking modes,
have the seated passengers use the
emergency locking feature for improv-
ed convenience. The automatic locking
function is intended to facilitate child
restraint installation. To convert from
the automatic locking feature to the
emergency locking operation mode,
allow the unbuckled seat belt to fully
retract.
CAUTION
Do NOT fold down the left por-
tion of the rear seat back when
the rear center seat belt is buck-
led. ALWAYS UNBUCKLE the
rear center seat belt before fold-
ing down the left portion of the
rear seat back. If the rear center
seat belt is buckled when the
left portion of the rear seat back
is folded down, distortion and
damage to the top portion of the
seat back and seat belt garnish
may result, causing the seat
back to lock into the folded
down position.

345
Safety features of your vehicle
4. Slowly allow the shoulder portion
of the seat belt to retract and listen
for an audible "clicking" or "ratchet-
ing" sound. This indicates that the
retractor is in the "Automatic
Locking" mode. If no distinct sound
is heard, repeat steps 3 and 4.5. Remove as much slack from the
belt as possible by pushing down
on the child restraint system while
feeding the shoulder belt back into
the retractor.
6. Push and pull on the child restraint
system to confirm that the seat
belt is holding it firmly in place. If it
is not, release the seat belt and
repeat steps 2 through 6.
7. Double check that the retractor is
in the "Automatic Locking" mode
by attempting to pull more of the
seat belt out of the retractor. If you
cannot, the retractor is in the
"Automatic Locking" mode.If your CRS manufacturer instructs or
recommends you to use a tether
anchor with the lap/shoulder belt,
refer to the previous pages for more
information.
✽ ✽
NOTICE
When the seat belt is allowed to
retract to its fully stowed position,
the retractor will automatically
switch from the "Automatic
Locking" mode to the emergency
lock mode for normal adult usage.
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Safety features of your vehicle
56 3
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant detection
system
*1The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in
the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as a child depending
on his/her physique and posture.
*
2Do not allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. When a larger child who has
outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may rec-
ognize him/her as an adult depending upon his/her physique or sitting position.
*
3 Never install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat.
*
4The PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator may turn on or off when a child above
12 months to 12 years old (with or without child restraint system) sits in the front
passenger seat. This is a normal condition.
Condition detected by the
occupant classification system
Indicator/Warning lightDevices
“PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lightSRS warning
lightFront passenger
air bag
1. Adult*1OffOffActivated
2. Child restraint system with
child under 12 months old
*
2*3*4OnOffDeactivated
3. Unoccupied OnOffDeactivated
4. Malfunction in the systemOffOnActivated
CAUTION
Do not install a child restraint
seat in the passenger seat
when the seat is heavily
soaked with any type of liquid.
Do not alter or remodel the
ODS (Occupant Detection
System). This may damage the
system and prevent its proper
function in a collision.