Kia Sportage: Warning lights

The warning light and indicator light indicate a situation where the driver should be careful and whether the various functions are activated.

Warning lights

The warning light indicates situations that require the driver to pay attention

NOTICE

Warning lights

Make sure that all warning lights are OFF after starting the engine. If any light is still ON, this indicates a situation that needs attention.

Air bag warning light

This warning light appears:

Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 ~ 6 seconds and then goes off.

When there is a malfunction with the SRS. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

 Seat belt warning light

This warning light informs the driver that the seat belt is not fastened.

* For more details, refer to "Seat belt restraint system"

Parking brake & brake fluid warning light

This warning light appears:

Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds
• It remains on if the parking brake is applied.

• When the parking brake is applied.
• When the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low.

• If the warning light appears with the parking brake released, it indicates the brake fluid level in reservoir is low.

If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is low:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. With the engine stopped, check the brake fluid level immediately and add fluid as required (For more details, refer to "Brake fluid").

   Then check all brake components for fluid leaks. If any leak on the brake system is still found, the warning light remains on, or the brakes do not operate properly, do not drive the vehicle.

   In this case, have your vehicle towed to an authorized Kia dealer and inspected.

Dual-diagonal braking system

Your vehicle is equipped with dual-diagonal braking systems. This means you still have braking on two wheels even if one of the dual systems should fail.

With only one of the dual systems working, more than normal pedal travel and greater pedal pressure are required to stop the vehicle.

Also, the vehicle will not stop in as short a distance with only a portion of the brake system working.

If the brakes fail while you are driving, shift to a lower gear for additional engine braking and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

Parking brake & brake fluid warning light

Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous. If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light appears with the parking brake released, it indicates that the brake fluid level is low.

In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.

• When there is a malfunction with the ABS (The normal braking system will still be operational without the assistance of the anti-lock brake system).

  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning light

These two warning lights appear at the same time while driving:

• When the ABS and regular brake system are not working, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning light

When both ABS and parking brake & brake fluid warning lights are on, the brake system will not work normally and you may experience an unexpected and dangerous situation during sudden braking.

Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light

This warning light appears:

Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.

When there is a malfunction with the EPB.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

NOTICE

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light

The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light may appear when the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light comes on to indicate that the ESC is not working properly (This does not indicate malfunction of the EPB).

Electric Power Steering (EPS) warning light

This warning light appears

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.

• This indicator light comes on after the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ON position and then goes out after approximately 3 seconds.

• When there is a malfunction with the EPS.

  In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Charging system warning light

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
• When there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system.

If there is a malfunction with either the alternator or electrical charging system:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and check the alternator drive belt for looseness or breakage.

   In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

This warning light appears:

• When you set the ignition switch or the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

• The malfunction indicator light appears for about 3 seconds and then goes off.

• Whenever there is a malfunction with either the emission control system or the engine or the vehicle powertrain.

  If this occurs, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

• Driving with the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on may cause damage to the emission control systems which could effect drivability and/or fuel economy.
• If the enhanced engine protection system becomes activated due to lack of engine oil, engine power will be limited.

  If such condition continues repeatedly, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp will appear.

CAUTION

If the oil pressure lowers due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the engine oil pressure warning light turns on and an enhanced engine protection system that limits the engine's power is activated.

After that, engine warning light turns on if driving repeatedly and continuously.

CAUTION

If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) appears, potential catalytic converter damage is possible which could result in loss of engine power. In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Engine oil pressure warning light

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP Button to the ON position.

• It remains on until the engine is started.

• When the engine oil pressure is low.

If the engine pressure is low:

• Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop your vehicle.
• Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to "Engine oil and filter"). If the level is low, add oil as required.
• If the warning light remains on after adding oil or if oil is not available, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer. Continued driving with the warning light on may cause engine failure.

NOTICE

• When engine oil pressure decreases due to insufficient engine oil, etc., the Engine Oil Pressure warning light will appear.
• The enhanced engine protection system which limits engine power will be activated. If the engine oil pressure is restored, the Engine Oil Pressure warning light and the enhanced engine protection system will turn off.
• When the engine oil pressure is restored, the warning light and the enhanced engine protection system will turn off after the engine is restarted.

CAUTION

Engine overheating

Do not continue driving with the engine overheated. Otherwise, the engine may be damaged.

CAUTION

Engine damage

If the engine is not stopped immediately after the engine oil pressure warning light is appeared and stays on while the engine is running, serious engine damage may result.

Exhaust system (GPF) warning light (Gasoline Engine)

This warning light appears:

• When there is a malfunction with Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) system.
• When this warning light appears, it may turn off after driving the vehicle:

• The vehicle should be driven for more than 30 minutes at a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h) and faster.
•  Ensure the following conditions are all met: safe road conditions, transmission 3rd gear or above, and engine speed of 1,500 - 4,000 rpm.

If this warning light blinks in spite of the procedure (at this time the LCD warning message will be displayed), have the GPF system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Gasoline engine with GPF (if equipped)

If you continue to drive with the GPF warning light blinking for a long time, the GPF system can be damaged and fuel consumption can worsen.

Low fuel level warning light

This warning light appears: When the fuel tank is nearly empty.

If the fuel tank is nearly empty: Add fuel as soon as possible.

CAUTION

Low fuel level

Driving with the Low Fuel Level warning light on or with the fuel level below "E" can cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter.

Master warning light

This indicator light appears:

This warning light informs the driver the following situations

• LED headlamp malfunction (if equipped)
• Lamp malfunction
• High Beam Assist malfunction (if equipped)

To identify the details of the warning look at the LCD display.

If the warning situation is solved, the master warning light will turn off.

Low tire pressure warning light (if equipped)

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.

• When one or more of your tires are significantly under inflated. (The location of the underinflated tires are displayed on the LCD display).

* For more details, refer to "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)"

This warning light remains on after blinking for approximately 60 seconds or repeats blinking on and off at the intervals of approximately 3 seconds:

• When there is a malfunction with the TPMS.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

* For more details, refer to "Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)"

WARNING

Low tire pressure

• Significantly low tire pressure makes the vehicle unstable and can contribute to loss of vehicle control and increased braking distances.
• Continued driving with low pressure tires will cause the tires to overheat and fail.

WARNING

Safe stopping

• The TPMS cannot alert you about severe and sudden tire damage caused by external factors.
• If you notice any vehicle instability, immediately take your foot off the accelerator pedal, apply the brakes gradually with light force, and slowly move to a safe position off the road.

LED headlamp warning light

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ENGINE START/ STOP button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.

• When there is a malfunction with the LED headlamp.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

This warning light blinks:

• When there is a malfunction with a LED headlamp related part.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

LED headlamp warning light

Continuous driving with the LED Headlamp Warning Light on or blinking can reduce LED headlamp (low beam) life.

Forward Safety warning light

This indicator light appears:

• When there is a malfunction with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

In this case, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

* For more details, refer to "Forward Collision- Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Front Camera Only) (if equipped)" or "Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion) (if equipped)"

Icy road warning light (if equipped)

This warning light is to warn the driver the road may be icy. When the temperature on the outside temperature gauge is approximately below 39 ºF (4 ºC) the Icy road warning light and outside temperature gauge blinks and then appears.

Also, the warning chime sounds 1 time.

All Wheel Drive (AWD) warning light (if equipped)

This warning light appears:

• Once you set the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

• It appears for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.

• When there is a malfunction with the AWD.

  In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

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