Kia Picanto: Brake system / Anti-lock brake system (ABS): (if equipped)

WARNING

ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent accidents caused by unsafe driving or dangerous manoeuvres. Although these systems can help you maintain control during emergency braking, you must still leave a safe distance between your vehicle and any vehicles or obstacles ahead. Reduce your speed whenever road conditions become particularly difficult.

On certain surfaces, a vehicle equipped with ABS or ESC may require a longer braking distance than a vehicle without these systems. Their presence does not guarantee a shorter stop in every situation.

Drive at reduced speeds and allow additional space for stopping under the following conditions:

• On rough roads, loose gravel or snow-covered surfaces.

• When tyre chains are fitted to the vehicle.

• On roads with potholes, depressions or changes in surface height.

Never attempt to test the capabilities of ABS or ESC by driving at high speed or cornering aggressively. Such behaviour can put you, your passengers and other road users in danger.

The ABS in your Kia Picanto continuously monitors wheel speed. When it detects that a wheel is about to lock during braking, the system repeatedly adjusts the hydraulic brake pressure supplied to the wheels to help prevent lock-up.

During braking that would otherwise cause the wheels to lock, you may hear a repeated ticking sound from the brakes or feel pulsation through the brake pedal. These sounds and sensations are normal signs that ABS is actively regulating brake pressure.

To obtain the greatest benefit from ABS during an emergency, maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal rather than trying to regulate the pressure yourself. Do not pump the brakes. Press the pedal as hard as necessary for the situation, using maximum pressure when required, and allow ABS to control the braking force delivered to the wheels.

NOTE

A clicking sound may come from the engine compartment when the vehicle first begins moving after the engine has started. This is a normal operating characteristic and indicates that the anti-lock brake system is functioning.

• Your Kia Picanto still needs sufficient distance to stop, even with ABS fitted. Always maintain a safe following distance and leave enough room to respond to changes in the traffic ahead.

• Reduce your speed before entering a corner. ABS cannot prevent an accident caused by taking a bend or making a turn at an excessive speed.

• On loose or uneven road surfaces, ABS operation may increase the stopping distance compared with a conventional braking system. Adjust your speed and following distance to account for these conditions.

CAUTION

• If the ABS warning light illuminates and remains on, there may be a fault in the anti-lock brake system. The conventional brakes will continue to operate normally in this situation, but ABS assistance may be unavailable.

• The ABS warning light normally illuminates for approximately 3 seconds after the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is set to ON. During this period, the system performs a self-check. The light then goes out if normal operation is confirmed. If it remains illuminated, have the ABS inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

CAUTION

• On a surface with very little grip, such as an icy road, continuous brake application may keep ABS operating for an extended period and cause the ABS warning light to illuminate. If this occurs, pull over to a safe location, stop the vehicle and switch off the engine.

• Restart the engine and check the ABS warning light. If it goes out, the system has returned to normal operation. If the light stays on, there may be an ABS fault that requires inspection. Have the system checked by a professional workshop; Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

NOTE

After jump-starting your Kia Picanto because of a discharged battery, you may notice that the engine runs less smoothly and the ABS warning light illuminates at the same time. Low battery voltage can cause these symptoms, so their appearance in this situation does not necessarily mean that ABS has malfunctioned.

• Do not pump the brake pedal. Use steady pedal pressure and allow the braking system to operate as intended.

• Have the discharged battery recharged before driving the vehicle.