Kia Picanto: Parking brake / Electronic Parking Brake (EPB): (if equipped)

After parking your Kia Picanto, apply the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) to help secure the vehicle against movement caused by external forces. Make applying the parking brake part of your routine whenever you leave the vehicle parked.

Applying the parking brake with EPB switch

1. Depress the brake pedal to hold the vehicle stationary.

2. Pull the EPB switch upwards to apply the electronic parking brake.

Check that the parking brake warning light illuminates to confirm application.

The EPB also applies automatically when the vehicle is switched off with Auto Hold enabled. You can additionally apply the parking brake after switching the vehicle off by pulling the EPB switch upwards.

WARNING

Unattended children can cause an accident or suffer serious injury.

Children left alone inside the vehicle may operate controls and cause it to move. For example, they could:

• Release the parking brake and allow the vehicle to move.

• Move the transmission out of P (Park).

• Start the engine or operate other vehicle equipment without understanding the consequences.

Never leave children or animals unattended inside the vehicle, even for a short period.

Whenever you leave the vehicle, take the smart key with you and lock the doors.

NOTE

If the vehicle does not remain stationary on a steep incline or while towing a trailer, follow this procedure:

1. Apply the EPB using the parking brake switch.

2. Pull the EPB switch upwards and hold it for more than 3 seconds.

Do not operate the EPB while the vehicle is moving unless an emergency makes its use necessary.

NOTE

You may hear a clicking sound or a whine from the electric brake motor when applying or releasing the EPB.

These operating sounds are normal and indicate that the electronic parking brake mechanism is working.

Releasing the parking brake with EPB switch

To release the parking brake manually with the EPB switch, complete the following steps:

1. Set the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.

2. Depress the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

3. Confirm that the transmission is in P (Park).

4. Press the EPB switch to release the parking brake.

5. Check that the brake warning light goes out, confirming that the parking brake has released.

Automatic release of EPB

The electronic parking brake in your Kia Picanto can release automatically when the following conditions are satisfied:

• Automatic transmission

  1. Start the engine.

  2. Fasten the driver’s seat belt.

  3. Make sure the driver’s door, bonnet and tailgate are closed.

  4. With R (Reverse) or D (Drive) selected, gradually depress the accelerator pedal.

Confirm that the brake warning light goes out when the EPB releases.

NOTE

• The EPB can be applied with the ENGINE START/STOP button in the OFF position. For safety, however, it cannot be released with the button in that position.

• When preparing to drive downhill or reverse, depress the brake pedal and release the parking brake manually using the EPB switch. Keep the vehicle controlled with the foot brake during release.

Do not use the accelerator-operated release procedure above on flat, level ground, as the vehicle may move forwards suddenly.

NOTE

If the parking brake warning light remains illuminated after the EPB has released, have the system inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner to investigate the warning.

CAUTION

Do not drive with the EPB applied. Doing so can cause excessive wear to the brake pads and brake rotors, so confirm that the parking brake has fully released before continuing.

Automatic application of EPB

The EPB applies automatically in the following circumstances:

• The transmission is shifted into P (Park) while the vehicle is on a slope.

• The engine is switched OFF while AUTO HOLD is enabled.

• The vehicle moves slightly with the transmission already in P (Park).

• Any of the following occurs while AUTO HOLD is active:

  • The driver’s door is opened.

  • The bonnet is opened.

  • The tailgate is opened.

  • The vehicle remains stopped for more than approximately 10 minutes.

• Another vehicle system requests application of the electronic parking brake.

NOTE

On vehicles equipped with both EPB and AUTO HOLD, switching the ENGINE START/STOP button to OFF after using Auto Hold during driving causes the electronic parking brake to engage automatically.

Switch off AUTO HOLD before turning off the ENGINE START/STOP button if you need to avoid this automatic transfer to the parking brake.

EPB warning

Under certain conditions, the EPB system provides an audible warning together with a message on the display:

• If you press the accelerator to move off while the EPB is applied and it does not release automatically, a warning will sound and a message will appear.

• A warning sounds and a message appears if the driver’s seat belt is unfastened and the bonnet, driver’s door or tailgate is open.

  A: To release EPB, fasten seatbelt and close door, bonnet, and trunk/tailgate

• A vehicle fault may also trigger an audible warning and a corresponding message on the display.

If one of these situations occurs, depress the brake pedal and press the EPB switch to release the parking brake manually.

WARNING

Parking Brake Use

• Never allow a passenger to operate or touch the parking brake control. An unintended release can allow the vehicle to move and may cause serious injury.

• Always apply the parking brake fully when parking. Securing the vehicle helps prevent accidental movement that could injure occupants, pedestrians or other people nearby.

• A click or an electric motor whine may be heard while the EPB applies or releases. These sounds are normal characteristics of the mechanism and indicate that it is operating.

• When handing your keys to a parking attendant or valet, explain how to operate the Kia Picanto electronic parking brake before leaving the vehicle with them.

• Driving with the EPB still applied may cause the electronic parking brake system to malfunction.

• When using the accelerator to release the EPB automatically, press the pedal slowly and progressively to keep the initial movement controlled.

If the transfer from Auto Hold to the EPB does not operate correctly, an audible warning will sound and a message will appear on the display.

A: Press brake pedal to deactivate AUTO HOLD

NOTE

Press the brake pedal when this message appears. Auto Hold and the EPB may not activate, so use the foot brake to keep the vehicle stationary.

If an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) signal causes the EPB to apply while Auto Hold is active, a warning will sound and the display will confirm that the parking brake has engaged.

A: Parking brake automatically engaged

EPB malfunction indicator

The EPB malfunction indicator illuminates when the ENGINE START/STOP button is set to ON. If the system is operating normally, the indicator goes out after approximately 3 seconds.

A possible EPB malfunction is indicated if the light stays on, illuminates while driving, or fails to illuminate when the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON. Each of these conditions requires attention.

If this happens, have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop as soon as possible. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

The EPB malfunction indicator may also illuminate alongside the ESC indicator when Electronic Stability Control is not operating correctly. In this situation, illumination of the EPB indicator does not necessarily mean that the electronic parking brake itself has malfunctioned.

NOTE

Abnormal operation of the EPB switch may cause the EPB warning light to illuminate. Switch the engine off, wait a few minutes, then restart it. The warning light should go out and normal switch operation should return. If the light remains illuminated, have the system checked by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

If the parking brake warning light does not illuminate, or flashes after you pull up the EPB switch, the parking brake has not applied. Do not assume that the vehicle is secured merely because the switch has been operated.

If the parking brake warning light flashes while the EPB warning light is on, press the EPB switch and then pull it upwards. Repeat the sequence once more by pressing the switch back to its original position and pulling it up again. If the EPB warning remains on, arrange an inspection at a professional workshop. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Emergency braking with the EPB switch

If a problem with the brake pedal occurs while driving, you can use the EPB switch for emergency braking. Pull the switch upwards and keep it held in that position.

Emergency braking is provided only for as long as you continue holding the EPB switch upwards.

WARNING

Do not use the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) while the vehicle is moving except in an emergency. Applying it at normal driving speeds can cause a sudden loss of vehicle control. If an emergency requires you to stop using the EPB, exercise extreme caution throughout the braking manoeuvre.

NOTE

During emergency braking with the EPB, the parking brake warning light illuminates to show that the system is operating.

If emergency use of the EPB produces a continuous noise or a burning smell, have your Kia Picanto checked by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner to inspect the system.

When the EPB is not released

If the EPB will not release normally, arrange for the vehicle to be loaded onto a flatbed tow truck and transported to a professional workshop for inspection. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner to check the system and resolve the release problem.