Kia Picanto: Warning and indicator lights / Warning lights

NOTE

Checking the warning lights

After starting your Kia Picanto, check that the warning lights have gone out once their initial checks are complete and any indicated operating condition, such as an applied parking brake, has been addressed. A warning light that remains illuminated requires attention according to the guidance for that particular system.

Air Bag Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • The light remains illuminated for approximately six seconds, then goes out.

• When a malfunction is detected in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).

  If the light indicates a fault, have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Seat Belt Warning Light

The seat belt warning light alerts the driver that the seat belt is not fastened. Check the belt and secure it correctly before driving.

Refer to “Seat belts” for further information about the warning and correct belt use.

Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It illuminates for approximately three seconds during the initial check.

  • It remains illuminated if the parking brake is applied.

• Whenever the parking brake is applied, providing a reminder that it has not been released.

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

  • If the light remains on with the parking brake released, it indicates a low brake fluid level that requires immediate attention.

If the brake fluid level is low:

1. Proceed carefully to the nearest safe stopping place and bring the vehicle to a stop.

2. Switch off the engine and check the brake fluid level immediately. Add the specified fluid if required, following the instructions in “Brake/clutch fluid”, and check the braking system for fluid leaks. Do not drive if a leak is found, the warning light remains illuminated or braking does not feel normal.

   Have the vehicle towed to a professional workshop for inspection. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Dual-diagonal braking system

Your Kia Picanto has a dual-diagonal braking system. If one of its two circuits fails, the other circuit can still provide braking at two wheels.

With only one circuit operating, stopping requires greater brake pedal pressure and more pedal travel than normal.

Stopping distance also increases because only part of the braking system remains available. Do not expect the vehicle to stop within its usual distance.

If the brakes fail while driving, select a lower gear to obtain additional engine braking and stop as soon as you can do so safely.

WARNING

Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

Driving with this warning illuminated can be dangerous. If it stays on after the parking brake has been released, the brake fluid level is low and the braking system requires attention.

Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner, and the towing instructions above apply if a leak, persistent warning or abnormal braking is present.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It remains on for approximately three seconds, then goes out.

• When an ABS malfunction is detected. Conventional braking remains available, but without the assistance of the anti-lock braking system.

  Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light : (if equipped)

The ABS warning light and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid warning light may illuminate together while driving:

• This combination indicates that the ABS and conventional braking system may not be operating normally.

  Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

WARNING

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning

If both the ABS and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid warning lights are illuminated, braking operation is abnormal. Sudden braking may produce an unexpected and dangerous response.

Avoid high speeds and abrupt braking while bringing the vehicle to a safe location.

Arrange inspection by a professional workshop as soon as possible. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

NOTE

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning

When the ABS warning light is on, either alone or together with the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid warning light, the speedometer, odometer or tripmeter may stop working. The Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) warning light may also illuminate, and the effort required to steer may increase or decrease.

Have these symptoms investigated by a professional workshop as soon as possible.

Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It illuminates for approximately three seconds, then goes out.

• When a malfunction is detected in the Electronic Parking Brake.

  Kia recommends having the vehicle inspected by an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

NOTE

Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) warning light

The EPB warning light may also illuminate alongside the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) indicator when ESC is not operating correctly. In that situation, illumination of the EPB light does not by itself indicate an EPB malfunction.

AUTO HOLD indicator light (AUTO HOLD): (if equipped)

The colour of the AUTO HOLD indicator identifies the system’s operating state:

• White: AUTO HOLD has been enabled by pressing the AUTO HOLD button.

• Green: With AUTO HOLD enabled, the vehicle has been brought to a complete stop by pressing the brake pedal.

• Yellow: A malfunction has been detected in the AUTO HOLD system.

  Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Refer to “AUTO HOLD” for detailed operating instructions and an explanation of the system’s functions.

Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • The light comes on during the initial check and normally goes out after approximately three seconds.

• When a fault is detected in the Motor Driven Power Steering system.

  Have the system inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It remains illuminated for approximately three seconds before going out.

• When a malfunction is detected in the emission control system, engine or powertrain. Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop; Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

CAUTION

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

Continuing to drive with the MIL illuminated may damage the emission control equipment. Such damage can also affect drivability, fuel economy or both.

CAUTION

Petrol engine

An illuminated MIL can indicate a condition that may damage the catalytic converter and lead to reduced engine power.

Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop as soon as possible.

Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Charging System Warning Light

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It remains illuminated until the engine starts.

• When a malfunction occurs in the alternator or electrical charging system.

If an alternator or charging system malfunction occurs:

1. Drive carefully to the nearest safe location and stop the vehicle.

2. Switch off the engine before checking whether the alternator drive belt is loose or broken.

   Arrange for the vehicle to be inspected by a professional workshop as soon as possible.

   Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

This light indicates the following operating conditions and requires the actions described below if it illuminates while the engine is running:

• It illuminates when the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • The light remains on until the engine starts.

• It illuminates when engine oil pressure is low. This is a pressure warning and requires prompt attention.

• If it comes on during driving, proceed carefully to the nearest safe stopping place and stop.

• Switch off the engine and check the engine oil level. Refer to “Engine Oil” in chapter 7 for the checking procedure. If the level is low, add the specified oil as required.

• If the warning remains illuminated after oil has been added, or suitable oil is unavailable, have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop as soon as possible. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner. Do not continue driving with the warning on, as this may cause engine failure.

NOTE

• Insufficient engine oil is one possible cause of reduced oil pressure. Whenever the pressure falls low enough, the Engine Oil Pressure warning light illuminates.

Low Fuel Level Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

When the fuel tank is nearly empty, alerting you that the remaining supply is low.

If the fuel tank is nearly empty:

Refuel as soon as possible rather than continuing until the fuel supply is exhausted.

CAUTION

Low fuel level

Driving with the low fuel warning illuminated or with the gauge below 0 or E can cause engine misfiring. This may damage the catalytic converter, where fitted.

Low Tyre Pressure Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON.

  • It illuminates for approximately three seconds, then goes out.

• When one or more tyres are significantly underinflated.

Refer to “Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” for instructions on responding to a low-pressure warning.

A TPMS malfunction may cause the light to flash for approximately 70 seconds and then remain illuminated, or to repeatedly flash and go out at intervals of approximately three seconds:

• These warning patterns indicate that the tyre pressure monitoring system is not functioning correctly.

  Have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop as soon as possible.

  Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

See “Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” for further details about fault indications and system operation.

WARNING

Safe stopping

• TPMS cannot warn you of every tyre failure, including severe, sudden damage caused by an external impact or other outside factors.

• If the vehicle becomes unstable, immediately release the accelerator. Apply the brakes gradually and lightly, then carefully move to a safe stopping position off the road.

Forward Safety warning light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition is switched to ON, it illuminates for approximately three seconds and then goes out.

• Yellow: Forward Safety has been deselected, is disabled or has a detected malfunction.

  • If Forward Safety is selected and the yellow light remains on after the sensor has been uncovered or its obstruction removed, Kia recommends having the vehicle inspected by an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

The warning light flashes in the following situation:

• Red: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist is operating.

Refer to “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Front Camera Only)” or “Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) (Sensor Fusion)”, according to the system fitted to your Kia Picanto.

Inattentive Driving Warning light : (if equipped)

This indicator illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is switched to ON, it illuminates for approximately three seconds and then goes out.

• Yellow: Driver Attention Warning is disabled or a malfunction has been detected. If the yellow light stays on after the front view camera has been uncovered or its obstruction removed, Kia recommends inspection by an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

The indicator flashes in the following situation:

• Yellow: Driver Attention Warning is recommending that you take a break.

See “Driver Attention Warning (DAW)” for an explanation of its alerts and operating limitations.

Forward Attention Warning light

This warning light illuminates under the following conditions:

• When the vehicle is switched to ON, it illuminates for approximately three seconds before going out.

• Forward Attention Warning is disabled or a malfunction has been detected. If the warning remains after the in-cabin camera has been uncovered or its obstruction removed, have the vehicle inspected by a professional workshop. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

The warning light flashes in the following situation:

• Forward Attention Warning is prompting the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

Refer to “Forward Attention Warning (FAW)” for more information about the system and its warnings.

Overspeed Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light flashes under the following condition:

• Vehicle speed exceeds 120 km/h.

  • The warning draws your attention to excessive speed and prompts you to reduce it.

  • An accompanying overspeed warning chime sounds for approximately five seconds.

Master Warning Light : (if equipped)

The master warning light illuminates to draw attention to a vehicle condition requiring review:

• Depending on the equipment fitted, the warning may concern one or more of the following situations:

  • A driver assistance system malfunction, operating limitation or blocked radar or camera, if equipped.

  • A Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction.

  • A blocked radar affecting Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

  • A Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist malfunction, if equipped.

  • A blocked radar affecting Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, if equipped.

  • A TPMS failure, low tyre pressure where equipped, or another condition covered by the master warning function.

The master warning light switches off once the condition responsible for the warning has been resolved.

Door Ajar Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

When a door is not securely closed. Check the doors and make sure each one is properly latched.

Tailgate Open Warning Light : (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

When the tailgate is not securely closed. Check its position and confirm that the latch has engaged.

Icy Road Warning Light : (if equipped)

The icy road warning alerts you that outside conditions may allow ice to form on the road.

When the condition below is met, the warning light and outside temperature display flash before remaining illuminated, and a warning chime sounds once:

• The outside temperature reading falls below approximately 4°C (39°F).

NOTE

If the icy road warning appears while driving, increase your attention to road conditions and drive cautiously. Avoid excessive speed, rapid acceleration, sudden braking and sharp steering movements.