Kia Forte: Warning lights

✽ 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 illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It illuminates for approximately 6 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the SRS. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Seat Belt Warning Light

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

Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It illuminates 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 illuminates 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" in chapter 7).

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.

WARNING - Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light

Driving the vehicle with a warning light ON is dangerous. If the Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Light illuminates 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 illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position. It illuminates 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 your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light

  

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

When the ABS and regular brake system may not work normally. In this case, 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 and stay on, the brake system will not work normally during sudden braking. In this case, avoid high speed driving and abrupt braking. Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

✽ NOTICE - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) System Warning Light

When the ABS Warning Light is on or both ABS and Parking Brake & Brake Fluid Warning Lights are on, the speedometer, odometer, or tripmeter may not work. Also, the EPS Warning Light may illuminate and the steering effort may increase or decrease. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It remains on until the engine is started.
• When there is a malfunction with the EPS.

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

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It remains on until the engine is started.
• When there is a malfunction with the emission control system. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION - Gasoline Engine

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

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.

Charging System Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It remains on until the engine is started.
• 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.

If the belt is adjusted properly, there may be a problem in the electrical charging system.

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

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

When the engine coolant temperature is above 120°C (248°F). This means that the engine is overheated and may be damaged.

CAUTION - Engine Overheating

Do not drive the vehicle when the Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light is illuminated or the engine is overheated. Continuing to drive the vehicle while it is overheated may damage the engine.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

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 oil pressure is low:

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

2. Turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (For more details, refer to "Engine Oil" in section 7). 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 your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

CAUTION - Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

• If the engine is not stopped immediately after the Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light is illuminated, severe damage could result.
• If the warning light stays on while the engine is running, there may be serious engine damage. In this case,  Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Turn off the engine and check the oil level. If the oil level is low, fill the engine oil to the proper level. Start the engine again. If the warning light stays on after the engine is started, turn the engine off immediately. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

Low Fuel Level Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

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 can cause the engine to misfire and damage the catalytic converter (if equipped).

Low Tire Pressure Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position.It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When one or more of your tires are significantly under inflated.

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

When there is a malfunction with the TPMS.

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

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 or low pressure tires will cause the tires to overheat and fail.

WARNING - Safe Stopping

• The TPMS cannot alert you to 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.

Door Ajar Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

When a door is not closed securely.

Trunk (tailgate) Open Warning Light

This warning light illuminates:

When the trunk (tailgate) is not closed securely.

Washer Fluid Warning Light (if equipped)

This warning light illuminates:

When the washer fluid level in the reservoir is nearly empty.

In this case, you should refill the washer fluid.

Indicator Lights Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position. It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When there is a malfunction with the ESC system.

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

This indicator light blinks:

While the ESC is operating.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF

Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

• Once you set the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop Button to the ON position. It illuminates for approximately 3 seconds and then goes off.
• When you deactivate the ESC system by pressing the ESC OFF button

ECOMINDER® indicator Active ECO system

This indicator light illuminates:

When the Active ECO button is pressed the ECOMINDER® indicator (green) will illuminate to show that the Active ECO is operating.

Immobilizer Indicator Light (Without Smart Key) (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the vehicle detects the immobilizer in your key properly while the ignition switch is ON. At this time, you can start the engine.The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks:

When there is a malfunction with the immobilizer system.

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

Immobilizer Indicator Light (With Smart Key) (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates for up to 30 seconds:

When the vehicle detects the smart key in the vehicle properly while the Engine Start/Stop Button is ACC or ON.

At this time, you can start the engine.The indicator light goes off after starting the engine.

This indicator light blinks for a few seconds:

When the smart key is not in the vehicle.At this time, you can not start the engine.

This indicator light illuminates for 2 seconds and goes off:

When the vehicle can not detect the smart key which is in the vehicle while the Engine Start/Stop Button is ON.

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

This indicator light blinks:

When the battery of the smart key is weak.At this time, you can not start the engine. However, you can start the engine if you press the Engine Start/Stop Button with the smart key.

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

Turn Signal Indicator Light

This indicator light blinks:

When you turn the turn signal light on.

If any of the following occurs, there may be a malfunction with the turn signal system. In this case, have your vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

The indicator light does not blink but illuminates. The indicator light blinks more rapidly.The indicator light does not illuminate at all.

High Beam Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates:

• When the headlights are on and in the high beam position
• When the turn signal lever is pulled into the Flash-to-Pass position.

Light ON Indicator Light

This indicator light illuminates:

When the tail lights or headlights are on.

Front Fog Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

When the front fog lights are on.

Cruise Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

When the cruise control system is enabled.

Cruise SET Indicator Light (if equipped)

This indicator light illuminates:

When the cruise control speed is set.

KEY OUT Indicator Light (if equipped)

When the ENGINE START/STOP button is in the ACC or ON position, if any door is open, the system checks for the smart key.

This indicator light blinks:

When the smart key is not in the vehicle and any door is open with the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop button in the ACC or ON position.

At this time, if you close all doors, the chime will also sound for approximately 5 seconds.The indicator will go off while the vehicle is moving.